As soon as Apple starts adding features, like DVR, the computer becomes less of the digital hub. Apple would prefer you use a product like the DVR provided by El Gato to record the content onto your computer, and then access it using Apple TV.

I agree that Apple respond to customer wishes, but only in cases where it makes business sense. I think Apple would add a DVR to Apple TV if it made business sense and customers really wanted it. Here, however, it goes counter to its long terms goal of making the computer the digital hub. It also would further piss off Hollywood companies, which already do not really like Apple, and in turn could pull music, video, and movie content from iTunes. Regardless, of customer wishes, I just do not see it making business sense.

I don’t think that comparison holds water due to the differences in the times in which the devices were released. When the iPod came out there was no system in place for people to purchase content online and download it. MP3s were a necessary part of the iPod to make it successful, and to help create an ecosystem for online purchases.

And we may be Apple’s customers, but we’ve been demanding lots of the thing often and loudly (non DRMed tracks in iTunes for example) and I’m pretty damn sure we don’t have that. Why? Because the studios won’t allow it.

Apple may get us a better deal than most other online stores, and Jobs and Co. may be able to throw around some weight because of iTunes success, but as long as the studio system exists, and they are the ones producing the content, they will ultimately have more weight in the development of these products than we do…why?

Because if they leave…we stop buying. Until that changes, and there is enough Independent content out there to make an AppleTV a viable purchase for the average users, the studios will be able to put their foot down on certain issues. I feel that DVR is one of those.

In other words, your argument has already been proven wrong in other areas. What makes you think it applies in this area?

Apple’s customers are us, not Hollywood. If we demand DVR on the Apple TV often enough and loudly enough, you can be damn sure we will have it.

Also … have you ever seen how *heavily* most DVRs compress TV content? Trust me it’s about 10 times more compressed than a typical DVD or HD-DVD/Blu-ray stream. 30GB isn’t a lot but it isn’t as little as you’re saying, either.

By the chance, Apple just changed the web site for AppleTV ordering:
From “ship by mid-march” to “Ships: 3-5 business days”. It means Apple will release AppleTV tomorrow…

Hmmm… I’m guessing that Apple is helping Miglia create a “Made for Apple TV” recording device that sits beneath the Apple TV unit. Apple likely recognizes that a lot of people want a living room media device that records, but may not be able to create one without upsetting the TV networks and movie companies that it’s courting for content. So, instead, Apple quietly provides the information that Miglia needs to tightly integrate a recording device with iTunes. It could be the beginning of a new third-party ecosystem – one that Apple hopes will take off like the one that surrounds the iPod. Just a thought.

I think Steve Jobs is trying to kill FM with the iPod and NTSC with the AppleTV. CDs and DVRs feed Apple hardware, so they can live a while longer.

Soon, everything will be delivered via IPv6.

The iPhone is the trojan horse for VOIP.

Cable TV, Broadcast TV, Satellite TV, AM/FM/XM/Serius, GSM, EDGE, and the 3G networks… are all left out of Apple’s plans. Google and it’s city-wide WiFi efforts are in Apple’s back pocket, and vice versa.

The point of iTunes is to sell music and video for iPods. Now that is expanding to AppleTV and iPhones as well.

iTunes Movies & TV Shows sales are to “prove” that AppleTV won’t be filled with P2P movies and tv shows.

Apple is a hardware company. Everything they do in the software arena is to sell more hardware.

The iTunes store is a break-even business.

They won’t even accept money for prime placement on the main page. Only people who give customers extra stuff (Bonus tracks, booklets, etc.) get on the front page.

It’s a tool to sell hardware.