New Apple Device in April?

[MacRumors]

Based on some whispers, there are hints of a "upcoming device" from Apple that will take advantage of the PowerMac G5's optical sound port.

The presumed launch is in April at the NAB conference (http://www.nabshow.com/).

[iChan]

Based on some whispers, there are hints of a "upcoming device" from Apple that will take advantage of the PowerMac G5's optical sound port.

The presumed launch is in April at the NAB conference (http://www.nabshow.com/).

please give up already on this fabled 'new device' there is no new device, probably never will be.

sorry for my pessimism, but it's taking so long!

on another note, if you keep mentioning these aticles every month, "new device in jan/feb/mar", you gonna get it right sometime. just give up on it until something solid comes out please, its infuriating on apple's part.

[ITR 81]

please give up already on this fabled 'new device' there is no new device, probably never will be.

sorry for my pessimism, but it's taking so long!

on another note, if you keep mentioning these aticles every month, "new device in jan/feb/mar", you gonna get it right sometime. just give up on it until something solid comes out please, its infuriating on apple's part.

This one is easy...it's a new set of Apple Speakers.

[Analog Kid]

on another note, if you keep mentioning these aticles every month, "new device in jan/feb/mar", you gonna get it right sometime. just give up on it until something solid comes out please, its infuriating on apple's part.

Reminds me of an ex-girlfriend... She'd always be saying things like "earthquake weather... there's going to be an earthquake soon". I finally told her that if she says that every week she'll eventually be right, but that didn't mean she predicted it.

Of course, if she'd said it on Page 2 I'd probably have been more forgiving... :eek:

[JohnGillilan]

If not a new set of speakers, I could see Apple releasing a small audio interface designed to work w/ GarageBand thru the optical ports (1/4" HiZ input, a mic pre, etc). I could see them pricing at around $99. Any thoughts??

[Savage Henry]

I really hope this is just long term speculation. This seemingly concentrated attention Apple is giving to the peripherals is becoming annoying.

I am so waiting for a hardware upgrade in the Macintosh line.

[lind0834]

I'm sure they'll just announce somebody else's speakers (HK, or Altec) that use the optical, and are available from the Apple Store first and later from other places.. of course they'd match the G5 or PB, but that's minor. Soundsticks II?

[dukemeiser]

This one is easy...it's a new set of Apple Speakers.

That what I was going to say. Could this be the rumored Apple/Bose alliance?

[wdlove]

Apple Bose Speakers would be nice, currently I have a good set of speakers.

We should try to be patient about hardware upgrades. Steve will announce when they are ready. A likely time now is WWDC at the end of June, since it is a major scheduled event. Steve would have the opportunity to make the announcment himself in front of a large audience.

[macnews]

please give up already on this fabled 'new device' there is no new device, probably never will be.

sorry for my pessimism, but it's taking so long!

on another note, if you keep mentioning these aticles every month, "new device in jan/feb/mar", you gonna get it right sometime. just give up on it until something solid comes out please, its infuriating on apple's part.

See this rumor is wrong, they will be released sometime in the next 5 years...I have this from an excellent source!

I am more concerned about G5 upgrades than some secondary device. This is getting a little long in the tooth for them. I mean what are we supposed to go to? Take a jump from 2Ghz to 3Ghz with nothing in between? Or will it be moving from:
1.6Ghz upgrades to 2.0Ghz
1.8Ghz upgrades to 2.5Ghz
2.0Ghz upgrades to 3.0Ghz

Even this seems unlikely to have such a wide spread. If a secondary device is released then I hope Apple didn't create it. Let it be a third party product. They need to focus on getting the G5s moving, otherwise Apple will look like a fool come July - the promised one year mark.

[invaLPsion]

I am more concerned about G5 upgrades than some secondary device. This is getting a little long in the tooth for them. I mean what are we supposed to go to? Take a jump from 2Ghz to 3Ghz with nothing in between? Or will it be moving from:
1.6Ghz upgrades to 2.0Ghz
1.8Ghz upgrades to 2.5Ghz
2.0Ghz upgrades to 3.0Ghz

Even this seems unlikely to have such a wide spread. If a secondary device is released then I hope Apple didn't create it. Let it be a third party product. They need to focus on getting the G5s moving, otherwise Apple will look like a fool come July - the promised one year mark.

