Apple TV as "Home Server"

[Ashley Aitken]

On 13/02/2007, at 1:25 AM, Scott Stevenson wrote:

> On Feb 12, 2007, at 9:10 AM, Ashley Aitken wrote:
>
>>> I think there's room for something like this, but probably not in  
>>> Apple TV. It would make it too complicated.
>>
>> I agree and disagree ;-)
>>
>> What's complicated about iTunes, iPhoto, iCal Server, Address Book  
>> Server ... running on your Apple TV without any configuration and  
>> just appearing automagically in iTunes, iPhoto, iCal, Address Book  
>> running on any other Mac on the LAN?
>
> Personally, I don't think iCal and Address Book are sufficiently  
> related to media to put them in the same appliance, but that's just  
> me. I think it would make sense for a general "home server"  
> computer, but not for Apple TV.

Ok I understand but I was considering if the Apple TV (media  
appliance) could *evolve* into a media server and then more ... but  
still as an appliance.

The actual steps of the evolution would be small and I'm not sure  
what services would be included, I was just listing a lot off the top  
of my head ...

>> As I mentioned it is almost there already (since the apps run in  
>> peer-to-peer mode).
>> [...]
>> I agree, but I'm not sure these services (under home use) would  
>> put a drain on the CPU, graphics chip or network.
>
> It's not so much performance as it is more "stuff" means a lss  
> predictable environment is. On paper, it shouldn't matter. In  
> practice, I think you only want the minimum number of services  
> running to provide the essential functionality.
>
> Also, it's not just a matter of whether the software can handle it.  
> You can put too many features in a device, even if the features are  
> easy to use. Consumers want to be able to wrap their heads around  
> an appliance -- to understand the limits.
>
> In other words, there needs to be a clear distinction between Apple  
> TV and any other Apple product, otherwise people don't know which  
> to choose so they buy nothing.

Yes, like the iPod only plays music, displays photos, shows your  
address book and notes, and now plays TV shows and movies and has  
more substantial games.  ;-)

Cheers,
Ashley.