Apple has Media Center contender in the works?
By Paul Miller 
posted Apr 27th 2006 10:56PM
posted Apr 27th 2006 10:56PM
With Apple's general method
of publicly denying the demand for a product until they announce its imminent release, Steve Jobs' words at today's
annual shareholder meeting were quite telling. Without giving much away, Jobs stated: "The new products in the
pipeline are the best I’ve ever seen in my life." But in response to a particular shareholder's request for
Apple to develop "the ultimate media center" to give Microsoft's WMCE a run for its money, Jobs responded:
"we hear you loud and clear." Quite the strong words from such a secretive man, though he was on a bit of a
roll. In regards to the recent 17-inch
MacBook Pro's release, Jobs let everyone know, "Everyone wants a MacBook Pro because they are so
bitchin’." Thanks for that, Steve. Jobs also mentioned the possible demise of the CRT in their lineup, due
to environmental concerns and their general lack of bitchin-ness.
You can't be serious about the MacBook Pro comment, can you?
And here I thought, Microsoft wants to copy Google (workin on that horizontal monopoly), etc...but Apple? HAHAHAHAHAH GG Apple. That's weak.
Macworld confirms the "bitchin'" bit. Wow. Just wow.
He didn't really say bitchin', did he? No way...
This sounds cool, but maybe he is leading us on.
Ummmm they don't have any CRTs left in their lineup. Right?
oh the horror of that picture
If Apple does put Win on a Mac I will have to learn how to rewrite an entire kerenl for some version of Linux
let apple try... i really like the way they do movie trailers but the rest of front row blows. media center is very nice and will be pretty much perfect once vista comes out and has cablecard support.
What would really be "bitchin'" is if Apple release a truly small laptop, instead of aircraft carriers like the 17"MacBookPro.
Media center, Schmedia center.
Although I myself also naturally object to this man's use of the word "bitchin'", keep in mind that the company is based in California. I bet Steve Jobs says "dude" too.
The rest of the post is pretty interesting, bitchin' comment aside. The media center comment is probably in relation to a real product in the pipeline, but not necessarily imminent. However, there are a couple things to look at here. Cable and satellite are currently the best way to get HD content at home; the BR and HD-DVD drives and discs are just around the corner. Downloadable video is fine for portable devices, but there won't be downloadable HD video anytime soon. Since everyone will eventually want HD video, Apple will have to get into the media center computer business to maintain and broaden its stake in digital entertainment management. This doesn't necessarily mean that Apple needs to put a TV tuner on every computer. It means there needs to be a great interface and file management / media player application, for HD/SD video. audio, podcasts, etc. And maybe on cool looking home theater computer, available, as always, in two or three versions, plus upgrades.
That's where the rumor that iPod content will travel with HD video content on discs: people won't have to rip a portable version of a movie that is too long to download through iTunes, meaning also that they won't have to break with copy protection to have a portable version of the same content. Consumers will like that. So will content companies. Everyone will play nice.
This is where the other part of the news article comes in: since Disney has acquired Pixar, Jobs is the single largest shareholder of Disney. I just visited Disney World in Orlando: really, it's a complex the size of a city, with multiple theme parks, multiple resort areas. Disney also manages very successful cruises and just wields an enormous power in the market.
Walt Disney was a real visionary (he pushed cartoons from the pre-film short to the main feature), and the resulting organization is very smart about its assets. Disney has traditionally been super careful about the release of its video products and copyrighted characters...with clear results. They are the company that does a limited release of a 25 year old movie on VHS or DVD... and can make a killing at it. The extension on copyrights passed by the Congress a few years ago? It protects Mickey Mouse...that character was singled out in the Congressional debate in arguments in favor of the bill. Disney doesn't need to advtertise, the products just need to be put out on the floor. They have the rights to all the old Disney characters, the Muppets, and now Pixar, and through Pixar Lucasfilms, meaning Star Wars. Disney also includes MGM, which owns the Indiana Jones franchise, and of course a lot more.
