Next Wave Trend: Apple’s iPod-Pro 2006, a specialized computer
Posted by Dennis Sellers 
Jun 3, 2005 at 12:52am
Neo is Macsimum News’ international man of mystery. If we told you more, we’d have to kill you.
In October 2004 I presented a chapter of the Next Wave of the Internet series entitled “On the Road to iPod-Live! In 2005” that discussed a wireless iPod a full month ahead of the news of Apple’s wireless patent. Another central point of that chapter was to amplify the fact that the iPod was being dubbed a specialized computer. In this chapter, I’ll provide you with an overview of the potential of that specialized computer – which I’ll simply refer to as the iPod Pro.
But being so close to Steve Jobs keynote, I thought I’d first briefly touch base on what could be earmarked for the iPod over the next several quarters.
Broadcom’s VideoCore
In April of this year the SiliconValleyWatcher reported that Apple had signed a contract to use the powerful video, image, and music chips designed by Alphamosaic. In their opinion, Apple could likely use Alphamosaic chips as the common core of a family of iPod devices that could include camera, gaming and wireless connectivity products/features. You can’t take meaningful gaming seriously on an iPod, especially in light of the quality of games that VideoCore is associated with. Yet a built-in camera on the other hand, would be a natural fit to advance Apple’s iPod photo.
In fact, Kyocera Corporation unveiled their KYOCERA Finecam SL400R digital camera last July (04) as being the first digital camera to be bundled with Apple Computer, Inc.’s iTunes and QuickTime Pro. Kyocera’s camera was only sold in the Apple Store in Japan and was obviously a test-pilot program. This is what Kyocera’s Web page states about their bundled Software from Apple:
Apple’s QuickTime Pro software enables users to create and replay digital content using high-quality sound and images. It offers a variety of features, including the full-screen replay of movies, the ability to create slideshows with still images, and video image editing for mobile phone use. Apple’s iTunes software helps users to organize and replay their music for maximum enjoyment.
A review of that fine camera made an interesting reference to being able to use a voice memo feature that makes it possible to record a voice message with an image.
Alphamosaic’s VideoCore VC02 has the ability to display video on 3.5 inch color LCDs and capture 8 megapixel images, making it ideal for watching TV, making videos or taking studio-quality photos. The programmable nature of the VideoCore product family allows scaling to new video and audio standards such as H.264 and HE-AAC – which are currently found in Sony’s new PSP with amazing results. A final note of interest is Broadcom/Alphamosaic’s VideoCore webpage that references the Nucleus OS under related middleware. This OS is based on the uITRON specification, which was a subject covered in chapter 12 of this series. Of course once Apple’s iPod goes wireless or “live” – a real-time OS will be required.
Of all the features that Apple could launch with a wireless iPod, I’d like to see Apple launch their next generation of QuickTime TV – being that TV is a feature VideoCore supports. It’s understandable that the evolutionary process dictates that a camera will likely be the first new feature to rollout – and just in time for summer vacation photo taking. Yet being that the original Apple, Ericsson and Sun alliance was all about delivering a wireless content delivery solution to provide consumers with web services like “movie clips and instant news on demand,” why not introduce a few preset TV channels like MTV, CNBC and CNN for a wireless iPod. Yes, MTV would be a natural fit for the iPod, but other types of programming would appeal to business professionals. And small screen or not, Soap Opera fanatics would fall over themselves to be able to catch their favorite soaps on-demand. Hey, it’s a huge market – so why not. Who knows, maybe they’ll launch that feature as the fall TV line-up rolls out. That would certainly spice things up for the Christmas season.
The Podfather orders a new hit
The Don Steve Jobs, PodFather of the Cupertino Family, wants to muscle in on the mobile pro territory and make them an offer they can’t refuse. It appears that Ruthless Rubenstein has been assigned this contract hit – with the help of Killer Cassanova. Details are sketchy, but it sounds important enough to think this through and see what we could come up with.
Technology Business Research Analyst Tim Deal stated a year ago that he thought that Apple’s growth was dependent upon their exploiting beyond-the-box sources of revenue like software, services, and the iPod, which had accounted for 39 percent of the company’s total revenue for the April 2004 Quarter. That was stated in context with the news that Apple had just formally confirmed that their new iPod division would be headed up by Jon Rubenstein. It was in that same month that the iPod was dubbed a specialized computer. So how specialized could it get?
A new iPod architecture
As interesting as Alphamosaic’s VideoCore is as a co-processor, I think that Apple is now looking to a new architecture that could take the iPod to the next level and eventually address the mobile professional market. Although the notebook will always remain a popular tool for certain types of mobile professionals, the iPod may just have the right twists that will appeal to the vast majority of casual mobile professionals as the market shifts to a network-centric business model that is always-on.
For the sake of this basic overview, I’ve chosen to use the example of Motorola’s all new Mobile Extreme Convergence (MXC) Platform as the ideal candidate for Apple’s next generation of iPods. The following information was compiled from information that could be found on Motorola’s MXC extreme Convergence processor Web page.
The MXC overview: The MXC architecture comes to life in our wealth of connectivity solutions -from our 2G through 3G cellular and RF power amplifier and power management products to our ZigBee™ technology, DVB, GPS and Ultra-Wideband (UWB) technologies. It gives you unique access to a menu of options that are designed to work together to get your next hot consumer products to market fast. The MXC vision can enable wireless devices to go far beyond today’s smartphones as developers are freed to unleash their imaginations.
For OEMs and developers, the MXC vision offers variety without waste. It can help OEMs double or even triple the number and kind of devices they create to bring highly valued applications into the mass market. At the same time, it can help them reduce the cost and effort required to develop those new devices. This single platform targets multiple product designs, from entertainment to enterprise applications. This means OEMs can create multiple versions of a device, suited for multiple markets, without changing the basic core of the design.
Motorola’s new MXC extreme Convergence architecture provides a DSP and a RISC core on the same device with the two processors sharing external memory. While this looks like a cellular telephone baseband processor it has higher performance and uses a different software architecture. The MXC puts the entire baseband function into the DSP, freeing the RISC core for the user applications, including a GUI-based operating system. Where a cellular baseband processor might have a DSP offering 100 MIPS and a RISC offering 14 MIPS, the MXC puts the entire function into a DSP with 156 MIPS and increases the RISC performance to handle the new application demands. MXC uses an on-chip, dedicated application processor (ARM1136 @ 400 MHz with 128 Kbyte on-chip L2 cache) with ARM Jazelle technology for Java hardware acceleration.
The security features help protect high-value content and enable digital rights management, providing a framework for music downloads, mobile credit card transactions and other secure m-commerce transactions.
Adoption of features such as color display, cameras, and converged capabilities would not be possible without advances in semiconductor technology, micro-architectures, and embedded systems. It is for this reason, and to implement more advanced features such as 2D and 3D graphics, mobile multimedia, Mobile IP, and personal entertainment, that Motorola has created the Mobile Extreme Convergence architecture.
What if, instead of putting a camera in a phone, manufacturers could easily add cellular or wireless capability to digital cameras? In a world in which virtually any handheld consumer electronics device could add cellular capability while maintaining battery life, size and cost would significantly shift the way the “cellular” market is forecasted.
Samples of the first MXC silicon will ship to customers starting in the middle of 2004, Rader said, and products based on the MXC platform should begin shipping in the second quarter of 2005.
The timing that Motorola presented is interesting in and of itself, being that it was the middle of 2004 when Steve Jobs joined Ed Zander via satellite to announce their partnership that would bring Apple’s new iTunes mobile music player to Motorola phones in 2005. The second quarter of 2005 of course ends next month, just as Steve Jobs delivers his keynote and perhaps new hardware. Could there have been more to that partnering deal that didn’t get announced publicly in August 2004? I think so – and not just due to the timing of Motorola’s MXC, but because of what strengths and flexibility that the new MXC extreme Convergence processor could bring to Apple’s iPod product mix.
A new iPod GUI: say bye-bye Pixo
I think we could all agree that it’s time to say bye-bye to iPod’s Pixo UI and say hello to something exciting! A new architecture like Motorola’s MXC would allow Apple to launch a whole new UI – which of course opens the door to some interesting scenarios. I’m sure you have a few of your own ideas on that, which I hope you’ll share with us later, but for now I’m going to take a stab at a scenario of my own for your consideration.
Introducing an advanced 3D based UI to Apple’s iPod would really shake things up. One cool feature that I think could be applied here is really a twist on Apple’s own Fast User Switching feature that is narrowly applied today. One side of this cube could be used to provide users with a clear scrollable options menu. Then, with a simple click on a targeted application, the cube would turn to reveal a dedicated UI for such new mobile versions of apps such as iTunes, iPhoto, email, perhaps a Micro-Safari browser, iMovie or QuickTime TV screen and so forth.
For the Mobile Pro, we’re likely to see Apple introduce something like Toshiba’s Ubiquitous Viewer or a BitFlash Mobile Document Viewer with a slightly larger iPod window. Of course this would also apply to any thin client like a network-centric notebook based on web services.
Secondly, downloading Widgets like a clock and other conveniences will be an option. Being that a wireless iPod is connected to the network, these XML based web services would provide live updated information on the fly. I’m sure that you could think of a hundred ways you’ll be able to customize your iPod – and that’s going to be the fun of a wireless iPod with a cool live UI.
Remember Apple’s Multiple Persona patent that stated: the user causes the computer system to globally change the entire suite of parameter values so that subsequent transactions conducted with the computer system employ the parameter values of the current persona.
Well that patent wasn’t limited to a PDA, as the patent graphics didn’t illustrate a Tablet and yet patent point 0006 refers to one application being a tablet. And although the patent presented the use of a stylus, which Apple may or may not implement on an iPod, Apple’s patented wheel does provide the user with enough functionality that negates the use of a stylus for simpler applications. However this plays out, the competition is going to be moaning in agony, scrambling to figure out how the hell they’re going to compete with a chameleon iPod GUI!
PC Core – iPod Pro
Last year the Register ran a story about IBM’s PC Core and here’s a single excerpt: IBM Japan calls the PC Core System a “completely new concept”. IBM’s thinking is that users will carry around their PCs, plugging them into base units (as shown here) located wherever they happen to be working.