I agree, the new powermacs will be up to 3GHz. Maybe the pricing will be up $1499 to $2999 (with four models for sure). Unfortunately, the 3 GHz model will be above $3000 I think.

[FlamDrag]

If true, my guess is that this would likely be some sort of "pro" audio device. Not anything mainstream.

Also, I'd bet a fair amount of money that the people at Apple who would be working on such a device are not the same people who would be working on PowerMac upgrades. So the introduction of this device -- and new iPods -- is not holding up PowerMac or PowerBook upgrades in the least.

[fcpgod]

I was at FCP Uncompressed Seminar yesterday and the guy from Apple said briefly that look for a device at NAB which will use the optical port persumably something to do with Emagic and Protools. And then he said sorry I talk too much you didn't hear from me..... :D

[pgwalsh]

I was at FCP Uncompressed Seminar yesterday and the guy from Apple said briefly that look for a device at NAB which will use the optical port persumably something to do with Emagic and Protools. And then he said sorry I talk too much you didn't hear from me..... :Dand now you made it easier for them to find and fire him.

[arn]

please give up already on this fabled 'new device' there is no new device, probably never will be.

sorry for my pessimism, but it's taking so long!

on another note, if you keep mentioning these aticles every month, "new device in jan/feb/mar", you gonna get it right sometime. just give up on it until something solid comes out please, its infuriating on apple's part.

I suggest you not read Page 2 then. :)

arn

[g30ffr3y]

I suggest you not read Page 2 then. :)

arn


hehehe... that was too funny... sorry...

if it was supposed to be something to work with garage band/logic that would be cool... but isnt the optical just for output?!?!? so i dont think it could be an audio interface for recording... soundsticks II sounds more feasible to me...

[MacandCheese]

If this is true, can we anticipate optical ports on the next powerbook revision? If they are all about the music, why not add the wheel on the ipod to the powerbook as well? That way you can spin!! Combined with the optical port, the powerbook would be the party to go! Add booze and shake it (Repeat as necessary)

[huckleup]

This one is easy...it's a new set of Apple Speakers.
I don't see a good technical case for simple desktop speakers hooking to the optical audio port. The optical port can't supply power, which means that anything hooked to it would require its own external power. Apple doesn't like to add clutter to the desktop, so that doesn't seem like their style. And since the optical signals are essentially line level, there would need to be amplifiers before any speakers. USB makes more sense for hooking up simple desktop speakers.

If there was anything to hook up to those optical ports, I would guess something more like a some kind of multi-channel audio decoder box. The optical ports are output only, so it wouldn't be useful for recording with something like GargageBand. That leaves it to something like a DVD surround sound decoder and possible amp set. But Apple already offers an option for that (from Klipsch and Logitech). So Apple could offer an in-house developed solution for that, but it would have to be somehow better and cheaper than what is already offered. Maybe some kind of wireless version.

Overall, I don't see anything like that being a major thing for Apple. There are already all kinds of audio I/O solutions available. It couldn't be a big money maker for Apple. They normally go after relatively expensive and innovative things that somehow integrate tightly with their OS and hardware, where it would be hard for third-parties to compete against.

If the post about the 'slip' reported above from the FCP guy is correct, then that is probably something with FireWire, not with the optical port. Those guys need ins an outs. They need syncing to video. The need control signals as well as audio data. That's what FireWire and mLan is all about. Again, there are already quite a few third party solutions for that around, so anything from Apple would have to be quite an innovation over what is already available.

[WM.]

OK, a few things I'd like to comment on:


The G5 DOES have an optical input.
This is most likely not going to be a pro device. I guess they're talking about it at FCP events because it will probably appeal to semi-pro video editors (but, as huckleup says, not people who have a ton of devices that need to talk to each other). I think it'll be $99 and for use with GarageBand, like JohnGillilan said. Maybe two mic preamps and a couple stereo line inputs (1/4")?
I agree that this is probably not holding up any other hardware products. Sure, Apple has limited resources, but I highly doubt they allow one product's schedule to affect another's--especially the one that gets them far and away the most profit (i.e. the Power Mac).

