Cringely on the Mac Mini as personal video iPod - we talked about this a week or so back.
He makes the jumps to Mac Mini + iFlicks as the integrated digital distribution end of video, just like iTunes and iPod - something that's been discussed a lil bit before, but never put in the context of Jobs as movie industry players, which Cringely talks about. This is brilliant stuff and I think it's right on.
In fact, just like iTunes is where Apple really stands to capture massive long-term value, iFlicks + iTunes may position Apple as the digital media distribution monopolist (I am assuming that players will become rapidly commoditized, as is already happening).
Your original takes on digital music and Apple, sort of dissed their lack of licensing Fairplay. To put it simply I think you disagreed with their strategy to eschew becoming a platform leader in favor of becoming a "monopoly purchaser" of music from the labels.
Is that still your take? You don't sound too negative describing Apple as a "digital media distribution monopolist" in this post.
Thanks!
Alex in Los Angeles
# // Anonymous // 10:01 PM