Paul
2004-06-19, 21:34
iTMS-the beginning of the digitally serviced home? (http://www.sundayherald.com/print42838)
The future (other then the article itself ;) ), according to the article, looks like this:
As the evolutionary process continues apace, experts believe that a host of long-promised technologies will become a workaday reality, which is music to the ears of Apple founder Steve Jobs who last week launched its London iTunes store. While you amuse yourself with a plethora of instantly available films, music and games, your fridge will suddenly become capable of re-ordering essentials when stocks get low, your microwave will research the perfect cooking time for that frozen pizza and the washing machine will send status reports back to its manufacturer, downloading upgrades and calling out the repairman when necessary.
Sounds pretty do-able actually--the biggest problem would be to get manufacturers to welcome the idea...
"'Smart' Homes" are popping up everywhere, people with universal remotes controlling the lights and shades as well as the electronics... But internet services being pumped throughout the home is still a novel idea. Probably the two best examples of this is TiVo/On-Demand Programing and X-Box Live.
Apple has not expressed ANY interest in EITHER of these areas, but Airport Express is a good start. Should Apple look into other areas to complement the iTMS or should they wait until the audio internet download market matures a little? Should it be up to the cable companies and consumer electronics manufacturers to shape this market?
I personally believe that Apple could make major advances in a lot of these markets. But I also feel that Apple is too small to really give a good effort in more then one area at a time. Right now it is audio and the iTMS. I think Mr. Jobs has his plate full and will not be able to expand into other areas until the iTMS settles down and long-term trends can be extrapolated.
But I hope I'm wrong.
The future (other then the article itself ;) ), according to the article, looks like this:
As the evolutionary process continues apace, experts believe that a host of long-promised technologies will become a workaday reality, which is music to the ears of Apple founder Steve Jobs who last week launched its London iTunes store. While you amuse yourself with a plethora of instantly available films, music and games, your fridge will suddenly become capable of re-ordering essentials when stocks get low, your microwave will research the perfect cooking time for that frozen pizza and the washing machine will send status reports back to its manufacturer, downloading upgrades and calling out the repairman when necessary.
Sounds pretty do-able actually--the biggest problem would be to get manufacturers to welcome the idea...
"'Smart' Homes" are popping up everywhere, people with universal remotes controlling the lights and shades as well as the electronics... But internet services being pumped throughout the home is still a novel idea. Probably the two best examples of this is TiVo/On-Demand Programing and X-Box Live.
Apple has not expressed ANY interest in EITHER of these areas, but Airport Express is a good start. Should Apple look into other areas to complement the iTMS or should they wait until the audio internet download market matures a little? Should it be up to the cable companies and consumer electronics manufacturers to shape this market?
I personally believe that Apple could make major advances in a lot of these markets. But I also feel that Apple is too small to really give a good effort in more then one area at a time. Right now it is audio and the iTMS. I think Mr. Jobs has his plate full and will not be able to expand into other areas until the iTMS settles down and long-term trends can be extrapolated.
But I hope I'm wrong.