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Putting the Pod back in iPod

by Damien Barrett Oct 22nd 2005 at 12:31PM

It's no secret that Microsoft has been aiming its sights at capturing the emerging media center market. They've released a version of Windows called Microsoft Media Center and they are building into their Xboxes some media center functionality. But what about Apple? APC Magazine's Dan Warne believes Apple is about to enter the media center market. He makes the following points:
  • Apple has just released an iPod with video playback functionality.
  • Apple simultaneously released an iMac G5 with media center software called Front Row and a remote control
  • Apple is now selling good downloadable videos via their iTunes store.
  • the Mac mini shipped with a mysterious but unused Firewire bus speculated as being for an iPod dock in the mini's case.
Now, to me this sounds like a recipe for an Apple Media Center of some type. How long before we see a revised Mac mini with a built-in iPod dock? Imagine being able to store your songs, movies, photos, saved games, and files on your iPod and then being able to detach it and carry it over to your friend's house and plug it into his/her Apple Media Center unit.

Years ago there was discussion about why Apple named the iPod the iPod. Why not something exclusively music-related as that's what its role seemed to be. What if Apple's been thinking long term this whole time and the iPod will actually become a "pod" you carry around between your physical locations. Apple appears to be putting into place all the elements necessary for a successful release of a media center. I know I would be waiting in line with credit card in hand.
 

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It's no secret that Microsoft has been aiming its sights at capturing the emerging media center market. They've released a version of...
 

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Frank

Next: An wireless-enabled device that copies your Mac's screen to your TV's screen and relays your remote's signal back to it, so you can run Front Row on your TV. Let's leave the iPod for what it is; a personal audio device with limited video capabilities. The FireWire-on-the-Mac-mini point is stupid; there is no useless firewire port on the planet. Get an iSight.

October 23 2005 at 9:31 AM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
Dan Warne

Seems inevitable to me that Apple will make an all-in-one media center that works really WELL. Apple may have many weaknesses - arrogant corporate culture, etc - but it does make good products that excel in usability. If it can tie in its legendary ease of use to its iTunes/Fairplay monopoly, I don't really see that Microsoft has much of a chance of fighting back.

October 23 2005 at 12:00 AM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
Scott M

I always kind of assumed that "iPod" was a homonym abbreviation for " i-Portable-AUDio."

October 22 2005 at 10:41 PM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
liz

Yay! I sure hope so.

October 22 2005 at 8:50 PM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
Porchland

Is this the big announcement for MWSF in January? That will be just over two months from now, there's usually at least one new piece of hardware or a major hardware upgrade, we just got new iPods, the nano and upgrades up and down the PowerMac and PowerBook lines, AND we're not expecting a Mactel computer until summer.

October 22 2005 at 4:06 PM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
Bryant Mairs

The Mini's no longer contain this unused bus. This bus was dropped from the Mini by the time the 1st revision came around that increased RAM and included wireless connectivity. I can't find anything with Google to back this up, though I'm positive I've read it in forums. Maybe someone can dig a little deeper and confirm this.

October 22 2005 at 1:59 PM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
alex Downey

ahhhhh, this must be next weeks announcement.

October 22 2005 at 1:22 PM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
narco

Bring it on, Apple. I've been looking for a reason to completely scrap my TV and use my Mac only. I'm waiting for you with money in the bank! Fishes, narco.

October 22 2005 at 1:09 PM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
Zach

That certainly would be cool, but don't forget: the new iPod can't interface via Firewire AT ALL.

October 22 2005 at 12:53 PM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
rboyce

Of course, none of the current iPod models support FireWire syncing, so a hidden FireWire dock in the Mac mini won't help them a whole lot.

October 22 2005 at 12:51 PM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
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