Apple Trademarks 'Mobile Me'

[MacRumors]

http://www.macrumors.com/images/macrumorsthreadlogo.gif (http://www.macrumors.com)

MacOSXRumors notes (http://www.macosxrumors.com/articles/2006/01/11/apple-trademarks-mobile-me/) that Apple has filed for a trademark for the term "Mobile Me":

The name appears to be under a number of descriptive categories including "telecommunication services", "portable digital electronic devices and software related thereto", "providing digital music from local or global communications networks" and "computer services".

The trademark was filed on January 5th 2006 at the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office (http://www.uspto.gov/index.html).

The rumor site suggests that this may have to do with Apple's speculated entry into the mobile phone market, but appears it may have to do with providing iTunes wirelessly over cell phone networks.

[Lacero]

iPhone!!

Or some sort of portable Skype device. But honestly, it's none of those. I'll agree with the last part; its a way to provide songs over a cellular network.

[pknz]

iPhone!!

MacPhone Pro actually:p

[nagromme]

"Mobile" could mean anything--even home-on-iPod... or (my own wild dream) a pocketable OS X machine that I could connect to any display or keyboard at will, or use as-is with a stylus.

At least it sounds better than "vingle."

[condor]

Please, please, please be something to do with the iPhone (or whatever you want to call it). I've been waiting so long...

[Lacero]

MacPhone Pro actually:p"Mobile" could mean anything--even home-on-iPod... or (my own wild dream) a pocketable OS X machine
"Mobile Me" sounds like a service trademark, so most likely — NOT a product, but rather, a service or delivery technology of some sort.

Here's to the Crazy Ones http://forums.macrumors.com/attachment.php?attachmentid=37114 (http://www.uriah.com/apple-qt/movies/think-different.mov)

[pknz]

Yeah it does sound like some type of service, perhaps its software or service from software or something similar.

[d_saum]

Please, please, please be something to do with the iPhone (or whatever you want to call it). I've been waiting so long...


Im with ya on this one!!! I would LOVE to have an iPhone!!!! ;)

I'd break my current contract just to get one!! Woohoo! :D

[rockthecasbah]

the rumor circuits can go wild with this one...here's my crazy idea. Okay so Mobile Me is a service by Apple working in conjunction but not partnered with .Mac that allows the user to upload songs and broadcast them wirelessly to users that receive it via a small adapter on iPods (like iTrip) and on computers via internet connection, and iTunes enabled phones without any other adapters, only needing an email address and password (iTunes account perhaps?).

That would be really neat, allowing people to have access to their music or i guess any file really, wirelessly, like a cell phone. It's a thought at least :)

what else do you guys and dolls think?

[shadowmoses]

rockthecasbah I think you have hit the nail on the head, an iPhone isnt coming anytime soon

Shadow

[R.Youden]

I was reading a magazine that mentioned the reason why Motorolla are slowly dropping iTunes is because Apple are not happy with way Networks limit the munber of songs and want to charge over-the-top prices for songs.

What was suggested was the Apple (like Virgin in the UK) start their own network provider and then they can put whatever they want onto their phones.

I could really see this working, if Apple wanted to I am sure they could make it into the big three of mobile companies with Nokia and Sony.

Just my turn on things.

[~Shard~]

Bring on the iPhone! It will be very interesting to see what Apple does with this - I agree, it almost sounds more like a service than anything. Tie it into the iPod and .Mac, and Apple could a really impressive offering! :cool:

[hob]

MacPhone Pro actually:pWhat, no PowerPhone? :eek: :p

[iEdd]

We should buy out cool website domains containing "mobileme". And sell them back to apple. Personally I'd ask for a $10k apple store spending credit every year. :p

[longofest]

I can't believe they are putting "Me" in the title. Think of a Microsoft product called "Me". And they just forged a 5 year thing with MS!!! This is all Microsoft's doing!!!

