AppleInsider says iPod Boombox

[hyperpasta]

AppleInsider says that Apple is gearing up to launch a "HomePod" sort of device. Read about it here:

http://www.appleinsider.com/article.php?id=1412


P.S. Did a search, nothing came up.

[hyperpasta]

I posted that in a hurry. I have a hunch that Apple is up to something with AirPort. This might be a wireless set of speakers that taps into iTunes...

Previously, I had my money on a video AirPort Express that had an IR port for use with a remote: it could stram the Front Row interface from a computer.

[adk]

Sounds like airtunes with speakers.... give me the airport express instead.

[Lacero]

Been looking for something like this. :D I'd like to see something go into my stereo shelf, perhaps an iTunes server like those Roku units.



Here's to the Crazy Ones http://forums.macrumors.com/attachment.php?attachmentid=35452 (http://www.uriah.com/apple-qt/movies/think-different.mov)

[rosalindavenue]

I guess this explains why Apple cracked down on the use of the "ipod" name by other peripheral makers. Still, its not that exciting, at least as written-- there are plenty of speakers and ways to get your music to your stereo.

[hyperpasta]

I guess this explains why Apple cracked down on the use of the "ipod" name by other peripheral makers. Still, its not that exciting, at least as written-- there are plenty of speakers and ways to get your music to your stereo.

I agree. There's either something insanely great about this that we don't know yet, or this product is just an accesory and will be marketed as such (read "Not marketed at all")

[icloud]

My god Macworld Sounds Huge This year...I am overwhelmed by what to expect

[Bubbasteve]

I'll stick with my Bose Sound dock

[runninmac]

I think I may already be getting sick *cough* *cough* i think it will worsen so I cant go to school on the 10th. ;)

All these new talks are gettin me way to excited

If its in a good price range I think i will be forced to pick one up:D

[EricNau]

It doesn't sound like anything that I'd want to rush out for, but one more product for Apple to release! More fun! Yay! :D

It's good that Apple is releasing something like this though; don't need to buy 3rd party stuff anymore.

[GregA]

See i figure an Apple PVR could better be based on iPod technologies than on Mac technologies.

An Apple box running FrontRow, Dashboard widgets, safari,... and the iTMS of course.

[d.perel]

MOOOOOOO!!!!! Milk it, milk it, milk it! :rolleyes:
seriously. let's not alienate our 3rd party accessory makers- they're a lot of the reason iPods are so popular

[Stella]

You slacker, you haven't got first post...

;-)

Been looking for something like this. :D I'd like to see
snip.


I'm thinking that Apple may have wanted to have the iPod market mature enough before it too starts offering more accessories of what is a gold mind?

Otherwise I'm wondering why it has taken Apple so long to enter what is a goldmine - they have some , but a limited range of accessories - the camera dock probably being the best ( imo ).

[dongmin]

I posted that in a hurry. I have a hunch that Apple is up to something with AirPort. This might be a wireless set of speakers that taps into iTunes...This would be the perfect companion for the rumored 'media' Mini, or any Mac/PC with iTunes.

I'd love something like this for my bedroom. I want something simple and easy that can access my iTunes library on my Mini in the living room. It should have a simple color display like the video ipod. It should have a click wheel for navigation and have an IR port built-in so you can use it with the Apple Remote. And it should have a simple alarm function.

[VanMac]

Should be a good show this year....whatever they release...

I'll be in Peru during the event, but will be exciting to come home to some interesting new releases.

[dongmin]

seriously. let's not alienate our 3rd party accessory makers- they're a lot of the reason iPods are so popularThis isn't an 'accessory.' It'd be a gadget in its own right, a homePod as someone has already mention.

[rikers_mailbox]

Wireless dock + speakers? (includes sync capabilities)

[Jovian9]

I'd consider buying this if it looks great, has wireless capabilities, is small, and sounds good....though I doubt it will sound anything like the Bose setup.

[Analog Kid]

It's good that Apple is releasing something like this though; don't need to buy 3rd party stuff anymore.
Not good. Kill off the 3rd party accessory makers and iPod goes back to looking like something that only Apple cares about.

Apple has been pretty careful not to tread on the accessory market and I don't think that will change unless they've got something truly unique that no one else can do-- I'd guess it requires the ability to run the DRM locally rather than just being a dock accessory.

[hyperpasta]

This would be the perfect companion for the rumored 'media' Mini, or any Mac/PC with iTunes.

