Folks, I love K and have a pretty full 3U and got the email. My issue is that I almost never, as a standard, install the latest OS of anything until its been out a while. Now, I know K does a great job of supporting the K systems, but I am also concerned that in the new kOS that they somehow might have something in the code that gives them the ability to make changes to our systems and experience if an adverse decision comes down in the courts. I know, I know I sound like I believe in the 12/12/12 stuff. NOT. I'm just very careful when I upgrade any systems for any purpose. While I like the movies, I can buy them for $3 from RedBox and get them later. The $9-12 would be worth it to me to ensure there are no unforseen problems with the kOS until I am comfortable. I can't be the only one that spent what we spent on these systems and has these concerns. I'd never question the integrity of the K folks; I believe they have our best interest in mind. But I also realize they are currently in litigation and I'm highly concerned with any OS pushes that don't give me any reassurances they aren't "preparing" our systems for some ultimate decision. Hence, I have all IP's and ports to and from K blocked except the Movie and Music guides so my system is not "updated" without me specifically knowing about it and its affects. Call me paranoid if you like, but I wasn't paranoid when I spent $20k+ for the system and I doubt I am now.
Your thoughts?
In today's world I believe paranoia is NOT warranted but healthy scepticism is very appropriate. In my opinion if you live in a "supported territory" (most of the USA) the upgrade is probably worth it. I am convinced that the legal vulnerabilities are slipping away with the passage of time and technological evolution.
Warner Bros signing on for electronic distribution would mean that they have given Kaleidescape the 'right' through the current licensing program to do the very thing that the cc folks have been fighting in the courts. I also believe that Warner will not be the last studio to sign on. Within a couple of years most if not all of the major studios will have signed on which will have the net effect of negating the lawsuit.
Warner is honouring the capability with upgrading their titles to ultraviolet to take all that material into the cloud and in turn make it available on any of your registered devices. In short order even electronic counter measures won't matter because your library will be legally backed up into the cloud.
More to the point, and this only comes with the KOS 5 upgrade, you technically will extend the life and utility of your 3U (which you obviously stole for that price) because you can delete movies you don't need immediate access to on your 3U because they will always be available to you in the cloud. So those movies you really are not totally thrilled with can be removed without fear of loss and you will free up space on your server for stuff you really like and want immediate access to.
note to Kaleidescape::::::: It would be really useful in the long term to have an integrated catalog that reflects your total ownership including movies that are only stored in the cloud similar to what apple does with their tab differentiator that segments movies on the device versus all movies you own regardless where they are.
As far as OS stability is concerned I haven't heard any feedback from the "supported territories" that would suggest there are any technological reasons not to upgrade. The software appears to be behaving well.
Finally there are so many downstream opportunities for program improvements that I could not justify waiting especially if I lived in a 'supported territory'. Apple iTunes now has all of the studio previews for movies not yet in theatres or for every movie currently out on DVD/BD. Kaleidescape should make those previews optionally available to its systems owners for the obvious marketing benefits for selling new product into the ecosystem. I for one would love to see some of the movies upcoming on my 14 ft screen to get a taste of whats to come............
So yes you should upgrade so that you can join the group waving the flag from the 'supported territories' to the rest of us in the third world!!!!!!!
Peter