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Disney Enters PC Market
Zebbers writes "Disney announced today from NYC that they are entering the personal computer market. With a childish design, built in content control and other kid-friendly features, it could be a breakthrough or just another specialized device flop. Do children really need their own specialized computer?" johnpaul191 points out that frogdesign designed the box, and writes "It looks sort of like a squared-off eMac (but blue), and has a flat mouse-shaped front (the ears are speakers!). It uses a a pen for on-screen input, as well as a keyboard and mouse."
Just what we need, a computer from a Mickey Mouse operation...
Well, Windows XP's "Luna" certainly looks kiddie enough for this type of PC.
You know, for the bad kids.
now all we need is a fully-immersive virtual reality where schoolboys and girls can send impressive suicide notes to all their friends, one of whom will realize that she is much more important to the Internet than she ever thought.
Oh, and tentacle porn in the last episode.
... does the mouse have circular black ears and a cheesy grin?
Vintage computer adverts: http://www.vintageadbrowser.com/computers-and-software-ads
I would feel so dirty browsing for porn on that thing.
And why not branch into computers? Disney has had the best mouse design in the the business for over 75 years!
Disney-based DRM to boot.
I can just see it now - Mickey pops up, a smile on his face and a shotgun in his hands.
"Ho ho, kiddies, I'm afraid you can't do that! It's called copyright infringement, and if you do," he cocks the shotgun and points it at the user, "I'm going to blow up your fucking computer, so put the fucking mouse down, bitch, and move away from the keyboard before the mouse gets mad! Ho ho!"
Striking fear in the authors of godawful fanfiction, I am here, appearing in darkness, Tuxedo Jack!
Simplify the darn thing for kids... oh wait.
Without a computer, how will a child sync his PDA or download new ringtones for his phone?
Use the Firehose to mod down Second Life stories!
(upon opening the case)
...alright, I'm done.
"Man, this design is goofy."
"You're telling me"
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Slashdot story from THE FUTURE!!!
Disney announced today it is getting out of the PC market due to lack of sales. The remaining unsold stock will be used to build a renderfarm to compete against Pixar.
Unknown host pong.
Just what we need, a computer from a Mickey Mouse operation...
I thought Microsoft only made software...
Everyone remember what a hit the Barbie PC was?
Yes... yes I do.
Slashdot story from THE FUTURE!!!
You have to predict further than a week into the future to get any credibility as a psychic.
>> Kids hate using things that are purposefully crippled for kids. Adults aparently don't. look at XP.
I need this so I won't feel so scared playing Doom3.
When my son was 2 (now 3) he used to say "ew, windows is icky!" when mommy's computer booted up.
:D
Now, when ever he sees a penguin, he says "tux is cool!"
Brainwashing is one of the greatest joys of parenthood.
That confirms it! WHen I first saw the Windows XP desktop, I thought to myself that it looked like a Mickey Mouse job!
...does it meet the minimum hardware specs for Doom3?
I agree. :-)
I'm not a prophet or a stone-age man,
I'm just a mortal with potential of a super man.
Brainwashing is certainly the best bit. When it came time for my nephew to learn the colours, he had everything down pat, except for 'purple'. His Dad told him that it was called 'orange'. 'course, he had to eventually own up and explain that he was messing with his head... but while it lasted... :-)
I find your ideas intriguing and I wish to subscribe to your newsletter.
Kids these days are so computer literate that this will only appeal for possibly 1 or 2 weeks before they are coding PHP and recompiling the Linux Kernel. I always feel like such a chump talking to my gf's 10 year old nephew. I have less intelligent IT conversations at work.
"Now, when ever he sees a penguin, he says "tux is cool!" my 2 year old's favourite cuddly toy is a penguin. goes everywhere with it - probably in no small part to Daddy having tux wallpapers on his desktops. (and the brainwashing of "tux is good, mmmkay.... windows is bad... mmmmkay...")
"Brainwashing is one of the greatest joys of parenthood. :D"
Pity promoting Linux to your kid is detrimental to grandparenthood.
"Derp de derp."
The market of people who are willing to pay several thousand dollars for an underpowered PC because it appeals to their children is a small one.
Yes.
* Microsoft and Disney will partner to create a cobranded OS called "Lion King" to compete with Apple's "Tiger" OS X rev.
* It wasn't Bill Gates that invented the Internet. It was Walt Disney.
* Disney is in violation of copyright with SCO and will be sued shortly.
Read the EFF's Fair Use FAQ
Brainwashing is one of the greatest joys of parenthood.
Things I've told my five-year-old
"When I was your age, I went to school with a boy that grew up to be the greatest skateboarder ever. Tony Orlando"
[While watching a mariachi band at a Mexican restaurant.] "I could do that if I really wanted to."
"Easter is the day that Jesus rose from the dead. TO FEAST ON THE FLESH OF THE LIVING! I'm just kidding. Don't tell your mom."
"You could grow up to be the first person ever on Mars. Like me. I was the first person to ever go swimming."
"You catch enchiladas by picking them up behind the head and holding them underwater until they don't kick anymore."
Best Windows Freeware
A Dell Dimension under the desk with an LCD sitting on the desktop seems like something they'll have a chance of still wanting in their room when a few years of growing up have passed.
What? The Disney Computer is the coolest thing ever. Try bringing it to your favorite LAN-party.
Dvorak on Doomtech
a Bigbadwulf cluster of these?
Well, at least they have the mouse part down! That's about it,... ;-)