Mac Mini Reborn as Media Center?

Posted on 11/29/2005 by Jonathan Greene

Apple’s Mac mini will be reborn as the digital hub centerpiece it was originally conceived to be, Think Secret sources have disclosed. The new Mac mini project, code-named Kaleidoscope, will feature an Intel processor and include both Front Row 2.0 and TiVo-like DVR functionality.

Think Secret

While just a rumor for now, this is a very exciting thing to consider as the essential pieces are in place.  I saw this possibility almost a year ago and still believe that the Mini and certainly the future Intel-based version holds a serious amount of potential for the living room.

In my quick tests of Front Row on a mini in our kitchen it’s a nice starting point.  The missing pieces are clear — DVR capabilities and developer extensibility.  Of course there is some UI tweaking to be done as well, though that type of stuff is less of an issue from stopping the roll of an Apple based media center.  As you might recall Apple hired the CEO away from ElGato to run Apple Germany, and ElGato is the current leader in both Mac-based DVR systems as well as UPnP support through their various technologies.

Apple could seriously shock the system with a solid media center product.  They possess the indisputable capabilities to make the complex simple and there is a clear need for such a thing if you look at the current space.  An integrated platform with access to premium content, TV and your own collected media, all simple to use in a system that just works… sign me up!

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  • http://www.geniecommands Martyn Ford

    What we think is a great start to the Media Center and more
    cool stuff to come.

    GenieCommands is a unique programmable software application
    that allows you to control all your applications and media via simple
    menus, in a theatre or lounge room environment. The Media Center
    is a computer like the Mac Mini combined with the Geniecommands software that
    provides an all-in-one entertainment system for your entire family.

    While attached to your television screen it allows you to enjoy your
    favorite entertainment such as; watch DVDs, record TV or pause TV,
    listen to music, share your digital photos, access the internet and more

    We have provided a complete set of demo menus to get you started,
    with links on where to download additional software. These menus
    can then be edited to suit your lifestyle or create a new one.

    GenieCommands provides a kiosk push button environment
    where users can get easier access to the best of what the industry has
    to offer in software. This is achieved through simple user defined
    graphic menus, to access all the scripts and to control almost any
    application.

    http://www.Geniecommands.com

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