WM

[huckleup]

The G5 DOES have an optical input.
WM

Sorry, my bad. If I actually *had* a G5, I would have known about that. :o My DP500 and 1G TiBook will have to last another year before I will be ready for dropping another $3000.

Still, FCP people would probably use FireWire/mLan, so I agree, it doesn't seem like an optical only box would be what they want.

My main point was that optical is not a good solution for desktop speakers. I stand by that assertion.

Even for GarageBand users, I still think that a USB interface is adequate. Most of them only need stereo in/out, no sync to video, no wall wart etc. But there are already plenty of $99 devices available there, and they already integrate fine for simple systems, so I don't see how Apple could make something innovative enough to charge a premium there and therefore make much money on something in that market. It's practically a commodity market item already. It might be nice to have a total solution from Apple, but I still don't see it as a big money maker. It's no iPod or Cinema Display.

I could still see a semi-pro piece from Apple. There seems to be plenty of room to innovate in the mLan world. The possibility for a unique and tight integration with FCP is good. I think a piece in the under $300 range might have some opportunity.

[windowsblowsass]

maybe its some sort of amp to be used with garage band and then allow fluid transfer to an ipod so you can take your songs with you easily :D

[Sabenth]

List of things it could be :

Mic
Headphones
Speakers
Some sort of sonic Mouse never know lol
Keyboard
Midi input out put sort of gadget

Just some of the crazy whacky things you could use..

apple turning into nintendo then are they :D

[zelman]

apple turning into nintendo then are they :D

i hope it's a zapper!

[Flynnstone]

I can't imagine a set of speakers. I have a G5 and I have it connected to an receiver via optical. Too many programs mess with the bit rate. I often have to goto Midi setup to correct it.

So the new device must be a ... PDA :eek:

[Rod Rod]

g30ffr3y, lind0834, Harman Kardon already makes the Soundsticks II (http://www.harmanmultimedia.com/shop_detail.html?cart=HK2_1078375478285890&sku=SOUNDSTICKSII&id1=1). The difference between them and the original Soundsticks (http://www.harmanmultimedia.com/shop_detail.html?cart=HK2_1078375478285890&sku=SS&id1=1) is the newer model has a standard speaker jack input. The previous Soundsticks model connects via USB.

[Sol]

A smaller iSub and the current iSticks paired to the bubble speakers Apple sells could be a viable Dolby Digital solution, one that can provide an all-in-one solution comparable to the iPod. Imagine the next generation of Apple Displays if the display itself was a mono speaker that would be used as the central speaker in this sound system. Watching films would definatelly be a unique experience on a Mac then.

[docpsycho]

That what I was going to say. Could this be the rumored Apple/Bose alliance?


For those in the Higher end of sound equipment. ie not the cheap stuff at best buy and short circut city.

"NO HIGHS, NO LOWS..... MUST BE BOSE!!!!!!"

would love to see something from Boston Acoustics or API (Athena, Energy, Mirage)

a Quality Speaker for a Quality computer

[Game_Hunter]

Hello all,

I'm new. Be nice. It seems to me the best solution there can be to the quandry of this fabled new item is to be gained by adding a few persistent rumors together. I've seen a lot of smoke about some new set top box and here is a little something about an optical port add-on accessory item. Add them together with a pinch of "iTunes and iPods are the new Apple cash cow" and I smell this:

Apple will be releasing a home stereo component which connects to your computers' iTunes libraries allowing you to play them over your home stereo. The dongle/transmitter will connect to the rarely used optical out leaving your precious few USB, Firewire, and audio out ports untouched and available to your current accessory array.

Pure conjecture but if the shoe fits. The only problem I see with this guess is that it would be unlike Apple to create such a device if it had an awkward control interface. Apple has always put the interface as a high priority and with only the output of an audio signal no interactive iPod style control method could be implemented. Probably not what it is but it was a fun idea I had and wanted to share.


Christopher Rydberg (aka Game_Hunter)

[aswitcher]

This one is easy...it's a new set of Apple Speakers.

Well thats not a bad guess, especially if a new form factor iMac is on the way.

[Photorun]

Hopefully it's a device to stun yourself silly over the total lack of new Apple CPU hardware.

I'm predicting that sometime in the next 20 years Apple comes out with a new product, any takers?

