We had some friends over this weekend and I was playing some iPod music over the stereo when it made me think: It's 2006 and yet I'm still struggling to access my music where and when I want to (forget about video).
I have a CD collection that is literally collecting dust on the shelves. Fortunately, I've been able to encode most of them into .aac or .mp3 format and have them stored on the hard drive on my Mac. Most of them are also on my iPod, though only a subset of them fit on my wife's Nano. However, I haven't yet been able to copy the files on my Mac to my PC so I can listen to my library at work. I'm able to listen to my iPod in my car via the iTrip, but that's basically a hack. There is little interconnectivity between the PC and DVR/TV/stereo. And the interconnectivity mechanisms vary from Bluetooth to Wifi to good ole RCA cables. I know there are hacks out there, but I'm not willing to go through the hassle. Sonos and Windows Media Center sound like they'd help, but they're both a bit too expensive. And, from Sean Ryan's review, it seems that Slingshot is promising but maybe a bit early...so unless you're an early adopter, we're very much living in the dis-connected home these days.
When will I be able to seamlessly access my music and other media from my Stereo, PC, TV, Car and mobile device? I'm tempted to say "never" but I'm more optimistic than that. Actually I think it will be when Apple extends their ecosystem because they'll control the hardware and software but I'm hoping other companies give them a run for their money for competition's sake.
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