Apple - two words to consider: "Home Automation"

[karavite]

Though centralized and automated audio/video equipment is pretty much limited to the upper crust budgets, this is a field that is expanding.

For the life of me, I cannot understand why Apple's digital hub strategy has not expanded to provide affordable and really cool options for home automation. Why can't iTunes serve up music via wireless to little audio stations and speakers throughout the house? Like in my shower? Why can't iPhoto let me view my photos on my TV? Why can't Sherlock be available to me in any room (on some cheap device with a pen interface or something) so I can see what movies are playing at my local theater and/or to use as yellow pages? Why can't I network a set of iSights or other camera's and have be able to serve up these images across the house and/or use it is a video intercom system? Why should I buy some expensive device as a internet radio receiver that lets me select any station from any room in my house when I have a computer that can access the same sites? I could go on and on.

This stiff IS coming to all of our homes. Many people do this sort of thing with available hardware and software, but it isn't always easy to accomplish regardless of expense. Only Apple could make it "plug and play." Apple has almost ALL of the pieces, but has not put them together yet. Somebody will very soon, and if it isn't Apple it will be a shame.

[Randman]

Why can't iTunes serve up music via wireless to little audio stations and speakers throughout the house?

You can get an FM transmitter and broadcast to radios (even in the shower) via iTunes or iPod.

Why can't iPhoto let me view my photos on my TV?

Because Apple sells computers and monitors. And you could always create a slideshow, burn it onto a disc, then playback on your television set (even in the shower).

Why can't Sherlock be available to me in any room (on some cheap device with a pen interface or something) so I can see what movies are playing at my local theater and/or to use as yellow pages?

Well, you can use Sherlock on your computer and find the information, then sync it to your mobile phone and or iPod and/or pda. And many telephone networks offer wap services (for phones/pdas) such as that (and you can even book movie tickets that way).

Why can't I network a set of iSights or other camera's and have be able to serve up these images across the house and/or use it is a video intercom system?

If you have the computers, you can. And check out evocam. And there's greater interactivity between other devices. I can set up iSight in my home, stream it to a webcam, then check it via my computer at work, or even my GPRS mobile phone when I'm really away from it all.

Why should I buy some expensive device as a internet radio receiver that lets me select any station from any room in my house when I have a computer that can access the same sites?

That's your choice, not Apple's. And again, you can use a FM transmitter to broadcast streaming Internet radio stations to radios all over your house for a fraction of the price.

So these things can be done already. Maybe not in the plug-and-play Apple has made so many people dependant on, but it's there.

It's the same argument from people who are always saying: Apple need to build an iPhone, Apple needs to build an iPDA. No, Apple doesn't. If the company makes it easier and better to use other devices effortlessly, the same thing is accomplished without the heavy R&D costs as well as competing with existing companies. It's picking the battle selectively.
I'm sure this Apple push toward digital networking will lead to greater ease in some of the things you've mentioned, but Apple still need to become a bigger player. Give 'em a greater foothold into the Windows platform and you may start to see more of this come. Just my $.02.

[adambyte]

Right... most of the features mentioned are available to us, in some form or another... I believe that karavite just wants to see the same fit and finish that's put into every Mac put into home automation. If Apple actually made a concentrated effort to make an integrated system for your house, it would kick ass.

But I agree. Apple is very wise about which technologies to bet on, which to develop, and which to leave alone. But remember.... Apple is always just a few years ahead of their time... not decades. They can't afford to be. ;-)

[karavite]

adambyte, you cued in to my point - Apple could put this together and it would be great. It IS happening and going to happen more and right now Apple is missing the beginning of it.

Randman - I think you misunderstood me. I said all this stuff is possible and available, but it is not plug and play. Only geeks like you or me would put together the peices to make things like this work and even then, it isn't perfect. No offense, but some of your points fall short and hardly offer something seamless/automated - I don't want to burn disks or synch anything manually. Let the hardware/software take care of that for me. It is time for the computer to evolve and do more for me all by itself.

I think Apple will never gain back share on Windows unless they provide something people want and Windows doesn't have. The business market - outside graphics, video and some web developement, is largely a goner for Apple. They will never get it back. Education is not doing so hot these days either. The one area they have strength is in the home market. You seem to think I am asking for too much, but it is already here. Why not let Apple do it and do it right.

The Escient Fireball is a $2000 box that does many things I am asking for: http://www.escient.com/fireballline.htm Here is the touch panel that goes with it: http://www.escient.com/etp1000.htm

The page says "More than a Hard Drive" - and they are right - it is a really just a specialized computer. It may be expensive, but cheaper versions and knock offs are coming soon. Cheaper similar products will be in Best Buy within two years tops.

I tried one out the other day and my reaction was this: Almost everything it does my computer can do - just not as elegantly or automatic. Why is that? Why should I spend $2000+ on this thing when my $2500 computer is so close to being this same thing? Why can't my computer have the same features + the same convenience and flexibility? 80% of it is just software and interfaces to other devices (TV, stereos...). Why can't my Mac be the center media/information "brain" of my house (e.g. the "DIGITAL HUB"!!!) like the Escient Fireball? Unlike the Esceint, my Mac has two processors and a multitasking operating system, yet it hardly utilizes the full capabilities of either one. Why not?

You say Apple can't risk investments in new hardware, but I think they can't risk standing still. Home theater, home automation is growing rapidly. Faster towers and lighter laptops are hardly innovative or market shaking events, but when Apple does something new and innovatiive they do it right it and it pays off - iPod for example. Apple could lead this and back up the talk Jobs makes about a digital hub. I didn't say it, he did! If they can't do the hardware, they could find a partner and promote standards and interfaces and/or the software to drive this kind of thing.

Off topic: Rather than post a new thread, did you see the shameless Apple music download ad rip-off by buymusic.com! I thought it was an Apple ad until the very end. God, what a world of shameless no-talent people we live in. Don't they teach people not to plagarize in school? Still, like all the other clones, they don't get the subtle details that Apple pays attention to.

[dave17lax]

Originally posted by Randman
You can get an FM transmitter and broadcast to radios (even in the shower) via iTunes or iPod.

laughing out loud.

I want a waterproof wireless rendezvous enabled minisystem that I can mount in the shower and change tunes as I lather up. The system would get fed the music from my mac, and again, I would be able to select the music right then. Who wants to make a "shower playlist", hit play, get naked, and by the time the water's hot you missed the first song. No. Not to mention the fuzzy hiss as your FM transmitter goes in and out, or fails to work at all.
Add AM/FM and price it under $200.

[Randman]

Dave, I hope you have enough hot water to last as you do all of that playlist on the go stuff.

[karavite]

So, no comments on why a Mac can't do what the Escient Fireball is doing?

[Arden]

When I think of "home automation," I think of being able to speak to the house and give it commands, then the house sends signals to all the devices and appliances to fulfill your commands. For example: you get out of bed in the morning and say, "Make breakfast." The kitchen activates, and the refrigerator gives 2 eggs to the stove to cook, the coffee pot starts brewing, the toaster starts toasting, etc. This is, naturally, a long way off, but I think this is where home automation will go someday, rather than just being a big interconnected intercom.