The Register’s author went on to state that IBM’s PC Core reminded him of an iPod. A secondary story surfaced shortly thereafter on osViews called, “iPod a Trojan Horse for X86 OSX?” While that may have been an interesting read unto itself, it had taken a view point that was completely contradictory to what IBM’s PC Core’ was: a network computer.
IBM’s unit had nothing to do with running a standard operating system like OS X. So the most important aspect of the news of the PC Core was completely lost in the translation. So if you’re interested in its proper context, you could read IBM’s PDF entitled “On-demand design service innovations.”
So where does the comparison between an iPod and an IBM PC Core really apply? Here are just a few excerpts and or points taken from that PDF, beginning on page 12:
Network environment detection service for an IBM PC core system
The IBM PC core system consists of a core and cradle. The core is portable and contains a CPU, memory, and disk drive. The cradle has external connectors to the power, display, keyboard, mouse, and network. Thus, users can carry their cores with them and, as long as there is an available cradle connected to a display and keyboard, they can plug in their core and work in their familiar computing environment. This system was developed in the IBM Yamato Laboratory on the basis of the modular computer design concept (in the year 2000 – prior to the iPod).
The core system is ideal for an organization in which people share computers installed in many locations, such as large enterprises and universities. There can be several cradles in different locations, each set up with a display, keyboard, mouse, and network. Anyone can use a personalized core at any of these locations. Their computing environment would remain the same, just as if they were transporting their entire computer system. At the same time, cradles can be shared with others. The cradle enables any core to recover its computing environment
.
ANC technology can be used to detect the network environment and supply the core system with a capability for autonomic network configuration. This eliminates network setup frustration and makes the core system more attractive, even to users unfamiliar with the network.
ANC is an important core technology
This provides us with a little perspective to Apple’s initiatives with Universities like Duke, doesn’t it? That particular Duke University link is dated April 2005 and states the following:
“No single technology meets every need right now, although the iPod has been ideal for digital audio applications,” she said. “Next year, as our work with iPods becomes more routine, we’re going to take what we’ve learned and focus on how to better deliver content to iPods. We’re also going to explore other kinds of technology uses that involve things like video and wireless communications.”
One of the avenues that Duke could be exploring fits into IBM’s PC Core scenario to perfection. Ahhh, but the iPod Pro with a processor like the MXC would also fit this scenario – and this could mark the beginning of a completely new market for Apple to win for the iPod Pro. Why was Duke referring to the iPod and wireless communications in the same breath? Yes, of course – a wireless iPod.
Where Xybernaut failed, Apple will succeed. Apple’s unit, unlike others, including IBM’s PC Core, has a functional mini display for versatility and upcoming wireless mobility beyond the classroom itself. Yet within classrooms that are properly set up, the iPod Pro will allow users to plug in their core and work in their familiar computing environment.
Think of this application for the iPod Pro in the enterprise as IBM’s scenario presented itself. Oh my, things get very interesting. Then taking this one step further, this is where Apple’s Genius Bar could play a role in the future by accommodating professionals that require a simple connection to their office conveniently while on the go. Genius Bar’s set up with a display, keyboard and cradle – will make this very convenient and simple. Why carry a notebook from city to city or around the downtown core, when you could be carrying your office in your pocket. If you need a larger workspace, just drop by an Apple Genius Bar or other facility that will support network computing services like Kinko’s (at some point in time), drop in your Core in the cradle and your plugged into your work environment in seconds. Want to keep a copy of that document change you just made, the iPod will handle that for you – thank you very much. Understandably Apple is secretive about future initiatives, so I’ll use Sun’s example to help you visualize this concept further.
Sun iWork: your office anywhere
Sun’s iWork is designed to work the way you do, whether that’s on Solaris, Windows, Mac, Linux or any number of desktop and mobile devices. Sun hardware, software and network intelligence makes it possible to stay connected and be productive anywhere. Sun’s iWork is an employee portal that’s a part of the SunOne platform. The underlying applications on the iWork initiatives are powered by Sun ONE Application Server and J2EE technology. Authorization and authentication are powered by Sun ONE Portal Server, Sun ONE Directory Server, and Sun ONE Identity Server. Remote access is provided via Sun ONE Portal Server: Secure Remote Access Pack. Sun’s iWork initiative includes the Sun ONE StarOffice Suite.
You could pick up a few PDF’s on iWork if you wish to learn more. In relation to the Genius Bar concept, you could view this Reservable drop in program PDF specifically. Of course Apple’s program may be more open than Sun’s – to the general public – yet it provides a great overview of the concept. Apple’s program of course could include the iPod Pro and cradle concept as IBM’s PC Core. While there are other future attributes to this initiative I could bring forward, getting too ahead of the curve would serve no purpose at this juncture.
A new breed of iPods for new mass markets
In chapter two of the Next Wave of the Internet series I purposely emphasized the fact that Apple’s iPod was being a dubbed a specialized computer and made promise of a future chapter that would present you with the architecture for this specialized computer. Today’s chapter fulfills that promise.
The MXC architecture in my opinion is a great example of such a revolutionary architecture that will provide Apple with the ability to offer a wide variety of iPods cost effectively, while advancing their technological foundation so that they could rapidly exploit the network centric business model – that is the very nature of the next wave of the internet as defined by Steve Jobs in 2001.
Building on this network-centric business model, the iPod’s direction as seen through IBM’s PC Core example, provides us with the logical progression and potential of what a network-centric iPod Pro could actually bring to market and the new mass markets beyond the general consumer it will allow Apple to venture into.
Sun Microsystems’s iWork program provides us with an insightful overview of how Apple will be able to drive more business traffic to their retail stores by providing mobile professionals with the convenience of connecting to their business or home office while on the go – be it connecting to a Mac, Windows, Linux or Solaris Server. It’s been rumored for some time now that Apple was going to upgrade their Genius Bars with displays and keyboards, and now we could see the logic behind that move in a new light.
Will Apple be able to handle both the enterprise and educational markets? No. But that’s why they’ve partnered with HP for iPods. The iPod Pro in this scenario would even have the right network-centric business model that HP’s new Adaptive Enterprise grid program (the Darwin based architecture) could take advantage of.
In the end, music is music. The potential for the iPod Pro in new mass markets like the enterprise and educational markets worldwide will certainly be a tune that Wall Street could dance to.
Next Wave of the Internet Series
Part 14: “Tiger’s Real Secret Weapon – To Rock the Market”
Part 13: “Apple’s connections to Wind River, Red Hat and Linux-ITRON”
Part 12: “Apple’s NEW-TRON Bombshell”
Part 11: “Apple and IBM: Rethink the PowerPC Revolution”
Part 10: “Suddenly! The Next Wave of the Broadband Wars”
Part 9: The Next Wave: Apple Patent Reveals QuickTime TV: What the Other Sites Missed
Part 8: A Closer Peek at Sony’s CELL Patent: What’s missing here?
Part 7: The Next Wave: Apple’s Connection to the CELL Processor
Part 6: Next Wave: Motorola, MeshNetworks and In-Car iServices
Part 5: OS X Tiger’s QuickTime Could Reach More than 3 Billion Users a Day!
Part 4: Apple’s QuickTime Leaps to the Silver Screen and Beyond
Part 3: Tiger Revving-up QuickTime TV Live-Network
Part 2: On the Road to iPod-Live! In 2005
Part 1: Apple’s Next Wave of the Internet: Darwin’s leap to MAN
The Next Wave of the Internet Series
By Neo
scott schor Says:
Ever since I stumbled onto your musings in the “next wave” series I’ve been hooked. I’ve been tapping the desk and the keyboard endlessly since your last installment on May 15th wondering when you would stop sitting on your thumbs and post your next piece. Lo and behold, here it was just waiting for me when I arrived at work this wonderful Friday morning. Thank you, Neo. Much like Dick’s preceding post, I will read the article once and then come back and reread as required over the weekend.
Once again, thank you Neo, thank you for your research, your logical presentation and for the ensuing thoughts your work provokes.
I’m initially curious about the Motorola MXC platform and whether or not the recent talks with Intel also play any part in this discussion.
I hope you’re not resting ... I’ve already restarted tapping my fingers waiting for your next installation. :)
Posted on June 03, 2005
Neo Says:
Dick, I knew you would like this chapter as I read your comments on a post a couple of weeks back and smiled. Oh by the way, the Duke-Apple association is the point, not Duke-IBM. Anyways, I knew you would be able to really get into this chapter, and I look forward to any other comments of yours this weekend.
Scott Schor, glad you enjoy the series. I had been working on several stories at the same time when I noticed the date. Ouch, time had run out going into next week’s keynote without another chapter.
With Apple creating a platform agnostic web services platform, it’ll run on Intel as iTunes does today. An official Intel deal - not likely, but not impossible. For psychological reasons it would send a shock wave that things are now different, but I stress Apple licensing this new web services platform to those already working with Intel like HP etc. - and not launching an Intel unit themselves.
As far as working with Motorola goes, I think it would be a great move just because of the fact that Moto has great market positioning for advanced Set Top Boxes, a great in-vehicle infotainment system on the way and other markets where an Apple/Motorola alliance for licensing Apple’s web services platform would put Apple on the fast track to winning market share.
Ed Zander is a great CEO and understands the power of that synergy. So I think an iTunes Moto phone is just the beginning.
Cheers!
Neo
Posted on June 03, 2005
Alek Says:
Neo
Thanks for great Article again.
I think it’s not a good idea to add the camera feature to iPod. I prefer to see iSight with this function and the ability of connecting (wired or wireless) to iPod.
Maybe Apple intends to use Alphamosaic chips or Sth. like this iside iSight.
What do you think neo?
Posted on June 03, 2005
passingby Says:
hi neo,
whatever happened to june 1 being the date that sun introduces the next wave of the internet? from what i heard, june 1 was nothing but a marketing and re-imaging push. i hope i’m mistaken…
Posted on June 03, 2005
Neo Says:
Alek - iSight is an interesting twist. I think 3G would have to be the North American standard before that would even be considered...and perhaps by then, a cooler Cell processor will have come to market to make something that cool really fly in style. I think it’s better suited for cell phones personally, so as to keep the iPod focused. Nevertheless, that’s an interesting point, Alek.
Posted on June 03, 2005
Neo Says:
Passingby,
This is what Sun stated: The information Age has taken society as far as it can. It’s time to move to something bigger.