I'd love something like this for my bedroom. I want something simple and easy that can access my iTunes library on my Mini in the living room. It should have a simple color display like the video ipod. It should have a click wheel for navigation and have an IR port built-in so you can use it with the Apple Remote. And it should have a simple alarm function.

Good idea... I think you're on to something. Sort of like an "extender" for the media mini.

[hyperpasta]

Not good. Kill off the 3rd party accessory makers and iPod goes back to looking like something that only Apple cares about.

Apple has been pretty careful not to tread on the accessory market and I don't think that will change unless they've got something truly unique that no one else can do-- I'd guess it requires the ability to run the DRM locally rather than just being a dock accessory.

While this COULD be a generic speaker accesory, the alternate theory is that its in fact a boombox that taps into iTunes (or, say, a Media Center Mac mini). You could carry the music on your Living Room's Mac mini around the house: completely wireless and rechargable.

[magid]

I thinking it will have some sort of storage capabilities so you can sinc it up with your comp and not have to go through the trouble of hooking your iPod to your stereo system. You will just have your homePod hooked up with wireless capabilities as well.

[nichos]

I would like an Airport base station that will do videos and photos! How cool would that be to send video from your mac upstairs, to your airport base station downstairs to watch on your TV?:)

[hyperpasta]

I would like an Airport base station that will do videos and photos! How cool would that be to send video from your mac upstairs, to your airport base station downstairs to watch on your TV?:)

I think this will happen too. And I'd love if it happened at MWSF. Unfortunetly, though, this rumor probably won't yield that. This might be a companion to that - a set of speakers for carrying your music around your house.

EDIT: Oh, and how cool would it be to put the Front Row interface on your TV and control it with a remote?

[aricher]

Transferring photos & video wirelessly on two Tivos is painfully slow - not sure how Apple could improve it.

If Apple came out with a whoop-a$$ boombox that synced wirelessly and sounded great I'd think about picking one up.

[vmardian]

While this COULD be a generic speaker accesory, the alternate theory is that its in fact a boombox that taps into iTunes (or, say, a Media Center Mac mini). You could carry the music on your Living Room's Mac mini around the house: completely wireless and rechargable.

It's not the alternate theory. It is in fact the rumor. Read the article. It says "one source called the gadget an oversized iPod with boombox-type speakers".

The scope seems very clear to me. Whether it downloads the music via USB, FireWire, Ethernet, or WiFi, is unclear.

[lopresmb]

Man, is there anything that hasn't been rumored for this upcoming expo? I'm just waiting for some powermac rumors and I think we'll have run the gambit.

[nichos]

Transferring photos & video wirelessly on two Tivos is painfully slow - not sure how Apple could improve it.



I currently stream from my linux server to my iBook over a neatgear 802.11g router. Of course, this is divx so the files arent the highest of quality, but I have no problems w/skipping, etc. I'm using the smb protocol.

[iDM]

I'd really like to see this any chance it will have wireless networking capabilities? I'd love to get the Airport Express except that it doesn't have a ethernet to ethernet like even my wireless linksys router has now(the person i plan on moving it with swears by having a wired internet connection).

[iDM]

Man, is there anything that hasn't been rumored for this upcoming expo? I'm just waiting for some powermac rumors and I think we'll have run the gambit.

Sorry i had to, but i haven't heard any mentioning on a return to Apple Newton or similar handhelds and thank god for no Tablet talk. Maybe other people like the idea but i still have yet to see how someone would prefer to write as opposed to type. I understand sketches but that is about it, so wait i guess that actually means there is a use for a tablet. Alright well my posts are getting increasingly useless since it is finals week here and all.

[Brandon Sharitt]

It's about time they release something else. They've been on the edge of consumer electronics(yet still a large disruptive force) for a while now with the iPod line and a few accessories, they need to expand further to keep growing.

[virus1]

I think I may already be getting sick *cough* *cough* i think it will worsen so I cant go to school on the 10th. ;)
good thinking.. week before finals tho.. got to watch out :eek:

[w_parietti22]

These speakers better be made by a third party and designed by apple... otherwise... well, imo, Apple speakers suck.

[GregA]

Sorry i had to, but i haven't heard any mentioning on a return to Apple Newton or similar handhelds and thank god for no Tablet talk.You must've missed the rumour of an iPod with the screen 90' to what it is today, and widescreen. Kinda like a tablet in some ways eh? :-/

[BenAKL]

Who knows, it could be a Cinema Display (20", 23" 30") with a remote control and a docking station? :D
*shudder at the thought of it*!!!!

