Apple convergence
Until today I really didn’t have much affinity for Apple, other than for Jobs himself. I thought that my coworkers spent too much on their boxes, I didn’t like the hype, and I thought the graphics on my PC were just fine anyhow. I have never used a Mac or studied much about it, just press releases and hype.
Now I finally realize that Jobs has positioned Apple to be the preferred technology provider for the future of technology, a nice positon. For me “convergence” is the future of technology. Jobs’ strategy will disintermediate dozens of large wannabe leaders.
The exciting part is how their strategy comes together. First of all there is the PC or Mac which can download any multimedia, including anything made by any consumer in the world, just minutes after it’s produced, or streamed realtime if necessary - a bunch of ones and zeros over fiber or wireless, direct to your PC. Each piece of content is easily indexed on your own PC and online, given appropriate tagging.
Next Apple created the iPod, which is merely a hard drive and its display, with full multimedia capacity and an easy user interface. This is an obvious and extremely popular invention.
Next Apple is creating the iPhone. Given we bought Phone.com to do some similar things (before them) I am obviously a big believer and promoter of VOIP telecom, which is naturally convergent with many other Internet connected apps, and soon with our RFID and biometrics too.
Next Apple announced the iTV, an obvious product to go within their array. This is when I realized how it all came together and how far ahead they really are. The beauty of this strategy is that in the future the TV, Phone, iPod, and PC can be almost indistinguishable, other than the ala carte features chosen, and the display size and placement.
The iTV can easily wirelessly beam the very same content to the iPhone which can also beam the same content to any enabled device. That same content can be viewed on the TV, Phone, iPod, and PC screens respectively. It’s all interchangeable and therefore convergent like it should be.
Apple also opened up the content flow by creating iTunes, an easy way for publishers to deliver bits of licensed content and collect fees. Obviously a good idea.
If it didn’t strike you yet, you should realize that they will try to open up licensed online television distribution too, another thing Im a huge fan of. In other words you will log in and download the shows you want easily and legally.
iTunes, iTV, and others will continue to leverage the opportunity to fill technology applications with uploaded user controlled content like YouTube.
Apple will also make all applications user-friendly I’m sure and allow most of the content pieces to be easily managed and altered, be they TV shows, phone calls,or rock concerts.
This is why I am suddenly a fan of Apple and maybe I should review their stock despite my disdain for Wall Street listed companies. LMK what I’m missing. Peace.