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Author Topic: BBC News article on Commodore mentions Amiga  (Read 3382 times)

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Offline amigeanTopic starter

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BBC News article on Commodore mentions Amiga
« on: March 16, 2007, 01:45:02 PM »
Talking about the new Commodore PCs - check out the pictures - a nice looking A500 figures there too...

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/technology/6453339.stm

They seem pretty serious these new Commodore guys - they might even turn a profit! (when was the last time this happened in the Amiga world?  :lol: )

Their new machines are sweet looking - would be great to get AROS running there!

Hope they do well with these PCs and then use some of their fancy design and marketing to propel AROS, C-1, minimig, EFIKA, Samantha or whatever else comes us along to the mainstream...  

 

Offline amigeanTopic starter

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Re: BBC News article on Commodore mentions Amiga
« Reply #1 on: March 16, 2007, 04:34:29 PM »
I wonder, would they sell those black Tower cases separately? I know I would definitely want one...

I admit it's unlikely though, since those distinct cases are pretty much the main reason one would go for their otherwise off-the-shelf PCs...

I still think they stand to make a big buck from marketing and design alone - the commodore brand and logo are still recognisable, that BBC news story attests to this
 

Offline amigeanTopic starter

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Re: BBC News article on Commodore mentions Amiga
« Reply #2 on: March 16, 2007, 05:09:09 PM »
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What exactly is the point? Just because it has the commodore logo? It is just a pc with high specs which currently are of no use on Aros due to lack of games, software and drivers to be able to use it properly, so it will all go to waste.


my point is not about utility - it is about generating buzz, (what those looking at technology markets call "network externalities") getting people to know that AROS exists, that a variant of AOS that many knew and loved now runs natively on x86 and that with a little push, it might even become usable for the odd nostalgia fix.

I see this as an opportunity - this "ressurection" is getting a lot of attention and it appears to be targetting the right kind of market - including a bootable AROS-Max LiveCD there could help spread the word - and it would still add some value to their product for no real cost to them. And then, who knows, these new commodore guys might even have some ideas for bounties they would like to see implemented...

anyone who considers buying one of those PCs will not base their decision on hardware specs alone, but because they like the package as a whole; it is ultimately about aesthetics and personal feelings (nostalgia included) - this may not be how many of us make our hardware purchase decisions, but there are good signs that a sizeable proportion of the market is motivated by marketing, packaging, fancy logos, GUI design and other non-strictly utilitarian considerations (see Apple)


 

Offline amigeanTopic starter

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Re: BBC News article on Commodore mentions Amiga
« Reply #3 on: March 16, 2007, 08:09:50 PM »
I agree... there's isn't much else that you could do with Commodore's brand than what they're already doing.

It's wishful thinking but there's a good chance this plays out well for them - and possibly for us nostalgia-nutters too...
 

Offline amigeanTopic starter

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Re: BBC News article on Commodore mentions Amiga
« Reply #4 on: March 17, 2007, 12:09:50 AM »
I am fully aware they are in the business of "shifting units" - which is what companies need to do to stay afloat - I do not think this is a bad thing; the same goes for the lack of link with the Commodore of the past - IMHO this is one of their positive qualities, if anything...

I am not suggesting that this will inevitably bring about massive changes for the fortune of our platform - but I am optimistic (dreaming, perhaps I know) that *something* "good" *could* come out of it for two reasons:

(i) Unlike Amiga inc, these guys appear to be pressing all the right buttons so far; they have actual products that have stirred some excitement in mainstream press and stand a fair chance of making some money

(ii) Market-oriented, serious companies respond to market incentives (again unlike Amiga inc) - IMHO there is some scope for an alignment of their incentives with those of the community (broadly defined; including not only users but also hardware/soft developers); there's a wealth of opportunities for them to add value to their products (and thereby shift more units) by doing the kind of things that would make us happy...

Then again - given our experience with Ainc, skepticism is indeed warranted and is perhaps the safest option if we are to avoid dissappointment

I guess we have to wait and see :-)
 

Offline amigeanTopic starter

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Re: BBC News article on Commodore mentions Amiga
« Reply #5 on: March 17, 2007, 12:03:25 PM »
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Anyone remember the Commodore Colt?


Not really... care to elaborate?