Apple's Set Top Box

That's what it is. 

In previous posts we've alluded to Apple moving into the home multimedia market.  And that's exactly what they're doing. 

These guys are smart.  They want to be the central hub or center for digital multimedia.  And why not? 

They've pretty much wrote the book on it and redefined how everyone on the planet listens to music.

This device is designed to be an interface between the network and the TV with the ability to receive an IP transmission, decode the digital signal for an analog TV and provide storage (like a PVR/DVR...read TIVO).

It sports an Ethernet jack, RCA connectors and HDMI interface and integrated Wi-Fi.  We believe it has some sort of pre-N Wi-Fi cuz that's now what they're equipping their new iMACs with.

The only problem is their Wi-Fi support. If you're merely receiving a big-ass file, storing it and playing on a TV later, then their Wi-Fi is probably fine.  But if you're trying to stream multicast IPTV or MP3s or any real-time isochronous traffic, it should suck. 

Their Wi-Fi support has no was to mitigate interference, adequately support multicast or prioritize video traffic over any other traffic.  Putting our smart antenna stuff into their Airport and into this iTV box would solve all this.

Apple (or at least one of Apple's chief scientists...Stuart Cheshire) have looked into our technology and here's what they (he) thinks.   But the problem is Apple seems to think that 802.11n is the panacea.  It isn't  Here's why.

In any event, it's only becoming more and more apparent that consumers must deal with building IP networks in their home (which is one of the reasons why Cisco purchased Scientific Atlanta).  This means Ethernet cabling all over, IP over powerline (yuk), HPNA over coax or Wi-Fi. 

And we know what consumers want. :)