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New Apple Digital Device?

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Original poster
Apr 12, 2001
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Appleinsider rekindles rumors of an Apple Set Top Box.

The vague details describe "a device that will allow consumers to wirelessly broadcast their iTunes play libraries--from an iPod or PC--to a home stereo, among other things".

Other reports claim iPhoto and iDVD compatibility with this media hub.

Rumors of an apple "Set Top Box" go back years, but match recent pre MWSF hints as well as a entry in the 2003 rumor reject pile. Meanwhile, Appleinsider recently claimed that Apple would be producing a 'home appliance' of some sort in the near future.
 
Article Link
https://www.macrumors.com/2004/02/18/new-apple-digital-device/
Do AppleInsider ever get things right? This rumour has been round a lot yet nothing has materialised. Would Apple be willing to enter another niche market? Here in the UK, I don't think I have any peers who use a TiVO despite being on sale for a few years. Sky Plus is a similar service but I don't know anyone who uses that either.

I always think it'd be nice to have my iTunes playing on my Hi-Fi via a small wireless receiver but if apple are going to make something then surely it wont be a small device, it will have plenty of features meaning plenty of size, something you wouldn't want on top of your HiFi? but under your TV.
 
Originally posted by SpaceMagic
Do AppleInsider ever get things right? This rumour has been round a lot yet nothing has materialised.
Click to expand...

With Appleinsider's more frequent updates, their reliability has been more variable.

They do seem to have some real info, but have had misses too. (PowerMac updates at MWSF for example).

arn
 
Personally I'd find something like that completely useless. Surely Apple are doing something more exciting than that (although maybe there are enough people that want it that it would be a good investment for Apple).
I don't take much notice of these types of rumours anymore. Very few of them seem to come true, so I'll wait to get excited about whatever the current rumours are until that product is released, at least until the rumours become more accurate (if that ever happens, after all rumours and accurate are pretty much an oxymoron ;) ).
 
set top silliness

i wish they'd let this one die, i predict that nothing about it will turn out to be true.

a wireless gizmo for transmitting iPod tunes is reasonable, but that's more on the level of a nifty peripheral than a major new appliance.
 
I for one, hope this is true. I would love a beautiful and easy way to play my digital music on my stereo while pictures play.

I think it is going to happen, but may not this year given, as others have pointed out, it's still a small market. On the other hand, Apple loves to be first and sooner or later it is going to be a problem that iTunes and only iTunes can play your iTMS music. Apple needs to ensure that Windows media formats don't seem more "open."
 
Well, if Apple can make a great product, I will welcome it.
I'm a die hard music fan with a huge record collection and I use iTunes more and more while most of my CD's are gathering dust,
so I think other people are getting ready for a product like that as well.
 
I would have to say, If it allowed us (broadband customers) to use it to wirelessly pipe iTunes radio, and paid music over our A/V system, effectively replacing our old 80+W A/V receiver, we are in.

We have 801.11 throughout and we NEVER use FM anymore.

The Apple logo would just be icing on the cake...

;)

Regards
 
I reckon apple are going to release a projecter aimed a joe public.. not costing $2,000 (closer to $600) this highly portable projector will be able to project to just 1.5 square metres, but is ideal for travelling and people who want big without having to carry a tv everywhere.... intergration with itunes visualiser and iphoto slideshows.

just an idea
 
Originally posted by nagromme
Apple has clearly said there WILL be other "DLDs."

I have no idea whether any real info on them is lurking in the AI report. But don't expect whatever (whenever) "it" is to be something everyone "gets" at first glance. Look at how folks here decried the original iPod :D

https://forums.macrumors.com/showthread.php?s=&threadid=500
Click to expand...

This ref has gotten a lot of milage. Don't forget when the flat panel iMac G4 came out everyone was praising apple for the revolutionary design--I thought it kicked ass and that it would surely sell more than the original imac design. On the other hand, we (some naysayers in the macrumors crowd) might be right--to me this DLD is a waste.
 
Well, I know the rumor has been around for quite some time now, but to me, it makes sense. Apple is trying to position itself as the center of one's digital lifestyle. Beyond the incredible systems, you also have the iPod, iLife, iTunes, the Music Store, etc, etc, etc. An item along these lines is not really that far fetched as it would fit in with the business model that they are portraying.

Personally, I would welcome such a device. I have damn near 1000 CDs that I'm ripping onto a firewire drive and play through iTunes more then anything. Being able to pipe those, as well as the internet radio, through my stereo would be great.
 
Originally posted by SpaceMagic
Do AppleInsider ever get things right? This rumour has been round a lot yet nothing has materialised. Would Apple be willing to enter another niche market? Here in the UK, I don't think I have any peers who use a TiVO despite being on sale for a few years. Sky Plus is a similar service but I don't know anyone who uses that either.
Click to expand...

You can't actually get TiVO in the UK anymore, hence why none of your friends have it!

