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MacRumors
Jan 6, 2002, 03:15 PM
Ok, with everything that's been flying around, I felt it appropriate to summarize before the big event:

PowerMacs

Speed has been the primary focus... with a range of reports of 1ghz G4's (MacUser UK (http://www.macuser.co.uk/macsurfer/php3/openframe.php3?page=/newnews/newsarticle.php3?id=1638) to G5's entering production (The Register (http://www.theregister.co.uk/content/39/23078.html)). With the hype surrounding this launch, people are focusing on expectations of huge speed increases... however, if past experience is any guide - it is very unlikely that Apple/Mot will be able to meet such high expectations. Note during the last 6 month period prior to MacWorld NY, Mhz increased by 134mhz.

iMacs

The buzz around the rumormills ever since the iMac was first introduced in 1998 has been the possibility of an LCD iMac. With hints (Quanta Order (http://quote.bloomberg.com/fgcgi.cgi?T=marketsquote99_news.ht&s=APBAPshW0UXVhbnRh)) around, it seems this may finally be due. Continuing at least one model of the "classic" iMac CRT seems possible (MacMinute (http://www.macminute.com/lib/020103apple.shtml)) to keep prices reasonable (sub $1000). 1 Ghz speed of the iMac G3 has been suggested (IBM 750FX (http://www-3.ibm.com/chips/products/powerpc/newsletter/oct2001/new-prod1.html)), however, that particular chip was only supposed to begin "sampling" this month, and it's unlikely Apple would fit their entry level Mac with a faster (in Mhz) processor than their Pro Macs.

iBooks/Powerbooks

TiBook has been recently updated, so not much speculation surrounds it... and there are only hints of speed-bumped multicolored iBooks (ThinkSecret (http://www.thinksecret.com/features/mwsf02.html))

Monitors

Railhead Design (http://www.railheaddesign.com/) reported that Apple would drop it's low end 15" LCD, and introduce a 19" Studio Display to fill out the line -- with hopeful price cuts as well. Of note, EETimes (http://www.eetimes.com/story/OEG20020103S0069) introduced the possibility of a larger Cinema Display with max res of 2048 x 1280 as well as research into "stereoscopic" displays.

Other...

Of PDA's and Transporters... a lot of hype was generated by the iWalk story... however, likelyhood of this seems very low - especially since SpyMac themselves dismiss the chance of it being introduced. If Apple is to live up to the hype, I feel this category is where it will fall. However, information in this area is lacking.

As tomorrow approaches... One thing to keep in mind is to keep your perspective.



MacRumors
Jan 6, 2002, 03:21 PM

detroitsuperfly
Jan 6, 2002, 03:23 PM
I'm so excited about Macworld, I'm going to throw-up!!

Ensign Paris
Jan 6, 2002, 03:26 PM
Apple are right, I AM NOT going to sleep tonight!

Guy

AudiA4
Jan 6, 2002, 03:38 PM
I mean c'mon - speed increases, larger monitors, even an LCD imac is certainly expected, and definitely not groundbreaking. To all of these I say "Whoooppdeee freakin' doooo".

To me, any new device that I would consider groundbreaking or even exciting would be something totally unexpected or hereforto unavailable from Apple (at least recently). I'm placing my hopes on some type of wireless, tablet device (i.e. PDA). The supposed iWalk device is questionable at best, but everyone here would certainly lust for a similar device. I hope that "Danger" device isn't it - what a dog.

C'mon Apple. Wow us with a computer-centric device. I don't need a home entertainment system.

d3h872
Jan 6, 2002, 03:44 PM
I'd like to thank the admins of such a great site. Not only do they maintain a higher-traffic site, they keep it thoughful.

Perspective, as they mention, is key here. What bears mention is that people were reportedly leaving last MWSF crying in disappointment. (Okay, that's a little sad, but it's indicative of most everyone's reaction.)

Listen, Apple is responsible for hyping this event. They want people to attend the conference itself and to engage in Apple-based conversations. Well, it is certainly working; has anyone noticed the number of comments streaming in here?

Keep your thoughts in line -- rumor sites (as much as I welcome them), have a tendancy of inflating our expectations. As the admins here remind you, maintain perspective!

arn
Jan 6, 2002, 04:05 PM
Indeed...

