Is Internet TV Ready for the Living Room?
Posted by junger | July 31st, 2008
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I don't know about you, but I'm tired of watching video podcasts on my computer. It just doesn't make sense.
Even though I've got two screens running — one of which I use for "passive" applications (like IM, Twitter and podcasts) — having a video running while I'm working is awfully distracting (DUH).
This content needs to be on my TV. I didn't spend $2,500 on my Pioneer plasma to neglect it.
Of course, this is what Internet TV really is — using the Internet pipes to deliver video to your TV. It's NOT watching video on your computer.
We're starting to get there. Now that Netflix is coming via the Xbox 360 and LG's new Blu-ray player (called here first), the pipes are starting to get used to deliver content to the living room.
When any of those devices gets access to Hulu content, that'll be another big step forward.
In order to make the move into the living room, I've been thinking a lot about getting an Apple TV. I'm already locked into the iTunes universe. It's just one more step to my Apple-fication.
TV content is meant to be enjoyed in a passive setting, not when you're leaning over the keyboard.
The Internet Loves Bill Gates and Hates Apple: What Happened?
Posted by junger | January 15th, 2008
If you've been paying attention, you might have noticed a major shift in the attitude toward two of the biggest technology companies by a few of the Web's biggest publications/communities.
Last week, after Bill Gates delivered his presumed final keynote at the Consumer Electronics Show (CES), most of the conversation on major tech sites like Digg and Engadget focused on how much Gates has done for the industry, how he's not as bad as his reputation, and generally what a decent job he's done at Microsoft.
It's surprising, especially with the number of Apple fanboys that visit both sites.
On Tuesday, Apple announced a number of new products at MacWorld, many of which have already received criticism and skepticism.
Apple's decision to charge $20 for standard apps for the iPod Touch has a lot of Diggers pissed off.
This is stupid. Didn't they learn anything from the iPhone price drop? Like honestly how do you justify this? There is no NEW hardware it is just a software update! It isn't even a price reduction like the iPhone, they are flat out saying…hey these guys get this for free….but you guys you have to PAY. This is just ridiculous.
That is absolutely obnoxious that after just spending $400 on a frickin iPod Touch a couple months ago, they want me to drop $20 on apps that should have been there in the first place. It's not about the $$ as much as the insult to those of us who went out and supported them with our hard-earned money in the first place, dealing with all their f!#$@# bugs in the software, and offering feedback and advice on how to make the product better. We damn well DESERVE to get these applications and it royally P*SSES ME OFF!
The new Macbook Air, the super thin laptop with no replaceable battery or optical drive, has CrunchGear's Devin Coldewey arguing that the system is "basically useless."
This is a pretty big shift in online sentiment. Microsoft has always been the big-bad company, suing startups and putting out crappy products, while Apple (and Steve Jobs) are icons to be emulated.
So what's going on? Why has the mood shifted?
My two cents is that Apple isn't thinking enough about what the consumer wants. For so long, they've basically been able to build their products the way they want to and get a relatively small user base to open their wallets, no questions asked.
But the whole iPhone brickgate, lack of commitment to Apple TV, and continued problems they have pricing their products has their users riled up … and looking to Microsoft? Hell, the Zune 80GB has gotten a lot of good reviews.
