"Mac OS X" kit for Sony Playstation 3
I posted a "Sony, IBM, Apple" thread yesterday, basically with these three points.
-Sony is tied to IBM for production of the PS3's CPU.
-The PS3 "cell" CPU will be PPC, probably very close in design to the PPC 970.
-Sony and IBM are alredy Microsoft's biggest enemies, and Apple/Microsoft relationships seem to be deteriorating.
If Sony/IBM/Apple are willing to stick their necks out, this could lead to a major attack on Microsoft's home PC domination.
Now I don't actually think this would happen, but it definitely is possible, if these three companies are bold enough to attack Microsoft.
What if Sony started offering a custom version of Mac OS X with the PS3? (similar to the PS2 Linux kit, except I assume that the PS3 will have a hard drive and ethernet, making the cost for the custom version of Mac OS X much cheaper). This OS X version would not have the ability to load 3rd party software or read anything but audio CDs, so it wouldn't be much of a replacement for an actual Mac OS X computer.
A 'Mac OS X kit' could include some or all of the following:
-a simple, proof of concept online game made with PS3 "light" developer tools for Mac OS X.
-Mac OS X CD which includes "light" developer tools, Safari, iTunes, iPhoto, iMovie (maybe other iApps as well). Drivers for Sony digital cameras, camcorders, cellphones, and MP3 players are built-in.
-Webcam, Microphone, and membership to Sony gaming services (a la Xbox Live).
-Bluetooth and/or Wireless ethernet adapter.
-DVI connector or Component-to-DVI connector.
Additionally, Sony could move its Vaio line to provide PPC-based Mac OS X machines, marketed as media creation stations. They would presumably keep an x86 compatible line as well.
The PS3 could potentially be the ticket that would expose Mac OS X to millions of households. The corporate attitude and aesthetics of Sony and Apple are a natural mix. And the Sony brand name would assuage a lot of compatibility fears that people have with Macs.
Out there? Yes. Possible? The technology and aesthetics are there...
[ 03-06-2003: Message edited by: Gizzmonic ]</p>
-Sony is tied to IBM for production of the PS3's CPU.
-The PS3 "cell" CPU will be PPC, probably very close in design to the PPC 970.
-Sony and IBM are alredy Microsoft's biggest enemies, and Apple/Microsoft relationships seem to be deteriorating.
If Sony/IBM/Apple are willing to stick their necks out, this could lead to a major attack on Microsoft's home PC domination.
Now I don't actually think this would happen, but it definitely is possible, if these three companies are bold enough to attack Microsoft.
What if Sony started offering a custom version of Mac OS X with the PS3? (similar to the PS2 Linux kit, except I assume that the PS3 will have a hard drive and ethernet, making the cost for the custom version of Mac OS X much cheaper). This OS X version would not have the ability to load 3rd party software or read anything but audio CDs, so it wouldn't be much of a replacement for an actual Mac OS X computer.
A 'Mac OS X kit' could include some or all of the following:
-a simple, proof of concept online game made with PS3 "light" developer tools for Mac OS X.
-Mac OS X CD which includes "light" developer tools, Safari, iTunes, iPhoto, iMovie (maybe other iApps as well). Drivers for Sony digital cameras, camcorders, cellphones, and MP3 players are built-in.
-Webcam, Microphone, and membership to Sony gaming services (a la Xbox Live).
-Bluetooth and/or Wireless ethernet adapter.
-DVI connector or Component-to-DVI connector.
Additionally, Sony could move its Vaio line to provide PPC-based Mac OS X machines, marketed as media creation stations. They would presumably keep an x86 compatible line as well.
The PS3 could potentially be the ticket that would expose Mac OS X to millions of households. The corporate attitude and aesthetics of Sony and Apple are a natural mix. And the Sony brand name would assuage a lot of compatibility fears that people have with Macs.
Out there? Yes. Possible? The technology and aesthetics are there...
[ 03-06-2003: Message edited by: Gizzmonic ]</p>
Comments
<strong>What if Sony started offering a custom version of Mac OS X with the PS3?</strong><hr></blockquote>
<img src="graemlins/lol.gif" border="0" alt="[Laughing]" /> <img src="graemlins/lol.gif" border="0" alt="[Laughing]" /> <img src="graemlins/lol.gif" border="0" alt="[Laughing]" />
I think Sony really wants to move away from Microsoft and go to Linux, where they would have more control. But Linux is ugly, and it would probably be cheaper to license Mac OS X for their new machine than to try and make Linux acceptable to Sony aesthetics. (Assuming that Jobs would license and Sony would swallow its pride and team up-both big "ifs".)
For Apple, it would be more of a marketing tool...getting people used to the idea that there is something out there besides Windows. People who love the experience will buy Macs. Others wouldn't have even known Apple existed. Even if it tanked, neither side would lose much.
