Storage Takes the Stage

More freedom demands more space.

That truism has played out so many times that it's become a cliche -- from the Pilgrims in New England to the homesteaders in the Old West to commitment-phobes in relationships today. But it bears repeating at least one more time, because it's playing out yet again, thanks to digital media.

Music and video lovers, long chained to restrictive schedules of commercial-ridden broadcast media, are increasingly throwing off their shackles and downloading albums, movies and TV shows. Apple's (AAPL Quote) success in offering programs such as Lost on the iPod, and TiVo's (TIVO Quote) plans to allow transfers of shows it records to portable devices are only the latest steps toward a world in which consumers get their media where they want it, when they want it. ...