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olePigeon · Aug 30, 2006, 12:47 PM

Google CEO joins Apple's board of directors | Tech News on ZDNet

I just saw this up on ZDNet.

"Apple is one of the companies in the world that I most admire," Schmidt said in a statement. "I'm really looking forward to working with Steve (Jobs) and Apple's board to help with all of the amazing things Apple is doing."

I wonder if this could mean a new partnership with Google and Apple?

turtle777 · Aug 30, 2006, 12:51 PM

Welcome to yesterday's news

But seriously, that might be a good move for Apple. Google's commitment to the OS X platform is hopefully secured.

-t

Landos Mustache · Aug 30, 2006, 12:51 PM

Googles Mac support in general isn't GREAT but acceptable.

None of their software really does it for me anyway.

Kerrigan · Aug 30, 2006, 12:52 PM

These guys all sit on each others' boards. It's more of a quid pro quo arrangement between businessmen than a partnership between companies.

Chuckit · Aug 30, 2006, 12:58 PM

Originally Posted by Kerrigan

These guys all sit on each others' boards.

Oh my.

Kerrigan · Aug 30, 2006, 01:01 PM

Christian/Gay derailment countdown has begun.

Goldfinger · Aug 30, 2006, 01:02 PM

There won't come too much of this if you ask me. I don't see huge Apple-Google deals coming from this.

mac128k-1984 · Aug 30, 2006, 01:03 PM

Originally Posted by Kerrigan

These guys all sit on each others' boards. It's more of a quid pro quo arrangement between businessmen than a partnership between companies.

I agree this tends to be more of a non-issue, though perhaps seeing how superior macs are the google dude will improve mac compatability

turtle777 · Aug 30, 2006, 01:05 PM

Originally Posted by Kerrigan

Christian/Gay derailment countdown has begun.

Paging Eric, please report to this thread. Your pic is needed.

-t

Landos Mustache · Aug 30, 2006, 01:06 PM

What compatibility did Al Gore bring when he got on Apples board?

Dakar · Aug 30, 2006, 01:06 PM

When asked whether he expects to contribute early on, Schmidt responded, "We're really not expecting very much until my directorship leaves beta."

turtle777 · Aug 30, 2006, 01:06 PM

Originally Posted by Landos Mustache

What compatibility did Al Gore bring when he got on Apples board?

The Intarweb, Duh !

-t

MindFad · Aug 30, 2006, 01:20 PM

That was too easy. Not fair.

Chuckit · Aug 30, 2006, 01:45 PM

Originally Posted by mac128k-1984

I agree this tends to be more of a non-issue, though perhaps seeing how superior macs are the google dude will improve mac compatability

Google has always been pretty darn friendly to the Mac. Remember when they had that special Mac OS X tribute skin for their site, complete with an AJAX dock?

MindFad · Aug 30, 2006, 01:57 PM

Originally Posted by Chuckit

Google has always been pretty darn friendly to the Mac. Remember when they had that special Mac OS X tribute skin for their site, complete with an AJAX dock?

Cool, I'd never seen that.

Here's a mirror of it:

http://ablaze.fr/GoogleX.htm

turtle777 · Aug 30, 2006, 02:25 PM

Originally Posted by MindFad

Cool, I'd never seen that.

Here's a mirror of it:

Google

Nice, but useless.

-t

Chuckit · Aug 30, 2006, 02:40 PM

Yeah, it just shows that they've always been fans of the Mac.

MindFad · Aug 30, 2006, 02:49 PM

Originally Posted by what_the_heck

Nice, but useless.

-t

What Chuck said.

turtle777 · Aug 30, 2006, 03:10 PM

Originally Posted by MindFad

What Chuck said.

What turtle said.

-t

Salty · Aug 30, 2006, 05:11 PM

At least it'll piss off Balmer.

Chuckit · Aug 30, 2006, 05:14 PM

Originally Posted by Salty

At least it'll piss off Balmer.

Think of the chairs!

Salty · Aug 30, 2006, 05:18 PM

Originally Posted by Chuckit

Think of the chairs!

Hopefully Apple sends Phil in to talk to him... I think Phil could take Balmer...

angelmb · Aug 31, 2006, 06:41 AM

MindFad · Aug 31, 2006, 09:48 AM

Originally Posted by what_the_heck

What turtle said.

-t

What MindFad said.

Dork. · Aug 31, 2006, 10:56 AM

If Google and Apple merge, what will they call it? Goople?

angelmb · Aug 31, 2006, 03:48 PM

Eagle… I can see it: The Eagle has landed.

turtle777 · Aug 31, 2006, 05:05 PM

Originally Posted by Dork.

If Google and Apple merge, what will they call it? Goople?

Goopapgle

Catchy !

-t

Oisín · Aug 31, 2006, 05:10 PM

Gaggle.

Salty · Sep 1, 2006, 01:22 AM

Appoogle

I don't think they'd merge, just partner. I could see Apple getting together on iChat with GoogleTalk and Gmail.