I have SKY+, and I have to say, it's fantastic. But I don't need an apple box to do that.... I have my mactop connected to the tv and hifi already (as well as my record decks with Final Scratch) and it works fine. MP3s, movies, all I want. So why would I want a set top box to do that instead?

What I would really like, is an option like "make legible on the telly" that makes all the fonts big and clear for use on a tv.
 
Completely plausible

I think this is a great idea. I don't even think it is a 'niche' market or an attempt to enter a 'new' market.

It is just another terrific way for Apple to extend the computer out through the home. I think people want to play their computer/ipod based music on their stereos and play image slideshows and quicktime/DVD movies on the massive and expensive widescreen TV's, without having to burn it first.

Great idea. Whack the ibox on the TV or stereo - plug it in away you go - Wireless sound and movies.
 
Personally, I'd rather see Apple spend time updating the iMac/Powerbooks/eMacs right now then work on some media centre box.

So far the rumor looks good, hopefully Apple does such, but lets get on to updating the lines!
 
and a potentially great new revenue stream...

Having got a load of apple devices, the iPods, into people's homes and having so far no real evidence that large numbers of these iPod owners are going out and buying iMacs (hence the iTunes for windows gig), giving them something that enhances their existing product specifically is a great idea.

Seeing the large range of peripherals and cosmetic items that have sprung up around the iPod from other manufacturers, which is always a good sign (remember when all those manufacturers started using iMac-like coloured translucent plastics?) it shows that there is a market for upselling based on owning the iPod.

So if Apple craftily creates the digital hub, less computer, more lifestyle, then they've got another item that completely circumnavigates the OS argument. Who gives a monkey what operating system the iPod runs, it's "platform independent". Same deal, possibly, for the hub device thing.

I've no idea whether they're developing one or not, but it would make utter commercial sense.
 
dream

imagine more than tivo: it can wi-fi connect to all your tvs, so you can play your itunes in every room that has a tv, so even if you don't have your house wired with speakers, it will act that way. it will record dvds, and it can copy a dvd that's in your superdrive. apple is creative. they could make a rad hub for my digital world.
 
I'm still of the opinion that an Apple set-top box would sell wonderfully. Microsoft has already cleared the way and demonstrated to investors that all the pieces are in place (thier Media Center Edition PCs are wonderful, if not stable. I have one myself.). Apple could come in like it did with the iPod- make it pretty, add some features no one's thought of, make it stable and easy to use. Basically, I think the groundwork has been laid and Apple could easily make a Media to TV hub mainstream.

They would make a killing, in my opinion.
 
Originally posted by SpaceMagic
Here in the UK, I don't think I have any peers who use a TiVO despite being on sale for a few years. Sky Plus is a similar service but I don't know anyone who uses that either.
Click to expand...

You just don't have the right friends ;-)

I'm in the UK too, and know 8 people with Tivo (including my parents, who show it to everyone who visits them), and two with Sky+. I've got my own Tivo too, which I purchased second-hand off eBay. My old housemate had one, so when I moved out I had to buy my own, Even two weeks without one was torture!

I'm very wary of other PVR products - the software is *extremely* important, and Tivo had got it absolutely spot on. One of the best UIs of any device - ever. If the others don't have a decent UI then they'll be crap.
 
I think this is a good idea.

iTunes and iPhoto are both ready to share with Rendezvous.
Add a few more features to a box, maybe something TiVo like, and you have an awesome file server for you music and photos and if we are lucky TV programs all over the house.

The only reservations that I have are..

Will it be compatible with Windows machines?
If they aren't this product will have some troubles selling to the masses.

Will the price be something that we can afford?
Always an issue, especially here at MRs.

I guess we will have to wait and see.

And for all those gripping about Apple losing focus... I have confidence that they will produce new PMs, iMacs and PBs by the end of the year, they are waiting on other factors like IBM before they make their move.
Take a pill, one that chills and be ready for an "awesome year" its only Feb.
 
Re: New Apple Digital Device?

"a device that will allow consumers to wirelessly broadcast their iTunes play libraries--from an iPod or PC--to a home stereo, among other things".

Other reports claim iPhoto and iDVD compatibility with this media hub.
Click to expand...

Um, I think this is wishful thinking. I don't see how from the iTunes perspective this is any better than buying an extra dock, and connecting your iPod to the stereo. Think of it, spend $150 - $200 on a box that allows you to stream your iTunes library or spend $250+ on an iPod that allows you to hard wire the device to the stereo (much better sound quality), and still have a portable player.

Now, if it does do iPhoto and iDVD that might be cool, and worth the price, but from a strictly music perspective...I don't think so.

Maybe the Bose connection mentioned in the article is some sort built in connectivity of the iPod to the Bose lifestyle system that allows control though the Bose system. (Think Alpine car stereo) Press Release

Cheers,
 
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