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Oct 01, 08 - 11:15 am Comment from: GizmoDan

Isn't this called iMac?

There will not be a BlueRay player in this device. (If indeed this is what the Brick actaully turns out to be.) I own a couple of AppleTV and it is more functional then most make it out to be. I have run 720p HD and it worked great, few hiccups. (Granted this was with a different codec, but it still runs.) This is proof that if planned correctly and streamlined you don't need a beast of a machine under your TV. If you want a wind tunnel under your TV that pulls enough power to run a Fridge then buy an XBOX. This isn't to say that Apple shouldn't add a dedicated H264 encoder/decoder to the AppleTV and a Tuner. But to say that you need a beefy tower like pc is plain crazy.

Oct 01, 08 - 11:17 am Comment from: MaLvado

GizmoDan- An iMac won't look right next to your big screen in the living room.

For me, any integrated Apple TV/Mac device must be an Apple TV first and a Mac second, by this I mean that the default interface must be that of a TV box, with access to computer functions. It can't be a computer with a TV based interface on it that you access like FrontRow. If you don't want to use it as a desktop type computer you shouldn't even realise it is one.

heres taking the wildest guess....

Maybe the Brick is the next mouse

Right, so media pcs are white elephants so it makes sense for Apple to build one does it? The correct approach is modular and flexible outside of the pc box while building what is universally useful into all your mainline computers and that ain't a specialist media type pc either way, Apple or otherwise. It simply isn't useful or practical for most peopleand situations while costing an arm and a leg.

Oct 01, 08 - 11:27 am Comment from: Cubert

Isn't the Brick the Zune?

Oct 01, 08 - 11:31 am Comment from: Cubert

bioness,
You've got it! A return of the hockey puck mouse but in a square form!

Oct 01, 08 - 11:37 am Comment from: Cubert

I actually think it is going to be a combo Apple TV/Time Capsule - basically a media streamer with lotsa hard drive space for storage, Time Machine backup for your Macs, 802.11n of course, and works as a wireless router. It will also come with a universal remote.

WHEN???

As an investor, the stock could use any good news or product. Time to step up and do the next "Just one more thing" or buy back 1 or 2 billion dollars of beat up AAPL stock!

I think I figured it out.

Remember the patent that Apple filed for a few months back that illustrated a Macbook-like device being pushed into a iMac-like screen, from a side slot? Well, I believe that was a smoke-screen for Apple to distract us from the real intent. Imagine an Apple Cinema Display instead of an iMac, and the Apple TV (the "brick") as that device being pushed into the display. It would turn any Apple Cinema Display from just being a monitor into a fully integrated Apple TV TV.

Apple is all about simplicity, and they wouldn't want you to worry about cables hanging everywhere, or how to set everything up. Plus, from the aesthetic point of view, this would be a no-brainer.

iCal me on this, folks! I have a feeling I'm right!

iReceiver !!!

or iReceive and iAmplify

I don't think Apple's going to make a home theatre like that, I have my PS3 setup as a server using linux.... Apple isn;t after duplication

Oct 01, 08 - 11:55 am Comment from: MikeK

Some people just simply don't get it..

Apple TV isn't going anywhere. An update maybe, a new device, absolutely not.

Apple TV is an iPod for your tv. It is meant to eventually replace dvd players and physical media much like the iPod replaced CD players and physical music.

It will gain traction, it's just a bit premature right now as most people don't understand it and are still hung up on today's tech.

Apple TV is about a completely digital future. It won't be selling to the masses for some time yet, but it will.

Could be TV/TimeCapsule/Server/Streamer hub-thingie -- the place for large but infrequently used multimedia files, minimizing need for local storage on networked notebooks/desktops.

MDN Magic Work = "total"

Oct 01, 08 - 12:08 pm Comment from: IKON

the remote app on the iPhone is a hint of what is to come our way…

What I want

1. An iPod touch type remote
2. Works with Apple TV and Mac
3. Has touch screen (not display), accelerometer, no GPS, little memory
4. There will be an on screen display (like the iPod/iPhone simulator)
5. Will run any of the iPod touch apps on the Apple TV and Mac
6. Cost around $50
7. Long battery life

Oct 01, 08 - 12:16 pm Comment from: Mr. Reeee

A headless, modular Mac that's 1/2 the size with 1/2 the slots of a MacPro (2 PCI slots, replaceable video, 2 drive bays) and in between the MacPro and Mac mini WOULD be an extremely desirable product.

The iMac is fine for home use, but a glossy monitor is NOT if you do serious graphics and don't need the beast that is the MacPro. Most people I know use MacBook Pros and drive external monitors with them. Sorry folks (and Apple), the iMac doesn't cut it for this market.

