Re: New Macbook - Deliberately hobbled?

[Andrew Kimery] "And, IMO, a big reason they don't want to is to protect their net-based media distribution efforts. "

What does this have to do with anything? If I made a BluRay disc in DVDSP (if it was possible) or Encore, what does that have to do with Apple's download service from iTunes? Nothing at all, really. All major movie studios are going to release their movies on BluRay anyway. Not ramping up to support BluRay right now is not going to help or hurt iTunes movie sales. Also, as of right now, there's exactly one BluRay burner that I know of for a Mac. In order to get that integrated into the OS, Apple has to license the BluRay tech from Sony. Not sure if that's something they want to do and it will do nothing but drive the cost of their computers up. Not only do they have to pay for the burner, but they have build in the software capable of burning to BluRay to make it as easy as it is to do right now with the OS's finder (i.e., no other software needed). Sure, maybe they could make a build to order option, but I bet people would balk at the cost. Also, I doubt you could have a BluRay player that is also the equivalent of the SuperDrive (meaning able to burn regular DVDs and CDs). It's an in between time right now and we have to wait it out.

I truly believe the Steve Jobs is right. The licensing to produce BluRay DVDs is very very complex. Have you tried to get a BluRay professionally replicated (not copied but professionally replicated and stamped)? It's not easy and it certainly isn't cheap and a lot of that cost is the licensing of the BluRay name, not to mention the fact it's hard to find places that will do it for you.

I bet it could be done today, but it couldn't be done the way Apple wants it. It's a fact of life that that's the way the company is run and I am surprised people still bitch about it. They do things Apple's way, and that's it. Take it or leave it. There's always Linux or windows.

Jeremy