AnchorDesk executive editor David Coursey said that Apple is the only company out there with the skills needed to make “the next big thing” in home computing. His comments come in a new ZDNet AnchorDesk editorial entitled Mac, Unix make Apple tops for next-gen home machine.
Although he has previously described his vision of this next big thing as a home computing architecture that has grown up from a video game console, Coursey now says that’s not what he meant. In fact, Coursey’s idea sounds much like an extension of what Apple’s already trying to do with its concept of the Mac as the hub of the digital lifestyle.
“The next big thing won’t be a single item, though I’ve already described it as a game console that takes over the home. People are looking for ways to improve entertainment and communications, perhaps bringing things like computing and home automation along for the ride. This will likely require multiple devices, from multiple vendors, all working together,” said Coursey.
The cornerstone to this new strategy, according to Coursey, could be Apple’s efforts with Mac OS X. The combination of its Unix underpinnings and Mac OS look and feel make it “a truly great operating system,” according to Coursey.
Coursey suggested that Apple’s own experience with home networking via AirPort and its previous efforts building consumer-friendly devices and media delivery systems make it the best qualified — albeit not the most likely — company to challenge efforts like Microsoft’s UltimateTV product.
“This is the barest beginnings of a concept. It’s not something I am willing to bet very much money on, yet it’s something I am certain will happen in some form at some time. The pieces are quite together to make this a reality today, but if Apple (or some other company) took on the challenge, the technology should come together about the time it’s needed,” said Coursey.