ob_kook;148939 Wrote: > My SB2 is currently identical to the new SB3's coming out except for the > case design and the color of the display, but if they changed how the > software/firmware updates are controlled, that could change.
That would be tricky because the units are *so* identical that the firmware can't tell them apart. This is why you see the occasional newbie "my Squeezebox3 thinks it's a Squeezebox2!" posts. There was some thought about differentiating the two based on MAC address, but if that's all there is to go on, you'd really have to go out of your way to make separate firmware for the two. It would occasionally fail as well, and a failed firmware update would be a bad thing. > The other thing I am having a difficult time coming to terms with is the > product segment of the Transporter. SB clearly fits really well with > Logitech. But it seems it would be difficult to justify ongoing > development for the audiophile market. The lower unit sales, higher > cost of production and parts, and value for the money currently > inherent in the Transporter is due to Slim's love of music and might be > a difficult position to maintain. And that doesn't take into account > potential loss of current sales due to the snob appeal (or lack > thereof) of high end kit with a Logitech brand. Actually the Transporter probably has a much greater profit margin built into it. To a greater degree, the Squeezebox is made to a price point - not the same degree as mass-market stuff, but more so than the Transporter. Most high-end devices intended for niche markets have high profit margins - why would the Transporter be any different? Due to lower unit sales, it would have to have a higher profit margin in order for Slim to consider developing it in the first place. When companies fear lower profit margins, they often go upmarket. What concerns me, if the Transporter is dropped, perhaps no more firmware updates for it because it doesn't use the same firmware as the Squeezebox. Slim Devices put out new firmware for discontinued units for a long time but eventually the updates stopped coming - look at the SliMP3. Logitech would be even less inclined to have Slim devote development money to older products which would net Slim/Logitech no new revenue. -- Mark Lanctot ------------------------------------------------------------------------ Mark Lanctot's Profile: http://forums.slimdevices.com/member.php?userid=2071 View this thread: http://forums.slimdevices.com/showthread.php?t=28862 _______________________________________________ audiophiles mailing list [email protected] http://lists.slimdevices.com/lists/listinfo/audiophiles