[wdlove]

Hopefully it's a device to stun yourself silly over the total lack of new Apple CPU hardware.

I'm predicting that sometime in the next 20 years Apple comes out with a new product, any takers?\

Now that is what I would call a safe prediction. It seems that everyone is on edge over the long dry spell.

[FlamDrag]

Hopefully it's a device to stun yourself silly over the total lack of new Apple CPU hardware.

I'm predicting that sometime in the next 20 years Apple comes out with a new product, any takers?

It's people like you -- with your unrealistic demands -- that make ruin web sites like this and stir everyone into a frenzy. :mad: 20 YEARS? :confused: We just got new computers last year and you're already hoping for something in the next two decades? You'll probably be upset if you have to wait 20 years and you ONLY get a dual 2.5 Ghz out of it too huh? What could you possibly need all that power to do? Safari? E-mail? Geez, I guess you can't please some people. :rolleyes: </thick sarcasm > ;)

[chriscorcoran]

It would be very intresting to see what will use the optical audio port on the powermac. Bose headphones and/or Spreakers for the mac branded by Apple would be nice. I dont know if an interface for gradgeband would really appeal to a large consumer audiance so i really dont see Apple releasing something like that.

Maybe it could have something to do with Apples "mystery box" that will intergrate into our home theater systems?

What do u think?

-Chris

[Gaffa Bug]

For those in the Higher end of sound equipment. ie not the cheap stuff at best buy and short circut city.

"NO HIGHS, NO LOWS..... MUST BE BOSE!!!!!!"

would love to see something from Boston Acoustics or API (Athena, Energy, Mirage)

a Quality Speaker for a Quality computer

How about a pair of Gershman Acoustics GAP 828's??? ;)

[lind0834]

Ok, so they won't be called Sound Sticks II.. how about Apple Pro Speakers Extreme.

The Airport Extreme is still the most recent aweful name Apple has come up with. I was hoping they'd use Extreme on more stuff... but it's to bad, i'm a fan of cheese :)

[nate13]

maybe a pair of iPod / iPod mini speakers!!! (white, round, powrefull but with optional battery slots for prevention of draining battery life)
still i am, as is everyone, hoping for a G5 update but its unlike apple to release it unannounced...
maybe little speakers that look like tiny g5s!!! fooll all your non educated friends that you have a cluster!!! lol :D ;)
fingers are crossed...

[solvs]

I suggest you not read Page 2 then. :)

arn

Good one. :p

[DoubleA100]

Apple is overdue for another "lifestyle" device that has already existed for PC users.... I predict that apple will come out with a device that you can hook up to your home stereo that plays your digital music collection through your home-stereo via. blue tooth. It will be navigated in much the same way you navigate throught itunes, but with a super user-friendly remote. The PC ones that are out now (I think creative makes one) are what you would expect from a PC device - clunky, ugly, poor navigation, etc. Last month's Rolling Stone reviewed like 5 of these devices and they all seemed like things that Apple could take and make 100x better. We'll see though but that's one I'm hoping to see from apple, and I don't think the prediction is too far off...

http://www.popjunkie.net

[Sped]

I think everyone is trying too hard to connect a new product with the optical out. Optical outs are nice for home stereo equipment because they reduce the necessary audio cables to one simple, elegant solution. I assume that is all Apple is doing here. If you have 5.1 source from a movie, game title, etc., then you can ship this directly to your home stereo with one simple cable.

Regarding a new Apple branded device, I have no clue. But, if Apple wanted to sell a home stereo component that linked your Mac with your stereo to play music and show photos, the best way to join the two would be via airport and not the optical out. Someone mentioned bluetooth but there isn't enough bandwidth there for the task and the range would be too short. I like bluetooth but it should be used to eliminate USB 1.1 and other low-bandwidth cables.

While we are on the subject, has anyone seen Roku labs Soundbridge? It has native rendezvous support for iTunes - pretty cool to see companies using Apple technologies more and more.

Sped

[hob]

Even this seems unlikely to have such a wide spread. If a secondary device is released then I hope Apple didn't create it. Let it be a third party product. They need to focus on getting the G5s moving, otherwise Apple will look like a fool come July - the promised one year mark.