I would suggest that people stop looking at Apple as primarily a computer company, because it's no longer what's happening. And Apple will enter the UMPC market: the first iteration will be the iPod video. If you can touch it, you can write on it with a stylus. If it has wifi and bluetooth, it can surf the internet, interface with your phone, and interface with your computer network. Apple can prove the assumption that a UMPC needs a full OS to be really useful wrong by coming up with something more optimized for the functions.
One thing Apple probably will never do is directly enter the gaming market. My personal feeling. Unless Disney can figure out a way to deliver interactive content with the same crack-like addictiveness as their movies and other products. Which, again, makes me want to refer to that set top box we've been told about.
I don't think they are going to release a Mac with Windows Media Center on it, I think they are going to upgrade their OS X to add a media center version and make a special style computer, probably similar in size to the MacMini. I mean, the MacMini is already made to be integrated into home theaters, with a statement like that, it would appear they are going to come out with their own.
the CRT statement could mean the death of the eMac, finally.
Yeah, and the price will be as higher than the PS3 with root kits and DRM included. Vista will be the perfect media center with cable card support. Plus, anyone with a 360 already has a built in extender.
It doesn't say that they're going to use Windows MCE, thats just the picture. If you read it, you would see that it says "Media Center contender" which implies that they'll make a "contending" product and:
"But in response to a particular shareholder's request for Apple to develop "the ultimate media center" to give Microsoft's WMCE a run for its money, Jobs responded: "we hear you loud and clear." "
And that means that they're developing the 'ultimate media center'", not using Windows. Jeesh people, learn to read before commenting.
Oh those zany stockholders with their offhanded remarks.
I want fricken audio right now of Jobs saying bitchin!!
[PM]
I can't get excited about Windows Media Center. In order for something like that to be of any use to me, it has to NOT CRASH or be bogged down with a million features aimed at everyone, but only used by 5%.
I have no experience with WMCE, but based on my experiences using OS X and XP every day, my media center money is waiting for an Apple product.
"The new products in the pipeline are the best Ive ever seen in my life."
I wish someone would stand up when this moron makes such claims and tell him to shut the hell up. Seriously if it were possible the man would probably make love to his own shadow. I'm typing this on a MBP. Apple's wares are good. They ain't touched by the hand of God good.
I wish Jobss RDF would collapse in on itself. Someone please end this fools over exaggeration of their products.
Hey John Doe,
Steve never said that the MBP (for example) was the best he's seen in his life. He is refering to the new products in the pipeline and none of us yet know how good they are so why not trust him on this and get exicited.
No no no... Apple will not use Windows Media Center as their platform. It devalues their brand and weakens their stance that Windows is inferior... Will Engadget stfu about that?
At least this article has the ability to comment - as opposed to that half-baked piece of crap on this weeks "The Clicker"
Let us look at this from a non gadget point of view. Where does Apple make their Money, they make it off the hardware of the IPOD. Simply put they do not make their money off of Itunes, off their Computer line, and definitely not off their software (editing, dvd software etc). Apple saw an opportunity to enter into a new market and bring their style and grace to it. As we all know, it worked, they dominate the portable music market, and well that works when they want to dominate any portable media. However the Media Center market isn't at the same stage as the the portable music market was Apple entered that market. The Media Center market has several MAJOR companies investing millions into it. Intel, AMD, Yahoo, Viacom, GE (NBC universal), Disney (ESPN), Microsoft etc.
I understand that Apple has a loyal fan base requesting a Media Center version and those who believe that front Row is the step in that direction. But given the track record of when apple has wanted to enter a market that is heavily invested by major companies, Apple has not been financially successful.
This is why i think apple has not entered the cell phone market, yes people want music on their cell phone, but 1st they want a phone and a phone service, 2nd they'll take an up-sale to buy a better phone if it plays mp3's, apple likes this BUT so do the phone service companies.
