I came across this earlier today -- it looks like it's basically an Audiotron tucked into a little shelf system. No internal hard drive, and it may be limited to MP3 support, but it was a little interesting...

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gonk -- Saloon Links | Pre/Pro Comparison Chart | 950 Review

It's all good stuff...

Of course, if you wanted to, you could just turn it into an HTPC. If you're going to add TiVO-like functionality with an HDD, then IMHO you're already 75% of the way there. If you've added a built-in CD or DVD player and a ripper, then you're 90% of the way there.

Now, that may not be a bad thing... HTPCs are nice... I was just thinking of something a bit cheaper/slimmer in this particular cas.

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Matthew J. Hill
matt@idsi.net

Actually I'd like exactly that - 70% of an HTPC feature set without the PC headaches and tradeoffs.

Maybe we need two new products, then.

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Matthew J. Hill
matt@idsi.net

Maybe, but many consumer products are just that. I just went to evaluate some technology that involved a set top box type appliance. As example hardware they were using a DirecTV box running Linux.

Using low power hardware and careful engineering a very uncomputer-esque result can spring from what is at it's core still a PC. The payoff can be that a lot of engineering is already done and economies of scale can cut cost.

Maybe we'll get lucky and Apple will release something along those lines at MacWorld... Hey, it could happen, right?

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Matthew J. Hill
matt@idsi.net

Any news on the IR1000? status?

thanks

No news... is bad news!

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Matthew J. Hill
matt@idsi.net

C'Mon, Outlaws... if I don't see some movement soon, I may just have to buy the Audiotron!

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Matthew J. Hill
matt@idsi.net

Actually the Audiotron feature set is more appealing to me. Looks like a cool device.