Christine; Such a box would siphon off business, as it would need no drive OS, just handle files, and if you kept the history on the server, there would be no need to have a local drive. You would need to allow long term cache with a limit, so that after an item had been cached for 30 days you are prompted to delete it, or save to permanent(with limits). Or you could print it locally. The addition of a word processor to a browser model would suffice for 90% of web users. The others that download files etc need more.
Such a box would deny homes to many Wintel boxes, and they could be mad for $200, plus monitor(TV)
Gates knows this, and is ready to make software for an appliance like it. The stripped down windows for small systems can be loaded into ROMS for these units, and sell for $20-30. The memory will be cheap, and the only other thing needed is battery backed up static Ram of some size to keep you current, and load your startup stuff.
Insiders sense the peak is here, and are exiting to get into a cash position for at least a part of their holdings.
The new fiber cable systems will allow this to be a very fast and easy hookin. The 'roadrunner' cable box will act as a network node and can run a number of WIntels/?? into the web. I also feel the cable cos will use a smart box like this for decoding, billing, etc, as the CPU will have the power for all these tasks, and the bandwidth to download the aps is easy at 10 MBS. They will be stripped windows boxes, or not Windows at all, that is whay Gates bought into cable, to get his operating system in there at the start, so the standard effect would apply, and there he would be with another huge market, all his.
Bears watching..
Bill |
