Computing from the couch
In 2006, the computer industry will launch its most aggressive effort yet...
They're trying to persuade people to buy computers for putting the expanding universe of digital content into the living room.
Leading the charge are longtime PC collaborators Intel and Microsoft, both of which are promising better support for high-definition programming and an improved ability to send video, still pictures and music throughout the home and to portable gadgets.
Macintosh maker Apple is also widely expected to join the fray and, perhaps, do for entertainment computers what it did for digital music players when it unleashed the iPod in 2001.
Most companies haven't taken close enough notice of what's behind Apple's iPod success, says Rob Enderle, an analyst at the Enderle Group research firm.
"Most of the technology products being thrown at the home market aren't particularly attractive or well priced, and ease of use isn't anywhere in their description," he said. "Until that gets fixed, we're going to have some serious problems."
Such PCs - even when decked out with programs that can be controlled from a couch with a clicker - are criticised for being too complicated for consumers. People are simply tired and frustrated by computers that take too long to boot, crash, get infected by viruses and demand constant updates with security patches. Why would they want such a thing controlling their entertainment? Old set-top boxes supplied by cable and satellite TV companies may be dumb and slow but at least they're low maintenance. ...
This is going to be a interesting year in the living room. Cisco, Microsoft, Intel and Apple all doing battle.
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