As for you people asking for DVR functionality? Who'd need a DVR when you could download any program that airs, at any time you want using your iTunes TV show subscription service. Thus making the DRV completely invalid. And given the gradual speed increase of broadband, you could begin watching immediately.
That'd be great and all, except we Americans like our DVR's. Things may be a little different in Ireland, I understand, but there are a few flaws with iTunes TV. The quality is not 1080, let alone 720p yet. If I don't want to spend $50/month on broadband because my phone works great for email and I don't use the internet that much, I am screwed. We recently lost The Office, Heroes, Chuck, and Life (not to mention other shows) when NBC up and left iTunes. Downloading TV shows is a last case scenario for me.
The only way Apple TV will be a hit IMO, would be to improve all the things it does, give it one function (an entertainment device), give it a DVD slot to reduce clutter in your set-up while making it far more useful and powerful, give it direct iTunes store connectivity, and give iTunes not only movie rentals, but a TV show subscription service, while at the same time increasing its storage and reducing its cost. Making it a QUOTE "Computer" QUOTE is completely the wrong move IMO. Completely!
Yep and all those things add up to what? A computer. The trick is to provide for functionality you need in an easily accessible manner. This is where Apple leads the pack, that is software integration that results in easy to use products.
One of the great turn offs with respect to consumer electronics is the poor interfaces that can not expose even the simplest of functionality to the user in a productive way. Get rid of that and expose all the features that people have come to expect of Apple computing hardware and you have an excellent opportunity for increased sales.
Quote:
You guys surprise me when you say Apple should merge Apple TV and Mac mini.
I'm not sure why you are surprised. It is an issue of economics the hardware should be the same. Apple could market two different products but that is up to them. The reality is that even Today the Mini is a better home theater/entertainment PC than the Apple TV. That mainly due to its flexibility.
Quote:
Be aware most people, as in 95%, are not geeks, they are consumers and house owners who need real solutions, not another convoluted computer in their living room that doesn't know what it wants to be.
I thought that Apple computers where the most un-convoluted computers going! I think what you are missing though is the fact that most consumers don't have the money to spend on expensive single function appliances. They need and expect good value for their money and Apple TV (as delivered) doesn't provide that.
Quote:
As for you people asking for DVR functionality? Who'd need a DVR when you could download any program that airs, at any time you want using your iTunes TV show subscription service. Thus making the DRV completely invalid. And given the gradual speed increase of broadband, you could begin watching immediately.
I would say many of us. There are a lot of reasons too. For example:
1.
A lot of us don't get broadband and are not likely to get it any time soon.
2.
Some shows I suspect will never be available via downloads.
3.
Sports.
4.
Who says you can't make your own home movies? Granted most home movies are porn but that doesn't imply more main stream usage.
5.
Restrictive DRM. This one issue probably should be items one through ten. The issue is do you want to be limited in replay ability, time shifting or other uses of the recording. If nothing else this option applies pressure to the content supplier to be honest and ethical.
6.
Capabilities beyond the norm. Once you have video recording capability, things that are not normally though of can be supported. For example how about an app that starts recording your security cameras at night. Around here that might be more useful keeping track of the bear than the criminal but either way an interesting app. Another good one would be video star gazing. A bit more involved but could prevent one from staying up all night in the cold and catching a sickness.
So in a nut shell a well designed DVR functionality would indeed be hot. Not only that but the availability of the feature leads to innovation in use much as we have seen on TiVO.
Bad idea for about 10 reasons. The first, most obvious one being cost.
What's so costly about taking a Mini and adding an HDMI port? That's pretty much it. Maybe they could even slow down the processor to make it cheaper. So long as it can play HD content that's the main thing.
Everything else (such as the wireless keyboard etc) would be added extras. As they are at the moment.
What's so costly about taking a Mini and adding an HDMI port? That's pretty much it. Maybe they could even slow down the processor to make it cheaper. So long as it can play HD content that's the main thing.
Everything else (such as the wireless keyboard etc) would be added extras. As they are at the moment.
They are different products for different uses, the simplest and most obvious solution is to make both of them better and keep both of them separate, which is exactly what Apple is going to do in my opinion, and for damn good reasons.
