The analysts are finally confirming what we’ve known all along. Apple TV isn’t a big deal. Market research firm Forrester reports that they estimate Apple will be lucky to sell 800,000 units by the end of this year, or 200,000 short of Forrester’s 1 million unit estimation. So do they blame the marketing? No, plenty of internet-using adults know about the product (around 50%), but only 5% of those people know what it does.
What’s the problem? Forrester actually blames iTunes video for failing the hardware. A software platform that hasn’t taken over at the level of music, Forrester thinks that you have to get the consumers watching iTunes movies before Apple can sell the hardware intended to streamline their playback.
I think that the device is just too niche in a consumer’s entertainment workflow to swallow. “So wait, I have to buy this just to watch my movie on [...]
Original post by Mark Wilson
It looks like Kotaku’s word on a new AIBO was fairly solid, because a new [still rumor] from Stuff talks about an AIBO PS (or AIBO PlayStation as we read that). Controlled through a PS3, the AIBO PS will appear as an avatar on the PS3 XMB (menu system). Personalities will be downloadable off PSN and…wow, it just gets better (along with the mega-sized scan):
The Wi-Fi capable AIBO PS will be completely controllable through a PSP or PS3. Plus, when in security mode, the AIBO PS will be able to awaken itself when sensing sound or motion and ping your email. Your PSP could then interface with its camera and stream the signal real time. Oh, the little guy will be able to climb stairs with the best of em.
Stuff puts the probability rating at around 53%. So whether it’s pure speculation or from a hot tipster, we don’t [...]
Original post by Mark Wilson
newVideoPlayer(“killerrobotcgi_gizmodo.flv”, 475, 306);The Robotex AH is a robotic killing machine. Standing just 2 feet tall and traveling 10mph, the Robotex can go up stairs and then shoot a 10-inch hole through a steel door from a quarter mile away. And most days, that’s enough to make us crap our pants. But what’s even more interesting/scary is that this concept video was produced by ex (or rogue?) Disney Imagineer Terry Izumi.
Shooting up to 300 rounds per minute and undeterred by nasty, uneven terrain, Robotex hopes to sell their…Robotex…for $30,000 per unit to the government. And if this concept video proves in any way accurate…let’s just say I’ll never look at Micky Mouse the same way again. [fortune via inventorspot]
Original post by Mark Wilson