New Apple products? [Archive] - Yellowworld Forums

stunninglyAsian

01-10-2005, 03:35 PM

Tomorrow, Jan 11th, from 9AM to 10:30AM, Apple will host its MacWorld conference and as usual, rumors are flying about what products will be released. Here is a list of rumors according to thinksecret.com:

Highly believable rumors
1. Headless iMac - Details on Apple's move to release a low-cost Mac ($499) without a monitor has been the talk of tech town lately, from NPR to CNN and Wall Street analysts in between.

2. iPod shuffle - Shuffle? That's the name, sources say, Apple will assign to its flash-based iPod. Also, new information suggests that Apple will only offer a 1GB flash-based iPod, as opposed to the 1GB and 2GB versions we originally reported.

3. PowerBook G4 Update - Nothing major here (see our report today), although Apple's professional portables are badly in need of revising as the G5-based units won't see the light of day for at least another six months. The line basically goes from 1.33/1.5GHz to 1.5/1.67GHz. Other changes include faster hard drives and Bluetooth 2.0.

4. FireWire Audio Breakout Box - a.k.a. "Asteroid," a.k.a the product leak that triggered Apple's lawsuit trend against leaks. It appears to resemble Miglia's HarmonyAudio, giving GarageBand users an easy and affordable way to plug their instrument into their Mac.

5. iLife '05 with GarageBand 2 - See our original report for the scoop on this one, and look for iTunes 4.7.1 and a new iPod Software update tomorrow...

6. GarageBand Jam Pack 4 - It's definitely coming, but we're not sure whether this relatively minor announcement counts as one of its own as far as the ten announcements we've heard or whether it's wrapped into iLife '05.

7. iWork '05 (Apple's version of Office)- Apple will make its consumer productivity suite appealing once more with Keynote 2 and Pages. Recently heard but not confirmed: there will be a free/lite version of Pages called Notes (doubtful, that's what TextEdit is for) and there will be a full spreadsheet application called Cells (we're split on this one).

8. Keynote 2 - Like Jam Pack 4, we can't tell if the upgrade to Keynote is wrapped into the iWork '05 announcement or will be its own. Also unknown is whether Apple will continue to offer Keynote as a stand-alone product or only with iWork '05.

Plausible Rumors
Apple's iPod mini could see a boost from 4GB to 5GB, AppleInsider and others have reported.

You can also count on Jobs to give a demonstration of Tiger that may be capped off by an official ship date to replace the vague "first-half of 2005"

Another possible announcement could include a demonstration of the Motorola/Apple iTunes-supported cell phone.

Highy-doubtful rumors

Unconfirmed rumblings over the last month have suggested that the 20GB iPod may be discontinued (with another filling in at the $299 price range) or that the iPod photo might receive a $100 price reduction, with the 40GB photo model replacing the current regular flavor 40GB iPod at $399.

There's a possibility that Apple may simply scrap the eMac line

hooligan

01-10-2005, 03:59 PM

Good grief. I just started working full time. I've got spare cash and I'm looking to get a mac. : )

mr. x

01-11-2005, 12:46 AM

am going to macworld tommorow, will give you the 411 then

bluemonq

01-11-2005, 01:07 AM

the iPod mini bump is for real; they're keeping up with the recent influx like the creative zen micro and rio carbon. word on the street is that certain iPod minis are upped RIGHT NOW; it seems they ran out of 4gb hard drives and began slipping in some fivers, disabled with firmware. some people are working on hacks. too bad the iHome thing was a hoax. that would be one of the few apple products i'd buy.

what's not cool: iPod shuffle supposedly has no screen! i'm supposed to peruse 200+ tracks on random???

Arex

01-11-2005, 03:54 AM

Hmmm... Apple technology is cool, but overpriced.=P They're like the Bimmers of the computer world.

