Not really "only available on Apple platforms"

It's being streamed via an open network protocol, Live HTTP Streaming, which was written by Apple but submitted as a royalty-free open standard to the IETF. There's nothing stopping anyone from writing a Live HTTP client for any OS they want, and that client would be able to show this stream. It's just that it's a new standard that hasn't been used much so far so no-one has bothered.

Re: Going backwards

I think the point of streaming the event live, as suggested by the article, is to test the data-center's capabilities and gauge load and demand. Since, presumably, Apple is expected to offer multi-media streaming to their own devices, it makes sense that the test is only for the same.

This puts actually puts more credence to that theory rather than to the competing one, which suggests that it is merely a ploy to cut out the live-bloggers from the mix in an effort to control access to the event and the message.

-dZ.

@Going backwards

Well said, it's ridiculous the way they lock you down. I smell anti-trust litigation within a few years.

"It will only be available on Apple platforms"

That's not strictly true. If you go to Mac Rumors, they have instructions on how to see it (not quite live I suspect) in VLC. http://www.macrumors.com/2010/09/01/can-you-watch-apples-keynote-stream-requirements-and-workarounds/

It sticks because...

They are closing themselves off. They are an option in the market place that I can not consider.

The message is, "If you're not already an Apple customer, then we don't want your custom. We don't want to wow you with our products and let you be a part of what we're doing and saying. If you're not already an Apple customer then you can go to a very warm place and try ice skating."

Forgive me for quoting the theme from Hong Kong Phoey, "He's got style, a super style and a power that just wont' stop" ... a groovy style and smoothness of operation which is very tempting, but that comes at a cost I won't pay ... and it could be so very, very different. If it wasn't for their attitude, I could have been an Apple customer some time ago if it wasn't for this.

I wrote more about my ongoing position here...

http://technilife.blogspot.com/2010/09/why-i-wont-go-apple.html

Apple to cut out middlemen journalists

So Apple are going to communicate direct with consumers. Gosh does this mean we cannot rely on Journalist being balanced so that they report facts rather than hurt feelings......

Ahem...

Indeed, as already mentioned the standard that will be used is open, non-proprietry, and free for anyone to implement and use. Again, as already mentioned, if you use VLC (those of you beloved of Open Source playback software) you will be able to view said, which is surely the holy grail of your 20 years of progress? Speaking of which, what is the current streaming medium of choice for you? Realplayer? Windows Media? Silverlight? Flash?

This stream is not a TV advert, it's there for the geeks and nerds to want to know what they are releasing next to be able to do so in advance of the resulting media regurgatation. The likely content will be information about the streaming of media to Apple devices, actually via the method that they intend to introduce. It's called eating your own dogfood. And it's intended audience is enthusiastic Apple customers, and media organisations - none of whom are going to have any problems watching this. If you don't care, and you don't own Apple kit, then just walk on by, this event isn't for you.

How this impacts anyone I do not know, much less how it "wipes out" anything either. Although if it wipes out my memory of watching any other livestream via the medium of actually being watchable I'll live with that.

No you are...

...being deliberately stupid.

THe conversation moved from the single event and expanded to its demonstration of the philosophy of Apple at large.

You might want to read a little slower in future, perhaps?

and...

Every... Single.. Fucking... Time....

... people speed read stuff and obviously failed to make the philosophical jump.

Michelle...

I'm not sure what you mean? Are you insinuating that I didn't get *your* point because I didn't read your post properly? FWIW, I wasn't responding to you. I'll respond to your post now though. You are wrong.

No... I'm right

...in my reality. In your reality ... well ... I'm not too sure.

You reply to the thread without specifying who you're replying to/following on to ... and you expect me to be a mind reader?

Excuse me ... my crystal ball is ringing.

Raptor Jesus

Oh God, get over yourself luv. I couldn't give a monkeys why you won't go Apple. For cryin' out loud.

Really?

Yeah, that worked out very nicely for Apple last time he left...

Whether or not you loathe Jobs, the bottom line says that he's doing at least something right.

Yes but....

I'd agree he definitely sees the world differently than the rest of us, but for the most part, I'd say its been a positive trait and not a negative one.

C'mon

I'm not gonna defend Job's idiosyncrasies or his dictatorial tendancies - but its ludicrous to say that Jobs is bad for Apple. Do you have any idea of apple's history or are you just jumping on the anti apple bandwagon like 90% of el reg's commenters?

not just patience

Your question-mark button is getting some serious wear, too.