Mar 2006
Apple vs Apple, again. Who cares?
March/27/2006 12:40 PM Filed in: Apple
Apple Corps is once again trying to get money from
Apple Computer. They've been doing this for so long
nobody cares anymore, most of us don't care about
the Beatles either and just want Apple Corps to go
away.
One of the last things Atari did before it died (the first time) was sue Sega over the 9-pin controller port and they ended up getting something like 99 million.
Like Atari the only thing Apple Corps has left to it is the ability to sue people. It's probably how they finance the next lawsuit.
All of you judges out there please tell Apple Corps to give up. It's not like they have a legitimate reason to sue, they sue because they can.
One of the last things Atari did before it died (the first time) was sue Sega over the 9-pin controller port and they ended up getting something like 99 million.
Like Atari the only thing Apple Corps has left to it is the ability to sue people. It's probably how they finance the next lawsuit.
All of you judges out there please tell Apple Corps to give up. It's not like they have a legitimate reason to sue, they sue because they can.
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The future of Xbox Live Arcade?
Here are my thoughts and a few questions I recently posed to Major Nelson and Ross Erickson.
Now that Xbox Live has been fleshed out into something that can evolve and grow I think we (the Xbox Live gamers) should get some notion that our purchases are not tied to the Xbox 360. I completely understand why games purchased for the original Xbox Live Arcade did not transfer over. From this point forward please allow me to play all purchased games in the Arcade on future versions of the Xbox. If I buy Bejeweled today on the Xbox 360 Arcade I want to be able to play it on all future Xbox consoles. This also promotes the backward compatible model.
I would like to be able to play the arcade games that I've bought for the 360 on the 720 when it comes out. I'm hesitant to spend too much money on Arcade games if I'm really only getting a few years of play out of them. Because we all know that what rocks about the Arcade games is that it's mostly time wasters and simple gameplay fun. These are the type of games that people play forever. They are simple, pretty and accomplish nothing. I think I've spent about $80 so on arcade games. These are the kind of games I want to keep, not upgrade every year.
Now that Arcade is all online (no disk required) and all arcades (future Xbox) from this point forward will follow a similar model I don't think it's to much to ask especially since a lot of these games can be played for free (PC) online.
Answers provided by Ross Erickson, Games Portfolio Manager (Xbox Live Arcade/MSN Games.com).
Q 1. Will I be able to play Xbox Live Arcade games I buy now on future Xbox consoles?
A 1. Given that we just barely shipped the 360 into the marketplace just 5 months ago, and that traditional console lifecycles are 5+ years, it’s a bit premature to start planning and making guarantees about any future console so far in advance, especially in light of the fact that digital distribution of entertainment content is still in its infancy. Our intention is to always provide customers value and new entertainment experiences on any platform like Xbox 360
Q 2. Will I be able to play Xbox Live Arcade games I buy now on future Xbox consoles for free or will I have to pay for an upgrade?
A 2. We haven’t announced (nor would we even discuss for many years) any new console beyond the 360 so this is entirely premature.
Q 3. Will I have to transfer them from my 360 or will I be able to download them?
A 3. Again, you’re getting way ahead of yourself on this. Enjoy the games you bought today for what their worth (mostly $5 and $10).
I know my questions are a bit premature, but they will come up again in the future so I want to thank Ross for taking the time to answer them now.
MY GAMERTAG THEMACJEDI
Who's the underdog? Apple, Microsoft or Sony?
It really depends on the product you're talking
about. Here are some scenarios on how each company
is the underdog.
Gaming Consoles: Microsoft, the underdog is doing a good job of making a name for themselves (I love my 360 and loved my Xbox) in the gaming arena. Even with all of their muscle they are still number two, with Sony retaining the number 1 spot. In the current (Next Gen) battle MS has come out of the gate with an awesome showing. How does Sony respond to the lead MS is getting, they don't. They act as most monopolies do, they act as if they aren't worried about MS and pretend to not do things their competitors are doing. Some people think Sony will still win the next console war even thought MS will have had a full year head start. Which is what Sony had during the last console wars.
Operating Systems: Apple, the underdog has a fantastic OS and continues to push the envelope (most of my computers are Macs). Apple will have had the opportunity to release about 5 OS upgrades in the same space MS announced Longhorn renamed it Vista and delayed it until 2007. In the OS market MS is the monopoly they behave the same way Sony behaves in the console market. There Vista OS will come out with many of the features Mac users have been using for years. The same goes for the next Sony console, Sony will come out with feature that Xbox users have been using for years.
Music Players: This would be Apple's monopoly, I think they have about the same market share in this category as Sony had in the previous consoles. So does Apple act different with their monopoly than the other companies, not really. They refuse to open their DRM for other companies and release products on their own timeline as if other companies aren't even competing. MS who has the largest share of OSes installed still can't find a way to use that power to take control of the Music market. In many ways this market should belong to Sony, but they are a monopoly in more ways than one and they were sitting on their hands. So is Sony number 2, nope, that's how bad they messed up.
