That article on the Xbox costing MS 4 billion is from a year ago. Which means it predates the Xbox 360 really. We all knew MS was taking a bath then.
Today you have a different story.
Xbox 360 as a Media Centre Extender.
Xbox 360 as a Console
Xbox Live Gold with $6 movie rentals
Xbox 360 + HD DVD add on for movies.
Microsoft is going to make money. Can Apple duplicate their efforts? I think Jobs is smart enough to get to where the Xbox 360 is today without the severity of bloodshed.
That's right. The total loss so far is $5 billion, and counting.
In regards to everyone who thinks the iPod will be the next gaming device, people are forgetting what made the iPod so popular to begin with, it's mass appeal. Everyone from preteens to seniors have them and if they don't, they most likely want one.
If Apple morphed the iPod into a gaming device that can also do music and movies, Apple will lose costumers.
The reason the iPod is so popular is because it has gotten to the point where Apple allows the user to decide what they want on it; movies/tv/video podcasts, music, games, contacts, calendar; notes.
Nonsense!
The iPod is well designed. The software doesn't even let you know that you have a game machine until you get to the menu item that says "games". They've had that for years.
Now they will just have better games.
The iPod is evolving all of the time. We are all aware of that. Faster cpu's faster graphics. Better, bigger color screens.
In regards to everyone who thinks the iPod will be the next gaming device, people are forgetting what made the iPod so popular to begin with, it's mass appeal. Everyone from preteens to seniors have them and if they don't, they most likely want one.
If Apple morphed the iPod into a gaming device that can also do music and movies, Apple will lose costumers.
The reason the iPod is so popular is because it has gotten to the point where Apple allows the user to decide what they want on it; movies/tv/video podcasts, music, games, contacts, calendar; notes.
But its already a gaming platform.
The iPod WILL become the all in one device... this has always been the plan... but in slow, deliberate and well designed steps to ensure ease of use is maintained and the user base not alienated.
Supposing for the moment that Apple reached into the gaming market couldnt they use the iTV as their console and just wirelessly stream their games to TVs using 802.11n or maybe even a better protocol depending on how much it would require. This way the price for the console is decent. The games can be purchased via iTunes. played via wireless controllers (blue tooth?). If im speaking out of my ass here then ignore me but most importantly PLEASE dont call it the iGame or ANYTHING along those lines!!! For as long as I know everyone has always joked about that being apples console and no one likes the name. its a bad idea.
A gaming console is a powerful computer in its own right, with a powerful graphics controller. The iTv is not that.
The iPod WILL become the all in one device... this has always been the plan... but in slow, deliberate and well designed steps to ensure ease of use is maintained and the user base not alienated.
Yes. People don't realise that it's taken time because the technology wasn't ready. As it becomes ready, Apple will add to it.
Well sorry i mean more use the iMac or whatever computer you have set up to the iTV as the console and just stream the game
That's different.
Sure, that would work.
We just have to think about how the consumer will use the iTv. Will the computer be in the same room as the display? Will it be out of sight of it? Will people use wireless keyboards, mice, and game controllers, or will they be tied to the machine?
The $2000 Macpro come with a low end video card and slow sever ram and has very few video card choices.
The mini has gam 950 carp that can?t run any game that good.
The I-mac?s have build in screens, laptop cpu, laptop ram and less video card choice then the macpro and a lot of games have there own good and high end monitors also they like the upgrade there systems a lots also games need a lot of ram and laptop ram costs more then desk top ram.
We just have to think about how the consumer will use the iTv. Will the computer be in the same room as the display? Will it be out of sight of it? Will people use wireless keyboards, mice, and game controllers, or will they be tied to the machine?
Just leave it up to the consumer! The more wires, the better latancy, but with a prosumer WiFi 802.11n router and bluetooth 2.0 even hard core gamers can get a certain extent of wirelessness.
The $2000 Macpro come with a low end video card and slow sever ram and has very few video card choices.
The mini has gam 950 carp that can’t run any game that good.
The I-mac’s have build in screens, laptop cpu, laptop ram and less video card choice then the macpro and a lot of games have there own good and high end monitors also they like the upgrade there systems a lots also games need a lot of ram and laptop ram costs more then desk top ram.
I ran WoW on my eMac and didnt really have that much of a problem. Its got 1.25GHz, 1 GB ram, Radeon 9200 32MB, and that damn lovely crt built. I ran into one issue and that wasnt even the computers fault cause at the moment everyone on that server was complaining about problems.
