Filed under: Analysis / Opinion, Reviews
TIME chooses new iMac G5 for Gadget of the Week
TIME Magazine has chosen the slimmer, sexier and more eye-catching (get it?) iMac G5 with iSight and Front Row as their Gadget of the Week, although it sounds like whoever made the choice gave the unit to a writer who doesn't like it or Apple. The article mentions some of the improvements and advances in the latest iMac such as the speed boost and iSight integration, but goes on to focus on the pros and mostly the cons of the new Front Row software and remote. The author overall likes the software but was disappointed in a few things such as the lack of bookmarking a show to resume later. However, the author does lists one request I don't think I've heard before: the ability to download and buy content from the couch, instead of just viewing it.One comment from the author I thought was a bit out of line came after a comparison to the Windows Media Center PC's that have been shipping for a couple years now. If you want to start playing the "who ripped off who" game I think there's definitely a valid point there, but the comment the author made was: "There's no escaping the fact that Apple, as usual, is following someone else." As usual? You're saying that a company generally hailed for its innovative products is just following other companies "as usual?" Me thinks TIME's editor might have taken off for the week, otherwise that one probably wouldn't have slipped out.
Either way, I guess it's cool that TIME has once again chosen an Apple product as their Gadget of the Week.
[via MacNN]
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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
Joshua said 12:12PM on 11-10-2005
Ever since the new iMac came out, I have seen FrontRow as an add-on. (Kinda like a car that has been around for four model years, and all of the sudden Alloy rims are a standard feature.) Something to keep consumers interested in the iMac, and to keep it fresh. FrontRow isn't intended to be a Media Center. It's purpose isn't to compile content (like XP MCE), but to display the content in a more entertainment-friendly format.
As for Apple "as usual" following: Apple rarely invents. Apple inovates. Personal Computer, GUI, MP3 player? All existed before Apple, but Apple took them and made a useful solution for masses.
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nosidam said 12:22PM on 11-10-2005
#1 is spot on. Apple rarely invent. They let someone else do that, watch the technology until they feel they can do something to make it really useful and easy to use, then come out with a really great product, usually years after the product has been in the marketplace.
What Apple is best at is not taking baby steps to make a product better, but taking a giant leap and making people say, "That's how it should have worked from day one!"
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David C. said 12:37PM on 11-10-2005
If I had had a subscription to TIME, which I don't, I would have cancelled it until they put a cover with Steve again, then I would re-subscribe.
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