The larger step, moving the Vaios to PPC and Mac OS X, would be a much larger risk for both parties. It would mean a return to licensing the Mac OS and a direct attack at Microsoft. Still, with Sony and IBM on board, it could be very exciting...
Increasing cloudiness throughout the afternoon and heavy precipitation. Snowfall amouts accumulating in some areas at 2-3 feet.
<strong>It would steal a lot from Apple, I must admit...it would be like selling a less than $400 Apple clone. Not much Apple hardware would be purchased.</strong><hr></blockquote>
MmMMmmM... Civ IV on a joypad.. MmMM...
(Well, okay, not everyone buys a mac to play Civ, but I think you get the idea..
But seriously, where have you heard that Sony/Microsoft relations are not copacetic (if you can use "assuage", I can use copacetic
-Sony is tied to IBM for production of the PS3's CPU.
-The PS3 "cell" CPU will be PPC, probably very close in design to the PPC 970.
-Sony and IBM are alredy Microsoft's biggest enemies, and Apple/Microsoft relationships seem to be deteriorating.<hr></blockquote>
So why start another thread today about the same thing?
<strong>
So why start another thread today about the same thing?</strong><hr></blockquote>
The other thread is more about Apple licensing Mac OS X to Sony and IBM, as well as leveraging Sony's investment in PPC to get better CPUs. This thread is about a specific product offered by Apple, the "PS3 Mac OS X" kit. Sorry if I was confusing you.
Apple would certainly want to "license" a special version of OS X to Sony to both strictly control how useful PS3 boxes could become and create a revenue stream.
Sony would need to recover this cost - ie. pass it on to the end user.
Perhaps if developers could easily move a PS3 game onto the Mac platform by virtue of a common OS and similar HW platform - then maybe there would be an attractive ROI. But this would be a big unknown.
A one stop shop for 2-D, 3-D (post 970), Audio & programming for the PS3.
-Encourages people to buy additional Sony products to use with their PS3.
-As an "Xbox live" answer, the Mac OS X kit would help create a PS3 online community. Coupled with .Mac, iPhoto, and maybe a screen grab utility, it would be easy for PS3 people to create websites, online "buddy lists," etc.
-Encourages Mac users to buy PS3's (perhaps a smaller gain).
-Helps Sony edge away from Microsoft. MS is Sony's number one competitor. Sony is currently looking into Linux as its OS of the future. However, Mac OS X is much more attractive to consumers...if it could be licensed it would be a boon for both Sony and Apple.
The Cell chip will be nothing like the PPC970, and will very likely not use the PowerPC instruction set at all.
<strong>
The Cell chip will be nothing like the PPC970, and will very likely not use the PowerPC instruction set at all.</strong><hr></blockquote>
Read it and weep:
<a href="http://www.siliconvalley.com/mld/siliconvalley/business/industries/semiconductors/5310853.htm"; target="_blank">http://www.siliconvalley.com/mld/siliconvalley/business/industries/semiconductors/5310853.htm</a>;
Here's some choice quotes...
"With the PS 3, Sony will apparently put 72 processors on a single chip: eight PowerPC microprocessors, each of which controls eight auxiliary processors."
"IBM will use it in servers, and Toshiba will use it in consumer devices."
If it looks like a PowerPC, and smells like a PowerPC...
Now it might not be a 970, but not even Sony can pull a CPU architecture out of the ether.
This reminds me of all the talk about Nintendo's "backwards-spinning miniDVD drives." They are just stock Matsushita DVD drives with different firmware.
And these 'Cell' CPUs will be PowerPCs...maybe doing something slightly difference from other PPCs, but they will still be PPC.
<strong>
"With the PS 3, Sony will apparently put 72 processors on a single chip: eight PowerPC microprocessors, each of which controls eight auxiliary processors."
</strong><hr></blockquote>
"apparently" -- that's a far cry from certainty.
[quote]<strong>
Now it might not be a 970, but not even Sony can pull a CPU architecture out of the ether.
</strong><hr></blockquote>
They don't have to, they currently use a 64-bit MIPS implementation.
[quote]<strong>
This reminds me of all the talk about Nintendo's "backwards-spinning miniDVD drives." They are just stock Matsushita DVD drives with different firmware.
</strong><hr></blockquote>
Right, the media doesn't know what they're talking about. They also aren't "just stock ... drives", the disks are physically much smaller and the drive bay is reduced in size to fit the Cube.
[quote]<strong>
And these 'Cell' CPUs will be PowerPCs...maybe doing something slightly difference from other PPCs, but they will still be PPC.</strong><hr></blockquote>
That's been my guess since talk of the Cell processor started, but I'm still not willing to say 100% that this is so. Sony and Toshiba have been MIPS all the way so far, and IBM is remarkably agnostic.
Apple ... receives royalties of ... $1 per game disk.
"MODEL OF THE FUTURE.''
Pippin.