[Jesus]

What, no PowerPhone? :eek: :p

The Power- prefix is dead to me now. :mad:

[bennyek]

We should buy out cool website domains containing "mobileme". And sell them back to apple. Personally I'd ask for a $10k apple store spending credit every year. :p
Done Deal. I already have www.themobileme.com
want it apple??

[Xtremehkr]

It sounds more like a PDA to me. Maybe there will be a phone service integrated but I am thinking that with all of the services mentioned it maybe the rebirth of the Apple PDA.

That would allow a bigger screen for TV shows, music videos, movies, web browsing, .Mac services, and all of the other features that iLife and iWorks have to offer.

MobileMac sounds much better.

[hob]

The Power- prefix is dead to me now. :mad:
How quickly we forget :(

All I have is Power! PowerBook, PowerMac... I might have to go round with a rebranding stick....

[AtHomeBoy_2000]

Nothing to see here. move along.

[HiRez]

I can't believe they are putting "Me" in the title. Think of a Microsoft product called "Me". And they just forged a 5 year thing with MS!!! This is all Microsoft's doing!!!MS is the first thing I thought of when I saw it. First MacBook Pro and now Mobile Me. Man, what is going on over there in the Apple Naming Division? They are really losing it. Let's not forget OS X and .Mac which don't lend themselves to "proper" reading for newbies. Also, haven't we had enough Extreme products from Apple? If there's an Apple keyword that needs to be retired, it's that, not Power. What's next, Apple Bob or Apple Home Media Center Service Pack 3?

[4ik]

I am a lurker, but couldn't resist this one.

It will be a Blackberry with iTunes etc...a little bird that works inside told me:)

[Seasought]

I guess moving into mobile phones with regard to music distribution makes sense. I'm not really that excited about the prospect (but I'm not really a phone fanatic any way).

I think I like Lacero's current avatar the best however (nicely done).

[kretzy]

"Mobile Me" sounds awful! I think it'll be some kind of PDA/phone/iPod concoction.

[dontblink]

"Mobile Me" sounds like a service trademark, so most likely — NOT a product, but rather, a service or delivery technology of some sort.

Definitely a service-kind of trademark, I agree on that.

Blackberry with iTunes? Would it be limited to Blackberry?

[jonparadise]

What, no PowerPhone? :eek: :p

It's the Mac Pro iPodPhone Nano.

:p

[corywoolf]

I smell the long rumored mobile home (no not a trailer park, get your mind out of the gutter), the ipod would be able to sync with the computer and carry all the users documents and select applications. Think of being able to have all your files on on your ipod and not have to take your laptop everywhere. I guess there might not be a big enough demand though (the average windows user wont care to use the feature). It would be cool if tiger (intel version) was boot-able off the ipod (video) and could be run on any PC, but the user must have the ipod plugged in to run it. Sort of like a Knoppix version of tiger that allowed PC users that owned iPods to try out Mac OS X. Don't think USB 2.0 has the bandwidth though (maybe the OS gets cached onto the users hard-drive and then automatically deleted upon removal of the iPod. This would be an effective way to get Windows users to have access to OS X and consider upgrading to a Mac. Although many PC users may find it frustrating and not fair that they need their iPod plugged in to run OS X. Or they could just include a trial version of OS X on a disc with every iPod, but I think most users wouldn't bother installing something they don't need to. If the iPod version of OS X didn't require installation, it would be awesome. Imagine having all your main apps, such as ichat, safari, ilife, and ical/ addressbook with you everywhere.

[macintel4me]

It's the Mac Pro iPodPhone Nano.

:p
No, it's the Mac Pro iPodPhone Nano Book Shuffle Leopard Power Extreme. :D

[4ik]

Not sure, if it'll be a range of products but Blackberry is definitely in the works..

[corywoolf]

Not sure, if it'll be a range of products but Blackberry is definitely in the works..
a little bird told me blackberry is not going to do this, they are instead going to hunt you down and kill you.