RX

yoMAMA

01-11-2005, 09:47 AM

i wish i have money :(

bluemonq

01-11-2005, 11:58 AM

so far:
1) no tiger os update until the second half of the year
2) final cut express HD announced for $300
3) iLife upgraded
4) iMovie now does HD.
5) the iMac mini. available in two G4 flavors, for $500 & $600. 2" tall, 2.9 pounds:
http://www.gizmodo.com/gadgets/images/mac_mini.jpg
http://images.apple.com/macmini/images/indexdimensions20050111.jpg
http://images.apple.com/macmini/images/indexports20050111.jpg
looks like a shrunk-down G4 cube, don't it?. on sale 1/22.
http://www.apple.com/macmini/
6) quicktime 7 does HD, codec revamped; "the year of HD"
7) iWork: replaces appleworks, coming closer to an apple office
8) current iPods: interface between bmw, mercedes, nissan, volvo, & scion
9) iPod shuffle: 512MB/$99, 1GB/$149. no screen, 12 hours, USB2:
http://images.apple.com/ipodshuffle/images/indexwithgum20050111.jpg
power/mode selector: off, in order; shuffle
http://images.apple.com/ipodshuffle/images/indexswitch20050111.gif
http://images.apple.com/ipodshuffle/images/indexibook20050111.jpg
ad. i don't know if steve can sell this "no screen thing"
http://www.gizmodo.com/gadgets/images/ipod_shuffle1.jpg
on sale now; accessories are coming the next few weeks

Chester

01-11-2005, 12:20 PM

5) the iMac mini. available in two G4 flavors, for $500 & $600. 2" tall, 2.9 pounds:
Cool form-factor. Will be interesting to see if this might help Apple up its market share, finally.

Question: how do the 1.25/1.42 PowerPC G4 CPUs compare to Intels and AMDs? That is, what are they equivalent to, speed-wise? Their speed/cache specs make them seem pretty archaic.
9) iPod shuffle: 512MB/$99, 1GB/$149. no screen, 12 hours, USB2:
Don't know about y'all, but I find these disappointing. Even 512MB is too much storage capacity to manage without benefit of a screen.

hooligan

01-11-2005, 02:12 PM

Dang, I really like the mini-Mac. 600 bucks? I'd ask for more ram.

All I know about the mac processors are that they're 64-bits, like the new AMDs, but I don't know the cache memory, but I imagine that it's a lot?

Re: Mac vs AMD/Intel Processors?

I'll end this discussion right now.

Mac hardware is developed around RISC, Reduced Instruction Set Computing. Under this architecture, the processor does what it's told and nothing else. If your software is poorly coded, this can lead to instability. However, since Apple controls all aspects of the Mac market, including what software and hardware are available for the Mac, you are almost always guaranteed software that is better quality than any other operating system, including Windows.

Since the software is designed specifically for the platform it's being run on, there is no need for "generic" programming like there is on PCs. If you haven't researched Intel and/or AMD processors, you'll notice that the adherance to old architectures, which are based on the Pentium and Cyrix, is still prevalent even today.

The only bad thing about this is that if Apple decides they want to make an operating system that is incompatible with previous processors, you have no choice but to buy an entirely new system. Panther, their latest OS based on MACOS 10.3, supports all processors from the G3 to the Dual G5, which is reasonable considering if you have anything less, you need to be upgrading anyways.

PCs are based on CISC, Complex Instruction Set Computing. Before executing an instruction, the processor first checks if the instruction is logical. It then checks if it has privileges to execute the instruction. From there, the instruction is checked and processed against logical integral instructions.
This can reduce processing performance, but allows processors to be faster without causing themselves problems.

As I mentioned earlier, an anomaly that needs to be corrected soon is the fact that all x86 CISC processors are based on archaic architectures that keep being built on top of. If they tore it all down and started from scratch, we'd see computing potentially as fast as a low end Cray supercluster.

In terms of raw MHz, CISC processors are always going to be faster. This is because RISC processors don't have any instruction sets to catch itself on. The faster the processor, the more errors it can produce. These errors accumulate and can cause serious performance and accuracy issues.

However, in terms of performance, a 1.2Ghz RISC processor can compete with a 3Ghz CISC processor.

Why do people sometimes prefer Macs over PCs?

PCs just recently have caught up with integrating components on the motherboard. It used to be that you had to buy a sound card to have sound output, buy a video card to have video output, buy a firewire port to have firewire capability. Macs have integrated components, period. There is no need shop for motherboards that fit your needs, because they've already included it.

The only noticable difference between performance in software that is available on both PC and Mac is in rendering, audio editing, and video editing suites, such as Adobe Premiere, Reason, and Alias Maya.

