Every time we write a news report about the iPod , we get inundated with east - post messages from reader demanding that we stop wasting valuable paper and ink on Apple ’s democratic medicine player . ( See this calendar month ’s Feedback for the late . ) I match with one point many of those letter writer make : the name of this magazine isn’tiPodworld .
But I do n’t recall we handle the iPod too much . It ’s the hot consumer product in macrocosm , but if you accept the estimation that the iPod is a Mac accessory ( and I do ) , it ’s the most pop one on the market today . That ’s reasonableness enough forMacworldto cover it extensively .
Still , I sympathise the complaints : yes , we , along with the rest period of the world , are abuzz about the iPod . What about the poor , disregard Mac ?
Here ’s the affair , though : with the novel iMac G5 ( complete with remote control and Front Row software ) and the new video iPod , both foretell on the same daytime , the Mac - iPod relationship has turned a corner . Because when it come to transforming home entertainment , the iPod is n’t enough . The Mac is locomote to have to get in the game , too .
To the couch, potatoes!
When it comes to cause the Mac the centre of a abode - entertainment hub , Apple has so far take only babe steps . As we detail in “ The Multimedia Mac ” ( page 60 ) , the new iMac is hardly the be - all and end - all of home entertainment . And as I discover out in reviewing the fresh iMac for last month ’s issue , its Front Row media interface is a keen idea but is in pauperization of some serious culture .
Although Apple ’s multimedia system strategy is still in its infancy , it ’s possible to speculate about where it ’s headed . ( countenance me say right now that publish a column prognosticate Apple ’s next move is almost always a losing proposition . But here plump . )
Start with a recap : Apple introduces picture - playing iPod . Apple introduce TV department of the iTunes memory board . Apple introduces a Mac with a remote . Front wrangle will improve . So what ’s leave ? A Mac - compatible machine that attach to your TV and serve up media while you ’re sitting on the couch .
Either this twist willbea Mac or it ’ll rely on a Mac somewhere in your rest home to provide it with iTunes medicine and videos , iMovies , photos , and who knows what else . presumptively , it will have an improved interlingual rendition of Front Row .
And rent ’s hope that this new machine either speak natively to cable television service and satellite box and memorialize TV shows or supports add - on TV technology fully integrated into that favorable Front Row interface .
A tough road ahead
Apple ’s success with the iPod has been astonishing . But the iPod was introduced into a market full of lousy products . Even now , the iPod ’s competitors are remarkably uninventive .
That ’s not the shell in the video market . Microsoft ’s early Media Center personal computer were ridiculously forged . ( Why yes , Idowant to use a mouse and keyboard from my recliner ; thanks for ask ! ) But they ’ve better a whole lot in the past three years . The late Media Center PCs have slick remote - labor interface , built - in goggle box tuner , and support for remote “ extenders ” that get every TV in your sign of the zodiac have access to all the media stash away on the PC . Apple ’s acquire a batch of catching up to do .
Yet I ’m confident that Apple can be a major player in the home - amusement world . The iPod has turn out that Apple empathise what existent people need from their consumer electronics devices . Any new Apple media machine will doubtless work seamlessly with the iPod , making them appealing to jillion of iPod addict . And the Mac has the computer science powerfulness and progress - in media savvy to be the equipment at the essence of it all . I for sure would n’t wager against Apple . Would you ?
Best of the best
I ’ve been a part of the Eddys for 12 years now , and the unflagging character of the products expel in the Mac market never quit to amaze me . Apple amount through with some sincerely nerveless computer hardware , as well as Automator , the wonderful workflow - automation technology built into Tiger . Smaller companies continue to bring out mind - boggling product such as Plasq ’s Comic Life and Delicious Monster ’s Delicious Library — clobber we never knew we needed but now ca n’t hold out without . You ’ll receive a complete tilt of the winners , and testimonial from our editors on why we picked them , get on page 73 .
What do you think of Apple ’s multimedia scheme ? Do you agree with our Eddy cream ? permit me bang in our forum , or send me ane - mail .
