Rumors abound, Apple working on media server?

The only part of the 9to5 story that sounds like bunk to me is the RAID5 part of it. I think that's way too complex for the average user.

With that in mind, my guess is that, if the rumor is true, this isn't a new device at all -- it's simply an update to the Time Capsule. All the TC **theoretically** needs is a software upgrade to handle media streaming, iTunes and iPhoto metadata, and dynamic DNS. I would imagine some new hardware guts would help in all of those categories, too.

Maybe it'll get a new name, but I don't think this product AND Time Capsule would exist at the same time.

Selfishly, I would hope that apple also issues a software update to Time Capsules fir similar functionality! I just bought a TC!

Seems really cloe to what I have set up at home right now. An old G3 iMac (headless mod) running 10.4, with DynDNS pointing a domain to the iMac. I have ssh set up on it so I can securely log into the other computers at home, and it also lets me tunnel web traffic when I'm out and about. My iTunes library is synced to it hourly, and I'm working on a system for it to snag all the iPhoto libraries off of the other computers on the network.

my home system setup as of now consists of downloading content to a lacie home ethernet drive via my macbook. Then I use a PS3 to stream the contents to my hdtv. The system is very simple and quite reliable, I'd like there to be a whole range of apple products for this market but they will likely tie themselves up in DRM and the itunes ecosystem which does not allow for the flexibility most people crave from these setups.

Also, the device should be able to use any HDDs and not be limited to those bought via apple either because of some hardware restriction like a custom sled or cos of pesky warranty issues or they can't be formatted via the device's UI. On the content playing side, the PS3 can handle many formats with the notable exceptions being ripped dvd TS_video folders and MKV files which i dislike anyways somehow, apple has to provide a way for users to be able to play any codec they need either via their own sw or allowing API access to 3rd parties (they should include perian with QT as standard...)

If you haven't got yourself a NAS and a media player then go ahead and give it a go - I tried various solutions before I got the PS3 including hooking my macbook directly to the lcd to use front row but it was too much hassle and there's no iTunes store where i live so the Apple TV was not an option. Now there are NAS drives that have HDMI outputs etc...

Just seems like too niche a product...but, I guess you could say the same for Time Capsule and AppleTV.

I think the killers would be:
-Remote iTunes / iPhoto libraries shared across the network (probably limited to the 5 computer limit of iTS to prevent piracy)
-User.me.com for remote access -- especially on the iphone
-Ability to sync directly to the AppleTV
-Smart syncing options -- if I bring my laptop on a trip and listen to some songs / watch a show, I want those song and play counts to update -- treat my laptop like an iPod for all intents and purposes.

I'd truly buy that right away!!! I need this machine!
As Aaron @16 says, this does make "way too much sense" so it'll never happen. Man, I do so want one though!

WANT

I'm callin it right now...Time Capsule + Apple TV = Apple Home "Vault" MARK IT ON YOUR CALENDARS PEOPLE!

An update for TC & iLife that allows one to store iPhoto and iTunes libraries on a TC would be nice. I'd like iLife to make it simple to have private libraries as well as shared ones (a bit like the current sharing but done right) since after all I don't want everyone to see my collection of naked Dr. Cameron pictures.

A bigger more powerful device that adds ATV as well might be sensible. And an espresso maker.

Nice typo, its might not miht