Well, this is true and will play out over time. However, being that they claimed that June 1st would reveal what that something bigger was...I think they failed. Was there a delay for something next week - Who knows?
Since it was my decision to have some fun and pump up the volume on that announcement to hype things up, I’ll take the slap for that one as June 1st produced nothing but a silent echo, period.
In the big picture it changes nothing - as the network era is rolling in on schedule. But if Sun was trying to change their image and demonstrate their leadership in this next wave, then missing their opportunity to deliver a clear message as to what that something bigger was, on time (June 1), demonstrates that someone is asleep at the wheel at Sun. Maybe they got sidetracked with their STORAGETEK acqisition - but that still doesn’t answer their bold statement.
The last two bold predictions I made in 2004 missed the mark by only weeks. The end result in tact. So only time will tell if this turns out to be a dud.
Posted on June 03, 2005
Jenny Says:
I found the Register link about the “PC Core”, which is called the PC Core System, for you:
IBM’s PC Core
You state: “IBM’s unit had nothing to do with running a standard operating system like OS X...” Whereas the article states, “ The machine runs a variety of versions of Windows.”
I see thin-client utilization and the PC Core System as competing ideas. With my thin-client tablet, I don’t need to carry around a “Core.” If I have my core, I don’t net-based applications, I need the docking station!
I also don’t think the iPod will ever have a camera. However, the iPod Phone, which I am absolutely convinced will come out by the start of 2007, will have a camera, and it will do video better than my Samsung.
I see your article as a quilt-work of speculation. No doubt, however, the music-only iPod we know today will, first, continue, since that need will always exist (think 4-8 GB Flash iPods with a screen, similar to iPod Shuffle) and, secondly, will change a lot, so that it barely resembles the current line. There will definitely be an Apple iPod Phone--it just makes too much bloody sense not to be done! After that, the bets are off. But multi-media iPods must have a bigger screen--must have a bigger, color, high-quality screen!
Notably, the PC Core System had a 2.5 inch hard drive, not an iPod-size drive. For me, the ultimate would be a flash-based storage and operating iPod with teeth. Lots of battery time, super fast operation.
Gotta run. Interesting article, lots of stuff to think about!
Posted on June 03, 2005
Joe Says:
That was a very logical position for a new angle to the iPod family. In fact, kick starting the iPod off as a music player first was a phenominal way to win mindshare for this form of specialized computer in contrast to how xybernaut approached this market focusing on business first - which was too radical. Your position really lays this out well.
You’re ideas for a 3D interface is really facinating and would set a trend for ui design for many small device form factors trying to provide multiple applications in an easy to use layout. Anything 3D that could revolve or flip, is an excellent concept that I could only hope that Apple will implement.
That genius bar angle would be a great way for in-store salepeople to demonstrate this feature to mobile professionals so that they could see the convenience of the iPod beyond music. In all, a lot to think about for sure.
Posted on June 03, 2005
Dick Applebaum Says:
To Jenny
You said:
“I see thin-client utilization and the PC Core System as competing ideas. With my thin-client tablet, I don’t need to carry around a “Core.” If I have my core, I don’t net-based applications, I need the docking station!”
Yes and no!
1) If the thin-client network computer is the result of the next wave of computing (and I think it is) it means that all your applications and all your data reside on the network and all you do is access the network through one device or another.
2) The biggest deterrent to this happening, in my opinion, is the resistance of individuals to having all their private data [potentially] accessed by others and/or unavailable to themselves (when the network is unavailable).
I think it will take time and experience to convince users that their private data is more available (to themselves) and more secure on a network.
Given the above, the iPod/Core becomes a transitional device:
1) It contains your personalized computer profile, preferences, configuration options, etc. that customize your network computer experience.
2) it stores your most private data locally (rather than putting it on the network)
3) it has a few. specialized mimi-applications, e.g. digital lifestyle, PDA, camera, phone, etc.
4) For high-powered applications and large data store, the user will connect to the network.
Kind of the best of both worlds—a self-contained portable device, and the means to connect to “the Network” in an efficient and familiar way.
Dick
Posted on June 03, 2005
Neo Says:
Jenny,
The Register points to a number of things and one being the T-Engine which is an embedded real time uTRON OS. Perhaps a CE OS from MS, not any OS. Conveniently IBM has pulled the plug on my link to the PDF that worked just fine this morning, so I can’t verify what IBM stated themselves about Windows operating systems - but don’t remember anything about that specifically, let alone different versions. What IBM has to say about their own unit is what counts.
This is found on IBM’s site (with the link no longer working):
On-demand design service innovations
environment detection service for an IBM PC core system The IBM PC core system3 consists of a core and cradle
URL: http://www.research.ibm.com/journal/rd/485/shimizu.h…
Nice that you have a PC tablet, but that doesn’t mean that’s the end all or be all. I think for kids who can’t afford expensive toys like a tablet, the PC Core offers flexibility.
For Mass markets, the PC Core concept is much easier to implement for public businesses like Hotels, Airports and so on and so forth to provide customers with a convenient way to check email or surf the net, like pay phones used to be. In the end, personal toys aren’t going away, so the iPod Pro type of unit has certain focused markets.
I think everyone would like to see an Apple phone, but Apple has to make the decision. Create a niche product again, or license software to OEM’s. Personally, I hope for the later, even if it’s against the view of the Mac community.
The PC Core was a prototype, so comparing disk drive size is not really relevant. What’s next a 60 GB hard drive for music? At some point you have to see that the iPod is going far beyond just music. Is iPod Pro an alien concept? Yes, today, but it won’t be by 2006/2007.
Thanks for dropping by Jenny.
Posted on June 03, 2005
Neo Says:
I just bumped into this pdf from IBM which mentions the iPod and Apple/Motorola partnership favorably on page 9. See: Next Generation Networks: Profiting from Convergence: Defining Growth Paths for Telecom Service Providers
http://www-1.ibm.com/industries/telecom/doc/content/landingdtw/1293274102.html?SA_Message=tntest
Posted on June 03, 2005
Jenny Says:
Just got back. Thanks for responses! Correct me if I’m wrong, but it sounds like the author and Dick are talking about two different things. Also, I don’t have a tablet. I’m waiting for Apple’s! By the way, Dick, that’s one of my fa-vor-ite words! LOL! It’s not a stretch to see an iPod being a portable computer, since it already is. My area is marketing (marketing, not advertising!), and I would look at the competing products to get a clue about Apple’s intentions. But I think: a) Apple will continue with a music-only iPod; b) something with a bigger screen! please for multi-media, including downloadable h264 TV shows and music videos and maybe movies; c) whoever makes it possible to eliminate the need to buy and store (heavy!) books by producing a reader that allows the copyrights to be protected; not a format, which Adobe should do, and not PDF, but a physical reader that does for books what the iPod does for Tunes. And a downloader for them like iTunes music store. Why does no one talk about this!?
I want c) the most. I love reading books and I hate to throw them away. But I end up with serial bookshelves, and hate to move them! Please, Apple, make it so. I don’t want to listen to a book, I want to iRead it, please!
Why has nobody figured that out?
As for you, Dick, I think the ultimate copy protection is to make available copyrighted materials streaming--yes, streaming--through a purchase that allows to you cut and paste (limited) and to use various devices and start up where you left off. Sounds like servers to me! You should be able to store a receipt and somehow keep it from being reproduced, or duplicated. I guess iTunes is a model.
Are you telling me that a digital book reader the size of a paperback with a good, even B&W;screen, can’t be made (wireless would be nice)? i don’t need to type on it, just read.
Oh, and I wanted to say, the most logical thing to add to the iPod is games. Not playstation-level games, just seriously fun games to pass the time. Not the mind-numbing little doo-dads on the current iPod. I don’t call that solitare, I call it a headache! Look at the demographics of the iPod. Who doesn’t want to play a game while sitting around listening to motor-punk?
Of course, gorgeous relics like me want to listen to Mozart and read Thomas Harris. Do you hear me, read!? on the iPod.
That’s what they need on the iPod. Thanks for the thoughts, fellas. Let’s look forward to the future--Apple, not Microsoft.
Posted on June 03, 2005
Neo Says:
I don’t call that solitare, I call it a headache! - Good one Jenny :-)
Posted on June 03, 2005
Dan Says:
A lot to think about here and after I let it swim around in my head a bit I may get back. For now here’s my 2cents.
In general, extending the ipod to work in classrooms or the enterprise network sounds like a very interesting prospect if done right - which Apple could do with the right licencing.
Apple’s reasoning for creating different offshoots of the ipod is in order to keep each kind of iPod focused. So music Plus X feature group. MXC provides flexibilty but Apple won’t throw in everythinig but the kitchen sink. They’ll focus on new webservices that have mass appeal and pick off another niche, one at a time.
Yet, Apple could create a hot new service, build demand, and then licensees could choose to run with it or not.
I like the idea of a 3d interface as well, that could change parameters like the way a widget clock could flip. As a network device, I never thought of widgets for an ipod and that alone if apple could pull off is a hot seller all by itself. So let’s hope that a slightly larger display comes to market so that a cool new interface could be appreciated.
I too agree with Jenny on better simple games just to pass time, but watching/listening to cnbc for market info and/or interviews is another way to pass time. In fact the more I think about tv, the more I like it. For fast breaking news on cnn, it would be convenient to just have it on my ipod. As long as I get to choose a limited number of channels.
I think convergence is good and bad and hope Apple focuses on the right services instead of creating something too complicated. Knowing that only Apple could pull of a simple pro ipod, I think this could have legs.
Posted on June 03, 2005
Dick Applebaum Says:
To Jenny
Prior articles in this series talked about future thin-client network computers (essentially a glorified display) where the data & apps primarily resided on a network-- not just for an office LAN/WAN but for the broader Internet in general-- you won’t by Word or Excel apps, rather just use them as a subscription service. You don’t concern yourself with portability, backup, etc. of your data as it also resides on the “Network”.
That, well may be the future-- if we can get there.
The way I understand Neos points in this article is that the nextgen iPod may act as a first step to the future-- where you could take your private stuff and preferences with you on an iPod then plug into a cradle to access the network (apps & data) as well as home or office data.
Once users get comfortable with using the network this way, they may be amenable to letting the network handle their data too.
As to your favorite word, I am afraid to ask.... what is it?