[ibook30]

Make it pretty and make it work well,,, and I will buy it ! I hope this happens! ;)

[nutmac]

I'd consider buying this if it looks great, has wireless capabilities, is small, and sounds good....though I doubt it will sound anything like the Bose setup.

With the right partner making speaker, it's possible. It's not like Bose is known for making good speakers, particularly its SoundDock (which is just okay considering it's small).

[LaMerVipere]

I much prefer to just plug my speakers into my computer, I don't know about the rest of you. Hooking them up to my iPod just isn't as fun or functional to me. I can access and control stuff so much faster and easier with the computer! And with a laptop, the convenience difference between the two is minimal at best.

Apple should focus on improving the iPod itself. Little things like gapless playback and greater control over EQ would be far more welcomed additions in our house than some iPod boombox! :)

[GregA2]

I wonder if this boombox thing will have a cd player in it... It would be cool if you could rip music directly into it without having to use a computer. :eek:

[BenAKL]

I wonder if this boombox thing will have a cd player in it... It would be cool if you could rip music directly into it without having to use a computer. :eek:

Don't think they would. Would give them a reason NOT to get a Mac ;)

[NewbieNerd]

I'm relatively new to the Apple community, so this a new experience for me in terms of waiting in eager expectation for all these events like MWSF. It was bad enough that I spent half my night last night on here reading about new iBooks and whatnot when I should have been focusing on my game theory paper. I can only imagine how much I'm gonna be on here when school is official out and I have nothing else to do. Should I really place any confidence in any of these rumors whatsoever? By the time MWSF actually gets here, Apple will supposedly be offering Intel machines in for all lines, all new iPod models, probably even OS X 10.6 (already people thinking Leopard might be displayed, so why not assume they're just gonna pass right on by that release).

A lot of people just need to calm down around here. :)

[chubad]

=
A lot of people just need to calm down around here. :)

No way!
We we be whipped into an absolutely insane, hyper crazed drooling madman psyco adrenaline pumped FRENZY, by the time the Macworld keynote starts.

After all it's a time honored sacred Machead tradition.
:D

[Peace]

I posted the following in the Viiv/Mini discussion this morning :


From the U.S. Patent Office website :

Jam Box :

Word Mark JAM BOX
Goods and Services IC 009. US 021 023 026 036 038. G & S: computer hardware; computer software; computer peripherals, namely audio production systems comprised of computer hardware and software for composing, recording, creating, converting, enhancing, processing, amplifying, mixing, manipulating, and playing audio signals
Standard Characters Claimed
Mark Drawing Code (4) STANDARD CHARACTER MARK
Design Search Code
Serial Number 78611342
Filing Date April 18, 2005
Current Filing Basis 1B
Original Filing Basis 1B
Owner (APPLICANT) Apple Computer, Inc. CORPORATION CALIFORNIA 1 Infinite Loop MS 3-TM 1 Infinite Loop Cupertino CALIFORNIA 95014
Attorney of Record John Donald
Type of Mark TRADEMARK
Register PRINCIPAL
Live/Dead Indicator LIVE

[SiliconAddict]

different "anything Apple has released in the past." The device is reported to include wireless audio streaming and be marketed as "plug and play music for your home".

*yawns*

And doubtlessly the same boring form factor we seen again and again and again over the last 4 years. Wake me when Apple decides to get some real innovation in their products instead of evolution. Wake me when they introduce a product that is really a video iPod and not some half-baked slap-the-feature-in-our-normal-ipod-becaue-its-going-to-sell-anyways solution. Yah yah I’m a broken record. I’m just waiting on Apple to deliver on a new form factor that goes along side your typical iPod. Yes year over year Ford, Toyota and the like don't alter the general form of their cars but every so often they shake things up. Sometimes they work. Sometimes they don't. But they take a chance. They try something new. this is the kind of thinking I crave from Apple. Where is the think different company? As I said before right now all I’m seeing is think inside the box.

[doogle]

I am not so interested in new hardware for the iPod. I am interested in the iPod working more closely with my Mac. There needs to be integration with more Apple software to make the iPod even more useful, for example "Keynote" should sync directly with iPod and enable video controlled presentations. "iPhoto" should sync directly with iPod...iTunes is becoming unwieldy and bloated with functions to "put out fires".