They are different products for different uses, the simplest and most obvious solution is to make both of them better and keep both of them separate, which is exactly what Apple is going to do in my opinion, and for damn good reasons.
You keep saying "damn good reasons" but all you can say is that not everybody is a nerd and iTunes TV store is great. The TV selection is not as good as a DVR and people who buy Macs around me tend to want a computer that is simple but versatile. Give us some good reasons before you just say "damn good reasons" again. Aside from the appleTV being half the price of a computer, what do you have?
Agree completely. I would snap one up like a shot. To be honest, a Mac Mini will do nicely for me. Front Row delivers most of what Apple TV is good for anyway. I just guess that if Apple did make the Mini more like a media server, or made Apple TV a little more customisable out of the box, then it would be a product I would be very, very interested in.
I have almost bought a mini so many times since it was updated, might as well wait till Jan though.. even though theres a risk that it will be no more, which means a LOT of people will be looking to the second hand market for one, which means Apple will loose sales! sad really.
Southern Tampania de la Floridana Universidad (STFU) ?
I think it was more his small-man-syndrome coming out. You know, guys with not much in their pants need big computers to compensate. Hence his hate for a sub-$2500 computer...
They are different products for different uses, the simplest and most obvious solution is to make both of them better and keep both of them separate, which is exactly what Apple is going to do in my opinion, and for damn good reasons.
Yes we have heard but really tell us what the reasons are.
I just can't see any frankly. Apple just needs to produce a machine "Mini Like" that is salable across a wider price range. Using one logic board and a common set of parts just makes for considerable economies of scale. This keeps the cost of both devices down while offering up the benefits of each across a wider price range.
I just can't see any frankly. Apple just needs to produce a machine "Mini Like" that is salable across a wider price range. Using one logic board and a common set of parts just makes for considerable economies of scale. This keeps the cost of both devices down while offering up the benefits of each across a wider price range.
Mac mini can easily become enormously successful. Just add missing Apple TV features (e.g., 802.11n, HDMI), full Santa Rosa platform (e.g., GMA X3100, 800 MHz FSB), easier upgrade path for RAM and hard disk (ideally with 3.5" hard disk form factor), keyboard and mouse, and "best" configuration with HD DVD or Blu-Ray optical drive.
That said, I don't see this happening. Mac mini is intentionally crippled as a way for Apple to get rid of outdated components from more profitable Macs. For this reason, I don't see Mac mini dying completely, updated only when large quantities of obsoleted components of more profitable Macs (iMac, MacBook, MacBook Pro) accumulate.
Mac mini can easily become enormously successful. Just add missing Apple TV features (e.g., 802.11n, HDMI), full Santa Rosa platform (e.g., GMA X3100, 800 MHz FSB), easier upgrade path for RAM and hard disk (ideally with 3.5" hard disk form factor), keyboard and mouse, and "best" configuration with HD DVD or Blu-Ray optical drive.
That said, I don't see this happening. Mac mini is intentionally crippled as a way for Apple to get rid of outdated components from more profitable Macs. For this reason, I don't see Mac mini dying completely, updated only when large quantities of obsoleted components of more profitable Macs (iMac, MacBook, MacBook Pro) accumulate.
Anyone else find the Mini a great way to use all those hardware bits, extra 23" screens, odd hard drives, and old keyboards that otherwise would end up in the trash or dump sale? I use mine for running my Japanese DVD coded movies!
I think the mini is great... and it would be even greater if there was a model with a couple PCI slots. If you look at the line-up of stand-alone Macs, there's a big gap in the middle. Stand-alones are really useful for a number of situations... well one anyway: I have a recording studio, and I'd rather keep the CPU and hard-drives out of the control room, or at least isolated in a box to cut down on the noise. No can do with an iMac.
I bought a used mini for $400, a screen for $200 and keyboard and mouse for under $100. Sweet.
On the AppleTV front, I'd mostly use the thing for music, but I don't want to have to turn on a monitor or the TV to control the thing, nor do I want a keyboard and a mouse cluttering up my entertainment center. Get this: Strap an iPod Touch onto a (massive) hard-drive, give it the form factor of a stereo component, and add the "auto sync through wi-fi" feature of AppleTV. Price it at $400. Its the ultimate home jukebox.