(The joys of PC n00bs signing up at MR to post false insider info. and try to get the best of us):rolleyes:

[Doctor Q]

I wonder if anybody has studied previous Apple trademark applications, to see how often they actually use the names, and how long it typically takes before they use them. Wouldn't that be interesting to know?

[maya]

Subscription service for iTMobileS. :)

[maya]

I wonder if anybody has studied previous Apple trademark applications, to see how often they actually use the names, and how long it typically takes before they use them. Wouldn't that be interesting to know?


Sounds like you have an afternoon project lined up. ;) :D

[boma]

No. It's the new iPod OS. It's the PDA version of Windows ME bought from Microsoft for ten dollars.

[moosecat]

The name "Mobile Me" sounds broader than a music delivery service. The use of "Me" suggests that it will be a service for mobile delivery of a range of things. Maybe other media; maybe data from personal folders; maybe iCal/Address Book data; RSS feeds; pod/photocasting. Mobile music alone does not a "Mobile Me" make.

[musiclover137]

For those who voted, this is negative how?

[skunk]

Sounds like you have an afternoon project lined up. ;) :DStats and a graph are on the way...
:rolleyes:

[macosxuser01]

apple should bring back the Newton but make it more like the sidekick except better. like make it have itunes on it, have ichat available, that be pretty sweet:D

one more thing, it would probably cost as much as the mac mini:p

[mpw]

I guess I'd better call the dog-pound!

[maestro55]

I like the idea of a Apple Mobile phone/PDA device, but like others I don't believe this is in the works, atleast not at this moment.

[rockthecasbah]

rockthecasbah I think you have hit the nail on the head, an iPhone isnt coming anytime soon

Shadow
i try... it sounds plausible to me at least ;)

[ClimbingTheLog]

Please, please, please be something to do with the iPhone (or whatever you want to call it). I've been waiting so long...

Well, the hardware is almost ready (http://blog.bfccomputing.com/index.php?p=107).

[amateurmacfreak]

Please, please, please be something to do with the iPhone (or whatever you want to call it). I've been waiting so long...
I really want an Apple cell phone, and I'm in the market for a cell. Any idea when such an "iPhone," might be coming out?? I'll try to wait for a bit... but I really need a cell phone soon.

[amateurmacfreak]

Possible that this is... some sort of Blackberry type device? That sounds to me what it sounds like.... thinking about it. "Mobile me." Doesn't that sound sort of like a PDA/cell phone maybe/email/dare I say, iPod device?
Perhaps?

[amateurmacfreak]

"Mobile Me" sounds like a service trademark, so most likely — NOT a product, but rather, a service or delivery technology of some sort.

Here's to the Crazy Ones http://forums.macrumors.com/attachment.php?attachmentid=37114 (http://www.uriah.com/apple-qt/movies/think-different.mov)
Yeah... maybe a PDA and cell phone line? And perhaps some sort of service?
I personally really hope Apple's going to come out with a reallllly nice looking cell phone. I so want one. :D
Oh my gosh! I want something I actually need from Apple! :eek:;)

[amateurmacfreak]

We should buy out cool website domains containing "mobileme". And sell them back to apple. Personally I'd ask for a $10k apple store spending credit every year. :p
Wow. That is actually really not a bad idea. I wonder if Apple already owns mobileme.com? Nope. Owned by Name Administration Inc. So, not exactly free, but...

[ClimbingTheLog]

I really want an Apple cell phone, and I'm in the market for a cell. Any idea when such an "iPhone," might be coming out?? I'll try to wait for a bit... but I really need a cell phone soon.

Not for a year would be my guess. Get a prepaid phone until then.