Because Macs are based on RISC computing, and because rendering is primarily repetitive grunt work that RISC processors love to do, the two fit hand in hand.

If you're doing anything else, PCs are the best way to go. The library of Windows based software is enormous, which is good if you need to use your system for a lot of different functions.

Not to mention, it takes at least 8 months to get a Mac ported version of games, and most of the time developers don't even bother porting them at all.

ism

01-11-2005, 02:31 PM

The iShuffle looks pretty cool, actually. It has no screen but I think that's the point: it's like a radio station, surprising you with the next song, using some kind of "random" selection algorithm based on your iTunes ratings, play frequency, etc.. It grabs different songs every time you connect it to your computer. I'm in the market for something like this, and was looking at the MuVo, which is basically a flash drive with mp3 en/decoding mic in/phone out. The concept of the iShuffle is pretty cool though, but it looks like it requires iTunes to function the way I think it does. Perfect for hitting the gym with, jogging, etc..

That headless Mac would make a great basic computer. Most people just surf the web anyway. They're gonna sell a lot of these. I might grab one for web development testing, and it can sit right on top of a SFF PC. Add a KVM and you have a full development studio. =D

stunninglyAsian

01-11-2005, 02:42 PM

WHOA! iPod interface for Volvo? Did they say which models???

I think the iMac mini will sell good, it reminds me of the cube...

thaite

01-11-2005, 03:27 PM

stunninglyAsian

01-11-2005, 04:37 PM

The miniMac has got a lot more potential than just being a web/email station. i'm not going to buy one right away, but I will come late spring/ early summer, probably. And when I do, i'm going to integrate it was part of my digital media/entertainment system by hooking it up to my stereo and hdtv so it will serve as a music and dvd player, photo slideshow, and DVR. It's got all sorts of possibilities.

Dammit- at first I was going to get the lower end Powerbook or a iBook for school this Aug. since it's easy to move it from home to apt. But now I'm thinking about just getting this. It's been my experience that laptops aren't as reliable as desktops, even if you use them as desktops.

Anyways, sign me up for iWork- fuck microsoft!
Let the revolution begin! :biggrin:

ism

01-11-2005, 05:36 PM

That minimac does not have the power to be a DVR. It'll make a good media center otherwise, but you'll still need a DVI/VGA to Svideo or Composite for out, and gonna need some way to get the video in (Firewire?). Even with that, you'll need software video compression and decompression. If you want a DVR, there are MANY SFF cases and systems that are more well-suited.

bluemonq

01-11-2005, 09:55 PM

really, i don't think it would have hurt much tho to put a single-line oled on the narrow edge. i mean, i have about 30gb of music and some stuff i haven't heard in a while; i'd like to be able to see what im listening to. imo, with this iteration of the iPod it just plainly costs too much. there's nothing innovative with this at all: no touch-interface, no software, no add-ons, nada. just simply some flash ram with a apple logo on it. i can get a 512MB *with* screen for $90 and paint it white myself, thank you very much.

yoMAMA

01-11-2005, 10:11 PM

so not another year at least before powerbook G5?

[not that i have the funds for that, anyways..... :redface: ]

hooligan

01-11-2005, 10:16 PM

so not another year at least before powerbook G5?

[not that i have the funds for that, anyways..... :redface: ]

i was thinking about that too, maybe the G5 ibook. unfortunately, i really need a desktop to compliment an aging laptop (3 years old). :: shrug ::

i'm such a consumer whhhooorrreeeee.

bluemonq

01-11-2005, 11:52 PM

actually... i wonder if they will intertwine the iMac mini with an iBook. i mean, they'd have to bump up the iMac to a G5 to make it worthwhile, but say you have a family of iBook/powerbook owners... maybe three or four of them; the iMac mini could work as a file & print server/broadband router? im trying to do that in my dorm: get a cheapo mini-itx slapped together to handle some storage and networking stuff. beats having cat5e cable all over the place; across the quad some people have been stringing it through the windows =)

hooligan

01-11-2005, 11:57 PM

Chester

01-12-2005, 12:02 AM

Why use a full-blown system for print-serving/routing/etc. when you can use cheaper off-the-shelf units for that?

bluemonq

01-12-2005, 12:39 AM

because you can't use those off-the-shelf units for hosting unreal and counterstrike, silly...which i forgot to mention.