Comments
As for you people asking for DVR functionality? Who'd need a DVR when you could download any program that airs, at any time you want using your iTunes TV show subscription service. Thus making the DRV completely invalid. And given the gradual speed increase of broadband, you could begin watching immediately.
That'd be great and all, except we Americans like our DVR's. Things may be a little different in Ireland, I understand, but there are a few flaws with iTunes TV. The quality is not 1080, let alone 720p yet. If I don't want to spend $50/month on broadband because my phone works great for email and I don't use the internet that much, I am screwed. We recently lost The Office, Heroes, Chuck, and Life (not to mention other shows) when NBC up and left iTunes. Downloading TV shows is a last case scenario for me.
what the hell is wrong with a sub $1000 Mac?
I think he was being sarcastic...
I think he was being sarcastic
ooops... heh....
(note to self: read all of thread before replying
The only way Apple TV will be a hit IMO, would be to improve all the things it does, give it one function (an entertainment device), give it a DVD slot to reduce clutter in your set-up while making it far more useful and powerful, give it direct iTunes store connectivity, and give iTunes not only movie rentals, but a TV show subscription service, while at the same time increasing its storage and reducing its cost. Making it a QUOTE "Computer" QUOTE is completely the wrong move IMO. Completely!
Yep and all those things add up to what? A computer. The trick is to provide for functionality you need in an easily accessible manner. This is where Apple leads the pack, that is software integration that results in easy to use products.
One of the great turn offs with respect to consumer electronics is the poor interfaces that can not expose even the simplest of functionality to the user in a productive way. Get rid of that and expose all the features that people have come to expect of Apple computing hardware and you have an excellent opportunity for increased sales.
You guys surprise me when you say Apple should merge Apple TV and Mac mini.
I'm not sure why you are surprised. It is an issue of economics the hardware should be the same. Apple could market two different products but that is up to them. The reality is that even Today the Mini is a better home theater/entertainment PC than the Apple TV. That mainly due to its flexibility.
Be aware most people, as in 95%, are not geeks, they are consumers and house owners who need real solutions, not another convoluted computer in their living room that doesn't know what it wants to be.
I thought that Apple computers where the most un-convoluted computers going! I think what you are missing though is the fact that most consumers don't have the money to spend on expensive single function appliances. They need and expect good value for their money and Apple TV (as delivered) doesn't provide that.
As for you people asking for DVR functionality? Who'd need a DVR when you could download any program that airs, at any time you want using your iTunes TV show subscription service. Thus making the DRV completely invalid. And given the gradual speed increase of broadband, you could begin watching immediately.
I would say many of us. There are a lot of reasons too. For example:
1.
A lot of us don't get broadband and are not likely to get it any time soon.
2.
Some shows I suspect will never be available via downloads.
3.
Sports.
4.
Who says you can't make your own home movies? Granted most home movies are porn but that doesn't imply more main stream usage.
5.
Restrictive DRM. This one issue probably should be items one through ten. The issue is do you want to be limited in replay ability, time shifting or other uses of the recording. If nothing else this option applies pressure to the content supplier to be honest and ethical.
6.
Capabilities beyond the norm. Once you have video recording capability, things that are not normally though of can be supported. For example how about an app that starts recording your security cameras at night. Around here that might be more useful keeping track of the bear than the criminal but either way an interesting app. Another good one would be video star gazing. A bit more involved but could prevent one from staying up all night in the cold and catching a sickness.
So in a nut shell a well designed DVR functionality would indeed be hot. Not only that but the availability of the feature leads to innovation in use much as we have seen on TiVO.
Dave
Bad idea for about 10 reasons. The first, most obvious one being cost.
What's so costly about taking a Mini and adding an HDMI port? That's pretty much it. Maybe they could even slow down the processor to make it cheaper. So long as it can play HD content that's the main thing.
Everything else (such as the wireless keyboard etc) would be added extras. As they are at the moment.
