Apple has my money
After reading Mike Davidson's breakdown of Apple's Macworld 2005 announcements, I started wondering about that "iHome" hoax that appeared last week. Even after I saw the fake photos, the excitement wore off in a matter of minutes. While the "media center" concept is all abuzz these days, with TiVo, Microsoft, and others already in the fray, does that really matter for Apple? At last week's CES, it seemed like everyone had some sort of "digital lifestyle" device.
"Does Apple really want to jump into this arena?" I thought. Of course they do. Apple is the company that coined the phrase "digital lifestyle" just a few years ago. But aside from the product and UI design, I wondered what Apple could bring to the table that would really set them apart, really make people want this thing.
In the case of Mike's dream device, it'd have to do a whole lot more than this to get me on board.
- Stackable stereo component form-factor
- Two HD tuners and two SD tuners
- 10-foot interface built on top of OS X but separate from OS X’s 2-foot UI
- Apps are limited to the guide, 10-foot iTunes, and 10-foot iPhoto
- Unit would act as your PVR, your digital music jukebox, and your photo album
- Sling-like functionality to beam your TV signal over IP to any location
Let's say I have this hooked up to my TV in my living room. Let's say I also despise TiVo, but I want some sort of DVR. So what if this thing could track, schedule and record what I want all on its own? I could probably get my G4 to do this, but why should I have to? Make it more rudimentary than TiVo, but enough for those who want a modern equivalent of the VCR.
While an Apple DVR is an interesting idea, as long as it's based on the TiVo scheme, I'm out. I hate the fact that TiVo insists you pay for something that shouldn't cost you anything. I don't remember paying a monthly fee with the VCR... When it comes down to it, I guess I'm not that much of a TV fiend. If I can't watch it live, I just don't watch it.
Okay, but let's say I like movies, so a DVD player would be nice...but people already have DVD players these days. I have four. What I'd like to see is a DVD player than can rip and store (but not burn, I suppose) movies and/or content. Or you know what, how about a DVD player that can actually display DVD-ROM content? That'd open up a whole segment of my DVD library that, as a Mac user, I'm somehow disqualified from enjoying.
Let's say I don't want a photo viewer because photos are static and boring. But what if I could view and store home video from my camcorder? Play back clips, maybe set to music and even share them on my web site, all with a few button presses on my remote? Hell, let's step back and apply that to photos as well. Now that's innovative...
As far as being able to beam content around via IP or any other means, I'm sure either the FCC, the MPAA or even the FBI will have some issues with the possible rebroadcasting of copyrighted content without any restrictions.
I'm sure there's so much more that could be crammed into a box to make it a true media "center", but just how far is too far? Apple clearly has to find that sweet spot if it tries its hand at this. Mac users (and computer users, in general) are savvy folk, so heaping on the features is almost a must, but there are the everyday users that might just scratch the surface.
Looking at OS X, Apple has done a magnificent job in creating an environment where just about anyone can sit down and find their way around with minimal effort, while also appeasing the hardcore users who need the horsepower and stability. And it's exactly that kind of thinking that has to go into a product like this.
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