::EDIT:: I just updated the thing in my profile about my ram. I boosted it a little while ago and havent updated it till today
Now you look at hardware. Intel has Quad Core cpu due to hit mainstream next year. Nvidia has a monster of a GPU and AMD will be infusing the GPU and the CPU right into the motherboard architecture. They will have plug in boards (DSP) for specific features in their Torrenza platform.
Something tells me that the hardware costs aren't going to be a significant factor if Apple should choose to enter the fray. They have power at their disposal. The real question is whether they would make a play for a game studios like Epic Games or another. How would they deliver exclusive content to the console?
They have the infrastructure setup for data delivery. They have .Mac which is a subscription based service and iTunes a micropayment system. They've joined the Khronos group that is working on furthering OpenGL.
Sure it would cost money, but what is the potential payoff? Hell it's multiple Billions. It's having a STB that is prepared for the new networked multimedia home. It's the ability to reap licensing and skim off a bit of the content. It's protection against the Microsoft's of the world who are closing in on Apple strongholds.
Consider the gaming portion as just a lure into getting consumers to consume more media. That's where the money is. The services.
Let's not forget that Apple fans have dismissed Apple techologies that have seen tremendous success. From Final Cut Pro to the iPod there have always been naysayers telling us that Apple shouldn't do something only to watch as Apple finds success later.
I'm not saying Apple "is" going to develop a gaming/entertainment system but that they could easily do so. I never thought Apple would seriously make a phone although I requested they do just that. Lo and behold in a month I should have my prayers answered.
What are the downsides to Apple ignoring this market? Do we honestly think that a iTV is going to be a huge seller at $299 when the Xbox drops in price? It does everything the iTV will do and more. Apple can't stand flat footed here and they know this.
Just leave it up to the consumer! The more wires, the better latancy, but with a prosumer WiFi 802.11n router and bluetooth 2.0 even hard core gamers can get a certain extent of wirelessness.
the problem with leaving it up to the consumer is supposing they get 3rd party controllers from places like pelican products or whatever then we have to deal with drivers. and we all know mac users hate drivers
apple already tried at the video game market with Pippin.
They made it in the 90's along with many other products that failed such as a camera.
The Pippin failed. The camera was a success.
EDIT: The story about this in the Applegazette was wrong. The first model, the 100, was a big success. The second sold well enough, but by that time other companies were getting into the field, and Apple decided to drop development because they decided that they didn't want to compete with so many other companies.
In the Video game market a "winner" is not something that makes money. of the three major video game company nintendo is the only one in wich that is their core buisness. for ms and sony they are just another market they are in. winnign in that market means market share not profits. the question would be that if apple was serious about doing this how much are they willing to loose. although i have to say that apple's tradtion of seamless simple hardware and software would be good for a console.
apple already tried at the video game market with Pippin.
They made it in the 90's along with many other products that failed such as a camera.
The Pippin failed miserably but then again this is the 90s. The though of downloading music online was foreign to most people. The Quicktake camera did not "fail" in fact when Apple cancelled it there were plenty of Quicktake fans. Apple frequently made product in the 90s to spur the market on with with little intentions of keeping the product alive. They used to sell a Quickdraw 3D card as well that performed very well but cancelled that as 3rd parties began to support Macintosh.
We cannot be myopic here. Today's game console is merely a Trojan Horse for other product and services. That's why Sony's going $200 in the hole on every Playstation 3. "There's Gold in them thar services"
Do we honestly think that a iTV is going to be a huge seller at $299 when the Xbox drops in price? It does everything the iTV will do and more. Apple can't stand flat footed here and they know this.
One big factor is execution. For the past six years Apple has been brilliant at it, MS has been bad at it. The iPod when first introduced was more expensive than its competitors, but the execution was much better.
I believe the the Xbox cost Microsoft 5 billion like I believe in Enron profits.
Not really the same thing at all, but hey, interesting comparison.
Forbes estimates that MS lost 4 billion on Xbox at least, and they seem to know money. Why even bother to dispute this? Even Microsoft has admitted that in the short term they were going to take a bath... though maybe they didn't count on the water being quite that deep. \
Comments
That article on the Xbox costing MS 4 billion is from a year ago. Which means it predates the Xbox 360 really. We all knew MS was taking a bath then.
Today you have a different story.
Xbox 360 as a Media Centre Extender.
Xbox 360 as a Console
Xbox Live Gold with $6 movie rentals
Xbox 360 + HD DVD add on for movies.