Merging the Mac mini with TV would be a good thing too. How desirable is this? It wouldn't take much to beat TV, that's for sure

Oct 01, 08 - 12:20 pm Comment from: John E

A dumb article. the Mini IS the Mac HTPC already. it just needs a spec bump, and HDMI out for convenience.

the cat's meow "brick" would be simply linking AppleTV wirelessly to iPhone/Touch so that whatever you are doing on you iPhone/Touch sitting on the sofa is also displayed on your TV screen. Viola! easy internet browsing on your TV without a keyboard/mouse!! and all those games on a big screen!!!

Apple already offers the Remote app to control AppleTV from the iPhone/Touch, so there is some tiny hope they might do this. it would be revolutionary.

it's the Asteroid device, dummies

how about a real apple tv: 42 and/or 50 inch hdtv with built in apple tv functionality and a one box surroundsystem (much like the yamaha YSP 1) all in a cabelfree package beatifuly designed by ive, starting at 1999, would be a huge hit, me guess. all you will ever need from a tv in your living room. the other think some people here are talking about is called a computer.

sorry for my bad spelling, i was dreaming about the 50" appletv ...

One thing for sure from this article will just NOT happen.

There is no way, as the author suggests that Apple will make the Apple TV bigger, so that it will "... blend with (other) audio-visual components."

Open up your average 18" wide stereo component of any kind and you will find mostly empty space. Can anyone in their right mind imagine Steve Jobs passing on a product that is many times LARGER than it needs to be? Not going to happen.

Oct 01, 08 - 12:33 pm Comment from: ChrisM

I really think a user serviceable Mac tower would be a great addition. I mean if you really look at Apples offerings, there is only ONE option for true desktop class components, the Mac Pro. All others (iMac, Mac Mini, MacBook, MacBook Pros) use laptop components.

I think this reporter has been drinking too much cough syrup.

A powerful, easily expandable, desktop machine without an integrated monitor is needed. In years gone by, Apple offered a pro machine at the $1500 dollar price point which is still pretty high price considering what HP offers for that much.

Having the entry level for a huge pro desktop begin around $2500 and over 50 pounds is keeping a lot of customers away.

We want more than one 3.5" hard disk, easily expandable memory and real graphics cards in something that weighs under 25 pounds.

I think it'll literally be a brick with an Apple logo on it, which many people will buy just because of the logo.

OK here is the real scoop the brick is get this a foam novelty brick that you can throw at your PC it has the phone number for the Apple store on it.

Oct 01, 08 - 01:22 pm Comment from: Cubert

Monger,
You thief!

All the HTPC people are smoking crack. Apple's not going to compete with their iTunes business model of selling TV shows with an off-the-shelf DVR.

What I can see them doing is opening up the AppleTV (or a variation thereof) to developers much like the iPhone—so folks like Elgato or Sage can take the heat for selling DVR software/hardware. The AppleTV is slightly underpowered for doing live HD right now. That gives Apple a way to sell a DVR machine without pissing off the movie studios. People forget Tivo takes heat all the time for their "hidden" 30-second skip of commercials. Movie studios would have a field day with Apple.

Oct 01, 08 - 01:30 pm Comment from: Macintosh

@ Mike K,

You are right... The Apple TV isn't going anywhere. I've seen someone actually install OSX on an Apple TV and run it like a Mac Mini. The Apple TV is pretty much a Mac, just waiting to be updated.

Apple is placing boxes that run OSX everywhere you need them, and then adding features to them via Software Updates.

A Mac, iPhone, and Apple TV is all you need. It covers everything mentioned in all the comments above.

Just have a little patience, and stop looking to the past for ideas of what Apple should do in the future.

Oct 01, 08 - 01:31 pm Comment from: thethirdshoe

Brick. Singular.
Bricks.
What do you do with Bricks?
You place them side by side and you stack them.
You build something out of them. Bigger than the parts.
Maybe different Bricks look different because they do different things.
Are you tired of not being able to continue using your old Brick when three years later a hot new Brick comes out?
Or maybe you just need to double or triple your current computing power. Buy one or two new Bricks and stack them with what you have.
Of course you would require some grand, central type of Brick that is designed to optimize the usage of many cpus.
It would be fast as a cat, but able to blend into the background of Bricks.

Course Bricks do break windows too.

Oct 01, 08 - 01:40 pm Comment from: jarrettdailynews

@ cubert

I got here late, where in the world are bricks square? Here in Arizona we still use rectangular bricks and blocks. Although the square brick idea might catch on.

I know for wrestling the use the "Squared Circle" analogy.

Being a switcher since February 2008 loving my new iMacs and Apple in general, I look at things from a different perspective. A brick might mean more than just breaking MS. Updating the Apple TV with some of the things being commented here really wouldn't be a brick.

Apple has iTunes with many things being evolved around it. Take the iPhone and iTouch. Now they have GAMES. MS and Sony have game machines for the TV. Apple could take Apple TV and add GAMES. It would easy to do; with the APP STORE. That would be a BRICK. I don't game very much but for gamers serious or not this would be some serious revenue. Hell the GOV wouldn't have to spend $700 B, just let Apple revive the economy. Just kidding.

