What I do see, is possibilities.

An Apple TV that is a “TV” would have to be more than just a media box like the 1st and 2nd versions of the Apple TV.  I think this device would have to be a media center or iTunes Server.  We know that Apple can make beautiful displays and fantastic hardware.  My vision is that this iTunes Server would need to have a few things to make it work.  It would need to contain a very large hard drive, Seagate recently announced a 4Tb hard drive, and the ability to update the software and hard drive.   The rest of the hardware might stand the test of time or need to be upgradeable over time.  That is the problem, it doesn’t fit Apple’s model.  Not only that but FaceTime Hd camera would have to be capable of upgrades also.

I understand where people want this to go and I have seen the videos’ of Alan Kay’s visionary tablet and Apple’s knowledge navigator.  I also ‘see’ how AirPlay is making some of the sharing possible with a combination of Apple devices.  My first thoughts and impressions are that they will be making a 3rd generation Apple TV that will allow and manage the ‘Cord Free’ connecting and syncing between iPhone, iPad, and iPod Touch.  My vision is 2 devices, one that has a large hard drive and one that is like the 2nd generation Apple TV.  My other feeling is that they are working with TV manufacturers to get  AirPlay working on TVs.  This could work as a widget or as an always on service running and ready to receive streams.

I really see a new Apple TV being an iTunes Server … I know I have said it a few times already.  It is the only thing that make sense to me.

ironwil

I love this device.  I really like the 802.11n and I really like the Price Point!  I can afford the 99$ and that makes this an easy buy.  Having access to NetFlix and my iTunes Library in the same place really makes me love this.  I see 3 things that will happen to the device over the next year or two:

1. The Orchard will hold and deliver personal content to any iPhone, iTouch, iPad, and Apple TV.
2. Apple will develop a home iTunes server that will allow for several accounts and multiple account access.  Think HP’s Windows Home Server with the iTunes plug-in.
3. Apple will allow for App development which will bring in more content and some games.  This may require a new Apple TV to handle multiple iPhones, iTouchs, and iPads … to act as game controllers.

Once, Apple puts these pieces into place, it defines the paradigm and concept of what that device in the living room is that handles TV Shows, Movies, Music, and Gaming!

I need to pre-order mine.

iron wil

P.S.

Others Thoughts

1. Wired’s Epicenter, How Apple Just Disrupted the Cable Guys.
2. Ars Technica, No longer a hobby? $99 Apple TV drops storage, integrates Netflix.
3. Fortune Tech, Apple TV swings hard but misses.

I  have to disagree with Fortune, I think that they are wanting a solution to a problem that everyone is searching for.  Wired & Ars, I think are on the same train of thought as I am and Apple.  It isn’t the answer yet … another step or iteration on the path to getting it right.  I look forward to seeing what comes next.  I hope they see and realize that this can’t be a stand alone box; it has to have a robust back-end of content.

As I thought about it, I remembered that Verizon & AT&T both said they would open up their networks by the end of 2008.  Well, it is the beginning of 2010 and Verizon & AT&T, from what I know, are still clam-shelled.  They are not allowing users [us] to bring the device that we want to their service.

I am disappointed in this, very disappointed.

I believe that one day the mobile providers will have to open up because hardware manufactures & users will stick it to them and they will change.  The beginning of the end for their selecting of hardware we can use was started when Apple released the iPhone.  Since then, Google has released the Android software package and now the Nexus One phone.  Other hardware manufactures are jumping in and building handsets and devices that access mobile providers networks.

Times are changing.  The hardware manufactures are tightening the thumb screws and things will change for users and the carriers that provide our services.  I have to say that my prediction for 3 to 5 years is looking dismal; however, I am hopeful that it will happen.  That soon handsets and NetBooks will be open to provider transfer.  I know there are people that would like to take their iPhone to Verizon or T-Mobile and have the ability to move around per their need.

Time will tell, I am hopeful that it will happen soon.

iron wil

I was on Yammer the other day and the group was asking about the iSlate and what our predictions were for next month.  As I thought about the question and thought about rumor mill this is what I thought of =  JooJoo + Sports Illustrated Demo + Kindle + Lala + built in battery + Inkwell + Wi-Fi/3G.

Okay, we already know that whatever Apple and Mr. Jobs are doing is going to look great and fit into the architecture that already exists and the JooJoo is a good idea of what can be done today.  Since we don’t have to worry about design [it's not a mouse] we know that it will look great!  Some of my favorite concepts can be found here.  We also know that it will work with iTunes in some way, have built in Wi-Fi [iPhone/iPod Touches and possibly some 3G/4G if the Verizon rumors are true], and a built in battery.

The next thing it will have to cover is the usefulness and ease of use.  What if they left in Inkwell, the handwriting recognition software and allowed for capacitive writing with your finger?!?  … Or a puff ball … which would allow for quick note taking and editing, like the Windows Courier project?  Now, allow for Sports Illustrated Tablet demo functionality with books, magazines [I would love to get Wired like this!!!], and mixed media.  This would make the Kindle and other eReaders look last decade.

Now add iTunes with subscriptions or Lala, which Apple bought in December 2009, and then you don’t have to port your entire library … you can stream it through your iTunes account to the new device!

Well, I don’t know about you, but I want one!!!  I don’t know if I am even half right; Apple is making waves and the rumors are in the water.  We will see on the 27th of January.

NetBooks and eReaders beware they are about to redefine your markets and youse will lose market share.

Listening to MacBreak Weekly #174 and I realized that I forgot something very important, the App Store!!!  It has been leaked that Apple has expressed to some developers that they will want to work on full screen coverage.  They have talked about my thoughts that I wrote about here!!!

iron wil

Hosts: Leo Laporte, Tom Merritt, Wil Harris, Frank Barnako, Mark Milian

Why bandwidth shaping is like potato salad, how the Higgs Boson protects itself, and AT&T vs. Verizon…

Show Notes

MacBreak Weekly 166: Ground Control To Major Don

Hosts: Leo Laporte, Alex Lindsay, and Andy Ihnatko

Steve Jobs is CEO of the decade, Rick Astley penetrates jailbroken iPhones, pirated iPhone applications, and more.

Show Notes

Security Now 222: Your Questions, Steve’s Answers 79

Hosts: Steve Gibson with Leo Laporte

We’ve got the latest security news, including an SSL hack, plus eight great questions from you and Steve’s answers…

Show Notes

Windows Weekly 130: Trapped, Like Carrots

Hosts: Paul Thurrott and Leo Laporte

Paul calls Modern Warfare 2 the best shooter EVAH!

Show Notes

This Week In Google 16: We Need The Eggs

Hosts: Leo Laporte, Gina Trapani, Jeff Jarvis and Mary Hodder

Online stalkers, Wikipedia fundraising, Droid, Google’s Go, Chrome OS, and more.

Show Notes

iron wil

Andy’s Rubik Cube USB Hub – from this weeks MacBreak Weekly.

The 458 Shows Why Ferrari Is The Best – wow, the sexiest car I have seen in a long time.

Audi Design Study Is Cold As Ice – crazy awesome!

Blue Food Dye Treats Spine Injury in Rats – weird but true.

iron wil