Thursday 7-Dec-2006 10:19 AM That Apple will forge a path into the videogame console hardware scene is a "distinct possibility", reckons Prudential analyst Jesse Tortora
"We think the videogame market represents a distinct possibility for Apple, especially considering that it recently announced the availability of videogames for its iPod through its iTunes store," Tortora has stated according to a reports.
Speaking further, Tortora opined that an Apple home console "could be morphed out of some combination of the MacMini and iTV", while a handheld rival to PSP and DS "could be developed as an enhancement for a future version of the widescreen iPod".
It appears that Tortora additionally reckons that a move into the videogame hardware scene could be a defensive and/or protective action for Apple and its position in the home entertainment market, particularly with the likes of Microsoft's Video Marketplace recently launching - which allows Xbox 360 owners to download TV shows and movies.
"...Microsoft is already aggressively wooing the movie studios. This could adversely impact Apple's iTunes Movie download business longer-term, along with its iTV and video iPod sales."
It's speculation, albeit informed, but what say you? What would your reaction be to an announcement from Apple that it was movie into videogame hardware? Do you think the popularity of iPod would guarantee it instant success?
I think it's rather interesting...and yes a very definite possibility Id like to see the whole i-MAC and i-POD 'cool'(british design) ,being transposed to a console... who knows
There's already a problem though - Apple always sees fit to ship computers with 2 year old mid-range graphics cards.. hence the lack of games on the Mac.
Of course it's possible (anything is possible) but very unlikely IMO. Apple would have too much to loose by getting into the already over populated console market, and to be honest I just don't see any evidence that they are that interested in doing so anyway. Games on the iPod is one thing (or multimedia iPhone, should that see the light of day), but a full blown console competing with Sony, Microsoft, and Nintendo...? Eight out of ten cats say not on your nelly.
Apple'd be stupid if they did. MS's sales of the 360 are way down on what they expected (something like 6.5 million rather than the expected 10 million in the first year) so the market just isn't big enough for a fourth manufacturer.
All I have to say is Pippin, that ill fated machine by Apple a few years ago....Saying that though, I can imagine Apple trying to enter the market with a machine and I personally would like to see it happen as I love games full stop and I am not manufacurer biased.
Apple maybe looking at other avenues for the future as their business (ipod/iTunes)is now under heavy threat from formidable competition with bigger pockets. Maybe its not a games console directly but possibly a move into software development who knows...it will be interesting though.
One things for sure though, if they did make a console it would definately have the sexiness factor, that we can be sure of....
Of course this is just some analyst doing what analysts do best; spouting crap. Having said that, there has been a lot of talk regarding some sort of set-top-box coming from Apple - less of a console, more of a Wi-Fi hum/cable TV box/mini multimedia computer type thing. Such a device could potentially really shake things up in the market for devices that connect to your TV and seems much more likely then a pure gaming machine. But then again Apple would be nothing if it wasn't for the rampant rumour mill that surrounds it so your guess is as good as mine.
Apple console though; I just don't see it happening.
So if this turns out to be true, we can expect the new Games-Pod console from apple, to be download only, come with too small a hardrive to store everything on, fancy OS, a wheel controller with one button, and the ability to break right after the warrenty runs out, also you get the ability to connect it to an ipod, iphone and share media bought on itunes in all 3. All yours for well over the price of the PS3, remember only to be played when drinking fancy coffee and pretending to be young, free and hip, while multi colour backgrounds flash behind you.
Were there not posts of a simmilar nature when rumours Microsoft were going to join the party?
If apple were to do it, fair play to them. Wonder what Bungie would think?
Its probably unlikely to happen though, Apples largest revenue is from the I-Pod. I think they would be somewhat mad, to trade in the profit for the design and manufacture of a console.
Still.....other developers tried it. Commodores GS, Amstrads GX4000, Atari went console, computer, console. They wouldnt be the first, so its not ridiculous for some analyst to dream it up.
Thats what they are paid for....though god knows why.
I find apple fairly interesting but they always try their hardest to be too different. I think they have release some of the most well designed pieces of hardware ever - but they have also made the worst.
Items that spring to mind:
- Puck mouse. That pathetic round thing. - Imac keyboard, very difficult to pick up and use without 3 months training and constant looking down. - Single button mouse...
I say no more. The 'iPlay' would be nothing more that a big ipod with smaller ipods connected as controllers.
If anything...I reckon Apple would do more of a games friendly Powermac than an actual games-only style console. Maybe similar to Alienware's gaming computers or Dell's XPS series...but as we would expect from Apple, it would be tightly marketed and designed towards the purpose of the machine (ie: in this case gaming).
For example, iMacs and iBooks were marketed and designed for regular home users - fairly successful considering the number of new Apple users it drew in (despite not being able to overtake the PC clientele, it did considerably well). Or the Powermacs and Powerbooks geared towards power users; graphics professionals, photographers, designers, etc - extremely successful as it is such a widely used platform for such industries.
I think a new line of computers geared specifically towards gamers could/would work more favorably than a console solely for gaming. Of course, this will mean that they will need to woo game publishers and studios to produce Mac versions of games - but this, I imagine, would be much easier than convincing game producers to prepare their products for a completely new platform.
(Though admittedly, I wouldn't know exactly what extent of extra work would be required to port PC games to Mac, as opposed to programming for a completely new console)
Microsoft beat Apple to the punch as an ex-PC hardware manufacturer becoming a major console seller but you can't write anyone off in the long term. Who would have thought that, after Panasonic's unsuccessful attempt to enter the videogame industry that Sony, who had only been asked by Nintendo to make an add on for the SNES, would become the biggest console seller of the following generation?
Jesus! Were talking about a manufacturer that still refuses to sell it's computers with a one button mouse. I wouldn't touch an Apple console with a s**tty stick; I'm sure media & creative types will love it though.....
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