- - e r i k - - · Sep 1, 2006, 01:39 AM

Originally Posted by what_the_heck

Paging Eric, please report to this thread. Your pic is needed.

-t

Somebody called for a flamefest?

Last time …I promise!

Landos Mustache · Sep 18, 2006, 11:25 AM

Perhaps something will come of this afterall:

AppleInsider | Apple in iTV content licensing talks with Google

turtle777 · Sep 18, 2006, 12:04 PM

Originally Posted by Landos Mustache

Perhaps something will come of this afterall:
AppleInsider | Apple in iTV content licensing talks with Google

The heck, just make iTV internet capable, incl. Safari and Mail.

-t

Landos Mustache · Sep 18, 2006, 12:08 PM

Originally Posted by what_the_heck

The heck, just make iTV internet capable, incl. Safari and Mail.

-t

Wouldn't that need a built in storage device?

turtle777 · Sep 18, 2006, 12:09 PM

Originally Posted by Landos Mustache

Wouldn't that need a built in storage device?

No, why ? Have it be linked to the Mac that you are streaming your stuff from.

-t

Landos Mustache · Sep 18, 2006, 12:26 PM

Originally Posted by what_the_heck

No, why ? Have it be linked to the Mac that you are streaming your stuff from.

-t

I think the iTV will be super bla if it requires a computer to be running anytime you want to use it.

If it has front row built in Apple can pretty much server up any video it wants.

If it also does mail and web all apple is doing is not selling people a computer and giving them a $300 box that pretty much does what they need it to.

turtle777 · Sep 18, 2006, 12:53 PM

Originally Posted by Landos Mustache

I think the iTV will be super bla if it requires a computer to be running anytime you want to use it.

If it has front row built in Apple can pretty much server up any video it wants.

If it also does mail and web all apple is doing is not selling people a computer and giving them a $300 box that pretty much does what they need it to.

I don't understand your problem.

a) For most streaming content, you'll need a Mac. Intarweb via web would be a nice add-on, w/o cutting sales.

b) Wouldn't it be clever if Apple at some point made a second version available, with HD, intarweb connect and email. With that, you wouldn't need a computer, but had basically an iSettop box. Just imagine a $ 499 pricetag, which would cut into some Mac mini sales, but also could privde a better margin.

-t

BRussell · Sep 18, 2006, 01:07 PM

Originally Posted by Landos Mustache

I think the iTV will be super bla if it requires a computer to be running anytime you want to use it.

If it has front row built in Apple can pretty much server up any video it wants.

If it also does mail and web all apple is doing is not selling people a computer and giving them a $300 box that pretty much does what they need it to.

When viewing Apple's trailers, I got the impression that the trailers were coming directly from the internet as opposed to a computer, but I don't know that for sure.

I think this google video (and possibly other services like youtube?) is a good idea. It provides some changing content to iTV, rather than just viewing your own collection of videos that you have on your computer hard drive.

Landos Mustache · Sep 18, 2006, 01:51 PM

Originally Posted by BRussell

When viewing Apple's trailers, I got the impression that the trailers were coming directly from the internet as opposed to a computer, but I don't know that for sure.

That is what I think as well. It would be silly to have a computer running just so it can watch trailers or stream radio stations.

turtle777 · Sep 18, 2006, 01:53 PM

Originally Posted by Landos Mustache

That is what I think as well. It would be silly to have a computer running just so it can watch trailers or stream radio stations.

You are right, it would be. And even internet (Safari) and email should work w/o. You could cahce it in RAM.

I'd still think a HD version that could be used stand alone to purchase music / videos would be great.

-t

MaxPower2k3 · Sep 18, 2006, 02:06 PM

Does nobody remember WebTV/MSNTV from like a decade ago? It's still around, even. I don't think most people want to browse the internet from 10 feet away from the screen. SDTVs are too low-res to display complete web pages, and HDTVs are too high-resolution to read from normal viewing distance. Email, maybe, but that would require keeping a keyboard around, and I think most people would rather just walk over to their computer and type it normally (since a computer will probably be required anyway). I don't think that many people will suddenly feel the urge so strongly to send an email while sitting in front of the TV that they don't have time to get up and walk to the computer.

WebTV was aimed at the market of people who didn't want to have a computer around. Since this iTV thing will more than likely require that you own a Mac, they've already ruled out that market. So I can't imagine it being a worthwhile function to add.

Edit: While I still stand by what I said above, I do agree with Turtle's idea above that an interface to the iTunes store would be great, and now I can't imagine they won't do that. But it would have to be done in a more graphical Front-Row style, rather than the website-ish style they've got now.

BRussell · Sep 18, 2006, 02:17 PM

Yeah, I don't know why they couldn't devise a specialized interface for viewing everything on Google Video, rather than just the "top ten" like they currently do for trailers. I don't know if you'd want the whole Safari or Mail, but specialized web interfaces for a variety of services, kinda like they do now for Dashboard, would make a lot of sense. Better yet, they should just make it extensible, so that you could download an interface for youtube, or weather, or some podcast you like, for example.