Good move, but maybe too little too late? I remember when the first rumblings of a MAC Media software first was gossipped about, that was what, about 1-2 years ago?

In judging by their website, it doesn't look like they're even trying to compete with MCE, but moreso giving people who already own a MAC some basic 10ft software to use, most popularly probably in dorms. I just can't see people spending the extra cash on a mac just to stick in their living room to their TV (and maybe apple's thinking the same?)

My initial reply is posted at http://personal.x-istence.com/node/84 .

As for if it will be good or not, well, I think that Apple has let their userbase down, they could have done something better, but they just did not get it.

Great move for Apple? Not really, it is not going to get them anymore sales in the long run, at least, not until they let developers extend it, or add basic TV viewing to it in one way or another.

Ok where are the MAC fans? Now it seems like apple is ripping off Microsoft stuff..So MS is even with the Vista UI. But frankly this is a lame 10ft UI.

Somehow a 10 ft interface on a 17" or 20" screen does nothing for me? At this point it is like a giant iPod or music library remote.

I personally think it looks really, really attractive.

That being said, I don't think it's really even attempting to compete against Media Center.

The good:
1. Simplicity! A remote with six buttons and a very simple, intuitive user interface. I'm always amazed when developers make their life miserable by creating convoluted, massive GUIs that will ultimately just confuse most users--I'll say this about Macs: rarely does their interface overwhelm, which is a really big positive in my mind.
2. The remote control is damn sexy.
3. I personally don't really care for television (I don't even have cable TV in my house), and would much rather have a simple, obvious interface to my pictures, videos, music, and dvd player.

The bad:
1. That being said, no television? In no way am I personally a good representation of the market.
2. Why is it only available on an imac?

The ugly:
1. A media center type app on an imac screen is almost totally worthless. You're going to have to sit close to it to see anything, so you might as well just use the mouse.

I love what this will do for visibility in the HTPC market. It'll get more people clamouring for PVR and Mini support, driving hardware and software and new ideas that can be added into the meme pool of 10ft software. I could care less if an idea was "copied" or "original", it's how it's executed that gets me excited. Doing for the HTPC what the iPod did for MP3 players. The iPod was far from the first but it's marketing muscle helped push the idea out to the mainstream consumer. Which makes me ask the question... why isn't there a commercial for MCE?

The "less is more" approach to the remote is great but I really wish they had added PVR support so we could a) see how they handled pvr/channel change functionality and b) dealt with getting sat and cable boxes sync'd.

I haven't seen a demo or video yet, but this seems like a good app, especially with the cute/simple remote.
I don't think apps should necessarly judged by the amount of feature they pack. After all, iPod doesn't do anything more than other mp3 players. iPod shuffle does even less.

You're missing the boat--- Apple has created an entirely new business model, one that compliments thier catagory killing iPod. In one fell swoop apple made watching videos on a computers a national story. MCE has been around how long? and how many times has it been featured on all the morning shows, newspapers, radio, etc.... It's not about the product it's about the perception. Apple wins this round.


As a loyal MCE owner I prey MS wakes up and focuses on thier own business instead of worrying about what Apple is doing. I want my HDTV not MTV, is that too much to ask. Instead i'm afraid MS will lose focus and follow apples lead in downloadable content at the expense of making MCE a better product.