There will be a fair number of disappointed users... as there always is.

No matter how successful a product eventually becomes there is a percentage of people who hate it, love it, and are indifferent to it.

the iMac drew a lot of criticism in this respect... but did very well.

arn

Mageek
Jan 6, 2002, 05:02 PM
Well said.

Those iWalk photos and video that was supposedly pulled by a "legal" department of some kind? Well, MacAnonymous.com still has them up and even notes that they haven't recieved any legal warning.

hotch
Jan 6, 2002, 05:11 PM
Originally posted by Mageek
Those iWalk photos and video that was supposedly pulled by a "legal" department of some kind? Well, MacAnonymous.com still has them up and even notes that they haven't recieved any legal warning.

Wired still has them posted.

zebra
Jan 6, 2002, 05:20 PM
I sure hope they come up with something better than some speed bumps...I'd like to see a new apple pda.

BSales
Jan 6, 2002, 05:32 PM
Your predictions seem pretty conservative to me. I EXPECT to see the new iMac and speed bumps. There has to be more to the announcments to deserve this level of hype.

Based on Apple's hype, I think the new products need to be "Way Beyond" this rumor site's predictions. Your predictions will not leave me "blow away."

I think the show is about the continued evolution of the "Digital Hub" concept with new software (iPhoto) and a new A/V component that will work as a PVR and Audio Jukebox. This box will allow for transfer of audio and video from Apple's line of software products (Send iMovies, DVDs and audio files to your home A/V setup for playback).

P.S. I would also love to see the new iMac have a LCD screen that pulls out to become a wireless iPad.

chandlerbing_2001
Jan 6, 2002, 05:36 PM
i think if the iWalk is true or apple really plan to release a PDA,,, i do think they wont release it tomorrow ,,, myabe in Tokyo ,,, u never know

nahaliel
Jan 6, 2002, 05:57 PM
check out the posts about global airport.. looks like a very safe bet to go with the star trek quotes.

j763
Jan 6, 2002, 05:58 PM
Originally posted by AudiA4
I mean c'mon - speed increases, larger monitors, even an LCD imac is certainly expected, and definitely not groundbreaking. To all of these I say "Whoooppdeee freakin' doooo".


I have to agree with AudiA4 there... Apple certaintly has something bigger than some speed bumps in the works. I think that we'll see either a) Apple either merges or takesover a major company b) joint venture (eg sony-apple for digital devices) c) Wintel PC running OS X or d) Jaguar including Windows emulation.

c + d would be the most controverseal, obviously. I would approve of option c more than option d because it would increase the range of Mac OS X software whereas d would seriously limit the range of native Mac OS X software. I think that if c came out @ mwsf, we'd see serious limitations on the use, eg. ensure that no matter what hardware the wintel machine has, OS X never runs faster than an iMac (if they can make a cheap iMac that is...) at the same time as running a *major* apple hardware advertising/publicity campaign.

buffsldr
Jan 6, 2002, 06:02 PM
Apple strategy has been digital hub. The desired effect of whatever is announced tomorrow is going to be to add value to being an Apple owner/user. The goal will be for the general (non-mac freaks like us) populus to say, "I would like a device/software like that.... Oh, it is an Apple only? Hmmm, maybe my next computer should be an Apple." Do you agree with what I have said thus far?

Now, with this paradigm in mind, let's examine each of the proposed announcements. I do not have the interest to rehash them all right here, we generally concur on the top 5 rumors. But I will say, adding a PDA, as cool as we mac-freaks would think it was (and we would all sell plasma to buy one, if necessary), I really don't think a PDA (barring some tablet LCD device) has the power to draw people to Apple. I say this because it seems that the PDA market currently offers sufficient products to satisfy the market demands.

Bottom line.... I have no idea what is being released, but it is driving me nuts!

This site should be renamed a Support Group for Pre-Mac World Freaks.

sespinos
Jan 6, 2002, 06:03 PM
Although I would've said differently a couple of days ago, I think the first post lists pretty much what we'll see tomorrow. I think it's all reasonable, and pretty cool. If Apple didn't hype it so much, we'd all be pretty happy to see LCD iMacs. I suppose I'd probably add iPhoto or something of the sort, but other than that, not much more.