I can see this being a potential "Air sucked out of the room" event, just like when Stevie announced the price of the iPod mini...

Yes, yes, I can see it now "We were... errr... having some problems with overheating... so this is the... err... annoucnement of the 3GHz PowerMac G5 Cube" and something 3x wider than the current G5 and resembling a Borg Cube pops onto the screen...

Sorry... I just love trainwreck tv :P

[wdlove]

For those in the Higher end of sound equipment. ie not the cheap stuff at best buy and short circuit city.

"NO HIGHS, NO LOWS..... MUST BE BOSE!!!!!!"

would love to see something from Boston Acoustics or API (Athena, Energy, Mirage)

a Quality Speaker for a Quality computer

It would be nice if Apple added high quality speakers along with the Mac. Maybe with the update Cinema Display to compliment the G5, they could offer built in Bose speakers.

[aswitcher]

I can see this being a potential "Air sucked out of the room" event, just like when Stevie announced the price of the iPod mini...

Yes, yes, I can see it now "We were... errr... having some problems with overheating... so this is the... err... annoucnement of the 3GHz PowerMac G5 Cube" and something 3x wider than the current G5 and resembling a Borg Cube pops onto the screen...

Sorry... I just love trainwreck tv :P

In 2003 strangely enough a large number of Cube PCs appeared, and were promoted on there form factor. Australian PC mag just had an article on them all. Again looks like apple were some years ahead of the competition...

[Sol]

In 2003 strangely enough a large number of Cube PCs appeared, and were promoted on there form factor. Australian PC mag just had an article on them all. Again looks like apple were some years ahead of the competition...

I imagine that none of the Cube PCs are fanless. The fanless PC is something that was abandoned by Apple after the Cube was cancelled. With a focus on music these days, Apple should sell a silent Mac again.

Cube PCs in general could be a good mobile computing solution at least for large office environments. Just add batteries and a handle.

[aswitcher]

I imagine that none of the Cube PCs are fanless. The fanless PC is something that was abandoned by Apple after the Cube was cancelled. With a focus on music these days, Apple should sell a silent Mac again.

Cube PCs in general could be a good mobile computing solution at least for large office environments. Just add batteries and a handle.

No, all had fans, just cut down boxes.

Well a near silent box because of clever fan use as the G5 has attempted would seem the way to go. Although if they get liquid cooling working for the PowerBooks, then maybe that can be used to create an almost silent machine. Should be easier to put the plumbing into a larger box like a cube.

[Koodauw]

If this is true, can we anticipate optical ports on the next powerbook revision? If they are all about the music, why not add the wheel on the ipod to the powerbook as well? That way you can spin!! Combined with the optical port, the powerbook would be the party to go! Add booze and shake it (Repeat as necessary)

I actually like the idea of built in scroll wheel. Although where would you put it? I originally thought of in the palm rest, next to the track pad, but that would get in the way. Very interesting idea though.

[hayesk]

It would be nice if Apple added high quality speakers along with the Mac. Maybe with the update Cinema Display to compliment the G5, they could offer built in Bose speakers.

Apple used Bose for the 20th Anniv. Mac, but the iMacs and eMacs come with Harman Kardon speakers, I would imagine they would stick with HK.

[jefke]

Hi

I'm looking after my first apple laptop.
I live in Europe and an iBook costs here 1200 Euro = 1450$. You see that it is a lot more. Now I'm waiting on the new iBook.

When will the powerbook G5 or iBook arrive?

A student from Europe

[iMan]

Just saw that Apple has one of the largest appearances at the NAB multimedia hall.
Now is certainly a good time for speculations, so here goes: NAB is a fairly large show (!) so this should be an item for general interest (if only one?). I would suspect something that made impact with the general public then - and something that suits NAB - an extension of the digital hub: the Apple solution for the Home Theatre. I see the Apple "big screen" (either a large LCD or a projector), a customized Apple/Bose soundsystem to plug in the G5 optical, a remote control thingie to access your mac from the couch, some kind of gadget that centers the mac in your multimedia life (like the Eyehome). And of course iTheatre Film Store - the new movie downloadable service from Apple :D

Anyway - I feel Apple is going more mainstream: the big announcements are increasingly appearing at "regular" shows and at Apples pace rather than at specific Mac-shows. The days of the Mac-only shows may have seen its glory...

