The latest "HOT APPLE RUMOUR" in the blog-o-verse is that the fashionable computer giant might be planning to enter the gaming world to compete with Sony, Microsoft and Nintendo.
It seems the whole world is telling Apple it needs to make a games machine right now, so, rather grudgingly, it's gone and registered a bunch of patents just in case it decides to half-heartedly enter the gaming arena at some point in the future.
It wouldn't work, no matter how hard Apple tries.
Nintendo's DS is dominating the portable gaming scene, and Sony's PSP has the multimedia portable side (ie, the movie piracy area) tied up as well. The in-home world is a Microsoft/Sony/Nintendo bloodbath of pain and financial misery for all involved, while casual games are taken care of by the dumb offerings churned out for our mobile phones. And Facebook plug-ins.
It seems the whole world is telling Apple it needs to make a games machine right now, so, rather grudgingly, it's gone and registered a bunch of patents just in case it decides to half-heartedly enter the gaming arena at some point in the future.
It wouldn't work, no matter how hard Apple tries.
Nintendo's DS is dominating the portable gaming scene, and Sony's PSP has the multimedia portable side (ie, the movie piracy area) tied up as well. The in-home world is a Microsoft/Sony/Nintendo bloodbath of pain and financial misery for all involved, while casual games are taken care of by the dumb offerings churned out for our mobile phones. And Facebook plug-ins.
So what's left for Apple to take? Nothing. If it was to launch a standalone games machine, Apple would be flattened by the pros in a matter of months, currently fashionable brand status or not.
A sleek Apple handheld gaming machine is a fantasy product we'd clearly all love to own and play with, but Apple isn't Nintendo. It's not even Sony. It would have nothing new to offer to gamers, except the chance to shovel yet more money Apple's way via iTunes for more remakes of Sudoku and Frogger.
[Note: Steve Jobs' first job fresh out of college was at Atari. He's had an irrational hatred of computer gaming ever since.]
It's sad that Apple still hasn't failed. Why wont they go away, they aren't God.
It's sad that Apple still hasn't failed. Why wont they go away, they aren't God.
The problem is that they're run by a man who thinks he is god.
I'd imagine a gaming console would be the same. It'd have some fancy "innovative" feature (and by "innovative" I mean someone will have done it before, but everyone will think Apple did it first anyway) but it'd just underperform when it comes to actually playing games.
Besides, Apple products for a lot of people are more a social status than anything else and that field has already been taken by the Wii.
When Apple introduced the first Mac, no one wanted to use a mouse.
When Apple introduced the iPod, no one would pay $400 for an MP3 player
When Apple introduced the iTunes Store, no one thought that people would pay a buck for a song.
When Apple opened their first retail store, it was said that this is an experiment in terror.
When Apple introduced the iPhone, no one would want a keyboard-less phone.
Now everyone uses a mouse, owns an iPod, buys songs from iTunes, visits an Apple Store and phone makers are blatantly copying the iPhone.
Apple does not just "enter" markets. Apple did not enter the cell phone market. They just gave the world a convergence device that was not only easy to use, but actually encouraged people to access the internet on their phone. If Apple adds games to the iPhone, it will be the end user that will decide if its a good fit.
Will the iPhone/touch be a substitute for a hard core gamer? Probably not. But at $5 a game, what do you think the reaction will be to the casual user that wants to play a game while sitting on a train or plane or waiting in a lobby?
Once the iPhone SDK (Software Development Kit) is released, stand back.
I don't know how big this will get.
I use a mouse, but mostly I'm a commandline warrior.
I don't own an over priced portable music player (iPod).
I don't buy songs from iTunes.
I've never entered an Apple store, apart from buying some Golden Delicious once.
And my Nokia does everything I need without copying the iPhone due to being made years before.
So no, not everyone does. And you can't even quantify what you are saying.
When Apple introduced the first Mac, no one wanted to use a mouse.
When Apple introduced the iPod, no one would pay $400 for an MP3 player
When Apple introduced the iTunes Store, no one thought that people would pay a buck for a song.
When Apple opened their first retail store, it was said that this is an experiment in terror.
When Apple introduced the iPhone, no one would want a keyboard-less phone.
On the mouse...Thank you to apple.
I still wont pay $400 for an overpriced mp3 player...I dont need a status symbol to justify my existence!
I dont use iTunes...
I dont go to the apple store...
I dont own an iPhone...I want a phone with features, and a keyboard-less phone is not worth it.
I cant believe people still try to justify the iPhone. If it was as good as a people claim, it would have ADDED features whilst retaining ALL other BASIC phone features!
I use a mouse, but mostly I'm a commandline warrior.
I don't own an over priced portable music player (iPod).
I don't buy songs from iTunes.
I've never entered an Apple store, apart from buying some Golden Delicious once.
And my Nokia does everything I need without copying the iPhone due to being made years before.
So no, not everyone does. And you can't even quantify what you are saying.
Are you representative of Apple's target demgraphic? Absolutely not.
