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In Search of the Digital Uberdevice

Posted by CmdrTaco on from the it-could-happen dept.

Decaffeinated Jedi writes "News.com offers up an in-depth three-part article discussing the game industry's race to develop an all-in-one digital 'uberdevice' to combine gaming, television, computing, and other consumer technologies in a single box. The article looks at the past, present, and future of such trends, arguing that these developments in the world of home gaming consoles 'could have multibillion-dollar consequences for industries as diverse as computing, consumer electronics, entertainment and communications, while redefining household entertainment.' Of course, the article also concludes by noting the fact that consumers have thus far shown relatively little interest in adopting such all-in-one convergence boxes. Could constantly improving technology, the ongoing exodus of young males from primetime television, and a revitalized marketing push turn the tide, or is the search for an 'uberdevice' just hype?"

3 of 176 comments (clear)

  1. So Basically by Hal+The+Computer · · Score: 3, Informative

    Basically, they take a computer and add a decent video card that lets you hook up a TV cable.
    Bam, TV, computer, and games(computer).
    So where are my "multibillion-dollar consequences"?

    --

    int main(void){int x=01232;while(malloc(x));return x;}
  2. I hate uber devices by Alien54 · · Score: 4, Informative
    Having worked in repair shops, I dislike all in one units.

    for example, with a TV/VCR or DVD combo, if the player goes, you also lose use of the TV if you get it fixed

    Also, many all in one units employ certain engineering design choices that make them much cheaper to manufacture, and much harder to repair in general, precisely due to the feed back loops between the devices. You see this especially on the cube shaped audio units, but I don't think it changes much for TV units.

    even with a hi-end name on them, I can't help but think of them as junque.

    I would rather have a HDTV unit with a svga plug on it, vs a combo unit.

    --
    "It is a greater offense to steal men's labor, than their clothes"
  3. Re:Divergent needs mean Convergence is impossible by Dr+Reducto · · Score: 2, Informative

    The Phantom by Infinium Labs seeks to do this. The scope of it was originaly a console, but evolved into a DRM'd PC that will likely have PVR, Games by Download, Movies+Music by download, and much more. Fortunately, they avoided what you said by offering HDTV support as a substitute for VGA or DVI.