[amateurmacfreak]

Done Deal. I already have www.themobileme.com
want it apple??
nice, nice, nice. :rolleyes: :)

[amateurmacfreak]

Not for a year would be my guess. Get a prepaid phone until then.
Hmm. Prepaid phones creep me out. :p I'll probably try to wait, but maybe get an ugly free or whatever one from Cingular... but then I'd have to do and contract and... ok. Prepaid doesn't sound bad. :)

[ebunton]

the rumor circuits can go wild with this one...here's my crazy idea. Okay so Mobile Me is a service by Apple working in conjunction but not partnered with .Mac that allows the user to upload songs and broadcast them wirelessly to users that receive it via a small adapter on iPods (like iTrip) and on computers via internet connection, and iTunes enabled phones without any other adapters, only needing an email address and password (iTunes account perhaps?).

That would be really neat, allowing people to have access to their music or i guess any file really, wirelessly, like a cell phone. It's a thought at least :)

what else do you guys and dolls think?


Nope. Apple will be sabotaging their relationship with the music groups. Remember, you can't publicly play music (broadcast) without paying 'broadcast' copyrights.

That means that everyone who does it, needs to cough up some dough (the terms vary from country to country).

Presumably, Apple would not want their customers to pay these things.

[amateurmacfreak]

For those who voted, this is negative how?
Awful name. Don't want Apple getting sold out. But, I didn't vote. I'm just assuming that's why.

[bubba451]

Mobile Me makes me think of the old "Home on iPod" feature that made a last-minute disappearance from Panther. Maybe it's a reincarnation of that?

[rockthecasbah]

Nope. Apple will be sabotaging their relationship with the music groups. Remember, you can't publicly play music (broadcast) without paying 'broadcast' copyrights.

That means that everyone who does it, needs to cough up some dough (the terms vary from country to country).

Presumably, Apple would not want their customers to pay these things.
But i don't think it would be considered "broadcasting," that could be merely access (wireless and internet based) to these files that you upload. It's not like making your own radio station or whatever. :)

[xsnightclub]

The maker of Blackberry, the popular, hand-held device for mobile messaging, recently lost a crucial court ruling in a separate patent case which threatens to shutter its national network here in the U.S. That case is ongoing, and a judge may issue an order permanently prohibiting Research in Motion, the Blackberry producer, from operating its network with the technology it currently uses. Another firm, NTP, claims it owns the rights to the technology that Blackberry is using.

That case ultimately could leave millions of users without mobile messaging capability, including the federal government, which filed court papers, asking the federal judge in Richmond, Va.

Redwood Shores, Calif.-based Visto claimed in court papers filed Thursday that Redmond, Wash.-based Microsoft had "infringed upon multiple patents Visto holds regarding proprietary technology that provides enterprises and consumers with mobile access to their e-mail and other data."

A Microsoft spokeswoman said that the company couldn't fully comment on the case. "Until we have an opportunity to review this complaint and investigate Visto's allegations, we're not in a position to comment specifically on them," said the spokeswoman. "In the meantime, however, we wish to underscore that Microsoft stands behind its products and respects the intellectual property rights of others."

Mobile Me Could be a blackberry alternative, as it has just as stupid a name as Blackberry.

[cubist]

Mobile Me makes me think of the old "Home on iPod" feature that made a last-minute disappearance from Panther. Maybe it's a reincarnation of that?

That gets my vote. Forget all the stupid mobile phone nonsense. It's a new (and IMHO better) name for Home on iPod.

[iMeowbot]

I wonder if anybody has studied previous Apple trademark applications, to see how often they actually use the names, and how long it typically takes before they use them. Wouldn't that be interesting to know?
This would keep someone busy for a long, long time :) One favorite Apple tactic is to file marks in various countries so they aren't too easily noticed. A recent example was Numbers, for which Apple filed first in Malaysia, but there are many more like "iPod Boombox" floating around.
Mobile Me makes me think of the old "Home on iPod" feature that made a last-minute disappearance from Panther. Maybe it's a reincarnation of that?
I think that concept is dead. Apple started discouraging that kind of use a couple years ago, and now that they've dropped FireWire it's not as interesting an option.

[doogle]

That gets my vote. Forget all the stupid mobile phone nonsense. It's a new (and IMHO better) name for Home on iPod.