Microsoft is going to make money. Can Apple duplicate their efforts? I think Jobs is smart enough to get to where the Xbox 360 is today without the severity of bloodshed.
That's right. The total loss so far is $5 billion, and counting.
In regards to everyone who thinks the iPod will be the next gaming device, people are forgetting what made the iPod so popular to begin with, it's mass appeal. Everyone from preteens to seniors have them and if they don't, they most likely want one.
If Apple morphed the iPod into a gaming device that can also do music and movies, Apple will lose costumers.
The reason the iPod is so popular is because it has gotten to the point where Apple allows the user to decide what they want on it; movies/tv/video podcasts, music, games, contacts, calendar; notes.
Nonsense!
The iPod is well designed. The software doesn't even let you know that you have a game machine until you get to the menu item that says "games". They've had that for years.
Now they will just have better games.
The iPod is evolving all of the time. We are all aware of that. Faster cpu's faster graphics. Better, bigger color screens.
New patents allowing new control surfaces, etc.
A great game machine.
Free for all who buy a music/video player.
Or, possibly, an iPhone.
People LOVE playing games on their phones!
In regards to everyone who thinks the iPod will be the next gaming device, people are forgetting what made the iPod so popular to begin with, it's mass appeal. Everyone from preteens to seniors have them and if they don't, they most likely want one.
If Apple morphed the iPod into a gaming device that can also do music and movies, Apple will lose costumers.
The reason the iPod is so popular is because it has gotten to the point where Apple allows the user to decide what they want on it; movies/tv/video podcasts, music, games, contacts, calendar; notes.
But its already a gaming platform.
The iPod WILL become the all in one device... this has always been the plan... but in slow, deliberate and well designed steps to ensure ease of use is maintained and the user base not alienated.
Supposing for the moment that Apple reached into the gaming market couldnt they use the iTV as their console and just wirelessly stream their games to TVs using 802.11n or maybe even a better protocol depending on how much it would require. This way the price for the console is decent. The games can be purchased via iTunes. played via wireless controllers (blue tooth?). If im speaking out of my ass here then ignore me but most importantly PLEASE dont call it the iGame or ANYTHING along those lines!!! For as long as I know everyone has always joked about that being apples console and no one likes the name. its a bad idea.
A gaming console is a powerful computer in its own right, with a powerful graphics controller. The iTv is not that.
But its already a gaming platform.
The iPod WILL become the all in one device... this has always been the plan... but in slow, deliberate and well designed steps to ensure ease of use is maintained and the user base not alienated.
Yes. People don't realise that it's taken time because the technology wasn't ready. As it becomes ready, Apple will add to it.
A gaming console is a powerful computer in its own right, with a powerful graphics controller. The iTv is not that.
Well sorry i mean more use the iMac or whatever computer you have set up to the iTV as the console and just stream the game
Well sorry i mean more use the iMac or whatever computer you have set up to the iTV as the console and just stream the game
That's different.
Sure, that would work.
We just have to think about how the consumer will use the iTv. Will the computer be in the same room as the display? Will it be out of sight of it? Will people use wireless keyboards, mice, and game controllers, or will they be tied to the machine?
The $2000 Macpro come with a low end video card and slow sever ram and has very few video card choices.
The mini has gam 950 carp that can?t run any game that good.
The I-mac?s have build in screens, laptop cpu, laptop ram and less video card choice then the macpro and a lot of games have there own good and high end monitors also they like the upgrade there systems a lots also games need a lot of ram and laptop ram costs more then desk top ram.
That's different.
Sure, that would work.
We just have to think about how the consumer will use the iTv. Will the computer be in the same room as the display? Will it be out of sight of it? Will people use wireless keyboards, mice, and game controllers, or will they be tied to the machine?
Just leave it up to the consumer! The more wires, the better latancy, but with a prosumer WiFi 802.11n router and bluetooth 2.0 even hard core gamers can get a certain extent of wirelessness.
Apple hardware sucks for games.
The $2000 Macpro come with a low end video card and slow sever ram and has very few video card choices.
The mini has gam 950 carp that can’t run any game that good.
The I-mac’s have build in screens, laptop cpu, laptop ram and less video card choice then the macpro and a lot of games have there own good and high end monitors also they like the upgrade there systems a lots also games need a lot of ram and laptop ram costs more then desk top ram.
I ran WoW on my eMac and didnt really have that much of a problem. Its got 1.25GHz, 1 GB ram, Radeon 9200 32MB, and that damn lovely crt built. I ran into one issue and that wasnt even the computers fault cause at the moment everyone on that server was complaining about problems.
