There are two parts to the iPod: the iPod itself, and iTunes. Before the iTunes Music Store and legit digital downloads ever existed, Apple was providing people with a quick, easy way to convert their already existing music collections to MP3, (or more accurately, AAC) and take their music with them.
If there is a viPod in the works, I expect Apple will include a program allowing people to *easily* encode, organize, transfer and share their video collections. Now they probably won't include DRM bypassing technology, and the probably *will* include a handy "Don't Steal Movies" disclaimer, but I for one would love an apple-easy way to encode my video library. And stream it from one computer on my network to another. And stream it over AirportExtremelyExtreme to my entertainment system. Eventually I'm sure they'll try to get the motion picture companies on board with an online store, but until then I'd be happy with iVids loaded on my G5 Mac for encoding and my media center PC for playback, and on my viPod for viewing on my train ride to work.
They are the beginning.
I've read a lot of people's comments about how Nintendo is screwing over game companies by making it impossible to port games across platforms. I think people are missing a key insight, which 1up briefly mentions in their article on the controller:
"When the two controller pieces are attached, the so-called 'Nunchaku' configuration (the two bits are connected by a short cord) can work similarly to current controllers, just with the second analog stick replaced by actual movement of the Revolution controller."
Think about it. In your left hand, you've got an analogue stick with two trigger buttons. In your right hand, you've got an analogue controller (more precise, and sensitive along an extra axis), 5-7 face buttons and a trigger button. How is that so impossibly different from the standard controllers of today? It certainly allows for software companies to do *more*, since the control will be much more precise if implemented properly and there's an extra axis to work with, but it won't prevent them from continuing to use today's 3D control paradigm.
Think about TimeSplitters. On PS3 and XBox360, it will work exactly like it does today, but look prettier. On the Revolution, you'll be pointing your "gun" (controller) at characters on the screen, but from a software standpoint the control paradigm is the same. It's just another analogue stick. You control forwar/backward and strafing movement with your left thumbstick, and direction/firing with your right hand.
This depends a lot on Nintendo implementing a good developer interface that allows for easy mapping of current analogue-stick functions onto the remote control wand. But assuming they do that (and I'm betting they do--I'm guessing that's how Metroid Prime 2 was updated for the demonstration) then TimeSplitters could easily work on all platforms will just a bit of tweaking. The only real difference would be that the Revolution version will kick ass and the others will be the same as every other console FPS we've played for the last nine years.
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There are two parts to the iPod: the iPod itself, and iTunes. Before the iTunes Music Store and legit digital downloads ever existed, Apple was providing people with a quick, easy way to convert their already existing music collections to MP3, (or more accurately, AAC) and take their music with them.
If there is a viPod in the works, I expect Apple will include a program allowing people to *easily* encode, organize, transfer and share their video collections. Now they probably won't include DRM bypassing technology, and the probably *will* include a handy "Don't Steal Movies" disclaimer, but I for one would love an apple-easy way to encode my video library. And stream it from one computer on my network to another. And stream it over AirportExtremelyExtreme to my entertainment system. Eventually I'm sure they'll try to get the motion picture companies on board with an online store, but until then I'd be happy with iVids loaded on my G5 Mac for encoding and my media center PC for playback, and on my viPod for viewing on my train ride to work.
They are the beginning. I've read a lot of people's comments about how Nintendo is screwing over game companies by making it impossible to port games across platforms. I think people are missing a key insight, which 1up briefly mentions in their article on the controller: "When the two controller pieces are attached, the so-called 'Nunchaku' configuration (the two bits are connected by a short cord) can work similarly to current controllers, just with the second analog stick replaced by actual movement of the Revolution controller." Think about it. In your left hand, you've got an analogue stick with two trigger buttons. In your right hand, you've got an analogue controller (more precise, and sensitive along an extra axis), 5-7 face buttons and a trigger button. How is that so impossibly different from the standard controllers of today? It certainly allows for software companies to do *more*, since the control will be much more precise if implemented properly and there's an extra axis to work with, but it won't prevent them from continuing to use today's 3D control paradigm. Think about TimeSplitters. On PS3 and XBox360, it will work exactly like it does today, but look prettier. On the Revolution, you'll be pointing your "gun" (controller) at characters on the screen, but from a software standpoint the control paradigm is the same. It's just another analogue stick. You control forwar/backward and strafing movement with your left thumbstick, and direction/firing with your right hand. This depends a lot on Nintendo implementing a good developer interface that allows for easy mapping of current analogue-stick functions onto the remote control wand. But assuming they do that (and I'm betting they do--I'm guessing that's how Metroid Prime 2 was updated for the demonstration) then TimeSplitters could easily work on all platforms will just a bit of tweaking. The only real difference would be that the Revolution version will kick ass and the others will be the same as every other console FPS we've played for the last nine years.