In Search of the Digital Uberdevice 176
Posted
by
CmdrTaco
from the it-could-happen dept.
from the it-could-happen dept.
Decaffeinated Jedi writes "News.com offers up an in-depth three-part article discussing the game industry's race to develop an all-in-one digital 'uberdevice' to combine gaming, television, computing, and other consumer technologies in a single box. The article looks at the past, present, and future of such trends, arguing that these developments in the world of home gaming consoles 'could have multibillion-dollar consequences for industries as diverse as computing, consumer electronics, entertainment and communications, while redefining household entertainment.' Of course, the article also concludes by noting the fact that consumers have thus far shown relatively little interest in adopting such all-in-one convergence boxes. Could constantly improving technology, the ongoing exodus of young males from primetime television, and a revitalized marketing push turn the tide, or is the search for an 'uberdevice' just hype?"
So Basically (Score:4, Informative)
Bam, TV, computer, and games(computer).
So where are my "multibillion-dollar consequences"?
I hate uber devices (Score:5, Informative)
for example, with a TV/VCR or DVD combo, if the player goes, you also lose use of the TV if you get it fixed
Also, many all in one units employ certain engineering design choices that make them much cheaper to manufacture, and much harder to repair in general, precisely due to the feed back loops between the devices. You see this especially on the cube shaped audio units, but I don't think it changes much for TV units.
even with a hi-end name on them, I can't help but think of them as junque.
I would rather have a HDTV unit with a svga plug on it, vs a combo unit.
Re:Divergent needs mean Convergence is impossible (Score:3, Informative)