What's so costly about taking a Mini and adding an HDMI port? That's pretty much it. Maybe they could even slow down the processor to make it cheaper. So long as it can play HD content that's the main thing.
Everything else (such as the wireless keyboard etc) would be added extras. As they are at the moment.
They are different products for different uses, the simplest and most obvious solution is to make both of them better and keep both of them separate, which is exactly what Apple is going to do in my opinion, and for damn good reasons.
They are different products for different uses, the simplest and most obvious solution is to make both of them better and keep both of them separate, which is exactly what Apple is going to do in my opinion, and for damn good reasons.
You keep saying "damn good reasons" but all you can say is that not everybody is a nerd and iTunes TV store is great. The TV selection is not as good as a DVR and people who buy Macs around me tend to want a computer that is simple but versatile. Give us some good reasons before you just say "damn good reasons" again. Aside from the appleTV being half the price of a computer, what do you have?
But that's just me.
If so STFU about the Apple TV!
--
I have almost bought a mini so many times since it was updated, might as well wait till Jan though.. even though theres a risk that it will be no more, which means a LOT of people will be looking to the second hand market for one, which means Apple will loose sales! sad really.
Is this a Mac mini thread?
If so STFU about the Apple TV!
----
Southern Tampania de la Floridana Universidad (STFU) ?
Southern Tampania de la Floridana Universidad (STFU) ?
I think it was more his small-man-syndrome coming out. You know, guys with not much in their pants need big computers to compensate. Hence his hate for a sub-$2500 computer...
They are different products for different uses, the simplest and most obvious solution is to make both of them better and keep both of them separate, which is exactly what Apple is going to do in my opinion, and for damn good reasons.
Yes we have heard but really tell us what the reasons are.
I just can't see any frankly. Apple just needs to produce a machine "Mini Like" that is salable across a wider price range. Using one logic board and a common set of parts just makes for considerable economies of scale. This keeps the cost of both devices down while offering up the benefits of each across a wider price range.
Dave
I just can't see any frankly. Apple just needs to produce a machine "Mini Like" that is salable across a wider price range. Using one logic board and a common set of parts just makes for considerable economies of scale. This keeps the cost of both devices down while offering up the benefits of each across a wider price range.
i like that idea..
That said, I don't see this happening. Mac mini is intentionally crippled as a way for Apple to get rid of outdated components from more profitable Macs. For this reason, I don't see Mac mini dying completely, updated only when large quantities of obsoleted components of more profitable Macs (iMac, MacBook, MacBook Pro) accumulate.
Mac mini can easily become enormously successful. Just add missing Apple TV features (e.g., 802.11n, HDMI), full Santa Rosa platform (e.g., GMA X3100, 800 MHz FSB), easier upgrade path for RAM and hard disk (ideally with 3.5" hard disk form factor), keyboard and mouse, and "best" configuration with HD DVD or Blu-Ray optical drive.
That said, I don't see this happening. Mac mini is intentionally crippled as a way for Apple to get rid of outdated components from more profitable Macs. For this reason, I don't see Mac mini dying completely, updated only when large quantities of obsoleted components of more profitable Macs (iMac, MacBook, MacBook Pro) accumulate.
Anyone else find the Mini a great way to use all those hardware bits, extra 23" screens, odd hard drives, and old keyboards that otherwise would end up in the trash or dump sale? I use mine for running my Japanese DVD coded movies!
die, mini, die.
If I had one it would be a drink stand.
die, mini, die.
You must want the little one to die because you want a bigger mini or a smaller style Mac Pro?
If I had one it would be a drink stand.
die, mini, die.
WHY, buddha, WHY.?
I bought a used mini for $400, a screen for $200 and keyboard and mouse for under $100. Sweet.
On the AppleTV front, I'd mostly use the thing for music, but I don't want to have to turn on a monitor or the TV to control the thing, nor do I want a keyboard and a mouse cluttering up my entertainment center. Get this: Strap an iPod Touch onto a (massive) hard-drive, give it the form factor of a stereo component, and add the "auto sync through wi-fi" feature of AppleTV. Price it at $400. Its the ultimate home jukebox.