Your point about reading is a very good one.
I don’t know if anyone is addressing this but, have you looked at the iPod photo?
The color display (though small) is beautiful. The B/W screens don’t even come close!
The navigational text (albums/photos, playlists/songs) is displayed in a small but very readable variable-length font and about 25-30 characters wide.
I am not talking about the ugly font used for displaying notes.
Anyway, if the iPod photo would allow you to display your “books” in this font. it could be a very pleasant reading experience… analogous to reading a column-width article in a magazine.
You can scroll & it wouldn’t be too difficult to add direct chapter/page or index navigation as well as bookmarks & keeping track of where you were.
My point is that the iPod photo hardware can likely do what you want-- all it needs is an application. You could listen and read at the same time--- now, where’s that glass of Chard?
A nextgen iPod with a larger screen could replace a pocketbook or novel-size book.
You may be on to something!
Mr Lucy
P.S. You could even read in the dark (or under the covers) without one of those annoying little book-lites :)
Posted on June 03, 2005
Greg Says:
From everything I’m reading, the IP revolution changes everything. I’ve read that I’ll be able to peek in on my home security over the web, or turn on lights or turn up the heat before I get home over the net. So at some point it appears that we’ll have our own little set of IP addresses tied together through our own little grid via Xgrid. If this is to be believed, then I’ll be able to access my own data and apps residing on my home pc. Isn’t that what the toshiba ubiquity viewer is all about? So this notion that everything is sitting on the network, isn’t where this is going. I don’t know why that keeps popping up. The key point of grid is security. It’s not pure grid computing, but yes it borrows that framework to secure your data and transactions. This is where smart cards will come in. Lose the card, cancel it. Otherwise your data is secure.
A true network device won’t be like a microsoft pda with mini apps. casanova points to Quicktime content streamed to a phone without a media player. One of these bloody days IBM Apple and others are going to have to spell this out clearly, as the confusion over what will and won’t happen with web services is all over the place. I like this is coming, but get here already!
Posted on June 03, 2005
Jenny Says:
Oh, Dick. I know you’re married; shouldn’t play on my emotions!
I do wish they would just make the ipod screen bigger. We all want it bigger, don’t we? Of course, it’s not the size that counts, it’s the rotating click wheel.
Seriously, they do need to do this. Any chance you fellas can get the idea across to Apple? Seems so obvious, doesn’t it? It has to be something about the digital rights, and the licensing.
Also do you think there is any workable way to “purchase” or rent a streamed movie or book, with bookmarks? If I had my work out there, I’d be afraid they would endlessly copy my work without royalties. I guess iTunes are not traded around on these sites, right? Tell me exactly how they can do it, I’ll send a message, if no one else does.
Does seem to me, Dick, that what you’re talking about, using an iPod to carry your digital profile, is a bit of overkill. What not just a flash pen drive with security?
Posted on June 03, 2005
Cats Says:
I think Jenny hit a nerve with books/reading. I picked up a copy of Business 2.0 yesterday to read about Cell and Motorola. Nothing earth shattering. But what caught my eye was that they had a subscription offer of 10 bucks for 24 issues. What? Thing is, no magazine has a great issue every month. So, why not have a 99 cent magazine web service for home or download to a wireless iPod? It’s a money service and offering me all the top magazines at the Apple store would be convenient. Maybe I’m one of a few, but this sure would be something I’d buy into. No subscription baloney, just click on what’s hot and it’s mine, conveniently billed to my itunes account, done!
There’s several steps to play out before something like a proipod surfaces, but then again you put it into the 2006-7 timeframe which is reasonable. Apple is slowly introducing new ipod features and this proposal of yours is reasonable.
You know, Apple once had a photo of the new iPod side by side a G5 Mac. Remember? It was a side view comparison. I thought that was an odd graphic at the time. Perhaps that may have said more than we think. Anyways, always fun to drop in, even though this is my first post.
Posted on June 03, 2005
Dick Says:
Greg
You say:
“...then I’ll be able to access my own data and apps residing on my home pc. Isn’t that what the toshiba ubiquity viewer is all about? So this notion that everything is sitting on the network, isn’t where this is going. I don’t know why that keeps popping up.”
You are prolly right that the logical next step is to be able to access the apps & data on your home computer from from anywhere… to some extent that is possible now.
All you need to do is run a server and provide whatever security you desire to access the data over the Internet.
Here’s why I think that ultimately you will want to store the data on someone else’s server (a data service provider). The more you get used to accessing your private data from a remote location, the more likely is the situation that you will become dependent on being able to do this-- say you travel a lot and you don’t want to take all your important data and work product with you-- you just want to be able to access it when needed.
To do this, reliably, you must provide some hardware redundancy (computer, HDD, power backup, telcom lines, etc). then you must rigorously backup your data. Further, you prolly want to store backups of these data offsite, to avoid loss in case of fire, earthquake, etc.
You can see where this is going…
It is one thing setup your home computer so you can access your data remotely… it is quite another thing to guarantee that your data will be available for access.
That is the job of a data service provider.
Isn’t it ironic that the files & photo albums on [your or] my dotMac site can be relied on to be more available than anything on our home computer.
Now, if you have some data that must be accessible (with proper security and authorization), 24/7… where would you want to put it?
This does not mean that there won’t be some data & devices on your home computer.
But the data you really rely on (legal papers, deeds, birth certificates, etc) will like be stored at a data service provider. That way even if your house is destroyed (and the bank with your safe deposit box) your data is safe!
Dick
Posted on June 03, 2005
Dick Applebaum Says:
To Jenny
Since you are going to carry your iPod. anyway, for pics/words/music, why not also use it to carry your computer preferences/digital profile, etc.
That way, when you cradle your iPod to a thin-client, the thin client configures itself to behave just like the one you have at home.
Or, if you want to buy something, it provides secure purchase/delicery info to the vendor.
BTW, this iPod device could be like:
1) iPod shuffle
2) iPod mini/photo
3) a new 4x6x1/2 display???
Dick
Posted on June 03, 2005
Greg Says:
On the security issue, you may have a point. One I ignore all too often. However, I go back to the toshiba viewer as the key here. I could access my home files and do the same to connect to my office on a cell phone and I suppose a pro ipod.
I think the other day there was a piece on sfs from Apple that described conveniently accessing your home or work files unlike other services. Maybe I read that wrong. It’s the everything in etherland that most people can’t get there heads around. Isn’t a lot of dot mac about sharing. Well, files are something I don’t want to share as you could appreciate. Where’s the middle ground between toshiba’s viewer and what you’re propsing Dick?
Posted on June 03, 2005
wildman Says:
I’ve read a lot of your series neo, but this one was presented well. You sure have a firecracker imagination that pushes the envelope - and yet so concievable.
I think Motorola taking a gamble on itunes for their phones bodes well and without a doubt itunes for their set top boxes wll roll out this fall. That OJO phone of theirs has potential as well, being h.264 compliant. So, why stop at iTunes? Count on iPhoto as well and then that opens up the question of your famous web platform idea. I use a motorola set top box and the Java basic menus are s..l..o...w and boring as hell. QuickTime TV you say, sounds good to me!!!!
Again, I don’t know why this chapter struck a cord with me, but it did. I won’t even get into the 3d interface, I’m still buzzed at how you see this playing out. I’d like to see that NOW, not in 2006.
Posted on June 03, 2005
Dick Applebaum Says:
To Greg
Definitely there is a middle ground. I would not want my sensitive data stored insecurely (at home or on the Internet).
BTW, It is more likely that a hacker will be able to break into data stored on your home computer thru the Internet than if it were stored by professionals.
Also, consider that much of your personal information, medical history, legal records, mortgage, deed, buying habits, social security, credit information, yadda, yadda, yadda already exists on the Internet.
A good data service provider must insure that the data is reliably available, securely encrypted, and can only be accessed with your approval/authorzation. This also excludes the data service provider and its personnel.
In reality, someone whose business depends on it can do a better job of securing your data than you can…
But, it must be your choice… we must always have the choice!
Dick
Posted on June 03, 2005
Greg Says:
Thanks for getting back Dick and I guess I’m old school. Very little is online and I hear of too many massive goofs by credit card companies or the like. So, like most, you get a safety deposit box. Hell, I still use bank tellers and hate automated phone hell. Technology has its place and for work etc, but I’m still not comfortable with data online, especially legal documents. I don’t trust my set up enough to chance that.
Apple’s developer conference is going to discuss smart cards and I think once this comes to light and Apple makes it easy to understand, I’ll be open minded to test the waters out a little more. Something about that toshiba viewer however sticks with me and perhaps Apple will indeed have some kind of equivalent (maybe Motorola). I’m getting there, just a little slower than most.
Posted on June 03, 2005
Neo Says:
Dick,
I just read your comment on the remote controler idea. Moma Mia, what a great idea for this to be a tie-in with QuickTime TV. I saw the remote idea first in the KDDI Ubiquitous Flash presentation and Motorola’s own site hints at such a development. Having a keypad makes it a natural for a phone. But there’s something to the iPod being a remote that gets the wheels turning. How do you see that playing out so that I could see what’s rolling around in your head? This should be good!
Posted on June 03, 2005
Jenny Says:
Well, this is a great site, and great discussion. I’ll try to contribute again, as I have the time. I only picked up on this a couple days ago, but haven’t read the series yet.
In my mind, I only see Apple introducing internet services if they are going to be able to sell hardware to go along with them, or that is required to use them, as with the iPod. The revenue stream from licensing is too thin to satisfy a company the size of Apple. Subscriptions to applications, right, Neo?, will only generate serious money to the copyright holders, the licensors. Apple will want a monopoly on the hardware, as with the iPod. If I were representing them, I know that’s what they’d tell me. Now, if these are Apple applications, then this changes. Subscriptions would be a painless way to rake in a lot of cash. See the difference?
It’s the same with iTunes. I believe Apple’s cut is six cents a song. Even with the great volume they have now, they may be approaching break even. I would think that would be a big announcement.
Think how different things would be for Apple without iPods (with iTunes and the music store). Would the retail stores be profitable? I doubt it seriously. Would they be making headlines almost daily with iPod buzz, iTunes sales buzz? No way.