::EDIT:: I just updated the thing in my profile about my ram. I boosted it a little while ago and havent updated it till today
They made it in the 90's along with many other products that failed such as a camera.
Apple's market cap is 80 Billion dollars.
They own the #1 Music/Video download site
They own the #1 DAP
Now you look at hardware. Intel has Quad Core cpu due to hit mainstream next year. Nvidia has a monster of a GPU and AMD will be infusing the GPU and the CPU right into the motherboard architecture. They will have plug in boards (DSP) for specific features in their Torrenza platform.
Something tells me that the hardware costs aren't going to be a significant factor if Apple should choose to enter the fray. They have power at their disposal. The real question is whether they would make a play for a game studios like Epic Games or another. How would they deliver exclusive content to the console?
They have the infrastructure setup for data delivery. They have .Mac which is a subscription based service and iTunes a micropayment system. They've joined the Khronos group that is working on furthering OpenGL.
Sure it would cost money, but what is the potential payoff? Hell it's multiple Billions. It's having a STB that is prepared for the new networked multimedia home. It's the ability to reap licensing and skim off a bit of the content. It's protection against the Microsoft's of the world who are closing in on Apple strongholds.
Consider the gaming portion as just a lure into getting consumers to consume more media. That's where the money is. The services.
Let's not forget that Apple fans have dismissed Apple techologies that have seen tremendous success. From Final Cut Pro to the iPod there have always been naysayers telling us that Apple shouldn't do something only to watch as Apple finds success later.
I'm not saying Apple "is" going to develop a gaming/entertainment system but that they could easily do so. I never thought Apple would seriously make a phone although I requested they do just that. Lo and behold in a month I should have my prayers answered.
What are the downsides to Apple ignoring this market? Do we honestly think that a iTV is going to be a huge seller at $299 when the Xbox drops in price? It does everything the iTV will do and more. Apple can't stand flat footed here and they know this.
apple already tried at the video game market with Pippin.
They made it in the 90's along with many other products that failed such as a camera.
HEY!...the pippin was just...ahead of its time alright? geez...and the camera too while were at it.
Just leave it up to the consumer! The more wires, the better latancy, but with a prosumer WiFi 802.11n router and bluetooth 2.0 even hard core gamers can get a certain extent of wirelessness.
the problem with leaving it up to the consumer is supposing they get 3rd party controllers from places like pelican products or whatever then we have to deal with drivers. and we all know mac users hate drivers
HEY!...the pippin was just...ahead of its time alright? geez...and the camera too while were at it.
Let's not forget about Apple's first attempt at the iTV.
http://www.applegazette.com/mac/appl...tv-that-wasnt/
apple already tried at the video game market with Pippin.
They made it in the 90's along with many other products that failed such as a camera.
The Pippin failed. The camera was a success.
EDIT: The story about this in the Applegazette was wrong. The first model, the 100, was a big success. The second sold well enough, but by that time other companies were getting into the field, and Apple decided to drop development because they decided that they didn't want to compete with so many other companies.
apple already tried at the video game market with Pippin.
They made it in the 90's along with many other products that failed such as a camera.
The Pippin failed miserably but then again this is the 90s. The though of downloading music online was foreign to most people. The Quicktake camera did not "fail" in fact when Apple cancelled it there were plenty of Quicktake fans. Apple frequently made product in the 90s to spur the market on with with little intentions of keeping the product alive. They used to sell a Quickdraw 3D card as well that performed very well but cancelled that as 3rd parties began to support Macintosh.
We cannot be myopic here. Today's game console is merely a Trojan Horse for other product and services. That's why Sony's going $200 in the hole on every Playstation 3. "There's Gold in them thar services"
Do we honestly think that a iTV is going to be a huge seller at $299 when the Xbox drops in price? It does everything the iTV will do and more. Apple can't stand flat footed here and they know this.
One big factor is execution. For the past six years Apple has been brilliant at it, MS has been bad at it. The iPod when first introduced was more expensive than its competitors, but the execution was much better.
I believe the the Xbox cost Microsoft 5 billion like I believe in Enron profits.
Not really the same thing at all, but hey, interesting comparison.
Forbes estimates that MS lost 4 billion on Xbox at least, and they seem to know money. Why even bother to dispute this? Even Microsoft has admitted that in the short term they were going to take a bath... though maybe they didn't count on the water being quite that deep.
.