Originally, Sony had intended to make money on the additional software cards available for the Aibo. This simply hasn't happened. People have been buying one card with the Aibo and leaving it at that.
If you're looking for Sony's motivation in opening the specifications, I believe it's here. In the absence of additional software sales, Sony sees opening the platform as a method for selling additional hardware.
With the new approach, you can sure bet that Sony is going to put off the price drops that had been part of the plan for the second generation Aibos for some time. There's good money to be had in finding a new audience at the current pricing before Sony tries to earn new customers with a price break.
The above unit does not copy commercial DVDs. From the page: "Note: This unit can not copy Macrovision protected DVDs to VHS tape."
It is currently illegal to make a video recording device which will properly record when Macrovision is present.
One of my (many) problems with the DMCA and prior copyright bills is that they specifically endorse and protect a single company's patented form of protection. Macrovision has been, in turn, trying to leverage this to make theirs the standard protection for software and other mediums, expecting similar governmental subsidy.
Somebody's going to nail you on this one, I'm afraid. I just wanted to do it gently.;-)
Both the iMac and the new eMac have G4 processors. You're absolutely right about the G3 price point, of course, but I'm afraid you're wrong about the iMac.
He seems to have made the rest up. Visiting a few electronics sites, the prices are nothing like what he's quoting. I also can't find specific low-power G3 parts, or any reference to IBM still producing the G3 and G4 parts.
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If you're looking for Sony's motivation in opening the specifications, I believe it's here. In the absence of additional software sales, Sony sees opening the platform as a method for selling additional hardware.
With the new approach, you can sure bet that Sony is going to put off the price drops that had been part of the plan for the second generation Aibos for some time. There's good money to be had in finding a new audience at the current pricing before Sony tries to earn new customers with a price break.
It is currently illegal to make a video recording device which will properly record when Macrovision is present.
One of my (many) problems with the DMCA and prior copyright bills is that they specifically endorse and protect a single company's patented form of protection. Macrovision has been, in turn, trying to leverage this to make theirs the standard protection for software and other mediums, expecting similar governmental subsidy.
Can anyone verify any of this?