Gaming Consoles Turning Into Computers?

[CaNz]

I got interested in this when I found out the PS3 has a decently functional browser. It has a few performance problems, and a few things are just not practical to do... but what it screamed to me was capability. I then found [url="http://www.ps3magic.org/"]this little link[/url] which describes software that installs a version of Linux to your PS3... Pretty freaking cool!

I am betting that the next game consols that come out are going to be computers that use the TV as a monitor. in order to keep up with computer game capabilities, the consoles just keep getting better and better. I know my Xbox 360 has more power behind it than my laptop (and I think my laptop is pretty good!) so it wouldnt be too hard for gaming companies to just throw in a keyboard and giving us an all in one deal.

What do you guys think... are computers and consoles gonna start bridging the gap, or are emulators and software installations as far as the road goes.

[Dragon Warrior]

Well, technology as a whole is advancing every day (obviously) and because of that, what used to be simplistic and single-purpose pieces of equipment have all been striving towards becoming what thirty years ago would've been barely workable on your Macintosh computer. Cell phones are becoming mini computers, so I'm not surprised at all that they're advancing gaming consoles. And why not? I mean, Microsoft [i]did[/i] make the 360 and they're a computer company, so it's no surprise they would work on such a goal. And with youth today, we spend a lot of time on the internet (for Facebook and Twitter and such), listening to music, playing video games, watching YouTube, watching movies, and etc.

I agree that the next generation of consoles will probably have some bigger computer-esque features. If the 2nd generation PlayStation had the capabilities of a DVD/CD player and now the 3rd can use Linux, it's a no-brainer the route they're taking. Even workout programs/games have been made for these puppies. If it keeps up, consoles will pretty much be all we need anymore. Especially if it can toast bread, play Call of Duty, and download pornography for you all at the same time. Every college guy's dream...

[Katana]

[size=1][color=royalblue]I dunno about how much I'd [i]want[/i] to replace my computer with a console. I see the direction systems are taking, and yeah, they're definitely pushing the whole "entertainment system" rather than "gaming console" aspect these days - 360 and PS3 especially, but even the freaking Nintendo DS and just handhelds in general. You slap internet access to any device and it's bound to be heading in that direction.

I'm always with this odd balance in technology. I love me my gadgets and such, but I have a separate device for everything: I have a laptop, I have a cell phone, and I have a mp3 player. No one device is going to replace the other for me, because once you start multi-tasking, you cannot completely devote your attention to one thing to be good at. Gaming consoles are going to be [i]really good[/i] at gaming, because that's what they're meant to do primarily. If you want to make a computer replacement, then make a computer.

But fix the input, dayum. Controllers =/= mice or keyboard. Definitely not a keyboard.

Though for what I say, there's not a doubt in my mind that says companies are going to do it anyway. 'cause, you know, science marches or something like that.[/color][/size]

[James]

[font="Palatino Linotype"]I think there will be some convergence, but I don't think game consoles will outright replace PCs. Instead, I think game consoles could replace set-top boxes (or the other way 'round).

Consoles just aren't good for a lot of the tasks that PCs can do very well (like word processing, or editing graphics, or more "heavy" use of the Internet outside social networking).

It's true that we're seeing more Internet-related stuff on consoles, but remember that we're seeing more Internet-related stuff [i]everywhere[/i]. Phones are a great example. The Internet is becoming ubiquitous, but not every device is becoming a PC as a result. [/font]

[CaNz]

I am sure computers can do it better, however the Linux software shows that the PS3 can accomplish word processing and other computer functions, It is definitely not gonna beat out the top PCs, but that may not be true for the next generation of consoles... I could easily see these companies continuing to push the envelope.

[Nony]

[quote name='James' timestamp='1294784654' post='703823']
[font="Palatino Linotype"]The Internet is becoming ubiquitous[/font]
[/quote]
I like your use of the word "ubiquitous" there, James.

On topic, I don't know if I'd want my console to be a computer... I suppose I'm agreeing with Kat on this, in that I prefer my devices to specialize in one or two things (realistically it'd probably be more than just one or two tasks, but still). However, despite saying that, I own an iPhone. Which is a very useful phone. I have relied on it many times for when I need weather reports, map support when it comes to what bus to take, or even if I'm just plain bored and I want to play some Robot Unicorn Attack.

That being said, there is something about my gaming devices that I don't want turning into computers. Perhaps this feeling will change over time as technology advances and as I possibly learn more about current developments. There's also what James mentioned about the internet becoming a ubiquitous thing.
But, for now, this be my opinion. :V