I can't really think of what else they might introduce, but the PDA seems unlikely. It seems like all of this would be o.k. if we hadn't had all that hype in the first place.

hotch
Jan 6, 2002, 06:15 PM
Originally posted by buffsldr
Now, with this paradigm in mind, let's examine each of the proposed announcements.

Sounds like someone did LD Debate in high school ;-)

matt201
Jan 6, 2002, 06:19 PM
I have been reading the forum for about a week now, and I just wanna say that I don't believe that there is going to be a PDA or an iMac with a LCD screen that can be used as an iPad. Now, don't get me wrong, I for one would LOVE to have one, but how much do you guys expect to pay for something like that? Say that Apple did come up with one PDA with 5GB of Hard Drive like the one in the iPod, are you willing to pay $599 USD for that? Let's face it, the iPod is already $299, and to add a PDA function to it with a bigger colour screen would easily make it $599. Maybe not, but it will be at least $499. Are you guys willing to pay that much? Because it just seems to me that many (not all, but quite a few) of you expect Apple to introduce "ground-breaking" products without paying a high premium for it! Let's be realistic here...

Same thing goes for the iMac.. a Flat Screen iMac is already gonna cost us more, and now we are talking about a removable screen! And many of you are already complaining about the $1899 if not the $1299 price tag! (assuming that these prices were in fact correct.) How much are you really willing to pay to have all these extra stuff?

For me, I am just excited, but I also know not to get my hopes up too high. I just hate to disappoint myself. I think that many times we expect too much from Apple without thinking about how much we are willing to give back. (I am talking about financial support, not just coming onto this forum to talk about our excitment and supports for Apple.) I just wish that there is indeed a Flat Panel iMac. I have been saving my money for it. :-) I don't mind if the price tag is $1899, as long as it comes with some cool stuff, such as a SuperDrive. Yet, I know it is not possible for Apple to do so... especially as many of you point out, there is no way Apple is going to introduce an iMac with that kind of Price Tag.

Anyway, I guess we will see tomorrow, and I am not trying to ruin everyone's excitment, but I just want to point out that we should keep our perspective and the only person that is going to disappoint ourselves on Monday is oursleves. Even if Apple shouldn't have put up all those banners on their website to hype us; what they consider "ground-breaking" is not always at par with our own version! Besides that, I trust that Apple will try to do whatever it can, to make the majority of its customers happy.

deusvede
Jan 6, 2002, 06:28 PM
Originally posted by BSales
P.S. I would also love to see the new iMac have a LCD screen that pulls out to become a wireless iPad.

That's what I've been thinking on. It would be GREAT if they get the concept to its limits.

PS: Apple, be ambitious.

mattelsa
Jan 6, 2002, 06:30 PM
Apple likes to own the corresponding domain name of its products. They all link to apple.com, like:

http://www.ipod.com
http://www.newton.com
http://www.imac.com
http://www.powerbook.com
...

So if iWalk was coming out, they would for sure want to own iWalk.com as well. If you look at http://www.iWalk.com, it's interesting. Just a poem about a great holiday gift and an infinite universe with great things to come. It's made with the most minimal html possible. The iWalk.com domain is currently owned by PSNI, a service provider in Seattle. Why would an ISP own a domain with just a simple poem on it?

Mattelsa.

elgruga
Jan 6, 2002, 06:37 PM
Originally posted by AudiA4
I mean c'mon - speed increases, larger monitors, even an LCD imac is certainly expected, and definitely not groundbreaking. To all of these I say "Whoooppdeee freakin' doooo".



Yes to that - the only thing that got us all going was the iWalk - yes, I hate the name too.

So lets be optimistic - we want to be blown away, and speed bumps and lcd's are not going to do that, are they?

BurntCalc
Jan 6, 2002, 06:45 PM
Originally posted by mattelsa
Apple likes to own the corresponding domain name of its products. They all link to apple.com, like:


So if iWalk was coming out, they would for sure want to own iWalk.com as well. If you look at http://www.iWalk.com, it's interesting. Just a poem about a great holiday gift and an infinite universe with great things to come. It's made with the most minimal html possible. The iWalk.com domain is currently owned by PSNI, a service provider in Seattle. Why would an ISP own a domain with just a simple poem on it?

