Apple Developing a Home Media Server?
9to5Mac reports that Apple has been working on a home media server to access your iTunes and other files anywhere you have internet access. The site compares it to HP's just updated Media Smart Server which offers a centralized location for backup, storage and file delivery to your computers locally as well as remotely:
9to5mac suggests that media could also be shared to your iPhone and iPod touch, providing full access to your media while mobile. The device could also serve media files to other computers at home as well as to your Apple TV.
Your music, photos, videos and other media are part of your life -- but they're scattered over multiple computers, disk drives, CDs, DVDs, and MP3 players.... Macs and iPods too. The HP MediaSmart Server centralizes all your files, from all your home computers, in one place so you can grab them anywhere you have an internet connection and share how you want.
Apple's take on the system would reportedly expand out Time Capsule's functionality from being a single drive backup system into a more robust multi-drive backup server. In addition, tie ins would be made to Apple's MobileMe services to deliver access to your files and media from anywhere on the internet.9to5mac suggests that media could also be shared to your iPhone and iPod touch, providing full access to your media while mobile. The device could also serve media files to other computers at home as well as to your Apple TV.
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41 months ago
sounds interesting! i would definetly get it if it does a whole complete integration of everything for all your devices and computers
41 months ago
MobileMe integration would be great.
Access your entire music library from wherever.
Access your entire music library from wherever.
41 months ago
I have wanted something like this for a long time. I think it needs to be the main library for itunes, iphoto & imovie. those libraries are getting too big for most computers and adds a level of complexity to share (are all computers on the network, is the app open, etc).
where as, if a home server could be the central database for all of that, then when you say, import pictures, they get synced to the HMS and then available to everyone on the network (obviously there could be permissions and such).
where as, if a home server could be the central database for all of that, then when you say, import pictures, they get synced to the HMS and then available to everyone on the network (obviously there could be permissions and such).
41 months ago
sounds interesting! i would definetly get it if it does a whole complete integration of everything for all your devices and computers
i agree. something like mobile me, but for your media. apple would probably replace the apple tv with this device, and make a service that would be able to take and aggregate media from your computers and what not.
41 months ago
Now we're talking! A merging of the Mac-Mini and :apple:TV
This is bound to set another new standard.
This is bound to set another new standard.
41 months ago
Sounds pretty cool.
Overall, iTunes could use some MAJOR improvements in the way it is able to handle drives and organize files. It's hard to believe that it still has no good way to split an iTunes library over multiple drives, not even something as simple as different drives for music and video.
Same goes for multiple users sharing audio and video files in a household. Sure, secondary machines can access the songs, but no way to change star ratings? Play count doesn't change?
Let's hope this is a sign of improvements to iTunes overall, not just for those who buy a new (usually overpriced) apple add-on.
Overall, iTunes could use some MAJOR improvements in the way it is able to handle drives and organize files. It's hard to believe that it still has no good way to split an iTunes library over multiple drives, not even something as simple as different drives for music and video.
Same goes for multiple users sharing audio and video files in a household. Sure, secondary machines can access the songs, but no way to change star ratings? Play count doesn't change?
Let's hope this is a sign of improvements to iTunes overall, not just for those who buy a new (usually overpriced) apple add-on.
41 months ago
I'll have to see it to believe it. The home server market is such a niche market.
Apple typically avoids complicated devices like this, as they don't really know who or how to market it (Apple TV anyone?).
With that said, I have an HP MediaSmart Server and I would love for Apple to create their own version of it.
I think 9to5mac is just jumping on HP's news today.
Jumping the gun aren't you? No one has said anything about merging the Apple TV or Mac mini. This device would be more like an advanced Time Capsule (or Drobo). I highly doubt it's going to support any type of display-out.
Apple typically avoids complicated devices like this, as they don't really know who or how to market it (Apple TV anyone?).
With that said, I have an HP MediaSmart Server and I would love for Apple to create their own version of it.
I think 9to5mac is just jumping on HP's news today.
Now we're talking! A merging of the Mac-Mini and :apple:TV
This is bound to set another new standard.
Jumping the gun aren't you? No one has said anything about merging the Apple TV or Mac mini. This device would be more like an advanced Time Capsule (or Drobo). I highly doubt it's going to support any type of display-out.
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