PBS | I, Cringely . Archived Column

Interesting "trojan horse" theory. Looks like a lot of players will be vying for the position of media center, doesn't it? A system that will enable you to download (legally) movies and record television broadcasts, replay them on any screen in the house or even stream them to yourself on a remote or mobile device over the internet. There's Sony with its PS3/PSX, TIVO, ReplayTV, Windows Media Center, why not Apple?

Is there room for all of them to win? Probably, although the vast majority of consumers will probably prefer something more appliance-like and sexy, so those with the best designs (Apple, Sony) may have an advantage. This will certainly put pressure on the other PC makers to improve the packaging of their PCs. No one is going to want a huge Dell box with P4-loud fan noise in their living room.