I feel something big is coming for NAB. What do you others think?

[iMan]

Hi

I'm looking after my first apple laptop.
I live in Europe and an iBook costs here 1200 Euro = 1450$. You see that it is a lot more. Now I'm waiting on the new iBook.

When will the powerbook G5 or iBook arrive?

A student from Europe

he he, if we all knew ;)
Both are up for revision in not too distant future - I would suspect the PB will see minor speed upgrades this spring. Afraid iBook will not until summer (but then who knows...)
The real upgrade we are waiting for is the PB G5 though :D Unfortunately that is at best in the fall it seems...

You can get crazy if you focus on buying at just the right moment :) I would wait for the PB now though... unless you need it now/soon - then just buy it, and ignore it when the first revision hits ;)

[Sped]

Just saw that Apple has one of the largest appearances at the NAB multimedia hall.
Now is certainly a good time for speculations, so here goes: NAB is a fairly large show (!) so this should be an item for general interest (if only one?). I would suspect something that made impact with the general public then - and something that suits NAB - an extension of the digital hub: the Apple solution for the Home Theatre. I see the Apple "big screen" (either a large LCD or a projector), a customized Apple/Bose soundsystem to plug in the G5 optical, a remote control thingie to access your mac from the couch, some kind of gadget that centers the mac in your multimedia life (like the Eyehome). And of course iTheatre Film Store - the new movie downloadable service from Apple :D

Anyway - I feel Apple is going more mainstream: the big announcements are increasingly appearing at "regular" shows and at Apples pace rather than at specific Mac-shows. The days of the Mac-only shows may have seen its glory...

I feel something big is coming for NAB. What do you others think?

I love the way my mac provides one-stop shopping for my music, photos, and information (internet portal). The problem that I find and many of my friends do too is that I am separated from my family when I access all this great digital media because the computer is structured to provide one person data at a time. For example, computer screen sizes are generally no larger than 17" which allows a maximum of maybe 5 people to gather around and see digital photos/video. Although speakers designed for computers have improved dramatically since the days of the Apple IIe internal speaker, for the most part you don't see home users with 5.1 home theater quality speakers connected to their computers. Not that it isn't possible, you just don't normally keep you computer in the living room beside your entertainment system.

It's been mentioned before, but I would like Apple to create a device that brings all the digital media I have on my computer and makes it accessible to the rest of my family simultaneously. The only way to do that in my opinion is to stream data from the computer to that new device. 802.11 is a logical choice for this and fits in with Apple's airport technology although I think ethernet connectivity would be a plus for those who have wired home networks. I don't think the new device should have massive storage on its own but should rely primarily on the user's Mac for content. If the device had PVR capability it probably should have its own storage since some folks with older Macs undoubtedly don't want the majority of their hard drive used.

The other technology I would like to see taken advantage of is high definition. This new device must be capable of displaying a 720p/1080i signal. I don't want to see my 4 megapixel photos on 480i. Also, I don't want to have a PVR unless I can record HD. I just got a HDTV, and for those of you who haven't seen HD, I can only say it is simply incredible.

While we are talking about new technologies for this device, I want an HDMI connection. If you don't know, HDMI will allow you to connect a digital media device like a DVD, satellite receiver, etc. to a TV or home stereo receiver with a single cable. This will reduce the current 3 cables necessary for component video and up to 11 cables necessary for 5.1 sound to one single cable.

Lastly, is the user interface. This is where Apple should spend their own capital. The aforementioned technologies are off-the-shelf and Apple shouldn't spend any R&D to improve them. Apple should simply take these existing technologies and wrap them in a package that is uniqely Apple and an interface that won't scare my wife or parents.

Kind of a long post, but I would easily drop $1000 to get this device if it was as slick as an iPod.

[xy14]

If you think about it, its obvious. If it takes advantage of the sound port, and it's a NEW device, it is probably like this. (http://h71036.www7.hp.com/hho/cache/8937-0-0-225-121.aspx) - that would be cool if it was what they did.