This holds true with Apple and the Media Center if Apple can provide that up-sale opportunity for a MCE then i think they will be very successful, and I believe this is the approach they will take.
For apple to penetrate the Living room they need a Media center that works with DirecTV, Cable Card and has high quality video output using an RCA. More then 300 million TV's in the US use RCA. Forget the early adopters here, Apple doesn't want to sale 10,000 Media Centers a year, they want to sale several million and they want mass appeal. This is something that will just not happen with the amount of competion already in the market.
Steve Jobs has officially turned into Bono with his hip 80's lingo.
"He is refering to the new products in the pipeline and none of us yet know how good they are so why not trust him on this and get exicited."
Mephistophelian your a tool bag
"Mephistophelian your a tool bag "
In a good way??
Oh, please let apple make a MCE killer, I've just loaded MCE2k5 on my intel mini, and I am really impressed. With 2 usb DTV tuners and "my movies" I think my TIVO might end up on ebay.
It pains me to watch the boot screen :(
IMO two things are missing in Apple products to get a MCE: CPU power to decode HD MPEG4 (a hardware solution is required), DVD player compatible with HD. A mini mac with these 2 features will be great !
#17, Kevin:
You have got to be kidding!
"They make it off the hardware of the IPOD. Simply put they do not make their money off of Itunes, off their Computer line, and definitely not off their software"
Then what did they make their money from for the first 25 years of business? They make a profit from ALL of those areas. In fact, they have slowly been losing a little profit on the iPod manufacturing. Not much, but a little.
"The Media Center market has several MAJOR companies investing millions into it. Intel, AMD, Yahoo, Viacom, GE (NBC universal), Disney (ESPN), Microsoft etc."
So does the portable music/video player. even more-so now with Apple's iPod and iTunes Music Store successes. Also, what chips does Apple use and who is the largest shareholder of Disney? Intel and Disney, in case you didn't know.
"But given the track record of when apple has wanted to enter a market that is heavily invested by major companies, Apple has not been financially successful."
Apple didn't invent the portable MP3 player. They didn't the first online music store. But they sure managed to take hold of it.
"This is why i think apple has not entered the cell phone market"
I could be wrong, but I have yet to see an HP, Compaq or Dell cell phone. Motorola has two phones with iTunes. Eventually, portable media will be large enough and small enough to fit inside of a "comfortable" size phone. Flash drives are increasing at incredible rates; when the time comes, their will be an Apple cell phone because a stand alone iPod will not appeal to most consumers. You have to adjust to your customer's needs. Apple knows this more-so than most.
"...and has high quality video output using an RCA."
There lies the problem. RCA (composite) video is a single analog signal. It is not high quality. For Reference: S-Video is two analog signals, component cables are three analog signals and DVI is a full high definition digital signal. Also, Apple's consumer base tend to purchase higher quality electronics.
Apple will not adapter MS' MCE (not sure if you meant that or not), they will certainly try not to implement a full media center of their own either. By that, I mean, they will not be a DVR, like MS' version. This would severely hurt ITMS' TV show, music video, and (soon be) movie purchases. Why spend $1.99 for a TV show the next day when you can record it on your Mac that night for free. Apple's success is due to the superb control of the hardware, software and content.
Kevin,
Yeah, you're right. Apple only make money on the iPod. Up until they invented that thing, they never made any money at all, which is why Jobs was on such a low salary. Maybe now the iPod's been out for a while, they can afford to give him a pay rise?
Not to be inflammatory but Dennis #7 has made at least 2 incorrect statements in his diatribe. First, MGM is not part of Disney, it was bought out by Sony a year or so ago. Second, MGM doesn't own Indiana Jones, Paramount does. They own such illustrious franchises as the Bond films, incidentally which is being updated with a new Bond. I agree with some of his assertions, however, I think Apple is not going to try to take on WMCE, rather they will create their own market by doing it differently.
