http://arstechnica.com/news.ars/post/20070415-new-patent-hints-at-apple-tv-expansion.html
During Apples last Tech expo they announced 2 major items, the iPhone and Apple TV. For very obvious reasons (how pretty it was) the iPhone got all the attention. You can argue whether or not that was proper, but I think the Apple TV is a bigger deal. Look, paying $500 for an iPhone that I can't install any software on or customize or isn't an actual smart phone, isn't smart to me. It's cool, but so was the Razr when it came out. And the price tag for no real super great functionality? Dumb.
But the Apple TV, now there was a break through. The first step in a complete digital media library. While being locked in to iTunes as your library, the Apple TV allowed for Hi Def viewing of digital media. At a price tag of $299, it's very much affordable. While it's limitations (iTunes, only 40GB hard drive, only 720p) were disappointing, this was the first step for the average home owner to move to away from having DVD's of every movie they want to watch.
These additions in the link provide for adding on of modules, be it DVD rom drives or your blue-tooth enabled phone. It could be a Slingbox type connection, where your media is available wherever you may travel. All in Hi-Def. All relatively inexpensive for what you can do.
That, to me, is a huge breakthrough in home entertainment. Will I get one of these? You betcha.
1 comment:
This seems to be a great piece of hardware. And it makes sense, because I would love to free the movies and other videos on my laptop. They need to free it from itunes and allow it to function with any application I want. I hear the setup on this thing isn't to fun though, but once it's complete it works great.
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