I've love discussing Apple history.

On Apple's first logo, the one featuring Newton, there's words along the border that read, 'A mind forever voyaging through strange seas of thought... alone'

Interesting Tidbit:
In the late 80s, Apple partnered with Quantum Computer Services (which operated online services for Commodore and Radio Shack computers) for an online service that would cater to Apple users only. It was named AppleLink: Personal Edition (ALPE) and launched in 1988 initially only for Apple II users. This is not to be confused with AppleLink, which was an online system operated by Apple in the mid 80s to early 90s for their dealer network. By 1989, Macintosh users joined ALPE. Apple, however, decided to leave this venture, turning over control to Quantum to operate the service on their own. The service was renamed America Online.

That is so cool. 10 years from now, we'll realize that there was a 720 console, just a month earlier that we never realized (Article: US sales chart: February 14 - 20, 2006)

hahahah

I think it's accurate to call Toshiba the first high definition PLAYER, as the Sony BDZ-S77 is the first Blu-Ray RECORDER released, but only in Japan and designed to work with Japan's direct to home satellite broadcasting network. There's no Blu-Ray movies available to my knowledge, although you can certainly purchase blank Blu-Ray media and record your own. At roughly $3800, I doubt many have Sony's recorder. It's also safe to say that Toshiba will be the first company to release a high defintion player globally.

Blu-Ray movies are expected to hit the shelves in May, and according to imdb.com yesterday, Blu-Ray players are expected in November (?!)

http://imdb.com/news/sb/2006-03-30

Castle of Illusion was killer. Also liked Alex Kidd in Miracle World.

Anyone remember Rambo III? (hahahah...)

Just a point of clarification-- Trip Hawkins was the one who originally sought out Don Valetine of Sequoia Capital, to start a new company.

But Enigma is correct, Electronic Arts (EA) is an American company started in 1982 in California that eventually branched out worldwide.

They began life as a publisher, attracting top talent because they were the first computer software company to highlight and promote the developers. Which incidentially is how Activision started, but they were originally a console developer. EA became successful, branching out into distribution. For the longest time, software from many other companies carried this sticker on the box, 'Distributed by EA.' Later EA moved on to console games, and also acquisitions of other companies and developers.

Hostile just refers to EA buying a large portion of Ubisoft stock without their consent, the concern being that EA might try to acquire more than 50% of the outstanding stock and try to take over control of Ubisoft.

There's tactics available to companies to ward off such attempts, such as a poison pill (shareholder rights plans) or acquisitions that make the company harder or less desirable to acquire.

According to imdb.com today

http://imdb.com/news/sb/2006-03-30/

Sony is planning to release Blu-Ray discs in May, but Blu-Ray players could be held up until November. What exactly does one do with a disc you cannot play for six months?

I'm not sure if they're trying to generate interest in the format or this is an attempt to not lose ground to HD DVD, but releasing the media before the players is not a good idea.

I'm assuming you're using something other than the default channel for your wireless, and you have your own SSID that is not broadcasted and you're using at least WPA2, right?

More than likely, the group polled skews older, and the same group is thinking primarily TVs or electronics, rather than software.

Case in point... Zenith. They haven't been relevant for years. But if you're older, I'm sure it's a brand you remember and or trust.

When was the last time someone under 35 thought to themselves, hey I gotta get that new Zenith!!

Apple's concern with using PowerPC was that IBM was not delivering newer, faster chips, in the agreed upon timeframe. It's not that the chips themselves were slow. Apple was expecting to achieve certain milestones within a certain amount of time, and apparently that was not happening quick enough. Hence the change to Intel. Game consoles don't change CPUs during lifecycles, so this is a non issue for them.

Last year Nintendo Europe said that releasing the specs for the Revolution might not ideal because you really can't compare the Revolution to the PS3 and 360 on specifications alone. Nintendo has a plan, and they've been successful in the past. Why doubt them now? They're certainly trying to distinguish themselves from the competition.

Without access to the games, it's really hard to pass judgement. But you better believe Nintendo does have some great games forthcoming. They're rich with properties that I'm sure they'll exploit.

Whether or not this strategy will pay off in the longrun is unknown. But I have to admit I'm intrigued by the whole virtual machine concept alone.