Roger Kemp's Net » Gadget Consolidation

Motorola gadget consolidation

Roger — Thu, 06 Jan 2011 08:38:24 +0000

Never tought I’d see this coming from Motorola, but Engadget has a nice little hands-on piece, showing the Motorola Atrix 4G, HD multimedia dock, and laptop dock. This is coming close to what I refer to as gadget consolidation (they, Engadget refer to it as Continues Client). They have several options, both hradware and software based. I see it as a hardware based solution, where one device will act as PC / TV / Phone / Media Center / PA etc. And Motorola is heading in the right direction. I think Apple is heading in that direction as well, but they are taking their time, ironing out the kinks to make it perfect, both on the front end (hardware and software) as the back end (infrastructure, media). And that last part is I think where Motorola is lacking (no real app or media distribution platform), while the front-end isn’t really a given yet either… Wonder what Google thinks of their implementation…

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Apple Sauce

Roger — Wed, 01 Sep 2010 18:04:14 +0000

With today’s Apple event, I’d like to come back to some of my older posts about gadget consolidation. It’s interesting to see Apple’s latest update on its hobby; Apple TV. This is a logical next step in gadget consolidation, but we’re not there yet. That will be the day when my iPhone will take care of streaming my content to my stereo and TV, without the need for another box (even if it’s this small and a cheap $99.00). But with Apple TV streaming content from a small, convenient box we’re that much closer to where I’d like media distribution to be. Can’t wait to see what Apple TV II – iOS 5 will be like.

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More developments towards gadget consolidation

Roger — Fri, 15 Jan 2010 13:48:48 +0000

A new Apple patent points towards using your iPod (and I think iPhone) as recording and playing device for TV media. Basically creating a great portable DVR. This falls nicely in line with my Gadget Consolidation thoughts. Just add streaming to the mix and we’re halfway there.

Apple Patent Shows iPods Capable Of Receiving and Recording Live TV (Gizmodo)

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New Broadcom chip allows for more gadget consolidation

Roger — Tue, 15 Dec 2009 19:03:36 +0000

More developments in line with my gadget consolidation thought. Broadcom is developing a chip that allows you to record in 1080p HD, and play it, from a phone. It will have HDMI connectivity so you can watch your recordings, or streaming HD on your dedicated screen.

Despite the boost in performance over its 720p-only predecessor, the BCM2763 actually consumes less power due to its 40 nanometer manufacturing process. Broadcom anticipates 20 to 50 percent less power draw overall and long lifetimes specific to 1080p video. It can record 4 to 6 hours of 1080p non-stop and play 8 to 10 hours directly from its own device screen; the number grows to 16 hours when outputting to an HDTV.

Broadcom chip gives phones 1080p recording, 3D (Electronista)

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Gadget Consolidation

Roger — Tue, 01 Dec 2009 20:27:47 +0000

One gadget to take control of it all. Probably the size of a phone (iPhone or Google Phone), able to handle everything.

From communication (actual phone calls, emailing, sms, twitter) to information and media sharing (Social Networking, Web, News, Tickets, Music, Movies, Shows, Calendar, Navigation, Augmented Reality, Geo-suggestions, Games, Payments, Planning, Scheduling, Wiki). Showing you the way to your destination with GPS Nav, streaming your HD movies where you want when you want, connecting it (wireless) to your flat panel TV or projector, keeping track of your daily planning and scheduling, order your food in a restaurant, pay your bills, push sync with all your other devices, including the kitchen sink. All this wireless, no dock. I think the iPhone was the first step in this direction, the Google Phone will be the second. I think we need a couple more steps (real wireless broadband, faster cpu’s) before we’re there.

And here’s an app that falls in line with the above thought:

Twitter Co-Founder Begins Trial On SquareUp iPhone Credit Card Payment Service – apps – Gizmodo

Will the phone and firmware/OS manufacturers take over these core apps? Or will they let the app community develop them?

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