“Merrill Lynch said Apple Computer seems a likely candidate to build an entertainment server based on its iPod, iTunes, iPhoto, iDVD and AirPort Express products. ‘If the PC loses out to the game console or entertainment server, there will be winners and losers,’ Merrill Lynch said. It listed IBM, Sony and Apple as potential winners, while Intel, Hewlett-Packard and Dell would be possible losers. ‘Even if successful with Xbox, Microsoft may have more to lose given its PC dominance,’ Merrill Lynch said,” Forbes reports. “The research firm added that it’s premature to know which device will become the centerpiece of the digital family room of the future, saying it doubts that PCs will win because they are too complex and unstable.”
Full article here.
MacDailyNews Take: Wouldn’t it be a wonderful world if IBM, Apple, and Sony emerged to dominate the digital home and the mediocre Microsofts and Dells of the world were swept away into the dustbin of history? It certainly would be wonderful for the average consumer.
First post! I’m speedy like Benny.
Now give me my gold medal
uhhhhh….
“Just one more thing …??
Its happening, people…. Keep your arms and legs inside the car at all times….. and enjoy your ride !!
We all know Dell is a loser.
Isn’t that right Michael?
Wonder if MDN will be posting ..This story later or not ??
It concerns a possible “cross-platform” vunerability is Sun’s Java plug-in…
(can you say “scoop”?? lol)
you have to quit saying: “It’s happening, people..”
Yeah, you’ve said this on many posts.
…relax a little bit…
Would be cool. i don’t think that some of the 3rd party hardware makers would be happy.
Odd that HP was put in the losers group considering that they are inside the apple iPod loop
Boy, that’s some disclaimer.
This post is brought to you by the magic word “nuclear” — nukelar to G-Dubya. Hey, why not sell magic words instead! MacDonalds … Ford … Dell … Windows … and all that crap. If they’re stupid enough to pay….
oh man.. an image of Bill G and Michael D grumbling into obscurity as consumers find.. *egads! “We have a choice.. we don’t have to suffer through Windows”
JJ..
Relax ?? ….. lol !!
I dunno about you… but when was the last time you saw Billy Gates ..stock numbers look like ..this…??
And when you compare them too the current AAPL.. numbers…. its not time to relax…. its time to pah-ty !!…
In fact… when AAPL reaches $100…. we’re all going over to our resident stock anylists house ..(MCCFR).. and toss back a few !!
Are you game ??
Apple is the ONLY ONE with all of the parts, reliable server hardware and industry standard audio and video codecs, to be able to do this successfully. With MS Windows quickly falling out of the pubic favor, it’s difficult to imagine the general population warmly embracing an entertainment box from them. “Spyware on my set-top box monitoring everything I watch and do, and vulnerable to the same 100,000 viruses?! How do you install anti-virus software into a set-top box?!!”
Microsoft/MSN has a solid history of living room box failures. Such a history is difficult to overcome.
I could see Apple producing a “box”, an entertainment central server, that completely hides behind the TV, and has a 2-way interface with an iPod-like remote. Other than to/from the TV and stereo, it’d all be wireless and able to communicate to any Airport device, including computers. All you need is another remote and an Airport Express to expand it to any room. No need to run cable TV or ethernet wires between rooms, and with 128-bit encryption, no neighbors can steal your cable or data. One very simple central server for ALL audio, video and computer data needs in a home.
Apple already has all of the parts for this simple, yet powerful, device.
Merrill Lynch? – arnt they a bunch of anal-ists? WFT do they know abuot the future? They cant get a grip on the present for christs sake. They are just another emotion driven stock market flusy.
Okay… but I only own 32 shares… 🙁
So, you’re going to have to party for me!
JJ…
Hey…. 32 shares certainly qualifies you !!
I bet you’ll be in the partying mood, too when the $100 mark happens !!
But I was waiting for MCCFR’s reaction to me “inviting” everyone over to his house !!
lol !!
JJ, 32 is better than the 14 I have
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JJ…
You may have a dilemma on your hands, should (or when) the AAPL price hits (or surpasses) $100…
Selling your shares at that time should leave you with enough for a G5 !!
Now, I wonder what I would do in your shoes ??
Hmmmm …. keep the shares, and hope for a split ..??
or….
a G5 .. ??
I’d have to think about that one for awhile !!
soon..
Please make the setop box SOON.
I want it to connect vai ethernet so I can connect it to my desktop Mac, direct it to record TV shows(in HI Def), play back DVD’s from my desktop.. Send iTunes audio to the stereo, and display iPhoto Slide shows on the wide screen TV.
The box HAS to be at least HiDef capable for me to bite. Otherswise.. i’m going to wait ’til it is.
Mac dood:
I live in South-East England, so inviting everyone over to my place is going to be cosy given the rabbit hutches most of us have to live in.
Still, if everyone brings a bottle�
“The research firm added that it’s premature to know which device will become the centerpiece of the digital family room of the future, saying it doubts that PCs will win ***because they are too complex and unstable.***”
Tell that to my G5. I’ve yet to have to do anything to get any of the dozen or so items I’ve plugged in to run. No drivers, no configuration, no plug-and-pray. CD burners, printers, mice, joysticks, cameras, all just WORK! One click and I’m at a Unix command line prompt. I open viruses for fun. Too bad I only have 500 shares, but I did buy them at $14.
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Is this too much to ask? All I want is a rack-mountable AV device with DVI-D, stereo audio, and HDMI A/V outputs that includes:
��300GB hard disk
��PVR (with commercial skip of course) with all TiVO features.
��DVD player (with HD DVD support)
��optional DVD writer
��AirTunes-sharing server
��AirTunes player
��iPhoto slideshows
And an optional 5″x8″ tablet-sized universal remote (that can also be used to display PDF documents like recipes and books).
I’d pay about $500 for that, plus $250 for the tablet/remote. Plus a $10/month fee for the on-line PVR program guide (which should be free if I keep an active .Mac account).
Ok, MCCFR….
Because Zeke has 500 shares, does that mean he has to bring 2 bottles ?? lol !!
I doubt I can make it across the pond for the celebration, but when the price of AAPL reaches the $100 mark, I’ll be toasting to you, and Zekes 500 shares, and to all the mac heads who regularly post here !!
I think Apple may just partner with someone like TiVo for this one.
With guaranteed operability for Mac users, it could be a good sale.
I definitely would go for a box like that.
Of course the problem is that Apple will want connect the PC and box wirelessly, including the ability to stream video to the box and TV.
At the moment, Airport is not fast enough.
If the box has DVD write capabilities, then we really only need the Mac to be able to interact and control the machine. That I would go for.
WELL WELL, Look like the tide is turnning. It a matter of time when the world wake up an smell the sh@t of what the two a$$hole been selling.I not going to say names Mary Dell and Betty Gates. These two snakes had been selling the world with junk products and now the fat cow Oprah has that junk on her sad my favorite things list. OH I forgot she a billionaire who work the people out of their money too.I guess the people like to buy junk like pocket DJ that don’t work and the software that easy hold more viruses than hospital and in the end you be on Oprah try to explain why you shot your Dell computer cause it don’t work? Watch in 5 years from now no more Dell and microsoft. The people are waking up.
Two bottles at least!
And one of them has to be a 25 year-old malt minimum.
The only vulnerability to Mac is the fact that there are hardly any games available for the Mac. The last time I checked Doom, Halflife and other games were not available on Mac. It is a well known fact that game releases drive computer upgrades and purchases. Get some of those games on the mac and you are in business!