The retail stores would be a drain, the way Gateway’s were, and regarded as chum advertising. The Apple stock would be performing like Microsoft’s, up but not great. Remember when some iTunes wrinkle caused the stock to drop to twelve and a half (long before the stock split) in 2003? The Apple computers would be in the slow spiral they were before--great looks. great operating system, high-seeming prices; guess I should call Dell.
All changed because of the iPod. So, I believe, Neo is right that the future Apple innovation will greatly include the iPod. They have to protect these sales and innovate the iPod to increase revenue. Whatever it is, it’s going to have Pod in the name and i at the front. Right?
My point is, whatever you are thinking in terms of iServices, you better be thinking hardware, because Apple is a multi-billion dollar company because of it. Yes, no way to separate out the software revenue of the OS and included applications--but that’s the point. It’s a package. Follow the money, and keep your head on the hardware. Apple does not have Microsoft volume for the operating system or other software. It’s needs to sell hardware.
The trick will be to bring the iPod platform to a different “industry” such as music videos (music companies would dearly love to make some money from them); publishing--thank you Cats for your idea about magazines--I mean, could anything be better? Think of the advertising Apple could carry alone. Now that’s a way to make money. Think books, please. How can Apple beat Amazon? By not having to physically deliver the books! And that’s why Apple must, must, have a hardware, meaning an iPod, to go with the publishing; because otherwise Amazon and Borders and Barnes and Noble would crush them to pieces. Just like music, the publishers really don’t care who sells the books. They just want them sold. Wasn’t the founding Amazon idea that they could overturn the book applecart by getting the books to you far cheaper and bring you the ability to find them and read real people reviews? Well, let the apple masters at Apple overturn the apple cart.
Reading books on computers is a pain, isn’t it? Can you ever really be comfortable the way you can in your easy chair, or in bed, as Dick says? The billions of dollars in book and magazine publishing can flow through Apple’s hands--
If they provide the first real print reader, just like they provided the first real mp3 player, the only one to stick. It would be the iPod, iTunes, Music Store mode--with iPod player (reader), iRead, and the iRead store. Billions of Dollars. I’m sure Safari would painlessly connect you to the iRead store when you click on that review you read. Tell me you would not buy more.
Why don’t they integrate Quicktime and Safari into one application and put that application onto PCs--with virtually seemless integration with the full-blown music, movie, tv, magazine, book store--the iMedia store. One plus one-click and it’s bought. Connect the iPod, and all the media is there. Take it anywhere. Clinton might say, “It’s the hardware, stupid!” to himself.
I mean, I don’t want the PC world to have a quicktime-iMedia software unless they buy the iPodMedia player. Otherwise it’s just too little revenue.
What do you think? I was just surprised I could be serious this long. Wow, I feel like I’m at work! But I really want the iPods to bring media to me differently.
Posted on June 03, 2005
Neo Says:
Here’s another interesting site about Motorola’s Liquid Media:
http://www.cesweb.org/press/news/rd_release_detail.asp?id=10665
There’s a lot to explore here. The “Converged Devices” QT video shows a pretty cool little unit that really pack a punch. C’mon Apple, kick it up a notch!
Posted on June 03, 2005
Neo Says:
Opps wrong link, try this out: http://www.motorola.com/content/0,,2420,00.html
Posted on June 03, 2005
Dick Applebaum Says:
To Neo
Some thoughts on the iPod as a remote:
I wrote out some good ideas, but rather than post them here, I think I’ll send them to the Patent Office, instead :)
To Greg
I am an ADC member, too… won’t be going to WWDC, though. As to the smart card-- that is one of several technologies that could be used to secure the data and communications from the iPod or Core PC. Others are fingerprint, voiceprint and iris scan. Since this device contains the keys to your kingdom, it must be secure if lost or stolen.
Dick
Posted on June 03, 2005
Barry Says:
That was a great link, Neo. That’s exciting. But where does Apple fit in? I quote the Motorola site below.
Media that moves where you go, when you go: that’s Motorola’s Liquid Media.
Got somewhere to be, but don’t want to miss the last few minutes of the big game? Don’t. Take it to-go with Motorola’s Liquid Media technology. Transfer the big game from your big screen to your mobile phone to your car’s Internet radio and back
Forget taxing your brain for every little thing, let Motorola’s Smart Sensors technology do the thinking for you.
Forgot to turn the lights off when you walked out the door? Your mobile phone will let you know, and even turn those lights off for you if you tell it to. Can’t remember if you locked your car door or not? Ask your phone, it’ll tell you. Oops, it’s saying you didn’t? No problem. Tell your mobile to lock those car doors for you. It’s as good as done.
Look, it’s a phone! It’s a PDA! No, it’s a Motorola Converged Device!
Solve that technology puzzle once and for all. Put down your mobile phone, PDA, digital camera, gaming device, MP3 player… and pick up a converged device that packs all that in one pretty package small enough to carry in your back pocket. Then throw in some Bluetooth technology - it’s the remote control to your life.
Posted on June 03, 2005
Dick Applebaum Says:
To Jenny
Wow!
Just to be clear:
You are asking for a service to buy/rent books in digital format.
They would be downloaded from iTMS (Internet Total Media STORE).
Once on your nextgen iPod device they:
1) would be navigated (bookedmarked, annotated) displayed and read by eye on the iPod screen
2) the iPod could be cradled-connected to a PC or thin-client and read by eye there.
3) Optionally the book could be read text-to-speech.
Is that what you want?
In a way, Apple has started integration of QT & Safari, & more. The [not so] lowly Dashboard Widget is really Safari with an interface to the OS/network/Internet/Desktop Applications, etc. QT (or Word or PhotoShop, for that matter) can be invoked and controlled by a Dashboard Widget.
As to Apple’s revenue model & hardware vs software vs services.
When you look at the iPod/iTunes/iTMS service-- each in it’s own time been, or will be, both a razor and a razor blade.
Some have speculated that when the iPod market becomes too competitive, and the margins too small, that Apple will license the idea & get out of that particular hardware segment… choosing to make the money on the digital media delivery service.
Supposedly, the breakdown ofsong revenue is:
.65 to song owner
.25 to cc company as a transaction fee
.03 to cc company as % of sale.
.06 to Apple
that is based on a transaction of 1 song for $.99.
If (within 24 hours) you buy other songs or albums the transaction fee only applies once.
Some things Apple can do to make this pay:
1: sell more expensive items
2: sell more items
3) hold transactions for longer period of time
4) arrange their own credit
Now, if they could sell books, or movies or classic TV shows, or....
So, Ideally, Apple keeps introducing new [profitable] iPod devices, and new [profitable] service-- then licenses the older devices when they do not meet Apple’s [very high] profit margins.
Dick
Posted on June 03, 2005
Dick Applebaum Says:
To Barry
Apple fits in because “Apple will do it right”.
You’ll know it when you see it.
Dick
Posted on June 03, 2005
Neo Says:
Jenny, that’s a lot of ground you covered :-) . Thanks for taking the time to bring your views to the table.
Jen: I only see Apple introducing internet services if they are going to be able to sell hardware to go along with them
Neo: Yes and No. iTunes is on Windows and no PC hardware applies. Yet it’s a lost leader - to yes, sell hardware. But then you have Motorola’s phone. That’s simply licensing. Licensing is a great business model and in the next wave servicing a huge chunk of those 7.5 billion digital devices ready for iServices, will be a great business. Volume makes it like a utility. Small profit, but huge volume.
Selling an iService platform to major Telco’s and Cellco’s (Apple works with 50) is a smart business plan. Yet that also leads to selling racks of Xserves. Yet Apple won’t make a single TV, nor a single car. Should they relinguish software licensing to Microsoft? No. QuickTime TV should make its entry here, thank you. Apple has to take the war to Microsoft and push licensing. It’s a standards war and Apple is going to battle on that front.
Think Premium iServices, like live concerts, Ka-ching - at 4.99 a pop. Want to sit in your living room and watch a Steve Job keynote live? Ka-ching, 1.99. There are a lot of ways to make money here, but that’s a subject for another day perhaps. I’m sure you have a few ideas on that.
So there will be a balance of licensing software and selling creative hardware.
Jen: Why don’t they integrate Quicktime and Safari into one application
Neo: Read chapter 14. And for Television, read chapter 7 about Sony Apple and network-centric televisions
Online versions of books and magazines definitely. Yes, good one Cats. In fact Cats layed that out quite well. Selling magazines and books will be a great iService.
Personally, my eyes wouldn’t enjoy a book on an iPod. A Tablet would be better in my case. A detatchable notebook display doubling as a tablet/book is likely one way to go. In fact, Motorola’s link above demos a nice little unit. It’s more like an iPod which you’d prefer, though the same principle applies in that one unit doubles functionality.
Thanks again for your time Jenny.
Cheers!
Neo
Posted on June 03, 2005
Neo Says:
Barry,
Of course Moto is preaching their products on their site, but they also list iTunes in the mix. I just added that in because of the other news story I put up today:
It was IBM that mentioned Apple’s iPod and the Apple/Moto partnership in a favorable light in context with Liquid Media.
Moto has a great inside market track for STB’s and iTunes will go along for the ride that could also spill over to Moto’s in-vehicle system. Hey, a partner of Apple’s is going to get plugged on this site. Go Moto!
If Moto does great with iTunes, more OEM’s will be knocking on Apple’s door to let them in on iTunes. In the big picture, it’s about licensing a web services platform as layed in the last chapter of this series.
Cheers Barry
Neo
Posted on June 03, 2005
Dick Applebaum Says:
Anyone else notice the similarity between the Moto logo and the Batman logo?
Dick
Posted on June 03, 2005
Dick Applebaum Says:
Hey Neo
Is there a way I can email you directly?
I stumbled across something that might be a hot lead for your series.
Dick
Posted on June 04, 2005
Neo Says:
Dick,
Unfortunately I don’t have a .Mac account and like you, I don’t hand out my email - it’s not personal. The last time that you used the “contact form” (on the last tab) I did get your message automatically and I think on the same day. If not, you could send it to my wife’s law firm and I’ll get it Monday morning.
By the way, being that you told me that you’re signed up as an Apple developer, I hope that it’s nothing from Apple that you’d pass on to me as that would give me more headaches than it’s worth - and I’d never use it anyways - no matter how hot the tip was. I never have and never will use inside info - it’s just a policy I live by. All information must be from a site that I could link to in my story.