[DVDSP]

I love the way my mac provides one-stop shopping for my music, photos, and information (internet portal). The problem that I find and many of my friends do too is that I am separated from my family when I access all this great digital media because the computer is structured to provide one person data at a time. For example, computer screen sizes are generally no larger than 17" which allows a maximum of maybe 5 people to gather around and see digital photos/video. Although speakers designed for computers have improved dramatically since the days of the Apple IIe internal speaker, for the most part you don't see home users with 5.1 home theater quality speakers connected to their computers. Not that it isn't possible, you just don't normally keep you computer in the living room beside your entertainment system.

It's been mentioned before, but I would like Apple to create a device that brings all the digital media I have on my computer and makes it accessible to the rest of my family simultaneously. The only way to do that in my opinion is to stream data from the computer to that new device. 802.11 is a logical choice for this and fits in with Apple's airport technology although I think ethernet connectivity would be a plus for those who have wired home networks. I don't think the new device should have massive storage on its own but should rely primarily on the user's Mac for content. If the device had PVR capability it probably should have its own storage since some folks with older Macs undoubtedly don't want the majority of their hard drive used.

The other technology I would like to see taken advantage of is high definition. This new device must be capable of displaying a 720p/1080i signal. I don't want to see my 4 megapixel photos on 480i. Also, I don't want to have a PVR unless I can record HD. I just got a HDTV, and for those of you who haven't seen HD, I can only say it is simply incredible.


I agree with you and as mention earlier you should check out the Roku HD1000 HERE (www.rokulabs.com). It displays you're photos at 1080 on an HDTV (unlike my DVD player that outputs 540 to my HDTV, pics don't look that great), plays your music files through your stereo and displays video as well. Wireless or wired networks. This device looks very cool although they aren't very clear on what kind of video it will display other than MPEG2 Transport streams, also there used to be a note on their site about not being able to play iTMS AAC files.

If Apple repackaged and reprogrammed it slightly or made one of their own I would pick one up in an instant. As long as it worked with iTunes, iPhoto and QT.

[jsw]

I agree with you and as mention earlier you should check out the Roku HD1000 HERE (www.rokulabs.com). ... If Apple repackaged and reprogrammed it slightly or made one of their own I would pick one up in an instant. As long as it worked with iTunes, iPhoto and QT.

Just out of curiosity, why wouldn't you pick one up regardless? It seems like Apple couldn't add much to it beyond repackaging it.

[Edit]Just looked closer at the site and saw:
"SoundBridge can not play back protected AAC files purchased from the Apple music store."

THAT is what Apple could fix!

[sonyrules]

For those in the Higher end of sound equipment. ie not the cheap stuff at best buy and short circut city.

"NO HIGHS, NO LOWS..... MUST BE BOSE!!!!!!"

would love to see something from Boston Acoustics or API (Athena, Energy, Mirage)

a Quality Speaker for a Quality computer

I would love to see something from mirage for the mac, omnipolar is a kick ass idea, I have me a set of OM 9's. I can just imagine what the 2 can come up with.

[sambo.]

enuff with the peripherals already, i just want the G5 Revision!
first rule about buying technology, wait for the first upgrade.
eg: Nikon F90 - sucked, F90x - much better
original iMac - nice, after first revision, beautifuullll
G4's - ditto
PowerBooks - G3 266 - NIIIICE when it came out, my 333 - still the envy of many peecee using colleagues (not to mention five years old and still kicking ass.......)

bring on the revision - it's not processor speed i'm after, it's architecture improvements! :cool: :D

[T'hain Esh Kelch]

That what I was going to say. Could this be the rumored Apple/Bose alliance?
Codename: Spartacus.

[jimjiminyjim]

I guess this rumor was about airport express?
It's June now... but hey, the airport express sorta fits.

[aswitcher]

I guess this rumor was about airport express?
It's June now... but hey, the airport express sorta fits.

Yeah that was it. Probably one of the best things to come out this year in terms of low cost cool gadget...mini ipod besides...

[Freg3000]

Yeah that was it. Probably one of the best things to come out this year in terms of low cost cool gadget...mini ipod besides...

Lost cost and iPod mini.....

Oh how far we've come in 6 months: Initial reaction to $249 pricetag of iPod mini after MWSF (http://forums.macrumors.com/showthread.php?s=&threadid=53929)