Mattelsa.

Interesting. The poem is actually really nice and nostalgic, talking about "different" and "infinite"... But I think it's just a love poem. Obviously some guy went and registered a star (hence the star chart) under his wife/girlfriends name. Not a bad gift, if you ask me.

Nice try. ;-)

-So close, yet so far away....

arn
Jan 6, 2002, 06:48 PM
Originally posted by mattelsa
Apple likes to own the corresponding domain name of its products. They all link to apple.com, like:

.....

So if iWalk was coming out, they would for sure want to own iWalk.com as well.


http://www.ipod.com didn't point to Apple.com until the day of the announcement.

As for the 1st list - those arn't my "predictions" per-se... just a realistic recap of the predominant rumors. My point of view is that the above is what we should expect - anything else is just icing on the cake.

That being said, I a holding out hope that Apple will "wow" us... especially with the website prehype.

arn

GerBNL
Jan 6, 2002, 07:01 PM
It's 1 AM here in the netherlands... i'm off to bed...

udannlin
Jan 6, 2002, 07:29 PM
Originally posted by j763 <b>
I have to agree with AudiA4 there... Apple certaintly has something bigger than some speed bumps in the works. I think that we'll see either a) Apple either merges or takesover a major company b) joint venture (eg sony-apple for digital devices) c) Wintel PC running OS X or d) Jaguar including Windows emulation.
[/B]

You guys have to realize that Apple would not merge with Sony. If anyone, they would have a closer partnership with Canon. Sony is their biggest competition in this AudioVisual PC revolution. Apple intentionally choose to push Canon products more than Sony products for that one reason. Even though Sony DV camcorders work much better with iMovie and FCP than Canon...

MacAztec
Jan 6, 2002, 07:34 PM
Apple would never merge with sony. Sony steals apple's ideas. I think that apple should merge with BEA to make the best X system ever...

MacAztec
Jan 6, 2002, 07:35 PM
Or they should merge with IBM chip sector

Rocketman
Jan 6, 2002, 07:52 PM
Originally posted by BurntCalc
Originally posted by mattelsa
Apple likes to own the corresponding domain name of its products. They all link to apple.com, like:


So if iWalk was coming out, they would for sure want to own iWalk.com as well. If you look at http://www.iWalk.com, it's interesting. Just a poem about a great holiday gift and an infinite universe with great things to come. It's made with the most minimal html possible. The iWalk.com domain is currently owned by PSNI, a service provider in Seattle. Why would an ISP own a domain with just a simple poem on it?

Mattelsa.

Interesting. The poem is actually really nice and nostalgic, talking about "different" and "infinite"... But I think it's just a love poem. Obviously some guy went and registered a star (hence the star chart) under his wife/girlfriends name. Not a bad gift, if you ask me.

Nice try. ;-)

-So close, yet so far away....

The fact it has themes of think different, and something for everyone and think out of the box, is fully Apple consistent though. Another interesting site is:

http://www.ipad.com/

Durandal7
Jan 6, 2002, 07:55 PM
We've been over ipad.com several times on these forums. The whis has nothing to do with Apple.

whalebone66
Jan 6, 2002, 08:25 PM
Segway HT

Has anyone thought about the Segway HT? Remember a few months back - SJ was quoted saying something to the effect about the Segway HT - "this will change the way cities are designed" "this is revolutionary" - Do you possibly think that the BIG THING will have something to do with Dean Kamen and his Segway HT!!!! Perhaps somekind of melding of the Segway HT & a subportable Mac of some type....who knows!!!! I'm not sleeping tonight!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

jayscheuerle
Jan 6, 2002, 08:27 PM
And Intel just announced reaching 2.2 ghz p4's... Ouch....

udannlin
Jan 6, 2002, 09:01 PM
Originally posted by Rocketman
Another interesting site is:

http://www.ipad.com/



Its kinda interesting. if you get the whois info it shows the following(this person has owned it since 1997. if anything, this person could be selling this property):

Registrant:
Ipad (IPAD-DOM)
78 Lark Dr.
South River, NJ 08882
US

Domain Name: IPAD.COM

Administrative Contact, Technical Contact, Billing Contact:
Bejasa, Martine (MB5573) bejasa@HOTMAIL.COM
Ipad
78 Lark Drive
South River, NJ 08882
US
732 613 3977

Record last updated on 18-May-2001.
Record expires on 22-Apr-2003.
Record created on 21-Apr-1997.
Database last updated on 6-Jan-2002 09:24:00 EST.

