The very first thought that crossed my mind when I saw the new Xbox was that this is probably what would have resulted if the rumored merger between Sony and Apple had been successful. It borrows heavily from design elements common in the most aggressive products from both companies and seems to miss many of disadvantages both firms have historically suffered. Put it next to the Mac Mini, and from a design perspective, it is just better.
=== I stopped reading the article at the follow statement because obviously the author isn't knowledgeable enough to know the difference between MP3, AAC, and iTunes Music Store AAC ("FairPlay" DRM). [FairPlay could've been wrapped around MP3 if Apple chose to do so. Thank god they didn't.] === "It will even remotely pull music (granted only MP3s, because Apple refused Microsoft's (Nasdaq: MSFT) request for a license) off of iPods..." === iTunes Music Store DRM-enabled ("FairPlay") AAC files might not have been licensed to Microsoft, but that doesn't bar Microsoft from including AAC support LIKE VARIOUS PROGRAMS SUCH AS NERO AND WINAMP. === The real question is why did Microsoft choose to support "only MP3s" and not include AAC support, a standard that is vastly superior to the decade-plus old MP3 standard, a standard that is the default encoder on the hottest music software (iTunes)? === For the love of god, Apple doesn't even own the license to AAC. http://www.aac-audio.com/ === QUESTION: Where's the documented proof that Apple refused to license FairPlay to Microsoft? === Could it be that Microsoft loves "standards" only as long as the word "Microsoft" is in front of the name? === Could it be that these so-called "tech" "journalists" are nothing more than old, washed-up, has-been, dot-bomb shills? === (And whoever thinks the 90s-era curves of the Xbox has more style than a Mac mini probably also thinks their eMachine does too, CompUSA is a great place to meet a date, and MP3s belong in this century.)
Rob, After seeing the new Playstation, you have to wonder if those rumors WERE successful! The XBox 360 reminds me of an HP Media Center. Quite classy, in its own right. But the PS3. Hot damn! Looks. Specs. WHEW! Apple all the way!
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Xbox 360: Like Sony and Apple’s Illegitimate Child
Posted by: Rob Enderle May 16, 2005 05:00 AMThe very first thought that crossed my mind when I saw the new Xbox was that this is probably what would have resulted if the rumored merger between Sony and Apple had been successful. It borrows heavily from design elements common in the most aggressive products from both companies and seems to miss many of disadvantages both firms have historically suffered. Put it next to the Mac Mini, and from a design perspective, it is just better.
=== "It will even remotely pull music (granted only MP3s, because Apple refused Microsoft's (Nasdaq: MSFT) request for a license) off of iPods..."
=== iTunes Music Store DRM-enabled ("FairPlay") AAC files might not have been licensed to Microsoft, but that doesn't bar Microsoft from including AAC support LIKE VARIOUS PROGRAMS SUCH AS NERO AND WINAMP.
=== The real question is why did Microsoft choose to support "only MP3s" and not include AAC support, a standard that is vastly superior to the decade-plus old MP3 standard, a standard that is the default encoder on the hottest music software (iTunes)?
=== For the love of god, Apple doesn't even own the license to AAC. http://www.aac-audio.com/
=== QUESTION: Where's the documented proof that Apple refused to license FairPlay to Microsoft?
=== Could it be that Microsoft loves "standards" only as long as the word "Microsoft" is in front of the name?
=== Could it be that these so-called "tech" "journalists" are nothing more than old, washed-up, has-been, dot-bomb shills?
=== (And whoever thinks the 90s-era curves of the Xbox has more style than a Mac mini probably also thinks their eMachine does too, CompUSA is a great place to meet a date, and MP3s belong in this century.)
After seeing the new Playstation, you have to wonder if those rumors WERE successful!
The XBox 360 reminds me of an HP Media Center. Quite classy, in its own right. But the PS3. Hot damn! Looks. Specs. WHEW! Apple all the way!