mr. x

01-12-2005, 01:30 AM

so umm...any questions for the guy who went there?

well in the way of specs I'm sure you can read what's been said already so for hands on basically the Ipod Shuffle is the size of a 1 gig (or 512 depending on the choice) flash drive, only it can play mp3s as well (yes you can store files on a shuffle), though it's so light it seems to weigh even less than a flash drive of its size, impressive on that front though personally

only caught a glimpse of the mini but yeah, basically it's a very small tin-box-looking device, small enough to fit in a backpack for sure, only issue of course is the monitor (if you're talking about portability)

hooligan

01-12-2005, 07:32 AM

because you can't use those off-the-shelf units for hosting unreal and counterstrike, silly...which i forgot to mention.

yeeess, counterstrike.

YuheiCarreau

01-12-2005, 10:09 AM

Does anyone else think this thing looks like a tampon? Especially with that string hangin' off it? I seem to remember watching one of those G4-Tech TV shows about good tech gifts for the holidays, where one commentator said he'd like an iPod that he could insert into an orifice and keep with him always...

Introducing the Apple iPon!
http://images.apple.com/ipodshuffle/gallery/images/frontlightthumb20050111.jpg
http://a248.e.akamai.net/7/248/2041/690/store.apple.com/Catalog/US/Images/beautyshot_ipodshuffle_050111.jpg

As others have pointed out, this thing is not really much different from any other flash-based MP3 player - except, of course, that it can play the Fairplay DRM'd songs sold on the iTunes music store. Still, it seems like a good product for the gym rat, being so lightweight. My sister just got a 20gig for christmas, but I might buy this for her on our birthday - I like that it can be used as a flash drive, a useful feature that several existing flash-based players have, but I wonder if it would need to be formatted for Windows in order for her to use it to transfer files from her iBook to a school PC.

The Mac Mini seems like a well-rounded product for the online shopping / e-mail / simple word processing crowd, and hopefully it will be able to handle DV well enough that the included iLife suite gets full use. I still have doubts as to whether it can perform in the business of low-cost PCs; but then, it seems that no PC manufacturer has been able to figure out how to sustain a loyal user base and undercut the competition consistently. The Mac mini's major advantage in this market will probably be Mac OS X - another round of internet worms and outlook exploits might send not just home users, but businesses needing only basic computer functions towards the Mac mini...

yoMAMA

01-12-2005, 10:14 AM

Lol

bluemonq

01-12-2005, 11:54 AM

Introducing the Apple iPon!
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v114/bluemonq/ipon.jpg

fixed, for great justice.

two different takes on apple:
http://www.gizmodo.com/gadgets/images/iProduct.gif
http://www.gizmodo.com/gadgets/images/AppleHaters.gif

thaite

01-12-2005, 12:11 PM

Arex

01-12-2005, 02:16 PM

As others have pointed out, this thing is not really much different from any other flash-based MP3 player - except, of course, that it can play the Fairplay DRM'd songs sold on the iTunes music store. Still, it seems like a good product for the gym rat, being so lightweight. My sister just got a 20gig for christmas, but I might buy this for her on our birthday - I like that it can be used as a flash drive, a useful feature that several existing flash-based players have, but I wonder if it would need to be formatted for Windows in order for her to use it to transfer files from her iBook to a school PC.
I regularly use a flash drive to transport files between my iMac at work and my PC at home--no formatting necessary. Aside from having all these weird files and folders visible when browsing the drive on my PC, it works without a hitch. I would assume the Shuffle would work the same way when used as a storage device.

RX

jz87

01-13-2005, 04:34 AM

The Mac mini is actually considerably lighter than an iBook or powerbook. My powerbook 15" is 5.5lb, and an iBook is around 4.2lb. The mini is only 2.9lb since it doesn't have a battery or a monitor. Of course you still have to plug it in and attack a monitor, keyboard, and mouse so it's not quite as convenient as a laptop in terms of use on the go (like on an airplane). But if you rarely carry your computer around and just want something easy to transport then the mini comes very close to the mobile computing core concept that IBM had experimented with, which is basically a small portable core that contains processor, hard drive and all the logic circuits which you can remove and plug into a vast number of different platforms. So the same core can power your laptop, desktop, handheld PDA, etc.

bluemonq

01-13-2005, 04:15 PM

here's a thought: the face of the iMac mini is 2" by 6.5". some dash openings are 2" by 7". got any ideas? :tongue:

Irezumi Kiss

01-13-2005, 06:16 PM

here's a thought: the face of the iMac mini is 2" by 6.5". some dash openings are 2" by 7". got any ideas? :tongue:
Don't even THINK about putting one in your ride, guy...that shit WILL get jacked, even if you camoflauge the front!

