Oh... I had little doubt that production samples were being built. I believe that's why the $4.5 million was raised... to get the production lines in gear.
And they didn't raise more $$$ than they needed at these low prices because they need to prime the pump through production samples, which should give us the exposure we need out there in the marketplace.
I've always believed educational avenues were important to the proliferation of set-top boxes. Community centers and libraries also provide important points of access. Distance learning centers are also potential markets, and cyber-cafes as well... But they have to be producing these boxes and generate some reoccuring revenue, even if not yet at a profit. And I'm not under the impression that these boxes are being given away to these schools.
I wouldn't call this insignificant, folks.. We have the "education" president in office, some of his closest staffers working for the accelerator company that is assisting MUCP, and EMG in the DC hunting down nationwide opportunities similar to the one in Plano and the UK.
That DHCP capability on these boxes, imo, makes a SUBSTANTIAL difference in easing configuration issues via broadband. You can take these boxes and hook them up to Linksys home routers ($99) through home cable modem systems, or they can dial up directly via phone line, directly into the school computer system (watch that data security folks.. :0)
Sure, I would like to see these boxes replacing Scientific Atlanta or the other folks... but we have to crawl a bit more before we get up and walk.
But don't underestimate the "incentive" MSFT has in providing their own .02 worth since it means another market for WindowsCE and pushing their market brand to an even younger audience.
Hawk |
