Convergence

[talktooloose]

While everyone is going on about the new Apple iPhone, I'll pass because I still don't want a cell phone and I don't have or desire an iPod.

However, the new iTV is sort of interesting. I've been figuring out that in a year, instead of buying a new TV, I'd buy a big HD monitor and hook it up to a mac mini and, from there, get my TV signal (still coming from the bunny ears on my TV) through it. In fact, HD is being broadcast through the air.

I suspect that iTV will not be friendly to anything except iTunes TV and movie downloads. No thanks. That's as annoying as buying tunes on iTunes and not being able to put them on my PDA (except, of course, you can if you use Hymn).

But convergence is upon us and I will not buy a dedicated TV if I can have a big screen computer in my living room for a comparable price.

Comments

[ginalin.livejournal.com]

It seems all the tech is converging...someday all these separate things will be one thing and it'll fold up and fit in a little pouch or something.

I guess I'm watching too much Star Trek again, aren't I?

[talktooloose.livejournal.com]

Oh no, it's clear that that aspect of Star Trek is happening right now. You'll be asking the computer to search and define, etc. wherever you are and maybe even by voice. I hope Majel Barrett is still around to have her voice sampled for that.

[ginalin.livejournal.com]

When the machines turn sentient on us and take over the world, I hope I remember how thrilled I used to be about new technology. LOL

[painglass.livejournal.com]

I am of exactly the same mindset. Infact, I have many many friends who've gone this direction of late- Giant flat panel monitors connected to a server computer where they can access their music, tv shows, movies, etc all in the comfort of their livingrooms. Woot says I!

[talktooloose.livejournal.com]

We've been watching torrents of Battlestar Galactica torrents to catch up on the show and we've been hauling the iMac into the livingroom to watch. With the computer there, Snake will start playing Civilization in the livingroom and we'll play music out of iTunes. It's clear that having a computer in the center of the entertainment room makes sense.

[painglass.livejournal.com]

Now THAT is modernity my friend!

[lux-apollo.livejournal.com]

Well, it had to happen some time.

That being said, I still don't have a cell phone or iPod either. Nor plan on getting one. Woot for insisting on being anachronistic for the sake of sanity and counterculture!

[talktooloose.livejournal.com]

I don't consider myself anachronistic for some kind of indy cred. I love technology but before I purchase, I make sure it's going to improve the quality of my life and be worth the money.

I have a great computer with high-speed access, professional software wherever possible, a good PDA, a digital camera, a high-end digital patch bay for instruments, a good quality video digitizer. But no cell phone, no cable or satellite TV, no car.

[lux-apollo.livejournal.com]

I don't see how having a cell phone or an iPod leads to indy cred, but... *shrugs*

Having an iPod five years ago? Sure. But not nowadays. Now you are just a pop culture whore if you buy one.

Perhaps the feeling of being anachronistic is an age thing. At least 4 of every 5 people I know between age 20 and 25 have a cell, and many of them seem to think it's weird that I don't have one myself.

[nekidwhiteboy.livejournal.com]

Dude, fuck the bunny ears; you can find a bittorrent for nearbout any TV show you want on TVrss.net these days. Everything I've found on there so far has been available in HD or better.

I just got the entire first season of Dexter, which I really like so far.

[talktooloose.livejournal.com]

I download a fair number of TV torrents (and comic book torrents, and ebook torrents). I am happy to do it all "legally" whenever that's easy. I wouldn't bother pirating at all if I legal sources were easy to access and appropriately cheap. I would say $1/hr would be reasonable. I don't think it's unfair that we pay for our entertainment; but the entertainment industry is so corrupt and evil that I have no problem sticking it to them when they don't make it easy or reasonably priced.