The fact that I could nab a Mini with just ONE paycheck is nigh-irresistible...and cheaper than some pairs of jeans no less!

The Shuffle would be perfect for runners/joggers/general working out. Put it around your neck and yer good to go! It would be nice if it had SOME sort of viewing port for the tracks, but then again, if you load it up with your choicest, bestest songs, who needs it? It actually cuts out the excess archiving you're forced to do trying to fill up the space with tracks you may or may not listen to when doing the shuffle feature, which most people seem to use by default.

bluemonq

01-14-2005, 11:53 AM

too late :tongue:
from http://www.prweb.com/releases/2005/1/prweb197110.htm

Auto Enthusiasts Reved-up for New Mac Mini - Classic Restorations First to Offer Custom Mac Mini Auto Installations
The new Mac Mini can bring "brain power" to any car, from the carefully restored classics and performance vehicles to the daily driver. Classic Restorations in Sloatsburg NY is first to offer customized design and installation of the Mac Mini in the car stereo or other single-DIN slot.

New York, NY (PRWEB) January 13, 2005 -- Melvin Benzaquen, president of Classic Restorations in Sloatsburg, NY (http://www.classicresto.com (http://www.classicresto.com/)) realized that at 2 X 6.5 inches, the newly introduced Mac Mini could easily fit into a car stereo compartment, creating a powerful “brain” for any car. He’s convinced the new Mac Mini could be one of the hottest innovations the car enthusiast market has seen in years.

“We had been completing the design and prototypes of our modified iBook and PowerBook car installs when rumors of the Mac Mini began to circulate earlier this month,” said Benzaquen. “We immediately began working on a new design and plan for car conversions on the new Mac Mini platform. We are pleased to be the first to offer the exciting Mac Mini conversion at a price far more accessible than any mobile PC alternative.”

Classic Restorations’ exclusive Mac Mini Auto designs provide for touch screen or conventional LCD display options. Although the the Mac Mini mounts in a single-DIN slot in dash, Classic Restorations can customize installation to fit under the seat, in the glove box or any other location in the car.

For car enthusiasts, the Mac Mini conjures the potential of having a car like KITT from “Knight Rider,” the popular t.v. program featuring a talking and thinking sleek black TransAm. The Mac Mini supports voice recognition and voice response, allowing for handsfree operation while driving. It also supports Bluetooth, allowing for the use of a wide array of wireless peripherals such as keyboards and cell phones.

Drivers can use the customized Mac Mini Auto to log into home networks to transfer flies, such as your favorite music, video and photos, wirelessly from computers and home media devices directly to the car. The Mac Mini platform supports virtually all home media formats (MP3, DVD, CD, WMA, etc.) and the 40 GB storage allows for onboard selection of thousands of songs. Of course, Mac games can be played on the Mac Mini to provide hours of entertainment for passengers.

Road trips will never be the same for Mac Mini-equipped cars. Users can drive up and log into to any hotspot, as offered at many Starbucks, McDonald’s, hotels and other public locations to surf the Web, view e-mail, view webcams, and other useful options.

Mr. Benzaquen explains, “For around the price of mounting an iPod in your car, you get a whole Macintosh computer.”

Classic Restorations is now taking reservations for installations starting on Jan. 22, the day Apple announced as the release date for the hardware. Customers can provide their own Mac Mini or Classic Restorations will arrange to purchase the computer (based on hardware availability). Classic Restoration is offering a special introductory offer.

