3 Surefire Technology Prediction For 2008
After listening to the technology predictions eppisode from Buzz Out Loud (#631) I decided to write down a few of my own technology predictions for 2008. I think 2008 will be the year that high-definition really takes hold. With over-the-air broadcasts going away, the price of LCD televisions dropping, and the crazy amount of press both HD-DVD and Blu-ray are trying to give their formats the consumer population will finally catch on and start appreciating the better quality content. Along with high-def taking hold, I think we’ll see further advancement in the online console gaming market.My predictions include a tasty mix of high-definition addoption, online console gaming, and a surprise from the fanboy favorite: Apple.
1. Wii HD
Nintendo will get in on the high-definition bandwagon and release a new version of the Wii that supports HD natively. Adding support for HD will up their interest with the high-end gamer and further the Wii saturation in the console gaming market. I doubt they’ll change it much more than that: why mess with a good thing?
2. Apple TV + Blu-ray
Apple will finally choose sides in the high-definition debate. They’ll choose blu-ray mainly for technology reasons and will introduce the new technology in a new version of the Apple TV.We all know the Apple TV needs some attention and a blu-ray DVD play would be just the right amount of new technology. I don’t think Apple will get into the DVR market since that would open up a bag-o-worms on the digital rights front. A high-def player would give the Apple TV a place in the market.
3. MMOG Explosion on Consoles
Massively multi-player online games (MMOG) will be just as big on consoles as they are on PCs. The console online gaming world will explode like it did the last two years for the PC. We will finally have a World of Warcraft like title for the PS3 and/or Xbox 360.The MMOG market is just waiting for a console developer to get things right. Once a development company finds the right balance between in-game control, scalability, and socializing this market will explode. A title like Diablo 3, if released on a console, could do just that. I can see Blizzard and Activision pulling this off with 100% success.
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first!!!
i keep looking at the apple tv, mostly b/c it looks like an easy way to get video content over to my tv w/o converting files to ipod format. but, i haven’t convinced myself that the convenience is worth the $$$, especially since i can just watch stuff on my ‘puter.
do you happen to know if the apple tv works for any video content, or only the iTunes stuff. yes, i’m too lazy to research it on my own
why do you think it’ll be blu-ray, btw? i’m not up on the differences btwn the 2 competing standards…i’m just waiting for somebody to win b4…
The main reason for Apple choosing Blu-ray is that they’re 1 of 18 on the Blu-ray Disc Association Board of Directors. The main computer-based reason for supporting Blu-ray is capacity. Blu-ray can hold 50 gigs compared to 30 gigs on a HD-DVD.
I’m less sure about your Apple TV question. I’m pretty sure it takes a specific format. I know it doesn’t support DivX or anything from the Windows world. It works great as long as your content is from iTunes or from the special Apple TV channel on YouTube, but anything else takes some converting to work through the Apple TV. Again, this is an “I think” response so if anyone else has more concrete knowledge please post.
interesting. didn’t know that about blu-ray.
i found some confirmation for what you said about the apple tv here:
http://www.engadget.com/2007/0.....tv-review/
“This on top of the lack of Divx, XviD, and WMV really limits the usefulness of the Apple TV for anyone with a remotely disparate media library, and severely curtails its use as a internet video streaming device.”
ah well…
I’m less confident that Wii will go full HD. Even if they did, the current round of software really can’t take advantage of it. I’d say odds are only about 40% chance in favor of adding HD capabilities.
I’m on board with both of your other predictions, and would like to add one of my own:
Sony will add full DVR capabilities to the PS3, as well as Xbox Live-type functionality to the PlayStation Network. Video-on-demand and IPTV are going to explode in 2008, and Sony has long been marketing the PS3 as a “home entertainment computer system”. If they’re ever going to capitalize on that angle, the time would be now.