Domain servers in listed order:

DNS1.INTERLAND.NET 64.224.20.132
DNS2.INTERLAND.NET 64.224.20.133
DNS3.INTERLAND.NET 64.224.20.134

sampsonch
Jan 6, 2002, 09:11 PM
I think that the possibility of a merger or acquisition is not very probable, I mean, seriously, Apple doesn't have THAT MUCH cash flow, even to purchase IBMs Semiconductor division. (They should've bought National Semiconductor right before Amelio got in there (NS that is, not apple)

They just bought Danger, I doubt they'd go for another... A partnership maybe, but Sony just announced they're working on a new OS, and they already have a lot of personal 'components'. I mean, sure, Jobs talks about Sony lots, but it's usually about how the latest mac cures VAIO something or other.

iapplemac
Jan 6, 2002, 09:24 PM
I'm with A4, Apple has know we have been expecting an LCD iMac for months. Faster G4's are always expected. and not just on the rumors sites. cnet and others have been talking about these for weeks. Apple is going to suprise us all. G5's, digital hubs, I dont know what will be announced tomarrow but I cant wait to be "Blown Away"

ClassicMac
Jan 6, 2002, 09:33 PM
i just read this in a popular science magazine, its an article talking about BMW's new 7-series with built in computers. "BMW boldy goes where no 7 Series has gone before." i wonder if apple has anything to do with this? the article said nothing about the computer's manufacturer.

ClassicMac
Jan 6, 2002, 09:34 PM
its called the iDrive. im NOT joking about this!

uponetoo
Jan 6, 2002, 09:35 PM
It's a wireless 10" pad with firewire connection- It says your choice of Linux or Windows.

"Progear is a revolutionary, digital entertainment system that combines remote control, web browsing, wireless connectivity and touch screen panels into a fun, portable, ergonomic device.

the site is http://www.sonicblue.com/progear

LargeMarge
Jan 6, 2002, 09:40 PM
http://www.osopinion.com/cgi-bin/w3t4/showthreaded.pl?Cat=&Board=macnews&Number=1283&page=0&view=collapsed&sb=5#Post1283

Very interesting. Wonder if there's any truth to it. EXTREMELY exciting if this is true.

I have been wondering when Apple would finally enter the arena that SGI occupies.

Proc
Jan 6, 2002, 09:41 PM
Mac computers have died with 8600/9600... when B/W G3s and iMacs came out, that was. Before then, Mac community was filled with interesting people who were true hardware/ software gurus, and with powerfull, innovative, stylish, and, well-built systems. That's when Apple had guts to release a PDA with 162Mhz CPU w/ a $1,200 price tag. That's when Apple doggedly insisted on using SCSI architecture for every single professional model. That's when every Mac componenet had undisputable edge over PeeCees.

Those days are gone, so are such hardware and people. Since Jobs decided to go cheap to survive, Mac community's been dead. leading-edge hardware is gone. Gurus left for PCs. Now Mac arsenal is totally devoid of any drool-worthy hardware technology (Yeah, right. Talk about AltiVec all night if you want to), and these forums are filled with chauvinistic newbies whose first Macs were iMacs and the first (and only) PDAs Palm. Their ignorance and blind-faith are sickening. No matter what Apple and Jobs do, they simply assume it's the first, collest, and best, even when the company is ripping them off with yesterdays technology. ($299 for a HDD based MP3 player? 133Mhz bus? the best graphics card available is one designed to play games? C'mon!)

