The Apple CUBE PROJECT

Sometimes when you go to bed, you have these kinds of ideas that you think are killer ideas and that keeps you awake for hours. Sometimes, when you wake up the morning after, you realize it was very, very bad, sometimes you write it down and lose it somewhere on your computer.

Here is an idea I had exactly a year ago and that came back to my mind sometimes during my honey moon (don’t tell my wife please) and became an obsession. There might be similar ideas elsewhere, but I definitely think that if it’s well executed, it could be as big for apple as the iPod or the iPhone.

Have a look at it, your comments and add-ons will be more than welcome. Steve, if you read me, think about me when you release it!

The CUBE is the next generation of living room devices.



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Itunes already has the best position on the online music distribution market. “Cube” is my proposal to get the same position on the movie, TV and more generally video market.

iTunes platform is already succeeding on the movie market. But there are limits on this market because people don’t watch too much films on their mobile devices (main reason: they can’t do anything else while watching a movie, it’s not like music, and devices are too small). Most of people don’t watch films on their computers (except students?).

Today’s solution: apple TV

Very good but still expensive and too complicated to make it a great success as the ipod.

Next generation solution: "CUBE"

The CUBE is a living room device made to watch films and TV, and to listen to music in a very simple way, integrating all the Apple technologies:
- computer
- Auto-amplified dolby digital wifi speakers (plug and play, no wires)
- A very easy interface with separated entertainment and office areas
- A digital recorder (for TV, music, etc…)
- TNT receiver
- A 1 tera hard drive
- Digital touchscreen
- HD video projector

Options:
- A TV plug (eg. Apple Cube to interact with flat sceen if light problems)
- use iPhones or iTouch as a remote controller
- can be used as a deck for iPhones / iPods (transcodes and transfers videos and music on mobile devices)
- HD webcam to communicate with other CUBE owners
- Can work with Bluetooth keyboards and mouses

Strengths:
- Will introduce iTunes into the living room
- No wires, Wifi speakers are only plugged on house electricity
- all integrated (video, amplifier, computer, DVD/CD player, radio, TV, news, weather…)
- Easy, good looking
- Can be for home and business (CUBE pro series)
- Integrated into Apple content strategy
- Price; a bit more than an HD video projector from USD 1 500 to 2 700 for business series (transportable series for example)

Weaknesses:
- light issues
- price

Future:
- same technology adapted on an apple wide flat screen (could be released in the same time)
- smaller devices for rooms, travels
- bigger devices for professionals, events, movie theaters...
- integrated videogame platform


Apple already has most of the knowledge to build this device with its computer technologies, wireless technologies (wifi and Bluetooth), softwares, etc…

HD video projector technology with touchscreen is the key, with the perfect interface.

Benefits;
- will open a new device segment to apple
- will encourage people to buy/rent movies on itunes
- will encourage people to buy iPhones and iPods for a better interactivity
- will become a masterpiece in the center of Apple products following iPod / iPhone strategies and successes.


Competition :
- it could work with Sony, and an integrated computer AND Playstation3
- Google could find something out there, ending up giving away the device!

I was inspired by apple, I should give them the credit though.

I am now officially launching a design competition, the best designer (we’ll find a way to vote for it…) will get… all my gratitude! it doesn’t have to be a cube, it’s just a name. don’t forget the speakers!