I really appreciate your enthusiam.
Posted on June 04, 2005
mcloki Says:
Great articles Neo.
I’ve been reading you across the web.
I’ve been more interested in the possibilities with Sony/Apple cooperation but this Pro pod and Jenny’s ideas strike a real nice chord. The money generated from this would be pretty big. Every newspaper would start pushing to use this format since they could charge for their web services. Right now they have a difficult time doing so. This would make Apple ITMS (Itunes Media Store) the paper boy. What can’t they deliver. A wireless link and your paper or RSS aggregator feed would get downloaded to your machine.
The other thing to talk about is the Intel rumour. I don’t really think it will be about Desktops, but more about settops. But I wonder if changing the processor in a tablet or iHome like device changes the “Next Wave” all that much. An Intel based iHome server with a wiMax enabled video(h.264) airport express hooked up to a HDTV sounds doable. Intel can deliver the quantity.And that’s important. Since a properly done HDTV iHome would need to sell in the millions not thousands. (106 million TV households in US) Even 10 percent would be a big number to ship. There no program switch problem since most people won’t be running Office on the family TV.
Always look forward to your column, It always lights the fires of imagination.
And itunes on PS3/.XBox360 just has to happen.
mcloki
PS. Consider making Jenny and Dick Applebaum part of the discussion crew. I’d love to hear the fireside chat you’d have over a discussion topic, like say the announcements next Monday.
Posted on June 04, 2005
Dick Applebaum Says:
To Neo
OK, sent en email via contact-- subject: missing link—let me know when you get it!
you may already be aware this, but maybe my thoughts will help put it into context.
BTW, I would never disclose insider information or anything covered by an NDA or Invention/secrecy clause.
to mcloki
slaps forehead with heel of hand…
...podcasting newspapers… sheesh! if you can do books and magazines, why not?
who says podcasts need to be audible
or, maybe just aggregate your personal choice of RSS feeds & have them update every hour or so & download to your iPod pro… where they are available for search/navigation/rerusal…
... not only does this device contain all my stuff-- it also keeps me up to date on everything that interests me
Great call, mcloki!
Dick
Posted on June 04, 2005
Morpheus Online is DeadMan Says:
Better get ready to integrate Apple’s move to Intel and AMD chips into the Next Wave series.
But here’s the start. New chip for iPod--not IBM’s.
Chip for PowerBooks--Apple is extremely unhappy about the G4 situation. EXTREMELY. They OBVIOUSLY have not been able to solve the heat problems putting in the G5. They must know that the newer G5 chips have the same problem.
Chip for iBooks: Ditto.
Apple makes more money from notebooks than desktop systems. Truthfully, it wants to be a notebook and consumer company.
The Mac mini: A notebook computer without a screen and K/M. Ditto.
eMac: Fuhgeddaboutit.
PowerMac: Apple has hinted for years that they really want this to be a professional workstation. But the G5 chip was supposed to suffuse Apple’s entire line of products. It hasn’t, not even close. The G5 has been stuck in doldrums, as had the G4. This continuing problem has absolutely killed Apple’s market share. What the 1998 iMac did to market share, Moto KILLED. In 4/2001, Apple came out with the dual 533 MHz, and Intel was pumping out the P4 at 1.4 GHz. The gap widened considerably. And Apple came out with the psychedelic iMacs. You better bet your keister, Jobs suffered tremendously.
Everything Apple does right, their chip partners have LET THEM DOWN. If you don’t get that, you are clueless. Really clueless.
Do you really think that Apple, I mean Jobs, is happy that the nine-core Cell is coming out in the PS next Spring, and with Blu-ray, besides? Oh yes, NINE cores at 3.2 to 5GHz EACH.
Do you really think Jobs is happy that the three-core 3.2GHz EACH XBox chip is coming out around Christmas, and will be selling at $299.
Do you REALLY think Steve Jobs is HAPPY with IBM? Do you really?
Cell is a Sony and Toshiba chip designed by IBM. Don’t you smell the future partnership of Apple to Sony? Do you think Sony likes Microsoft? Do you know Sony is desperate to hit a GRAND SLAM with the nexgen PS? Desperate.
Apple does NOT need to use the Cell as the main processor, IT CAN BE A CO-PROCESSOR, it can go into a graphics card. Or the famous set-top box.
Or MAYBE Sony has said, we’ll sell them to you in 2007, when our Nagasaki 65nm chip production facility is on-line, AND if we are meeting demand for our PS’s. Cause you know, talking about chips and making chips are two different things. That’s why Mac enthusiasts were thrilled with the delivery of dual 3GHz PowerMacs fifteen months ago.
SO GET OVER IT. Stop your whining. Stop your bitching.
Do you want Apple to thrive and survive? DO YOU? D-O Y-O-U?
Did you ever consider that somehow that SIX AND A HALF BILLION DOLLARS IN CASH (and no debt) that Apple has can:
Help ease the transition of software developers to the new chips, Intel or AMD or both, along with CELL, and two or three others.
Apple damn well can SUBSIDIZE the make over. But it damn well will/CAN substantially reduce the cost and pain of recompiling and optimizing the code. OH yes it can! The biggies, I mean Adobe, and all the rest. Microsoft can put up or shut up. They may say you can afford the make over, we’re helping the non-billionaire companies. Take your choice.
Think about it: New chips. Less expensive and abundant chips. Intel and AMD and Sony/Toshiba and others COURTING Apple, enticing them with new chip design and PRODUCTION, real production, not BS production, not production which says,
“Sorry, Apple, we’ve screwed you again, Love, Moto/IBM.”
So, once again: Get over it! Grow up!
Let Apple do what it has to do.
Let them succeed and support them.
(And to Neo and Dick and others, if Apple wants to compete in servers and thin clients, then take Apple’s current strengths and seat licensing, and put in the chips they need, cheaper chips, that will really let them compete.)
You read this opinion here first.
Posted on June 04, 2005
Dick Applebaum Says:
to MODM (Morpheus Online is DeadMan)
Don’t beat around the bush… just tell us what’s on your mind!
Dick
Posted on June 04, 2005
mcloki Says:
Thanks Dick.
The free aspect is nice but the revenue generating part is the one that interests me the most. I just believe that money does make the world go around. The bloggers right now that do not have a financial aspect to their sites will stop blogging in about 6 months. Unless they are really dedicated. They’ll start with ads. move up to paypal requests and finally subscription. Cash flow makes it a whole thing a lot more interesting.
“Information wants to be free.”
“but reporters want to eat.”
That’s why newspapers will like the charge model. Even if it’s 5 cents a day. Traditional paper sales are slowing down big time. Newspapers can start making up lost demographics which they can then sell to media people and advertisers. That leads to reduced cost to produce the paper. Less ink and paper costs.
And to comment on Morpheus’ comments. I agree.
Intel is a chip foundry as well. Let them be a chip foundry making PPC for Apple. Money is money. Let them add WifiMax to it, a couple of memory enhancers like a better Northbridge. Put it in a set top box, where you don’t need any high end applications.
Everybody is happy. IBM still makes PPC desktop chips.
Here’s my question Morpheus. Will the traditional Home PC market crater when you can get all that functionality in an XBOX/ Playstation. Could you not SKYPE on a wireless headset somewhere else in your house while your kid plays Doom. I think the Cell has the power to do so. Could you not surf the web on a wireless table while your kid is still playing? If you can why do you need a PC again?
So if the home PC market does crater like i think it might. Because everyone is Ok with their Pro pods or tablets. Why chase the home PC market when the game is now on distributed wireless computing and game consoles?
Posted on June 04, 2005
Neo Says:
mcloki,
Thanks for dropping by mcloki and presenting a few suggestions and observations.
No, an Intel processor won’t alter the Next Wave of the Internet in any way. In fact, for a pure Web Services or iServices platform would be a natural on an Intel based machine. Out of 400 million QuickTime downloads that I presented to you in the last chapter, 350-375 million of those are to Window systems according to Steve Jobs and Frank Casanova. Apple’s iTunes is a hit with Window users as is the iPod. Apple had put off QuickTime 7 for Windows until Monday (I suspect) where more could be revealed. QuickTime is the key component of a Web Services Platform. So, the numbers tell you, in fact dictiate, that a pure Web Sevices platform has the potential to win more market share if launched on an Intel processor. That doesn’t mean a wholesale shift to Intel for Apple hardware - which is what C/Net is advocating.
Could Apple launch two versions, one being a pure web services platform and the second involving Darwin and a new GUI? Does Apple want to appeal to the Linux community with Darwin/Gnome/KDE? Oh the possibilities that one could think of. Whatever transpires, I still doubt that a wholesale shift is the wind. Hell, even IBM uses both Intel processors along side their own PowerPC servers, so what’s the big deal. It does however add a nice twist to Monday’s event I must admit, because of the possibilities.
Either way, a processor alone doesn’t effect the Next Wave of the Internet which is about web services. Neither a PPC nor an Intel processor powers the iPod, so Apple could make web services run on architecture.
Someday if Macsimum ever gets into live forums, a fire chat idea would be great. You should email Dennis Sellers and make that suggestion as it’s a good one mcloki.
Cheers!
Neo
Posted on June 04, 2005
Dick Applebaum Says:
To mcloki
I didn’t mean to convey that the newspapers should be available free.
I have one podcast service that is part of a subscription that automatically downloads, daily, to my iMac (maybe iPod pro in the future)
Newspapers could follow a similar model and/or be available thru the iTMS for search/preview/download (same as books or mags).
Likewise, RSS feeds could be part of a subscription service and/or individual items available through the iTMS.
I believe in the profit motive! I am willing to pay for things I want/need/use.
I think that the books/mags/newspapers on an iPod is a very good business opportunity.
To MODM, and others concerned about Apple ditching IBM for Intel.
Some things to consider:
-- something of this magnitude can not be presented as a future happening, rather it must be a “done deal"-- the switch must have already been made and the new products available for sale.
-- if not, Mac computer sales would stop, dead in the water, until the new boxes become availablle,
-- I don’t think a “done deal” has been executed-- something like that would have been leaked.