And now you are all excited about this BS on Apple's web site. Yeah, a big deal.

buffsldr
Jan 6, 2002, 09:48 PM
Originally posted by Proc
Mac computers have died with 8600/9600... when B/W G3s and iMacs came out, that was. Before then, Mac community was filled with interesting people who were true hardware/ software gurus, and with powerfull, innovative, stylish, and, well-built systems. That's when Apple had guts to release a PDA with 162Mhz CPU w/ a $1,200 price tag. That's when Apple doggedly insisted on using SCSI architecture for every single professional model. That's when every Mac componenet had undisputable edge over PeeCees.

Those days are gone, so are such hardware and people. Since Jobs decided to go cheap to survive, Mac community's been dead. leading-edge hardware is gone. Gurus left for PCs. Now Mac arsenal is totally devoid of any drool-worthy hardware technology (Yeah, right. Talk about AltiVec all night if you want to), and these forums are filled with chauvinistic newbies whose first Macs were iMacs and the first (and only) PDAs Palm. Their ignorance and blind-faith are sickening. No matter what Apple and Jobs do, they simply assume it's the first, collest, and best, even when the company is ripping them off with yesterdays technology. ($299 for a HDD based MP3 player? 133Mhz bus? the best graphics card available is one designed to play games? C'mon!)

And now you are all excited about this BS on Apple's web site. Yeah, a big deal.

Guilty as charged and lovin' it!
:)

bunge
Jan 6, 2002, 09:53 PM
Although there's some truth to what you say, it's still silly. Apple has survived where all other Windows competitors have failed. That's proof enough that they're doing the right thing.

I miss the SCSI days, but the truth is they've made a fundamental shift to make more affordable computers. Say what you will about the machines, but they'd be completely competitive at all levels if Motorola had been able to keep up. As things stand, the iBook and iMac are competitive, possibly the TiBook as well. The only machine they offer that isn't resonable is the PowerMac. That will change as soon as Motorola allows for it....

elgruga
Jan 6, 2002, 10:10 PM
Originally posted by Proc
Mac computers have died with 8600/9600... when B/W G3s and iMacs came out, that was. Before then, Mac community was filled with interesting people who were true hardware/ software gurus, and with powerfull, innovative, stylish, and, well-built systems.

Yeah, have I got a great 1971 Volvo Station Wagon and an old Leica 3C for you, Buddy. (I really do....)

Its tough to move forward, and I sort of agree, but what can we do?

If Apple isnt "interesting" anymore, is dell? Or M$?
Or any of those wallies?

Face it, we 're all thats left in a world that is spiralling out of control towards homogenisation.

iPod isnt much, but its all we got.

Hey - the future will soon be here:

"Its people! Soylent Green is People! "

elgruga
Jan 6, 2002, 10:14 PM
Originally posted by LargeMarge
http://www.osopinion.com/cgi-bin/w3t4/showthreaded.pl?Cat=&Board=macnews&Number=1283&page=0&view=collapsed&sb=5#Post1283

Very interesting. Wonder if there's any truth to it. EXTREMELY exciting if this is true.

I have been wondering when Apple would finally enter the arena that SGI occupies.

Now this I like!

wHo_tHe
Jan 6, 2002, 10:18 PM
MWSF predictions (sorry):

1.0-1.6ghz (x2) G5 PowerMacs
1.0ghz G4 iMacs w/wireless screen
1.0ghz G3 iBook

With 1.0ghz G4 PowerBooks coming in Tokyo in February. How will Apple be able to have higher mhz iBooks than PowerBooks? Because the G4 PowerBooks are still faster. ;)

elgruga
Jan 6, 2002, 10:18 PM
Sorry, no way on the above about Apple buying Sun.

Sun has a market cap of 5 x Apples - thats $45 billion against about $8 billion.

Just aint going to happen, even with Apple's $4 billion in cash (which is the envy of many computer companies, btw, including dell etc.)

khomer2002
Jan 6, 2002, 10:21 PM
i do like the pre-imac days, no matter how overpriced the hardward... i was 5 when my dad got the first (still in our house) Mac 128k. We pieced together a mac plus and mac SE into an original case, and i remember getting 2MB of ram after saving for 4 months..