A friend of mine recently predicted the demise of the iPod. Notice now how Apple is talking less and less about it's top selling unit and are trying to push their PC's while they still have an audience.
And Apple will be so screwed when Microsoft gets rid of their steve and replaces him with a brain. Apple is not in front, and is always copying the ideas of others and just marketing it better (see MP3 Players/PMPs, laptops with built in webcams, online music stores and now Media Center). I wonder how long it'll be before 'hospital white' is out, and consumers realise that 'dust hiding grey/silver' is in.
"Second, MGM doesn't own Indiana Jones, Paramount does."
I have no actual proof, but Lucas' success with Star Wars would have enabled him to easily own the rights to his creative property, Indiana Jones. Paramount may have just been use as his distributor, like he did with Star Wars episodes V and VI (hard to imagine those, by defintion, as being "independent films"). The official website (IndianaJones.com) lists both LucasFilm and Paramount, but with it's hard for me to imagine that Lucas would have given up that right when he had plenty of funds to spare.
Can someone shed some light here?
the CRT statement could mean the death of the eMac, finally
---
Possibly, considering its the only CRT product they've shipped in, like, the last 5 years
"Can someone shed some light here?"
From my understanding, Paramount finances the film in return for it's ownership. That way if it's a flop, Lucas doesn't lose out... Or in this case they win bigtime. Lucasfilm is a production company, not an owner.
#28 Intrepid:
"Apple is not in front, and is always copying the ideas of others and just marketing it better (see MP3 Players/PMPs, laptops with built in webcams, online music stores and now Media Center)."
Please point me to the first laptop with a built-in webcam, then, because clearly I missed something?
Also, "always copying the ideas of others" ? Please read up on your history. Sure, they "copied" the idea of a mouse interface from Xerox PARC, but they invented the concept of the personal computer and the mouse-driven OS. They were the first to ever create a portable harddisk-based MP3 player (portable being you could put it in your pocket), they were the first with sophisticated desktop GUI features, etc. etc.
They may have had some major successes with concepts that existed before, but Apple are still well-known for being one of the greatest innovators of today's tech industry.
CRTs are totally tubular.
Faruk, as much of an Apple Fanboy as I am, I have to say that sony DID have a few laptops and desktops with built in webcams before apple did, so you did clearly miss something.
I think a media centre mac would be great to have personally.
I'm surprised any Americans at all are complaining about his 'bitchin' comment. Don't you lot use "dude", "awesome" and "neat"?
Yes. Exactly.
Is this a serious article?
... "Without giving much away, Jobs stated: 'The new products in the pipeline are the best Ive ever seen in my life.'"
... Apple has a MCE competitor in the works based on "we hear you loud and clear"??!
Well stop the m!@#$r f!@#$%g presses!
I used to think it ridiculous whenever anyone commented on engadget's Apple bias when it came to their article selection. IMO, news is news ... you report what garners the interest of your people ... people seem to like Apple.
Now, however, I'm a hair away from jumpin' camp and joinin' the critical crowd.
Hey here's an article for ya:
MS TO GIVE B&J A RUN FOR THEIR MONEY?
Chunky Monkey XP, anyone? Microsoft founder, chairman, and chief software architect reportedly ordered a 2-scoup New York Super Fudge Chunk at a local Ben & Jerry's Ice Cream shop this afternoon near his Redmond, WA residence. While most passers-by, when asked of his intentions, seemed to suggest the need to satisfy a sweet-tooth calling, engadget columnist and all-around naysayer Paul Miller felt the tie-dye-sympathizing tycoon
had sweeter things on his mind: "Isn't it obvious? Microsoft's getting into the ice cream business! I'm surrounded by idiots!"
While Microsoft spokespersons were unavailable for comment, we were able to confirm from the local Scooper who served Mr. Gates that an insistence upon "extra jimmies" was notable in the billionaire's order.