-- For all his ego/power/persona/aura/whatever, Steve cannot get up at WWDC and say: “Oh, One more thing… Our next line of computers will use the Intel chip (phasing out the PPC). They will be available in Nov 2005”
Steve is the CEO of a public corporation, and, as such has certain obligations to the employees and share-holders. Were Steve to do something so irresponsible, he would be slapped with so many wrongful action lawsuits that:
1) at best, he would be wiped out financially & live out of a shopping cart in East Palo Alto.
2) at worst, he would go to prison
My opinion as an Apple fan and shareholder!
Dick
Posted on June 04, 2005
Neo Says:
Dick, you have a good sense of humor. Secondly, I may get your email when Dennis checks in, but for now nothing has arrived. About disclosure, of course you wouldn’t, but I wanted in for the record.
mcloki, I didn’t answer you on the newspapter angle as I had previously agreed with CATS. Yes, I’d like to see Apple offer top magazines from around the globe because of the convenience. Newspapers would just be a natural extension. How many times have I passed on a magazine or newspaper article because of the hassle and crazy price. Apple’s convenient one-stop shop billing is exactly what I love. I don’t want to subscribe to 5 magazines and a couple of newspapers. Just go a la carte per issue - 25 cents for newspapers, 99 cents for magazines at the Apple Store. Like the music industry needed iTunes to shake things up, publishing is now in the same boat desperate for a revival. It’s ripe for the picking!
Morpheus, always nice to see people who take a stand. You know my position on thin clients, and on Servers, why not. Yes, the CELL processor can be a coprocessor as Sony/Nvidia have signed a deal.
Apple’s future is in licensing and web services and yes hardware to a point, but I still don’t see a wholesale change being announced Monday. Sun is still taking a two processor approach, and the XBox is on the PPC. The lines are blurring, so what. Whatever Apple announces will be rational, logical and count on exciting!
Hey, things are humming guys. Keep your comments coming!
Posted on June 04, 2005
Morpheus Online is DeadMan Says:
Thanks for the great acronym, Dick. I’ll modify it to MODeM for the future.
I just had to vent, reading all the Intel speculation articles this morning. A stronger group than before. Sorry for the caps stuff. I would italic if I knew how.
With the consolidation of software companies (famously, Adobe and Macromedia) there are only two (?) major software companies to deal with, Adobe and Microsoft. The smaller guys can get help from Apple.
Hardware has been standardized to a great extent, and this would be the final push.
Lastly, Jobs could not make this move before. Apple was too dependent on the Mac sales. Now that dependence, with the iPod platform, is dramatically reduced. The time may be right.
Like you, I’ve seen the chip change phantom come by every couple years. I think it may be real this time. Can Apple do it? Yes they can. I think they’re strong enough to pursue any chips they want. It’s the Apple that counts.
I don’t think the change has to be a disaster to sales. And Apple could come out with the systems quickly.
Great article, Neo
Posted on June 04, 2005
Cats Says:
1) I was thinking of Sun’s iWork logo being in the same light as Apple’s Genius bar logo. Interesting that you also provided a link to Kinko neo, being that their logo now has that similar visual. They work with Apple as a drop in center to get online and/or run Apple workstations (at least the one near does). A webservices drop in center, like the Genius bar simplifies kinko’s set up as the vast majority of people drop by to check email or just surf. The ipod pro idea would simply this considerably.
When looking into your link to Nucleus OS, they too have that same visual in their logo. ITRON is about the Nucleus and realtime environment and all of that which pushes us to ubiquitous computing. If Apple over the next year does launch a webservices platform, then I think their Genius bar logo may play into their marketing somehow. I think that this type of marketing could be a way to distinguish desktop and webtop hardware at a glance.
2) As far as this whole Intel rumor goes, I agree with neo in that it won’t be as dramatic as the hype. The Japanese and Asian consortium have decided to switch long term to Linux and away from Windows. Apple could just be working with this group in Asia and with Intel so that a Darwin based OS could emerge as an alternative for the PC world. If Darwin based, then Mac developers would have a new huge market to sell into and Apple could piggy back with a webservices platform like as is with the Mac. Only licensing makes sense for Apple on Intel hardware, or we’re back to niche-dom again. HP has said no to OpenSolaris. Maybe because it’s yes to a Darwin based OS that HP and others could customize to their hearts content! I still think that we haven’t heard the whole Apple/HP story yet. Maybe Carly was holding this back. Who knows. This is what I’m hoping for anyways. Does anyone else agree?
Posted on June 04, 2005
Neo Says:
MODeM,Hey, how does it sound? Pretty simple indeed. I like your visual of the chip change Phantom , very creative and catchy. You could simply highlight text, then click on “strong” which is effective instead of caps. Works for me as you know :-).
Change is in the wind and we should meet back here on Monday to hash it out - raw. No formal commentary from me to set it up, just raw let-it-rip opinions and your ideas of what unfolded. No one’s right or wrong, we’ll just call it as we see it and have a blast.
Cats, sometimes I verbalize clues, sometimes it’s just there for someone like yourself to pick up on. Good eye. It’s a trend worth noting.
As far as your Darwin points of view go, I’ll just say that I like your thinking :-).
Posted on June 04, 2005
Dick Applebaum Says:
To Cats
I’m confused!
AFAIK, Darwin is open-source and is available on Intel CPUs.
How can Apple license this?
What I could see is Apple touting this or that manufacturer of an Intel-based computer is going to offer a Darwin-based OS.
Also, I read somewhere, today, that Longhorn won’t ship until 2007.
Dick
Posted on June 04, 2005
Cats Says:
That’s not what I meant though I see how you could have taken it that way Dick.
No, Darwin would be adopted by PC OEM’s but that Apple could piggy-back it with a webservices platform. Let’s say a group came to Apple years ago and wanted an Intel version of OSX and they compromised on Darwin. Let’s say Apple agreed to that with a condition that they would license software from Apple, be it an office program or whatever. In this scenario, Apple wanted developers writing for OSX to have room to grow beyond the mac niche. Good for Apple and their developers.
Yes, it’s a theory, but one that I could believe in being that Apple had to have motive to launch Darwin beyond being the “nice guy”. Have you seen anything worth spit happen with Darwin. Not really. And that may be what’s in the wings ready to unfold. I could easily see Novell launch a unique Darwin/Linux combo for the enterprise as well as HP. I don’t think one of them wanted to step out of the shadows until a given date when all (2-4-6) of them would launch at the same time and make an impact that history would remember. Call it Montezuma’s revenge or whatever.
I don’t think the Japanese and Asian consortium are dumb enough to think that Linux on the front end will ever fly to compete with windows. I just don’t think these guys are that off-the-wall stupid. Darwin/Linux makes sense.
That’s what I love about this next wave stuff in that you see that Apple is working on many radical ideas and has many projects in the shadows. Darwin was one of those shadowy projects under the radar screen. Do you see where I’m coming from Dick? Am alone on this?
Posted on June 04, 2005
Neo Says:
Again Cats, I like your thinking :-). I see how IBM is able to promote both legacy and webservices into one package for the enterprise. Unlike consumers who will lead the webservices revolution, the enterprise needs a bridge between both worlds for some time before this webservices wave has all the kinks worked out and they see the benefits. The consumer wave will put pressure on them to get with the program. Like the browser, once it caught on, the enterprise jumped in with might and created the last boom. So you’re Darwin theory has legs. Dick made the point about Long Horn now delayed. Hmm, in your theory, Darwin could be very interesting. Anyways you make some good points.
Drop by more often Cats
Cheers!
Neo
Posted on June 04, 2005
Dick Applebaum Says:
To Cats
Ahhh.... I think I see where you are coming from. Tho, the mental image Montezuma’s Revenge as: 2-4-6-8, everybody defecate; made me dump my Bloody Bullshot into my keyboard.
I agree that Apple offered Darwin as open-source to promote the use of the OS X base for development deployment (much as IBM offered Derby to promote the use of DB/2)-- smart business move.
So what would these 6 little Sh--s use as a GUI for Darwin, KDE? Gnome? Mmmm.. same GUI as for Linux, and nearly as good as Windows (with none of the downsides).
Maybe! Or, they could co-develop, or license, another, more user-friendly, GUI for all their new Intel boxes (the 6 want to sell new hardware, too).
Then the older Intel boxes and OSes would be relegated to the dustbin of history. I like the sound of that!
Or maybe, with the advent of thin-clients, the GUI for most users/uses would be the ubiquitous, familiar and comfortable web browser… several open-source solutions available, there. (including appropriate plugins, of course).
Cats, if that’s what you are thinking, I can see how that might just work.
Dick
P.S. Sorry, I took so long but the keys stick on my keyboard :)
Posted on June 04, 2005
Jaybo Says:
One contention that surfaces in several entries above is that Apple can afford to see diminshing hardware sales since the iPod is so profitable. If you refer to the quarterly statements over the past couple of years, you’ll see that non-iPod hardware sales growth has equalled or exceeded iPod sales growth - and the profit margin on those other products far exceeds the margin earned on the iPods.
Another point to consider is the critical high-end audio/video market - Final Cut Studio profits are dramatically increased by selling the hardware required to run that package. This applies to Logic and Shake as well - the significant R&D;efforts evident in each of these products couldn’t be justified without the related hardware sales. And this doesn’t even consider the relationship with Pixar…
Intel or not, one thing is certain: hardware sales are a critical component of Apple’s future plans, and nothing they announce anytime in the future will knowingly abandon this very profitable, and rapidly growing, product segment.
Posted on June 04, 2005
Neo Says:
Jaybo,
Welcome. Yes, just like “Xsan Drives 24-Hour News Station”
http://www.apple.com/uk/pro/video/tvn/
Hardware does count and I don’t say hardware won’t always have a place on Apple’s roadmap. However, in light of the next wave consisting of 7.5 Billion networking devices, Apple’s wants in on the webservices and not only on their hardware. It’s too big an emerging market to let MS take this market when it’s Apple that’s the innovator here. They screwed up not licensing the Mac years ago, and they’re not going to watch the next wave go by as a bystander. No, Apple’s going to take the lead and run like the wind! Apple won’t be making cars anytime soon :-) - but they want the webservices to be in as many cars as possible!
Cheers
Neo
Posted on June 04, 2005
MODeM Says:
Now, you’ve got something going guys. Cats, you are one sly cat. I’ll just throw in some perspective stuff.
