What computer should Apple put in your living room?
GigaOM is thinking about the rumored new product from Apple to replace the Apple TV and offering some ideas for Cupertino to think about. Some of their desires in a new TV box are:
- TV tuner and set-top PVR to take on TiVo, with streaming and synchronization to Apple’s mobile devices, the way Slingbox does, handled through a more reliable MobileMe
- Controllers with accelerometers and a set-top App Store to rival what’s on the iPhone and iPod Touch
- Videoconferencing-capable features to connect a distributed family via iChat
- Computing features (mail, documents and so on) that make it a decent set-top computer terminal
- Broad support for emerging wireless standards, so it looks like a file server to other devices
- Better integration with stereo systems, tied into the whole family’s iTunes accounts, on par with Roku or the audiophile-friendly Squeezebox
- Good cosmetics so it can mount cleanly to a wall or behind a flatscreen
What do you think? Jump over and leave your thoughts in the comments.
I think you guys should stop regurgitating all this GigaOm stuff. I don’t mean to offend but I preferred it when you lived in the real world and had something worthwhile to write about.
Hmmm, a Mac Mini with a TV tuner and recording software built in? To me that would be ideal. A computer I can use, with the features of Apple TV, and a PVR. Throw in a wireless keyboard/remote/trackpad device with a good range, and that would top it off.
I just got my first Mac, a mini 1 month ago and this would have made it perfect.
A PC
How about a device that connects to my pc allowing me to stream HD video and my music collection, lets my plug in my portable music player if i want to play content from that, lets me download HD tv shows and movies from the network.. and plays great multiplayer games in HD? Oh wait, I have an Xbox 360 already.
I’m with Cirrob and Bill on this one.
You can put together something running Vista Home Premium (for media center) that does most of this already. Only thing missing is that gyroscopic remote control. But you still have many cool choices for the remote.
If you’re an Apple fanboy just use a mac mini + El gato for DVR + plus an ipod touch (with itunes media remote)
To evolve the Apple TV is to allow iTunes on each computer in the house and iPod TOuches as well as iPhones to use it like the new SlingBox 2.0 software. In addition it should be able to sync your digital photos from any iTunes enabled computer as well as from the Mac’s iPhoto app and be able to make custom slideshows for those living room presentations of family pictures or etc. Also they should allow the Mac TV to be re-named and have it absorb the features of the Apple Airport Extreme and Time Capsule, with the bonus of being able to back up and sync your iPod Touch and iPhone. Also remote capabilities should be put into any iPod Touch or Phone to control it. You should also be able to wirelessly “dock” your iPod touch and iPhone to it so you can browse your e-mail and speakerphone your calls if necessary, as well as allow you to see some of your goofy iApps on the big screen. The ability for the iPhone to “call” the Mac TV to record items or let you know via an alert that it has captured the program you want to watch. With all that, Apple would defintely dominate the living room market. Just ideas from a person looking at it from the digital media point of view.
Oh yeah don’t forget videos from iMovie, and music creations from GarageBand. Also an iCal screen saver that allows you to see your schedule at a a glance.