Now what's really weird is that is that all of these companies work together. Whether is be parts, OSes, Music or technology in general.
My personal bests, I prefer Apple computers, iPods, Xbox 360s and Sony TV's.
Gaming Consoles: Microsoft, the underdog is doing a good job of making a name for themselves (I love my 360 and loved my Xbox) in the gaming arena. Even with all of their muscle they are still number two, with Sony retaining the number 1 spot. In the current (Next Gen) battle MS has come out of the gate with an awesome showing. How does Sony respond to the lead MS is getting, they don't. They act as most monopolies do, they act as if they aren't worried about MS and pretend to not do things their competitors are doing. Some people think Sony will still win the next console war even thought MS will have had a full year head start. Which is what Sony had during the last console wars.
Operating Systems: Apple, the underdog has a fantastic OS and continues to push the envelope (most of my computers are Macs). Apple will have had the opportunity to release about 5 OS upgrades in the same space MS announced Longhorn renamed it Vista and delayed it until 2007. In the OS market MS is the monopoly they behave the same way Sony behaves in the console market. There Vista OS will come out with many of the features Mac users have been using for years. The same goes for the next Sony console, Sony will come out with feature that Xbox users have been using for years.
Music Players: This would be Apple's monopoly, I think they have about the same market share in this category as Sony had in the previous consoles. So does Apple act different with their monopoly than the other companies, not really. They refuse to open their DRM for other companies and release products on their own timeline as if other companies aren't even competing. MS who has the largest share of OSes installed still can't find a way to use that power to take control of the Music market. In many ways this market should belong to Sony, but they are a monopoly in more ways than one and they were sitting on their hands. So is Sony number 2, nope, that's how bad they messed up.
Now what's really weird is that is that all of these companies work together. Whether is be parts, OSes, Music or technology in general.
My personal bests, I prefer Apple computers, iPods, Xbox 360s and Sony TV's.
My iPod Ponderings, with a dash of speculation.
March/26/2006 03:56 PM Filed in: Apple | Predictions
I think the new leather iPod cases from Apple were
really designed for an upcoming iPod, possibly the
one with the fullsize screen.
April 1st is Apple's 30th birthday (April 14th is my 35th) and I think we may see a huge product release that day.
I would like to see Apple ditch the 12" PB and come out with a 13" widescreen MacBook (not Pro) to replace all iBooks and then release a 17" MacBook Pro.
April 1st is Apple's 30th birthday (April 14th is my 35th) and I think we may see a huge product release that day.
I would like to see Apple ditch the 12" PB and come out with a 13" widescreen MacBook (not Pro) to replace all iBooks and then release a 17" MacBook Pro.
A short email from Leo Laporte
March/22/2006 02:06 PM Filed in: Articles
| TheMacJedi
PS3 and the Sony Hype Machine
March/19/2006 12:36 AM Filed in: Gaming
Sony has started hyping features of the PS3. Sony
is using the "Time heals all wounds" philosophy.
Their PS2 was a huge let down, mostly because of
the claims they made about it's power, that power
was sorely lacking in the finished product. The
Sony Hype Machine was used on the PS2 and it killed
the Sega Dreamcast. Which was a real shame.
I would love to believe them, but they haven't really come through for me. I was there, camping the night the PS2 came out, I sold it less than a year later to fund getting an Xbox. I was very happy with my Xbox. Then I got the PSP, cool for a while but no games and $15-$20 Movie prices were crazy. I sold it less than a year later to fund getting my Xbox 360.
It's funny me being a Mac guy and all that when it comes to Consoles MS is getting a lot right. I will spend money for the better product.
I'm being cautious about the Sony Hype Machine because I don't think it has ever delivered. I can't say that I'm not hopeful, because I am.
I would love to believe them, but they haven't really come through for me. I was there, camping the night the PS2 came out, I sold it less than a year later to fund getting an Xbox. I was very happy with my Xbox. Then I got the PSP, cool for a while but no games and $15-$20 Movie prices were crazy. I sold it less than a year later to fund getting my Xbox 360.
It's funny me being a Mac guy and all that when it comes to Consoles MS is getting a lot right. I will spend money for the better product.
I'm being cautious about the Sony Hype Machine because I don't think it has ever delivered. I can't say that I'm not hopeful, because I am.
American Idol, the family show.
March/17/2006 10:47 PM Filed in: Music
My online store
March/08/2006 07:22 PM Filed in: TheMacJedi
I've been working hard the last few days trying to
get my store ready with enough stuff to keep it
interesting.
Unfortunately I've also been extremely sick. My new themacjedi is almost finished and will be in the store soon.
So hopefully somewhere between my random naps and blowing my nose I can get everything ready.
Unfortunately I've also been extremely sick. My new themacjedi is almost finished and will be in the store soon.
So hopefully somewhere between my random naps and blowing my nose I can get everything ready.
Rocketboom
March/06/2006 07:28 PM Filed in: Podcasts
| TheMacJedi