Darwin makes it all possible. Don’t Forget that there’s a 1.3 billion pound dawg out there, where PC demand has barely started. China Dawg. Asians in general, meaning this in the best way, have never been thrilled to add to the Microsoft beast; besides the license is a steep hurdle for the masses.
There’s a second dawg. Biggest democracy in da world. India Dawg. AKA Dell consumer support.
Keep the eye on the big prize.
The thing that snuck up on da old folks was that the personal computer finally became useful with the Web. Between WWW, e-mail, eBay, Amazon, you know the drill, we finally got something for the common man. Not accelerated bean counting, something serious, communication.
Actually that was the first revolution, wasn’t it, Neo? Can we all say new medium? Recap, previous new media: cave paintings, clay, metal, papyrus, movable type=books, paper, newspapers and magazines, photography, the ever popular telephone, motion pictures, radio, and TV. The last two (and “talkies") started within my parents lifetimes, along with the Net/Web. Oh heck, throw in magnetic and analog and digital recording media. In other words, most in the last hundred, plus some, years. (Actually all the digital stuff should be lumped together--100111000011; and networking as the second related.)
Not trying to be a jerk among fellow geeks, but the significance is huge, and frankly, underappreciated. I was a bit slow on it, but from 1995 on it has consumed me, learning all I can. I mean, I wasn’t there when Marconi connected the wires or Edison called out his assistant’s name or Nipper tilted his head.
But the biggest baddest broadest deepest medium of all shot right between our eyes. Appreciate it, and make the most of it, seriously. It’s all just starting.
As to the Next Wave and bold predictions, chips and chirps:
As bold as you want to be, take your biggest ones and see that Apple could easily break out new platforms on new chips, doing it more cheaply, competitively.
Massively placed thin clients for the common man (and Java client, air apps): who needs the G4, G5? Not needed. Not best for the application, for sure. New platform, just as the iPod and Dashboard were? Well, why stick to the same hardware? If you want to sell a lot of it--repeat after me--make it cheap, don’t run out of components, design it well, make it well, sell it well.
“iPod Pros” and Settop Boxes: Ditto.
Do you worry about the OS or the brand of chip or I/O or whatever on the iPod? Of course you don’t. It’s an appliance. Everything will be an appliance. ITRON/JTRON, Upjohn, Enron, who cares, as long as it works.
Make it work, and they will come.
The NEW Apple OS’s won’t need PPC, per se. They will need a kernal, though. Each DEVICE with its own OS. Can an OS thread run through the devices? Yea, for I have seen the light. Let us pray.
Oh, Father, thank you for your GUI, the better to appreciate your Magnificance. May your Creation be blessed by you, for you have shown us the way.
Posted on June 04, 2005
Cats Says:
I don’t seem to be saying things right today :-(. The Montezuma’s revenge I’m referring to, is what the industry wants to exact on gates and companies. A lot of companies be it Novell, Peoplesoft, Oracle you name it have been getting bolder and bolder in their comments against microsoft and I may be wrong, but the noise levels are getting loud enough to say, someone knows something big is in the wind as a challenger. Maybe it’s just me.
I agree that it would be nice to come out with a consistant GUI that reflects Apple’s style, but there’s so much yakking about linux that you have to wonder if they’re just trying to capitalize on this. It will look like linux but really be Darwin. Maybe they’ll just launch Aqua who knows. But I hope it’s like that image that neo used in that users would have a choice to switch GUI. Meaning there could be GNOME, KDE, Aqua etc. Like you said Dick, maybe do the same for browsers. Choose from FireFox, Safari, Opera etc. Choice. A platform about Choice. Gotta run, but not because of Montezuma :-)
Posted on June 04, 2005
Neo Says:
MODeM,
The birth of MODeM, June 4, 2005. Must remember that. Which Wave was what? http://www.ubiq.com/hypertext/weiser/UbiHome.html
First there was chip change phantom, and now we have the Asian and Indian Dawgs. You must be a blast at parties. You communicate as fast as Robin Williams. Is that really your Robin?
You have the bold print down right :-). I’ve created a monster. Hope you drop by more often MODeM you’re one wild guy.
Time to get back to God of War. Fun game. I’ll drop by later or tomorrow. Cheers! Hey, keep up the great feedback. Look what you started now Cats, but watch out for those Dawgs!
Posted on June 04, 2005
Dick Applebaum Says:
To Cats
I took the Montezuma’s Revenge comment exactly as you meant it… tho it goes much beyond the Industry in general or computer manufacturers, in particular-- to anyone who has ever been screwed-over by MicroSoft… that includes a lot of end users (no pun). I, for one, would be gratified, nay, much relieved, to add my own personal contribution to the “revenge"… I’ve been holding back since 1979 :)
To Jaybo
Well said!
To MODeM
You make many good points and some that are beyond me.
The way I see it is this:
If Apple allows release of OS X to run on Intel (I believe it already exists) they must do this in such a way that it increases the profits that Apple makes from hardware sales, with no disruption in quarterly sales and profits (or foreseen disruption in future quarters)
Apple’s forte is delivering an entire solution/user experience which includes hardware, software and now, services.
Apple must maintain highly-profitable hardware sales or the entire package suffers.
This is not to say that Apple should not be in lower-profit, more competitive markets-- just that their participation would be different. For example I can see Apple licensing older iPod technology to others as they move on to leading-edge offerings… the rationale is: “if we are going to have competition at the low-end, it might as well be us!”
So, If Apple can find a way to license OS X and/or build hardware using Intel (or anybody’s) chips without damaging their installed base and business model, then they should go for it.
Personally, I think the idea of Apple ditching IBM for Intel is total BS.... there is just too much to be gained from IBM chips on the near horizon.
The promise of the CELL chip alone, is too great to toss away.
Dick
Posted on June 04, 2005
Neo Says:
The one quote I read from Intel Friday came from Anand Chandrasekher, vice president and general manager of Intel’s Mobile Platforms group. It was a Wall Street Journal interview quote found at inforworld: http://www.infoworld.com/article/05/06/03/HNchandrasekher_1.html
So the only real hint of a possible product points to something “mobile” with the other 99% of the so called reporting being nothing but noise.
In March I wrote a news piece called, Apple works with Intel on CE-ATA Specification 1.0: http://www.themacmind.com/modules.php?op=modload&name=News&file=article&sid=688&mode=nested&order=0&thold=0
What is CE-ATA: 1) CE is the acronym used for “Consumer Electronics” and commonly refers to consumer and
handheld electronic devices. 2) ATA defines the physical, electrical, transport, and command protocols for the internal attachment
of storage devices as defined in the ATA reference. In addition, the ATA command set is to improve performance for multimedia applications in handheld and consumer electronic devices.
This specification defines a physical and logical interface between a storage device and a host. Some of the goals and requirements for the specification include:
• Optimized for handheld embedded applications of storage
• Low/minimal pin count
• Accommodates fast time-to-market initial solution leveraging existing technologies
• Provides interface transfer rates sufficient for current small form factor disk drives with
performance scalability to support several future product generations
• Consistent with ATA software infrastructure, but complete legacy software compatibility is
not a requirement
• Only a single device need be accommodated per connection
What are the consumer benefits of the technology?
Through industry adoption of CE-ATA, consumers will have access to a greater variety of innovative products including digital music players, PDAs, personal video players, cellular handsets, GPS navigation systems, automotive devices, and various new and emerging applications
Hmm, yummy - take your pick. Could it be for a Web Services Platform? An iPod with Intel Inside?
A wholesale switch to Intel, NO. A mobile device...is looking like a possibility. In this light, what’s your take?
Posted on June 05, 2005
Dick Applebaum Says:
I just posted the following to MacRumors… too big for here so I brok into 2 parts:
Part 1:
When I first heard the latest rumor that Apple would ditch/switch IBM chips for Intel chips in its line of computers, I thought it was total BS… Now, I’m not so sure. Based on some posts by others, I’ve done some investigating and a lot of thinking… It just might be doable and a good, no, a great thing to do!
Soliloquy:
-- It is believed by many (me included) that Apple has OS X and all Apple-supplied applications running on Intel chips.
-- Apple could introduce an Apple/Intel box running OS X/Intel at any time.
-- So what, you say 3rd-party apps written for OS X/PPC won’t run on OS X/Intel
-- And, the Apple development community, having just ported their apps to OS X/PPC isn’t going to want to do another conversion to OS X/Intel… especially since they won’t make any money on the conversion
-- And, end users, having purchased OS X/PPC a
Dick Applebaum Says:
Neo
Wow!
Where to start—as always, I skim read the article first & then I will carefully re-read over the weekend.
The nexus of IBM and the schools [Duke, etc.] of Research Triangle Park goes back many years
IBM purposefully established plants and development facilities in communities with major colleges because of the synergy of such environments.
In the ‘70s, IBM had a support center, PARSC (Palo Alto-Raleigh Support Center) of over 250 professionals to work with bleeding edge customers on [then] advanced hardware & software.
The Palo Alto side of the center was responsible for support of Database/Data Communications (CICS, IMS, DL/I)—the Raleigh side supported SNA (System Network Architecture)—IBM’s LAN/WAN offering under development at that time.
This was before the Internet and wide use of personal computers (the IBM/PC was to come later).
So, it is easy to imagine an IBM/Duke relationship.
Ahhh.... the iPod as a gateway/enabler device to the Next Wave of computing.
As I commented to a prior article, some people use the iPod to contain a web site and a web development environment.
Similar to the PC Core, a developer can take his environment with him by slipping the iPod into his pocket or around his neck.
Plug this into a computer, double-click an icon and in 10-15 seconds the user’s very robust, database-driven web site/IDE (and/or desktop application) is running.
The key to the above system is that it uses (exclusively) Java-based components-- so it will run on any computer platform.
There was even some discussion that a developer could package and sell his application by pre-installing it and the database data on an iPod.
BTW, this does not preclude the iPod from being used in a normal way-- it just consumes storage space.
So, if a web/desktop application developer can take his core data with him, it is not much of a leap to imagine this capability for others.
I like that.
Finally, and you touch on this briefly, I have often thought that the iPod interface could become the ultimate remote control-- customized to the user, not the controlled devices.
Lots to think about here, Neo-- Excellent job!
Dick
“On my income tax 1040 it says ‘Check this box if you are blind.’ I wanted to put a check mark about three inches away.”
- Tom Lehrer -
Posted on June 03, 2005