Well he's right about one thing - my MacBook Pro is totally bitchin'... bitchin' enough to sell my Alienware rig for. Slickest piece of kit I ever used in my life, just amazing in every way. My Media Center is useful but it bugs me deep in a million ways - let's hope Apple does it right and has MS running home to mommy by year's end.
"Simply put they do not make their money off of Itunes, off their Computer line, and definitely not off their software (editing, dvd software etc)."
Actually, they make just over half of their profit on laptops alone. And this was before the "bitchin macbook pro" was released.
Learn something new every day, dontcha.
34. Gareth - wake up. Watch the news. Your whole country is our bitch.
@ Intrepid
Wait, I was under the impression that everyone copied off of Apple. I may be mistaken, but didn't Apple come up with the GUI? Before that everyone was using the command line.
Dave (#27) and anon (#29): I was too tired last night to check all of my assertions or even proofread my post, and I'm sure I made some false statements for sure about MGM, etc. So I appreciate the attempts to clarify the facts. This stuff is so confusing anyway. I was thinking of the Disney-MGM theme park, which just reveals a "relationship" and not direct ownership. In the MGM theme park, I saw stuff from the Incredibles, Star Wars, the Muppets, Narnia, and Indiana Jones, as well as Disney, etc. as well as all the merchandise I also forgot to add Winnie the Pooh, which I think Disney now does own.
I was at the theme parks with my 3 1/2 year old niece, and all she wanted to do was meet the Disney Princesses, over and over again. The power of the Disney content and their corporate relationships is just hard to imagine until you're in a sea of pre-schoolers and their parents, walking around in 95 degree weather. The MGM movie stuff is actually less relevant to that than the Pixar/Disney combination, since Pixar had pretty much out-competed Disney with the quality of their children's movies.
"was thinking of the Disney-MGM theme park, which just reveals a "relationship" and not direct ownership. In the MGM theme park, I saw stuff from the Incredibles, Star Wars, the Muppets, Narnia, and Indiana Jones, as well as Disney, etc. as well as all the merchandise I also forgot to add Winnie the Pooh, which I think Disney now does own."
Disney has a license to the name MGM, and rights to use the classic flims in the Great Movie Ride, but MGM apparently wants too much money now, so the "MGM" part of the studios may be going away soon (which makes sense now that the park is getting away from its original art-deco WWII era theme)
Disney NOW owns Pixar, but the ink hasn't dried yet, and there's still some finalization of the deal to go through.
They also now own the Muppets (Kermit, Piggy, et al), but not the rest of Henson (ie: Sesame Street, Dark Crystal)
The Star Wars and Indianna Jones stuff came out of a relationship that they have with George Lucas. The Indianna Jones Adventure at Disneyland in Cali is one of the absolute best theme park attractions in the world.
They also own MOST of Winnie the Pooh, but its a really muddled affair involving the Milne family heirs.
#15 & #16, in relation to "The new products in the pipeline are the best Ive ever seen in my life."
It's the way Apple markets pretty much ALL of their products. Given the situation, it's the sort of thing most companies would say in order to spark up demand.
Um quick lesson in brand promotion
The products in the pipeline are ok I guess, I've seen better. Is A) not what the ultimate fanboy is going to say about his favourite company and B) its not going to get anyone interested in the products at all.
Also sometimes what is not said is more important.
We hear you loud and clear(and we are happy with front row doing its thing)
I am sure a MCE equivalent is on the way and that as per the new products will be nice (not revolutionary Apple hasn't done revolutinary since the first iPod) and improve on whats come before. But please a massive pinch of salt when dealing with any CEO particularly steve jobs we all remember the disappointment surround the media flurry whipped up by the fun new products
I hope it is a leather case for the new macbooks!
Black turtle necks are bitchin'! Er, you guys like need to get a life...like whatever!?!
