JP, re:"It's just a seasonal thing, what do those two jokers know."
My sense is they're talking about a redefinition of the PC for the internet.
When you say "PC" most of us think of a Wintel box, with all the bells and whistles.
But by definition a set-top appliance, (ala WebTV), is a PC. It has a CPU, OS, memory, I/O, and application software. (Even cheap HD's are becoming an option).
Considering less than 4% of W/W population has access to the net, and billions can't afford a Wintel box, there appears to be a new initiative by major company's, (including Microsoft), to develop set-top devices or other appliances suitable and affordable by this large segment. China, for one, seems to be a target segment for these devices.
These boxes will require a cheap risc processor, (like Intel's StrongArm?). Many chip company's are developing integrated systems on a chip aimed directly at this market.
I'm reminded of a quote I read recently by, (I think), the CEO of AOL,
Paraphrasing, "People in silicon Valley think the world wants all their high tech. Normal people don't lust after technology."
All a lot of people want is a cheap, simple, easy to use box that get's them on the net. Wintel boxes are not cheap, (relatively), simple or easy to use.
Maybe that's what Platt and Gerstner are referring to. |