Lets hope so. A portable Home or at best a whole OS to boot off would be the best way to "mobile me". The name seriously sucks like "MacBook Pro".

[amateurmacfreak]

This would keep someone busy for a long, long time :) One favorite Apple tactic is to file marks in various countries so they aren't too easily noticed. A recent example was Numbers, for which Apple filed first in Malaysia, but there are many more like "iPod Boombox" floating around.

I think that concept is dead. Apple started discouraging that kind of use a couple years ago, and now that they've dropped FireWire it's not as interesting an option.
Hey, soorrrrry, but I'm a bit off topic.
On topic: I think it would be interesting to see how many US trademarks Apple has. B/c they're filing for a trademark right now here in the US, right? And how many do they actually use would be interesting.
Off topic: Um, in your signature, I'm being dumb:o , but do you like the MacBook Pro and think it's really fast or no?

[amateurmacfreak]

Lets hope so. A portable Home or at best a whole OS to boot off would be the best way to "mobile me". The name seriously sucks like "MacBook Pro".
I don't know, I'm always thought MacBook Pro is sort of a cute name. Really high-powered sounding.
And now people won't have to ask like when I talk about my Powerbook: "Duuh, is that a Mac or a PC?":eek: ;) :rolleyes:
Suprising how many ask.

[doogle]

I don't know, I'm always thought MacBook Pro is sort of a cute name. Really high-powered sounding.
And now people won't have to ask like when I talk about my Powerbook: "Duuh, is that a Mac or a PC?":eek: ;) :rolleyes:
Suprising how many ask.

I like "MacBook" but not the "Pro" bit. Reminds me of all those software packages that had "pro" on the end.
I guess I can always scratch that bit off the laptop :D

[iMeowbot]

Hey, soorrrrry, but I'm a bit off topic.
The Is No Topic :D
On topic: I think it would be interesting to see how many US trademarks Apple has. B/c they're filing for a trademark right now here in the US, right? And how many do they actually use would be interesting.
It's enough to explode perfectly good brains. Trademarks don't necessarily have to be registered at all to be valid, and there are some unregistered Apple marks (some don't even have applications).

For Apple at USPTO, I get 199 live, registered marks, 76 live applications that haven't yet been approved or denied, 195 dead, formerly registered marks, and 313 dead applications that were never approved. Many of those marks are duplicates (for example, the bitten apple logo is registered multiple times for different business areas).
Off topic: Um, in your signature, I'm being dumb:o , but do you like the MacBook Pro and think it's really fast or no?
Like everyone else, I haven't the foggiest idea because they haven't shipped yet. The board is full of definitive statements about what this hardware can do, but no one even has it yet :D

[Xtremehkr]

Personally, I would really like to see a device that combines the benefits of what many different devices offer now.

It would be great if I could replace my cell phone, PDA, and iPod with a single device that met all of my needs. I would pay a premium for that. It would probably be cheaper, which may be a detriment to some existing companies.

If I could take and make calls, check and send email, access the internet, add to works in progress, watch programming, or just listen to music (when I am not doing any of those other things) I would be happy.

Microsoft has long been hinting at a device that meets these needs, and more, through the PC tablet. The all encompassing personal organizer/media provider.

I hope that this at least a hint of Apples working on making a superior product that offers the reliability and innovations that only Apple has been able to offer so far.

Just an iPhone is small peas. The product of the future is more all encompassing, it has to meet so many more needs that just being able to get basic .Mac information, make calls, and listen to music.

It's really a device that is bound to become an integral aspect of all of peoples daily needs, in every aspect.

Images of Bill fooking Gates carting around his stupid tablet come to mind. Please Apple, provide an Apple worthy alternative, because it seems to be an idea worthy of realizing its time. It just won't be as good unless Apple gives them a reason to make it at least a somewhat Apple worthy knockoff.