Don't forget where it all started.......Atari's Pong.

Vista pushed my Wife and I to go to iMacs; we have not looked back

Oct 01, 08 - 01:48 pm Comment from: jarrettdailynews

@ Strykerace

Let me congratulate you on your purchases, and welcome you to the platform. Now, buy two more iMacs and have the rest in your family do the same so we can get this stock price back up.

Oct 01, 08 - 01:50 pm Comment from: Macintosh

It's probably that they just stuffed the power brick inside the Macbooks somehow, and that's it.

This is totally overblown.

Oct 01, 08 - 02:02 pm Comment from: jarrettdailynews

@Macintosh,

" This is totally overbloen"

Something a man will never say about his wife's tongue depresser.

Oct 01, 08 - 02:03 pm Comment from: jarrettdailynews

and for those of you women who are extremely lucky, of course I meant your throat depresser's.

My source at Apple has confirmed. The Brick is power supply with plugs for all your devices so you don't have to carry so many.

AppleTV has been pulled from best buy... but it's still in the Apple Store.

Oct 01, 08 - 02:20 pm Comment from: drcaddy

Hear it here first:

"Brick" is the codename of an Apple store employee. He comes to your neighborhood and hits "dingers" in the local baseball diamond.

I think maconymous has it right..Tablet mac that slides into the iMac housing. Boom... dual purpose Mac. Portable tablet and a mini iMac. Use a keyboard when in the iMac housing, virtual keyboard when portable.

Oct 01, 08 - 02:23 pm Comment from: Macintosh

@ theloniousMac,

That's more like it... Something simple... Not a bunch of stackable hard drives that connect to your TV and all that...

Perhaps the term "brick" refers to using an Intel Atom processor. After all, bricks and atoms are both building blocks.

I'd like the brick to be an integrated Mac and LCD projector. One unit. Imagine that. Project your Mac desktop, full length movie download, TV, whatever, wherever.

Oct 01, 08 - 03:02 pm Comment from: feral

pink floyd is going to play at the event fer sheezy...

I'm with Mr. Reeee.

The "brick" is a modular Mac. The original package comes with just the processor, drive, ethernet and connection ports (FW, USB, Optical). This will be your network computer right out the box. Other modules could include an A/V "brick" which would allow for HDMI, RCA, etc I/O. Then there is the MIDI "brick"... Stack your bricks however you want to. The good thing about it is that any company can create a brick that they think would sell.

I think that some people want this item to fail. not sure why.

Link:

http://www.bestbuy.com/site/olspage.jsp?skuId=8289103&st=appletv&lp=2&type=product&cp=1&id=1172881381528

I agree with Mr. Reeee completely. I'm an independent graphic designer and all the current Macs (iMac, Mini & MacPro) fall outside/in between my needs. I've been "pining" [cheap Monty Python reference, haha] for a low cost mini version of the pro tower...somewhere in the $1000 - $1500 range. $2200 and up for the MP is just not in the budget atm.

My wish list for this product would consist of a 256MB-512MB video card, 2 internal hd drive bays...or one that's easy to swap, max ram at no less than 4G, all the usual I/O, bluetooth, Airport, etc. I don't need four cores. Just give me one new dual core. This would be a nice upgrade for me from my current aging G5 tower.

The door is wide open for Apple to create a really kick ass product in this area.

Okay. Here is the next Apple TV... Imagine if a new Apple TV came with a more sophisticated controller. Say one with accelerometers inside. Apple could then open up the Apple TV to thousands of applications created for the iPhone and iTouch. Any games you purchased to play on your iPhone you could now be played on your TV! It increases the value of both devices. You would also be able to purchase applications directly on the Apple TV. If you owned an iPhone or iTouch, you could also use that as a controller (I think i remember a patent Apple filed a year or so ago around these lines).

I just love all the prognosticators (all over the web it appears) who are falling all over themselves predicting the eminent death of physical media and a pure, digital downloading future we'll all want to be a part of.

Well... not me. Because that future has serious flaws in it's assumptions... beyond the minor ones below.

A hard drive (whether disc based or solid state) is physical media also, and subject to its own set of issues as much as optical based media are... maybe more so.

An old tech saying goes, "It's not IF your hard drive fails, but WHEN." Typical HD warranties use to run for 5 years, nowadays they're 3, which basically means that is the average HD life span.

As for solid state drives, it appears that some recent testing is indicating they may have much shorter life spans than originally thought.

And these issues aren't even a result of mistreatment akin to accidently scratching a DVD/CD... HDs are just going to ultimately expire because of their electromagnetic nature.

Now... optical disc media have their life span limits also, but... with those having been (theoretically) calculated to be somewhere from 20 to 100 years... I ask you, where do you want to invest your entertainment dollars?

I'm not saying that downloads don't have their place... I easily understand the appeal to certain consumer segments. If I were a member of one of those segments, I'd be gung-ho about them also, but I'd also recognize they aren't for everyone.