If you think the iPod is overpriced, then you must be a WalMart shopper. No one can make a quality MP3 player cheaper than an iPod because Apple gets HUGE volume discounts. In order for anyone to sell their player cheaper means taking a huge margin cuts.
Over 40 million people have an iTunes account. They are doing something right.
Apple Stores are packed during all times of the day. Again, there is a reason that they are selling more per square foot than Tiffany's and Best Buy. Walk in one and test drive the products. Talk to a Genius. This is how retail should be.
Your Nokia probably does everything including clean your fingernails. Just remember to bring your 300 page owners manual to remind you which menu gets you to send an email.
My time is worth $. Your time obviously is not as valuable.
I use a mouse, but mostly I'm a commandline warrior.
I don't own an over priced portable music player (iPod).
I don't buy songs from iTunes.
I've never entered an Apple store, apart from buying some Golden Delicious once.
And my Nokia does everything I need without copying the iPhone due to being made years before.
So no, not everyone does. And you can't even quantify what you are saying.
Are you representative of Apple's target demgraphic? Absolutely not.
If you think the iPod is overpriced, then you must be a WalMart shopper. No one can make a quality MP3 player cheaper than an iPod because Apple gets HUGE volume discounts. In order for anyone to sell their player cheaper means taking a huge margin cuts.
Bit of an idiot really, not seen the cost of what each one is to make ? Google it, be suprised that half of what you pay for an ipod is all profit, the other half is to make it and advertise it. I can get a hiPhone for £120, or a lamePhone (ifone) for £450... Well the hiPhone is *WAY* better and is, oh whats that, yeh nearly 4 times cheaper
And as your obvesly a mac boy tosser, have a read of this http://www.thebestpageintheuniverse.net/c.cgi?u=iphone oh and http://www.thebestpageintheuniverse.net/c.cgi?u=macs_cant
That's a lie
Because they could get other players for a lot cheaper
That's a lie
I've been in two of them and in each one the employees treated me like I was beneath them because I didn't own a Mac. Not the way to treat someone who was thinking about buying one.
That's also a lie
There's plenty of players out there that are just as good or better than the iPod that are a lot cheaper. I've owned 3 iPods that all have broke within a 1 year period and I treat my electronics with care. They're poorly made IMHO. I have a nephew that went through two of them in 3 months and he was careful with his also. Can't stick them in your pocket. The screen will easily get scratched. If you have to fart you better take it out of your pocket or the wind will crack it.
And Apple fans like you wonder why people can't stand how you act towards anyone that doesn't use Apple products? That little comment was a perfect example.
And you're using that time to argue over the internet. Yeah, that's real classy and mature.
Lol, and what is the target demographic? People who need love? People who are willing to be raped economically for a false sense of superiority?
Are you serious? You probably so in love with apple that you dont even bother looking at other products. There are many other mp3 players that are better than the iPod. But I guess those are not as "cool" as the iPod...
BWAHAHAHAHHAHAHAHAHAHAA...No seriously...BWAHAHAHAHAHAHAHHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHHHHAHAHAHAHA...
My time is worth $. Your time obviously is not as valuable
That is the stupidest argument ever! EVERY mobile phone has easy to remember / use menus! You can pick up any phone and send an mms (except iPhone), its just so easy...
So I guess all the time you save, you plow back into Steve Jobs pockets?
I bought one when they first came out because it was a nifty simple looking product. However, I didn't expect the sound to be such ****. Hell, I don't even touch it anymore it's so bad. Not to mention having to use iTunes is such a drag. I guess that's the price I pay for a quality product though, right?
When Apple introduced the first Mac, no one wanted to use a mouse.
When Apple introduced the iPod, no one would pay $400 for an MP3 player
When Apple introduced the iTunes Store, no one thought that people would pay a buck for a song.
When Apple opened their first retail store, it was said that this is an experiment in terror.
When Apple introduced the iPhone, no one would want a keyboard-less phone.
Now everyone uses a mouse, owns an iPod, buys songs from iTunes, visits an Apple Store and phone makers are blatantly copying the iPhone.
I never knew the Mac was the first computer to have a mouse.
I don't own a bloody iPod. I bought sensible and got a Zune. In my MP3 player history, I've only ever had 1 iPod (iPod Mini), and it sucked. It only lasted 3 months on me. The Zune, I've had for 14 months now and it's still working fine!
I hate iTunes. If I did buy music, I wouldn't buy it from them. I don't like having media with DRM in it. I'd rather go to Play.com, pay 10p less, get good quality music, and no DRM!
Well, the Apple store is the only way they'd sell their stuff through the high street. I looked on PC World's site, and they've got a miniscule section for Macs. And there's bugger all Apple stores here in the UK (only 10). The closest store to me (Plymouth) is in Exeter, which is a different county.
The iPhone is the most useless gadget of 2007. I don't want a keyboard-less phone. I don't want a touchscreen phone, because it gets dirty with fingerprints. I don't want an iPod built in, because it's bad, plus if I want to listen to music, I'll get something that's dedicated to the job, like I'll get a phone that's built as a phone, not a phone/iPod/internet/touchscreen/crap camera thing. Why can't companies go back to basics? Just make phones that are phones!
