![](http://investorshub.advfn.com/images/default_ih_profile2_4848.jpg?cb=0)
Thursday, December 02, 2004 7:08:07 AM
Courtesy The Register.
===============================
Merrill Lynch looks to 'killer' Apple home media server
By Tony Smith
Published Wednesday 1st December 2004 13:01 GMT
Apple's next "killer" product could be a home entertainment system, investment house Merrill Lynch has claimed.
In a report issued to investors earlier this week, the company announces its belief that it's just too early in the game to forecast a winner on the digital living room fight. However, one thing of which ML is certain, it's not going to a PC.
"It's premature to know which (if any) device will become the centrepiece of the digital family room of the future," the firm said. "Still, we doubt that PCs - even Media Center PCs - will win because they are too complex and unstable. It strikes us as more likely that either (1) the game console will move up market to become the leading device or (2) a new system we dub the entertainment server will be created."
That's not to rule Microsoft out of the game, however. "We see a window of opportunity for Microsoft if it can introduce Xbox 2 mid-next year and have the holiday season to itself before Sony's PS3 hits the market," ML said.
"If the PC loses out to the game console or entertainment server, there will be winners and losers," it added, nominating Apple among the former category if it builds on the success of the iPod with a server system.
"A 200GB Apple server at a reasonable price and possibly with PVR technology could be Apple's next category killer," the firm said.
Apple is certainly edging in that direction. Its AirPort Express product, for example, allows a wireless enabled Mac or PC to serve music around the home. But it's a cross-platform product and doesn't specifically set the iMac at the centre of the home. There's the issue of the missing remote control, for starters - you need to control what's played from the server - and Apple doesn't yet offer the PVR system ML mentions.
But Apple's Xserve shows that the company can design slimline systems the could easily be adapted to provide the kind of consumer-oriented entertainment rig ML is talking about. And the mysterious 'handheld computer' appliance the company patented earlier this year may indicate Apple's interest in the networked home.
ML this week raised its forecast for Apple's financial performance in the current quarter, the Mac maker's first of fiscal 2005. It said it expects the company to ship 4m iPods in the three months to 31 December, up from its previous forecast of 3.5m units. For the fiscal year as a whole, ML reckons Apple will ship 12.9m iPods, 20.6 per cent higher than its previous FY2005 forecast of 10.7m units.
Part of that will come from the Flash-based iPod ML and other investment houses are now claiming Apple will offer early in calendar 2005. ®
http://www.theregister.com/2004/12/01/apple_digital_appliance/
============================
Nothing will be as big as desktops, but it's not all about Intel anymore. Big market later this decade. Rambus is in the game with Sony, so far.
Sure would be something if Ms. Holt could sell Mr. Jobs on the wonders of Rambus IP.
Just my opinion.
Threejack
Recent RMBS News
- Rambus to Announce Second Quarter Fiscal Year 2024 Results • Business Wire • 07/08/2024 08:05:00 PM
- Rambus to Present at Upcoming Investor Conferences • Business Wire • 05/14/2024 10:27:00 PM
- Form 4 - Statement of changes in beneficial ownership of securities • Edgar (US Regulatory) • 05/08/2024 08:22:28 PM
- Form 144 - Report of proposed sale of securities • Edgar (US Regulatory) • 05/08/2024 08:14:17 PM
- Form 144 - Report of proposed sale of securities • Edgar (US Regulatory) • 05/07/2024 08:52:09 PM
- Rambus Reports First Quarter 2024 Financial Results • Business Wire • 04/29/2024 08:05:00 PM
- Rambus Expands Chipset for Advanced Data Center Memory Modules with DDR5 Server PMICs • Business Wire • 04/29/2024 08:02:00 PM
- U.S. Futures Rise in Pre-Market Trading Amid Key Federal Reserve Meeting and Earnings Week Ahead • IH Market News • 04/29/2024 11:12:54 AM
- Rambus to Announce First Quarter Fiscal Year 2024 Results • Business Wire • 04/08/2024 08:05:00 PM
- Form 144 - Report of proposed sale of securities • Edgar (US Regulatory) • 03/11/2024 08:05:25 PM
- Form ARS - Annual Report to Security Holders • Edgar (US Regulatory) • 03/08/2024 09:10:53 PM
- Form DEFA14A - Additional definitive proxy soliciting materials and Rule 14(a)(12) material • Edgar (US Regulatory) • 03/08/2024 09:05:56 PM
- Form DEF 14A - Other definitive proxy statements • Edgar (US Regulatory) • 03/08/2024 09:02:08 PM
- Form 4 - Statement of changes in beneficial ownership of securities • Edgar (US Regulatory) • 03/08/2024 06:36:31 PM
- Form 144 - Report of proposed sale of securities • Edgar (US Regulatory) • 03/07/2024 09:06:12 PM
- Form 4 - Statement of changes in beneficial ownership of securities • Edgar (US Regulatory) • 03/06/2024 06:26:59 PM
- Form 144 - Report of proposed sale of securities • Edgar (US Regulatory) • 03/05/2024 09:34:40 PM
- Form 4 - Statement of changes in beneficial ownership of securities • Edgar (US Regulatory) • 03/05/2024 05:48:21 PM
- Form 4 - Statement of changes in beneficial ownership of securities • Edgar (US Regulatory) • 03/04/2024 11:21:07 PM
- Form 144 - Report of proposed sale of securities • Edgar (US Regulatory) • 03/04/2024 09:18:52 PM
- Form 8-K - Current report • Edgar (US Regulatory) • 03/01/2024 01:55:31 PM
- Rambus Initiates Accelerated Share Repurchase Program • Business Wire • 03/01/2024 01:45:00 PM
- Form 10-K - Annual report [Section 13 and 15(d), not S-K Item 405] • Edgar (US Regulatory) • 02/23/2024 06:04:34 PM
- Form 4 - Statement of changes in beneficial ownership of securities • Edgar (US Regulatory) • 02/21/2024 07:22:15 PM
- Form 144 - Report of proposed sale of securities • Edgar (US Regulatory) • 02/20/2024 09:28:08 PM
Peer To Peer Network aka Mobicard™ Launches AI Investor Chatbot Boosting Engagement & Lead Generation on Ihub • PTOP • Jul 15, 2024 8:30 AM
Greenlite Ventures Announces AI Integration into No Limit Platforms • GRNL • Jul 15, 2024 8:00 AM
Cannabix Technologies and Omega Laboratories Inc. Provide Positive Developments on Marijuana Breathalyzer Testing • BLO • Jul 11, 2024 8:21 AM
ECGI Holdings Enhances Board with Artificial Intelligence (AI) Expert Ahead of Allon Apparel Launch • ECGI • Jul 10, 2024 8:30 AM
Avant Technologies to Meet Unmet Needs in AI Industry While Addressing Sustainability Concerns • AVAI • Jul 10, 2024 8:00 AM
Panther Minerals Inc. Launches Investor Connect AI Chatbot for Enhanced Investor Engagement and Lead Generation • PURR • Jul 9, 2024 9:00 AM