To learn more about Classic Restorations exclusive Mac Mini Auto Installation or to schedule an appointment at our shop conveniently located 45 minutes from New York City, call 845-753-5091 or visit http://www.classicresto.com (http://www.classicresto.com/).

told ya so :tongue:

thaite

01-14-2005, 01:31 PM

sweet. i want i want.

mr. x

01-14-2005, 01:46 PM

all apple employees, yes ALL, receive a free ipod shuffle

Pookie_gal

01-19-2005, 09:27 AM

all apple employees, yes ALL, receive a free ipod shuffle

Any Apple employees who don't want their iPod Shuffle? :wink:

FrankieY18

01-19-2005, 09:57 AM

all apple employees, yes ALL, receive a free ipod shuffle

even janitors?

Azn Retribution

01-19-2005, 05:10 PM

HmM i wonder if this would be a good choice to power the CarPC setup i have planned for my car.

bluemonq

01-19-2005, 09:34 PM

well, osx has voice recognition built in, so sure, why not?

mr. x

01-20-2005, 01:15 AM

even janitors?
damn good question, cuz that would be such a classist thing to not give them one at the same time...iono, I spose it wouldn't be too much a stretch to do so but I duno there policy

Fireblade

01-20-2005, 05:29 AM

ya know what? I wonder if any aftermarket companies will attempt to make the miniMac a kinda portable device, like a small lcd (kinda like the PSone LCD Screen) along with mini compact keyboard and mouse. Or Apple for that matter. I think it'd be interesting to see that happen.

YuheiCarreau

01-20-2005, 09:11 AM

Irezumi Kiss

01-20-2005, 11:44 AM

Why on earth would you do that when you could just use a laptop?
Yeah, I was thinking the same thing.

Those Minis are freakishly small and sweet in being so, but when you factor in having to carry the bricks and power cords and other shit...even if you were to access a monitor elsewhere, it's kinda like a step back when you could just get a laptop and do the same with better mobility and needing no monitor to hook up to. And when the G5 lappies come out they'll be more powerful than the Mini anyway...

But someone will do it anyway, just to be able to do it...it's the "because the mountain is there" syndrome!

yoMAMA

01-20-2005, 12:06 PM

ain't no mountain high enough!

;)

YuheiCarreau

01-20-2005, 12:09 PM

Yeah, I was thinking the same thing.

Those Minis are freakishly small and sweet in being so, but when you factor in having to carry the bricks and power cords and other shit...even if you were to access a monitor elsewhere, it's kinda like a step back when you could just get a laptop and do the same with better mobility and needing no monitor to hook up to. And when the G5 lappies come out they'll be more powerful than the Mini anyway...

But someone will do it anyway, just to be able to do it...it's the "because the mountain is there" syndrome!

G5 laptops are a long way off. I think Apple will be selling 4 ghz G5 desktops before they figure out a way to cool the G5 chip enough that it can be used in a laptop...

Fireblade

01-20-2005, 02:59 PM

Why on earth would you do that when you could just use a laptop?

well, I'm just looking at the PSone for an example. Originally, no one even bothered to play playstation games portably until someone came out with a small compact LCD screen. Same with Gamecube and Playstation2. So I figure that because of it's small size, they might reasonably make a small LCD screen for it, for a nice price. Add that with a small foldable keyboard and mouse, and you might actually have a portable-like mobile computer. People might make em, just based on the fact that they could, and they might even actually sell em.

Dunno it would happen, but just an observation.

YuheiCarreau

01-20-2005, 07:23 PM

well, I'm just looking at the PSone for an example. Originally, no one even bothered to play playstation games portably until someone came out with a small compact LCD screen. Same with Gamecube and Playstation2. So I figure that because of it's small size, they might reasonably make a small LCD screen for it, for a nice price. Add that with a small foldable keyboard and mouse, and you might actually have a portable-like mobile computer. People might make em, just based on the fact that they could, and they might even actually sell em.

Dunno it would happen, but just an observation.

Well, when it first came out, creating a "portable" version of the PSone was the only way to play Playstation games on the go. But now that the PSP, a machine designed from the ground up to be portable, has come out, I doubt anyone given the option will choose to go with a jerry-rigged PSone.

Same for the Mac mini. Would you attach a tiny keyboard and screen to it, and try to rig some kind of battery to run it, or just buy a laptop? Laptops pretty much fit the description of "portable-like mobile computer" already, don't they?

I guess someone might try to do it just to see if it can be done, but it's a different situation from the PSone - the portable version already exists, in an incredibly refined state. I can't imagine a solution more practical and elegant than a Powerbook or iBook.