[macosxuser01]

As I said earlier, Apple should bring back the Newton that has itunes, bluetooth, e-mail, ichat, and is also a cell phone etc. kindof like the sidekick

[bowzer]

MacPhone Pro actually:p

Nah, PhoneBook Pro

[Xtremehkr]

That user friendly tablet is the piece of technology standing on near horizon, no matter what steps are taken to get there.

[Evangelion]

Guys, you are ALL missing the big picture here! It's obvious what "Mobile Me" is! The name says it all! Apple acquired the right to Windows Me from Microsoft, and "Mobile Me" is a version of Windows Me designed for mobile devices!

[HumanJHawkins]

Done Deal. I already have www.themobileme.com
want it apple??

Ha! What are you really going to do with it? (Assuming it is a joke that you hope to sell it back to Apple)

In case anyone didnt know this already, there have been several precident setting cases involving cyber-squatting. Basically the results have been bad for the squatters.

Some cases were lost based on a failure of the squatter to show any reason to have the name except to extort money from a company that had a more reasonable claim to it.

In at least one case I was really angered to see the little guy lose, because he really DID have a legitimate claim... I forget who was actually involved, but it was something like a guy named DuPont who had set up a website for his established Dupont Consulting business. (Again, it wasn't really Dupont... I just cant remember the real name). Anyway, this guy lost because the court found that the public would benefit more by the name going to the larger company, even though the smaller company had a good reason for the name and got there first.

HIllary Clinton paid $5000 during her campaign to get HillaryClinton.com, but that was only because she was in a hurry to get it up and running. Apple doesn't play that game, and has successfully taken iMac.com and others to court to avoid paying for domain names.

[HumanJHawkins]

Guys, you are ALL missing the big picture here! It's obvious what "Mobile Me" is! The name says it all! Apple acquired the right to Windows Me from Microsoft, and "Mobile Me" is a version of Windows Me designed for mobile devices!

Yeah... It is going to be the undelying software for the new iPod Me. Duh. Everyone knows that.

[iMeowbot]

I knew this sounded vaguely familiar. "Mobile me" is also the name of a recent Motorola initiative to tie a bunch of services together. Since Apple and Moto have already been doing some things together with phones, maybe this is a next step.

[mpw]

Wow. That is actually really not a bad idea. I wonder if Apple already owns mobileme.com? Nope. Owned by Name Administration Inc. So, not exactly free, but...
Interestingly (or not) Apple don't own;
www.macbook.com - owned by a book site
www.macbook.co.uk - owned by an Apple reseller
www.macbookpro.com - registered on the 10th Jan in LA by a guy with the email address syntheticrhyme@hotmail.com and for sale:rolleyes:
www.macbookpro.co.uk - registered on the 10th Jan and for sale:rolleyes:

[bennyek]

Ha! What are you really going to do with it? (Assuming it is a joke that you hope to sell it back to Apple)

In case anyone didnt know this already, there have been several precident setting cases involving cyber-squatting. Basically the results have been bad for the squatters.

Some cases were lost based on a failure of the squatter to show any reason to have the name except to extort money from a company that had a more reasonable claim to it.

In at least one case I was really angered to see the little guy lose, because he really DID have a legitimate claim... I forget who was actually involved, but it was something like a guy named DuPont who had set up a website for his established Dupont Consulting business. (Again, it wasn't really Dupont... I just cant remember the real name). Anyway, this guy lost because the court found that the public would benefit more by the name going to the larger company, even though the smaller company had a good reason for the name and got there first.

HIllary Clinton paid $5000 during her campaign to get HillaryClinton.com, but that was only because she was in a hurry to get it up and running. Apple doesn't play that game, and has successfully taken iMac.com and others to court to avoid paying for domain names.
Yeah it is quite a bummer whenthe big guy gets his way just because he's the big guy. These sites are not always purchased so apple will buy them. Think of sites like powerbookzone.com or ipodlounge .com There will be sites that pop up to sell apple related stuff or services whenever a new product is released. It can't hurt to hang onto it and see what happens. Ya know?

