Things I don't want on the hardware side: ==================================================== - A server device is a dead end, it's better to rely on VortexBox appliance and similar devices for running TinySC. No reason for Logitech to focus on this area IMHO. - A portable device is also a dead end, there is no way Logitech is going to be able to create better hardware than Apple iPod/iPad/iPhone and all the Android phones. - A new controller with a touch screen might possibly be an option if it has the right price. Still, it will be very hard for Logitech to compete with iPad/iPod in this area.
Things that have some potential on the hardware side: ==================================================== + A receiver device with playback support but no TinySC support might be interesting if it has the right price. If they try to make something that can run TinySC it's going to be too expensive. However, the problem with a headless device is the support headache of helping users who don't have a clue what the device is doing because there isn't a display. I suspect Logitech don't want to repeat the support situation they've had with the Duet. + A new 7-10" picture frame device without playback support to use as a large now playing screen. A touch screen will probably make it too expensive, just a Linux based open source picture frame with some hard button controls that will rule the world. I'm not sure there is much besides the picture frame that I personally want on the hardware side. However, I suspect the picture frame position fairly soon is going to be filled by a iPad with iPeng, so Logitech better hurry if they like to fill this spot in my home. Both the Radio and Touch are excellent devices which potential we haven't really seen yet. However, to unleash that potential what we really need is some focus on the software and I want this focus to be directed at the music listening experience. Leave Facebook, twitter, image viewers and similar non music related stuff to third parties and focus on things like: + Better browse/search functionality + Better mixing functionality (replacement for MusicIP) + Better playlist management including support for smart playlists + Support for statistics such as ratings, play counts + Support for community based music browsing, find interesting music through your Squeezebox friends + Support for purchasing high quality music electronically (similar to iTunes Music Store) + Native Spotify support I'd be happy to pay for some of these software features, I'd even be willing to pay a monthly subscription fee to Logitech for some of them. No hardware is going to change the world with the current software status, it's the software that needs improvements to make the SqueezePlay based devices better. Unfortunately, most of the software features listed above has been on many peoples wish lists several years now, so I don't really believe Logitech will start focusing on them now. Of course, I would be very happy if they proved me wrong regarding this and decided to put some focus on the music listening experience. -- erland Erland Isaksson 'My homepage' (http://erland.isaksson.info) (Install my plugins through Extension Downloader) (Developer of 'TrackStat, SQLPlayList, DynamicPlayList, Custom Browse, Custom Scan, Custom Skip, Multi Library, Title Switcher and Database Query plugins' (http://wiki.erland.isaksson.info/index.php/Category:SlimServer)) ------------------------------------------------------------------------ erland's Profile: http://forums.slimdevices.com/member.php?userid=3124 View this thread: http://forums.slimdevices.com/showthread.php?t=78465 _______________________________________________ discuss mailing list [email protected] http://lists.slimdevices.com/mailman/listinfo/discuss
