Apple and Sony in bed?

[bobbler]

With much talk of Xbox 360 having snazzy dashboard/media player, it seems Sony has some plans of its own -- involving Apple.

Sony and Apple in Cahoots (Thanks Ars) (http://arstechnica.com/journals/apple.ars/2005/5/14/305)

Acording to a poster on the PS3Forums and a little research from The Mac Daily News Sony and Apple might be working together on iPod integration and an iTunes solution for the PS3. Apparently Apple might also be helping Sony with the UI design. The Mac Daily News goes even further by citing a Merrill Lynch analyst who says "Apple and Sony could be working on some big things", and Steve Jobs' comments from the last MacWorld Expo.

I for one love iTunes layout and features -- seems this next gen will add all kinds of extra features to the consoles.

[Blue]

As a Mac-only user..... /drools

I'll be interested to see where this goes. I love the interface that Apple uses and so I'm really looking forward to seeing how they could possibly apply that same kinda of design onto the next-gen Playstation. And, if it's iTunes in nature also, I wonder if the PS3 will have a similar set-up as the Xbox to where you can upload your own music soundtrack for games or if you can transfer files from the PS3 over to a PSP. Apple (generally) has a pretty easy-to-use system about it so I'm hoping Sony follows suit with whatever it is they plan to do.

[Kelegacy]

Jobs helping Sony out? Hehe. Touche.

[Sazime]

That would be nice. Maybe make the PS3 into something more people would be interested in making a part of their entertainment center. And maybe, custom playlists? I can only hope.

[thecrazyd]

Generic Mac gaming joke.

[kizke]

Generic broken PS2 multimedia promises joke.

[Hieremias]

Generic overpriced IPod joke.

[mister_slim]

I hope AppleStyle wins out over SonyStyle. Of course, I do own an Xbox, so I don't care about style that much.

[cppcrusader]

I'm gonna call BS on the ipod integration. Why would they do that when one of the biggest things they push with their handheld is that it plays music and video?

[tvgm2]

I for one love iTunes layout and features -- seems this next gen will add all kinds of extra features to the consoles.

To paraphrase Bill Lumburgh:

Is this good for the gaming world?

I mean it certainly is nice that my PS2 can play DVDs if need be, but how far is too far? I like computer games better because I can multitask and do other things and just flip back. But I've noticed that I'm starting to develope a small dose of ADD because of it. If every console can do everything, what's the point? It won't be gaming, it'll be something different.

[bobbler]

The PSP is not direct competition with iPod, regardless of who says so, even Sony knows this. The PSP is a gaming system first and foremost. In addition, there are times when companies realize that if they sacrifice one part they can succeed (and make up for it) in another place. Microsoft, for example, does this a lot with its OS/software, many companies do. This type of thing wouldn't be unheard of.


Now whether this iPod/iTunes integration is true is still up in the air... I think everyone can agree it would be a pretty nice addition.

[bobbler]

To paraphrase Bill Lumburgh:

Is this good for the gaming world?

I mean it certainly is nice that my PS2 can play DVDs if need be, but how far is too far? I like computer games better because I can multitask and do other things and just flip back. But I've noticed that I'm starting to develope a small dose of ADD because of it. If every console can do everything, what's the point? It won't be gaming, it'll be something different.


Isn't that, seemingly, the point of this generation, though?

You seem to forget the Xbox360 is already doing this. If Sony and Nintendo don't do something like this, they'll end up looking inferior product wise (its part of why backwards compatibility is a bigger issue than it should be, its a feature to tack on the back of box).

[Pumped'Up]

apple has it almost perfect with their ipod 60gb color model. all it needs to do is support divx and dvd playback. sony missed the boat on that one with the meager psp.

[tvgm2]

Isn't that, seemingly, the point of this generation, though?

You seem to forget the Xbox360 is already doing this. If Sony and Nintendo don't do something like this, they'll end up looking inferior product wise (its part of why backwards compatibility is a bigger issue than it should be, its a feature to tack on the back of box).

This is why I do not like gaming become "mainstream." Now what happens when products go mainstream; greed and aggression start to make themselves even more apparent. You have companies merging to take on other companies merging. Making good and innovative games takes a backseat to turning a profit or copying the fad of the week.

It just sets itself up for a market downfall that will mimic the crash in the mid-80's, only this one will be a fuckton bigger.

[Draft]

I'm labeling this one like I labeled the nintendo online thing: fanboy wet dream. If it is true, then holy shit, that's some team up.

[Loganrapp]

This is why I do not like gaming become "mainstream." Now what happens when products go mainstream; greed and aggression start to make themselves even more apparent. You have companies merging to take on other companies merging. Making good and innovative games takes a backseat to turning a profit or copying the fad of the week.

It just sets itself up for a market downfall that will mimic the crash in the mid-80's, only this one will be a fuckton bigger.

Don't fool yourself - the innovators of gaming were looking to turn a profit, too.

This is going to be a generation of experimentation. Some features will work with the general public, some will not.

You will see issues like this crop up with all the integration: http://penny-arcade.com/view.php3?date=2005-03-14

And when that happens, they'll go, "well, that didn't work," and try something new.

[Rirath]

Now whether this iPod/iTunes integration is true is still up in the air... I think everyone can agree it would be a pretty nice addition.

Well, I have to disagree. I, for one, am not an Apple / iPod / iTunes fan.
Personally, it adds absolutely nothing of value for me. Not that it matters. :)

[Stryfe01]

I have my doubts. For one..Why would sony abandon it's new "mp3 players" ? They just released their gigital walkman only months ago. In direct reaction to how well Apple has done with the Ipod. As a matter of fact apple's Ipod and Sony's lack of a credible mp3 player\music service, is part of what prompted this whole restructuring at Sony HQ.