[TheMasin9]

"Mobile" could mean anything--even home-on-iPod... or (my own wild dream) a pocketable OS X machine that I could connect to any display or keyboard at will, or use as-is with a stylus.

At least it sounds better than "vingle."

now that would rock. Like a second generation newton on steroids!!

[dernhelm]

Worst. Name. Ever.

[Counter]

Hope they got it as some bargain. Buy 5 trademarks get a sixth free.

Totally crap. On a par with MacBook.

Come on Apple, it's like you just got taken over by Intel or something.

[atszyman]

I can't seem to shake the image of Vern Troyer with a handle glued to his back.....

[steve_hill4]

apple should bring back the Newton but make it more like the sidekick except better. like make it have itunes on it, have ichat available, that be pretty sweet:D

one more thing, it would probably cost as much as the mac mini:p
This device looks possibly like the future of mobile computing and I could easily see this being touchscreen, making it like a PDA replacement:

http://blog.bfccomputing.com/index.php?p=107

I can't take credit for the link though, it was on one of the news topics, but can't find it now to credit the person. I do like the comment about Windows though, perhaps another reason why Intel covert Apple so much. If they can push their market share high enough, people will see that the Intel processors can be very fast, very efficient and very stable and it's Windows that hinders people.

[shatbox]

Since the MacBook Pro uses EFI to boot, and Windows Vista will support EFI, could it be possible for Mobile Me to stand for Mobile Mac environment? A product that enables Mac os X to be boot on a Windows machine. Apple said they would never put os X on anything other than their hardware, but a product with Mobile Mac environment could run os X on Apple's hardware and leech the PC for its recources. It would act as a big flash thumbdrive, where nothing is saved locally.

Perhaps Apple felt the iPod@Home concept that involved the transportation of system preferences fell short of its full potential before its public launch date. If they were to release it they would be letting the cat out of the bag too soon. Maybe they realized the iPod was the wrong platform and the concept went against the iPod's mission.

So what would be the proper platform for launching Mobile Mac environment? Macmini. The Macmini is inexpensive, barebones, and portable when compared to a PowerMac. since the pc market is so commoditized, let consumers use their own hardware while still having a full fledged Mac.

My theory might go against the reports of a Media-centric Macmini, but the launch of Vista comes right after Macworld Boston.

your ideas?

[Seasought]

I bet Mobile Me is yet another addition for .Mac that integrates "photocasting" and your cellular phone (certain models). I think others mentioned songs and cell phones but I bet it ties into .Mac somehow. Bleh.

[gauchogolfer]

Now, I realizing that I'm merging two disparate and equally unproven rumors here, but what about a mobile Newton-esque device which can access the "soon-to-be-arriving-in-a-town-near-you" free Google wi-fi access points? Then, the access to iTunes, iPhoto, etc. makes more sense, and throw in VoIP for good measure. I like this double-rumor!:cool:

[davidChief]

As I said earlier, Apple should bring back the Newton that has itunes, bluetooth, e-mail, ichat, and is also a cell phone etc. kindof like the sidekick

I had a Newton, years ago when they were first made. It had some VERY cool ideas and the OS was not bad (if a little unfinished in places) but the one I had was painfully slow for even very basic tasks. In summary, fatally flawed but waaaay ahead of it's time.

I'm not sure who is buying (or needing) PDAs these days. Most people I know either go for a high-spec phone or a 12 inch laptop.

[davidChief]

Here's my idea. How about the ability for your laptop to connect to a mobile network (either an Apple network or perhaps official Apple partner) for internet access and seamless connectivity into .Mac, whereever you are, with a permanent connection. In typical Apple fashion this feature would require no additional cables or hardware, require no configuration by the user and be really easy to use.

It would be what Apple do best - providing the complete mix of hardware, software and online services.

This would also explain the "don't buy a MacBook Pro, something better is coming" rumors.