SCSI i agree shouldn't have been removed (especially in the server line of G4's), but i didnt return to Mac's until after i started college with the Performa 6400, and them a Wallstreet 233mhz powerbook. I really feel that you have a point, that sacrifices were made to cut costs, but consider the alternative: Apple files for Chapter 11 in 1996 and Dell or Compaq buys up their hardware manufacturing ability to make smart toasters. Ouch.

I am obviously, new LCD imac or not, am purchasing a new G4 or better soon (i really want to get into some DVD/Digital video making).

Also, I still feel that OS/X on x86 is still a good idea, even though many people think it won't happen. You can't hide behind the 'It will kill hardware sales' argument if you want to survive Intel's 2.4+MHz chip-building rampage.

Argo1000
Jan 6, 2002, 10:21 PM
OK...

So it IS another product on the 'digital hub' concept (continuing on from the AirPort hub, AirPort-equipped Macs and the iPod). The timing for a new entertainment / web centerpiece is good - Jobs will announce it JUST in time to beat Bill Gates unveiling Mira, Microsoft's digital home entertainment / web hub tomorrow at the Consumer Electronics Show. Then we already know that Jobs goes to THAT show on Tuesday to roll out Apple's product there.

Microsoft's is a wireless PocketPC-based tablet designed to work with XBox and home entertainment systems,using the web connection in the XBox.

So -- it's the Apple-Microsoft shootout for digital entertainment hubs.

Should be fun....

macdop
Jan 6, 2002, 10:21 PM
even thought the iWalk is quite obviously fake, Apple needs to do something about the PDA situation, frankly, Palm is going down, their products have shown little innovation since the original Palm Pilot, most models still use a B&W screen, and the Palm OS based products that are innovative (like Sony's MP3 Palm) are not available on the Mac, in addition to Palm dragging the ball on OSX support, and weak software on OS 9. All this is occurring when the PC camp is releasing PocketPC 2002, and many of their devices have finally surpassed the newton. It is quite clear that the weakest spoke of Apple's digital hub strategy is the PDA, we have THE BEST MP3 player on the market, support for a wide variety of Digital and DV Cameras, and our CD burning abilities are better then the PCs, at least in terms of accessibility. if you look at any of the hub diagrams, and the items listed on them, that leaves us with only one weak point, and that MUST be fixed.

Argo1000
Jan 6, 2002, 10:26 PM
BTW, if you're interested in what details there are about Microsoft's Mira digital entertainment hub/tablet, go to http://www.zdnet.com and check out the article there.

Be interesting to see how Apple's compares...

khomer2002
Jan 6, 2002, 10:28 PM
apple does not need a pda right now.


Okay, they could buy Palm or handspring or something, but to comeout with a pda now, like two or three months after thousands of people spilled out $400 bucks for an apple mp3 player witha hard drive would piss me off a bit. dont get me wrong, i love my ipod, but if i find out i could have waited a little longer and get a ipod that organizes, runs os/x and also has a hard drive.... well, i would buy an HP Jorada out of spite, i think.

The iWalk is a mute point. drop it already.

apple rep
Jan 6, 2002, 10:48 PM
If anyone, they would have a closer partnership with Canon

I agree, and I think they will - canon's digital camera software for mac os 9 is phenomenal. What do apple have to offer for os x? At the moment automatic download and viewing with preview. In the words of a previous poster 'whoopeee freekin doo'. Canon have not uttered a peep on mac os xsoftware development, so methinks the two are in bed making new lil babies to offer the digital hub strategy.

Hope so, because canon's software is one of the few remaining reasons I boot into 9 these days

udannlin
Jan 6, 2002, 10:52 PM
Originally posted by LargeMarge

I have been wondering when Apple would finally enter the arena that SGI occupies.

SGI does not occupy hardly anything anymore. their market cap is at a mere 500M. Wintel boxes have stolen much of that stronghold...

macdop
Jan 6, 2002, 11:13 PM
Originally posted by udannlin
[QUOTE]Originally posted by LargeMarge
[B]
SGI does not occupy hardly anything anymore. their market cap is at a mere 500M. Wintel boxes have stolen much of that stronghold...

thats what, like a quadruple negative?

khomer2002
Jan 7, 2002, 01:18 AM
http://www.timecanada.com/


Looks reliable... this is it folks.