[Dirty Harry]

Don't fool yourself - the innovators of gaming were looking to turn a profit, too.

I'm going to give you a little company slogan that is no longer in busines but they produced some of the best games ever designed.

"Interplay- By Gamers For Gamers"

[ElectricMonk]

shows how much you know about interplay. pretty much all of the amazing studios it had that it bankrupted were because it was trying to offload massive debts through creative accounting. their slogan couldn't have been more hypocritical.

but anyway i think that this could be good news for sony + apple. apple certainly knows ui and hardware design. they may be overpriced by damn if they don't look the coolest.

[Chris_D]

Wasn't the 360 going to support ipod integration (although perhaps not with the familiar ITunes L&F) or did I imagine that?

[Dirty Harry]

shows how much you know about interplay. pretty much all of the amazing studios it had that it bankrupted were because it was trying to offload massive debts through creative accounting. their slogan couldn't have been more hypocritical.

but anyway i think that this could be good news for sony + apple. apple certainly knows ui and hardware design. they may be overpriced by damn if they don't look the coolest.
Well to be honest, asides from the games that they produce and some the interviews of said game makers, that is all my knowledge consists of. I was merely pointing out that interplay had many titles that were very unique for their time. While not being finacial geniuses, yes i would assume in the later time of their demise they would scheme to generate more money by milking licenses and releasing games purely for the finacial aspect.

[Borys]

Fakezor.

Just one more day people!

[Furious Wang]

This is bogus. Sony is going with PSP integration. If they wanted MP3 only player integration they'd make their own product and probably try to push ATrac one more time.

Besides, Microsoft owns a good share of Apple still and I imagine strings would be pulled.

[d0g_p00p]

apple has it almost perfect with their ipod 60gb color model. all it needs to do is support divx and dvd playback. sony missed the boat on that one with the meager psp.

The stupid is strong with this one.

[Vandenh]

Sounds like bogus to me. iPod is one of the greatest enemies of Sony. They desperatly want to get rid of the iPod ASAP and sell their own mp3 players. If this is true... Sony is baically admitting defeat in the mp3 player market. This market might be even bigger than the console market in the future... so I guess it is a bit unlikely.
Also remember that 360 connects to portable music players... noboday said iPod was not supported. It probably is... MS has no real problem with Apple and the iPod (they do have a problem with iTUnes of course) so they might support it.

[Varsity]

Just because they were once opponents doesn't mean they haven't realised infighting is worthless faced with the power of Microsoft.

[bapenguin]

no way, Sony has a hard enough time selling their MP3 players. I don't see them just "giving that up"

[Heretic Machine]

Why would Apple help it's competitor? Why would Sony integrate Apple's music service when they have their own, which is in direct competition with iTunes? Why would Apple go with Sony when they helped build the XBOX 360?

I'm calling bullshit.

[Blue]

apple has it almost perfect with their ipod 60gb color model. all it needs to do is support divx and dvd playback. sony missed the boat on that one with the meager psp.

The stupid is strong with this one.

Why is what Pumped'Up said stupid? Way to make a post without backing up your attack.

[Thenetcase]

When are the so-called "next gen" consoles going to start giving us stuff that's actually innovative? Why would I want a console that does the same stupid things as a PC? I want a console to play games on and possibly watch movies on and that's frigging ALL.

Now give me a console with a built-in hardware physics engine, 7.1 surround sound, a direct monitor DVI connection and an incredibly updated graphics engine... Then I shall be impressed and happy. I shall NOT be impressed NOR happy to see a console running some (nice as it may be) stupid piece of crap software like iTunes that my PC CAN RUN BETTER AND FASTER!!!!

Now give me something that's truly Next Generation, or go the heck away.

-TNC-

[Balthasar]

Why would Apple help it's competitor? Why would Sony integrate Apple's music service when they have their own, which is in direct competition with iTunes? Why would Apple go with Sony when they helped build the XBOX 360?

I'm calling bullshit.

When did Apple help build the XBox 360?

[Balthasar]

This is why I do not like gaming become "mainstream." Now what happens when products go mainstream; greed and aggression start to make themselves even more apparent. You have companies merging to take on other companies merging. Making good and innovative games takes a backseat to turning a profit or copying the fad of the week.

More apparent. You should note that mergers have been going on in the videogame world long before it became mainstream (I am of the opinion it began around the Atari, but I am sure you are refering to something much later).

It just sets itself up for a market downfall that will mimic the crash in the mid-80's, only this one will be a fuckton bigger.

Now you're just talking out of your ass. First off, it was more of a correction than a crash. Second of all, how is the videogame industry going to imbalance the U.S.'s economy so drastically to set of a correction or a crash? Time to settle down, fella.

[d0g_p00p]

Why is what Pumped'Up said stupid? Way to make a post without backing up your attack.

What is so "almost perfect" about the ipod color?

1. so so audio quality
2. least amount of features
3. high cost
4. iTunes? not all of us like that
5. no codec support

on and on. Yes, let's add DivX and DVD so I can watch movies on my tiny little screen.

I wont even bother with the "meager PSP" comment.

:roll eyes:

[Thenetcase]

Let's see.. gaming makes up around ... barely over 1% of the nations market today. Sure, entertainment in general is much higher than that.. but the fact is that there are a LOT of people out there keeping this country running who aren't gamers (who usually pirate stuff anyway).

Wow. I'm scared for the economy and all that post-apocaliptic stuff like that coming true just from someone making a bad move in the gaming "industry".

[bobbler]

Heh, if the crash of an entertainment market happens, there would most likely be much bigger problems in the country to worry about.

Additionatlly, I don't think he meant crash as in a full economy crash, the original person said crash in the 1980s, which was the video game market crash -- Video game sales almost came to a halt around 1980, until the NES came out.