I have no use for a $390 Apple logo slapped on a junk music player
I have no use for Apple's DRM-encapsulated music or a crapware media player.
Apple's stores are for elitest snobs who want to feel like they are tech savvy so I've never stepped in one.
The iPhone is an even more overpriced Apple logo for copy-cat technology, not to mention the service provider lock-in.
Maybe you should get a clue before you tell "everyone" what "everyone" wants since you clearly don't know.
iTunes? Anything more stupid? Just get the songs retail, it is always the best way.
iPod? ............................... No comment about it. Zune is better.
Apple leading the world??????????????????????? OK, here are the instructions:
Open the console and write "kill" and press enter.
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And enough of these apple fans.
And enough of these apple fans.
hahaha, what!??! How can you possibly say that Windows Mobile is better than the FreeBSD-based system that the iPhone uses? Windows Mobile is the suckiest phone operating system ever (and yes, I have an HTC Wizard using WM5).
iTunes? Anything more stupid? Just get the songs retail, it is always the best way.
iPod? ............................... No comment about it. Zune is better.
Mine is better than yours nyah, nyah , nyah... grow up
Obviously some people have never owned and ipod Much less been outside their houses...
And enough of these apple fans.
hahaha, what!??! How can you possibly say that Windows Mobile is better than the FreeBSD-based system that the iPhone uses? Windows Mobile is the suckiest phone operating system ever (and yes, I have an HTC Wizard using WM5).
Have to agree with Chimera. I have had two different WM5/6 devices (T-Mobile Wing and Dash), and I absolutely hate them. If I had a choice (both work phones), I wouldn't use them.
Perhaps there are other devices out there that can run WM just fine, but both of mine froze more than they should have, and were just plain slow.
Perhaps there are other devices out there that can run WM just fine, but both of mine froze more than they should have, and were just plain slow.
My O2 Xda does a wonderful job, never crashed on me in the 6 months i've had it. Yes, it doesn't have a keyboard, doesn't bother me, that's what the letter recogniser was for.
It's not even designed primarily like a phone and does a better job than the iPhone... I've got Bluetooth, a 2MP cam that can take VIDEO, MMS, eMail, Web, Wifi, 3rd party programs (TomTom ftw), hell the company i work for is even designing it's own form program for deliveries with built-in GPS compatibility. Win. Now i don't even have to do Milage sheets
Oh yeah lets ruin the only independent game console maker out there...
Oh yeah lets ruin the only independent game console maker out there...
What makes Nintendo independent?
MS do Windows/PCs etc, Sony do pretty much everything. Nintendo, afaik do only games.
There's a big difference between:
1) A company that doesn't make games with little experience is working with games on their OS. (Apple)
2) A company that makes games with extensive experience in working with games on their OS. (MS pre-Xbox )
1. Apple stores ... yeah, loads of them >_>
2. Selected retailers (iPhone style) ... go market penetration!
3. All retailers? Not exactly Apple's style.
Aw geee ... I didn't know my PSP is supposed to be able to do that. Thanks for the tip.
It would take a partnership with Nintendo to come anywhere close.
Maybe they could just focus on encouraging publishers to publish for the Mac.
That's why the orginal 20/60 gb ps3's had the PS2 hardware in the ps3.
Who?
It would have only 1 button to do everything.
It have to be be
A) The best graphics on the planet (compete with PS3 / Xbox360)
or
B) Fun & Innovative (compete with the Wii)
When there is an established leader you have to stick with for the longhall to get or make something that *exceeds* the current competitors. I don't think Apple is willing to commit to that for the long run required.
If I could actually use one where I live, I'd definitely get one.
As for gaming system, I think people that have been a fan of Apple all their lives, may buy one. I wouldn't, but I'm not a big game fan anyways.
And not all iPods are overpriced. I'm lovin my iPod nano video, and think it was well worth the money.
And as for Apple Store or iTunes Store, whatever it's called, I would never pay a buck for a song, but I will pay 5 bucks for a game.
Again, get a clue. Clearly someone thinks their own opinion is the same as "everyone's".
Why would an Apple console fail? Besides the fact that Apple would never, ever sell their consoles near cost (or at a very small profit) like Nintendo, Microsoft, and Sony, but Steve just doesn't have enough personality to do it. His games would be like pong only more boring.
Besides, they wouldn't have full hardware/software integration (can't control what TV its connected to) and Steve needs that control or he freaks out. Just look at the iPhone lock-in, the iPod/iTunes lock in the OS X/Mac lock-in.
Apple having more recognition with game publishers is the biggest thing here. If game publishers know they can trust Apple and past experience with them shows they know what they're doing, then they won't be anywhere near as reluctant to start porting games over to their console, or even their own dedicated gaming handheld (which is more likely to be the case, their handheld devices are usually more popular then their home devices) compared to Apple right now which doesn't really have any major recognition in the gaming market.
Honestly, when the next lot of Nintendo and Sony handhelds come into play (and I'm not talking about those latest iterations called the DSi and the PSP-3000), I wouldn't be very surprised if we saw Apple entering with its own competitor.
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