*snore* How many times are you going to post an Apple Media Center rumor? This is one area where Microsoft is light-years ahead of Apple. Wake me up when something happens.
Lol any articles on apple turn into "mac" vs. "pc" BITCHIN FESTS. lol. it's funny and annoying.
Enzyte Bob
I suspect you're joking but I'll bite. No, Apple got the idea for the GUI & mouse directly from Xerox PARC.
CoffeeJedi, thanks for the info.
This event was an annual (i.e., routine and mandatory) shareholders' meeting. The comment about MCE was to address one shareholder's direct question. All the other stuff is the CEO talking to the shareholders. None of them are apparently alarmed by anything going on with the company and are eager to find out what's coming up, so Steve Jobs gets to say things like "bitchin' stuff is coming, dudes" instead of fending off questions about falling market share or whatever.
Likewise, Steve Jobs is himself a shareholder of Disney when the acquisition of Pixar gets finalized. So Apple is a portable electronics, software, computer, and multimedia distribution company that has a CEO with experience in, an understanding of, and an increasing personal stake in digital content production and content protection. I think this explains a lot of what is going on with Apple in particular. Disney is a whole other kind of company (they imagineer dreams), and it's interesting that they feel comfortable moving into digital content distribution with Apple.
I guess this arrangement of corporations and interests is more sensible and functional than the Sony megacorporation's position, which has everything going on under one umbrella. If you look at the names we're throwing around, some (Apple, Lucasfilms, Disney, Pixar, Henson) are in the independent American capitalism camp - i.e., US companies with an international presence - while the multinational megacorporation camp is represented by Sony and whatever it owns right now, which I can never keep track of.
Microsoft has some other thing going on here which I can't really get a hold of. But it's true that Gates does not really have acute personal financial interes in the US market, in the sense that he's just too wealthy. He'll probably end up establishing the biggest single private foundation in world history which will hold that title for a long while... until someone else figures out how to make even more money. As acting CEO of MS, Gates is meeting with the Chinese president and contributing personal wealth to world organizations. In contrast, Jobs, not being a multimegabillionaire, is in a different situation, and now that he has a stake in Disney, he's feeling bitchin'.
windows is horrible, front row needs some refinement, but a lot sexier than WMC, and with center stage development, that would be key
http://centerstageproject.com/
if you say so bill. everyone else thinks it sucks. oh and apple "got" the idea of a gui from xerox, yet everyone else COPIED it. LOL. why do you guys keep defending them like they invented everything? please just stop. you're just making yourselves look like fools.
@ Kevin,
So Apple has made no money off of the more than 1 BILLION songs sold on iTunes?
Anyways....didn't they stop marketing the eMac a while ago? It hasn't been on the Sales page for a while now....theyr'e probly selling it for the education market only.
@ Enzyte Bob
Agree with you on that one. But since Apple stole/borrowed GUI to start with and Microsoft actually payed Apple for the license anyway - it's not theft on Microsofts part. Plus Apple has borrowed back from MS, like it's OSX Dock and borrowed gadgets or 'widgets' from StarDock - the sam people they sue every week for giving Windows users OSX themes...
Great I give Apple loyalists 5 months after this comes out before we start hearing how MS copied Apple on creating a Media Center.
if Apple would team up with Sony.
There would be no stopping them.
Sony with there movies,music,and retail network.
Apple with there look and feel,and there killer OS.
plus the cost of making there laptop would be cheaper.
Apple + Sony = the killer media company.
APPLE WILL MAKE A PROGRAM VERY SIMILAR TO MCE BUT ALLOW IT TO WORK ON ANY COMPUTER. IT WON'T JUST BE AN OS LIKE MCE 2005 IT WILL JUST BE A PROGRAM SIMILAR TO ITUNES. EXCEPT IT WILL BE CALLED iMEDIA. then apple will absorb nintendo and together they will make the Nintendo Hapwii (Elmer Fudd way of saying Happy)