Two divisions in Apple may work fine for making the products, as long as the separation des not impact on the connectivity between Apple software and hardware. iPod guys, lets hope, are still talking to the Apple guys and coming up with some good ideas.

[GorillaPaws]

Not to sound like a jerk, but I seriously hope Apple isn't wasting away valuable R&D resources on boomboxes (even if they're wireless). I'm sure we could come up with a list of at least 1000 things that would be more important than this...:rolleyes:

[nagromme]

I can believe it. I've expected Apple to produce more non-iPod consumer electronics before now.

I have no opinion on the boombox thing, though, without knowing what it is. Anything I've thought of has already been done--not that Apple couldn't do it well too.

[balamw]

Goods and Services IC 009. US 021 023 026 036 038. G & S: computer hardware; computer software; computer peripherals, namely audio production systems comprised of computer hardware and software for composing, recording, creating, converting, enhancing, processing, amplifying, mixing, manipulating, and playing audio signals

Sounds a bit like the fabled Asteroid.

B

[iMeowbot]

I guess they could sort of have something in there, if the idea is to have a self-contained giant iPod with a CD deck for ripping and some basic network capability to get to iTMS. An iTunes appliance that lets people play who aren't interested in touching a computer that looks like a computer just might find some buyers.

[twoodcc]

Been looking for something like this. :D I'd like to see something go into my stereo shelf, perhaps an iTunes server like those Roku units.



Here's to the Crazy Ones http://forums.macrumors.com/attachment.php?attachmentid=35452 (http://www.uriah.com/apple-qt/movies/think-different.mov)

an itunes server, now that sounds like a good idea

[Philsy]

If Apple does something like this, it would be nice to think it will do a better job than the likes of Bose and come up with a product that actually sounds half decent.

They could start by taking a look at this:

http://www.arcam.co.uk/microsite/p4.html

[GregA]

I can believe it. I've expected Apple to produce more non-iPod consumer electronics before now.

I have no opinion on the boombox thing, though, without knowing what it is. Anything I've thought of has already been done--not that Apple couldn't do it well too.Well we have seen a set of speakers with the iPod nestled inbetween. What other boombox-related developments are there?

Apple could easily make a set of speakers with the AirTunes/Airport-Express nestled inbetween. Add the ability to change the playlist, skip a song, etc. That would be a nice device for the bedroom.
(edit: ahh, okay I see Roku has done this, and I know eyeHome can stream music... so nothing new here!)
Would integrating a dock for the iPod - so the boom-box can choose to run from the Mac, or from the iPod - be novel? If it allows the iPod to sync wirelessly?

Still, if apple is putting much effort into something like this, I hope it's aimed more at the generic communication technologies between wireless components... and that this box is just a simple resultant technology.

[petej]

I just hope that if the boombox concept is real that they put a useful size screen on the front of it between the speakers. The screen could then be used for running iTunes, visualisations - cool for a boombox, and for playing videos. This would make it different from past boombox incarnations. I just hope that they can keep the cost under control. Wireless connectivity would be a bonus.

[Bern]

Right now my credit card is breaking out in a cold sweat :D

[aswitcher]

AppleInsider says that Apple is gearing up to launch a "HomePod" sort of device. Read about it here:

http://www.appleinsider.com/article.php?id=1412

.

This makes a lot of sense given their buisness model is about selling ipods, so selling accessories rolls off that nicely.

Theory (building on what others have already said here)

If they bought out an "ipod" with speakers and an audio out, basically like the Logitech MM50 but with a HDD built in + build in an Airport Express. Make the HDD 100 gig or 120 or even a real hdd with 250 gig. Certainly an s-video out and maybe an s-video (HMDI anyone) in to record programs.

Basically it would function like an iPod for all DRM issues. It would have a much larger battery life for good portability. It would also be used without speakers to stream music via other airport expresses or physically link to a sterio / tv to act as a multimedia server.

And hey, they could even put a bigger screen on it to support video. 5" perhaps.

[JoeG4]

Another Apple product everyone goes goo goo over I could care less about.

I want more very Apple computers. Powerful machines that are unlike anything out before, unique in style (to where "design oriented" PC companies rip it off like wild monkies), Apple-refined, Apple-priced (I don't care for cheap Macs and I'm not convinced that switching 1 chip on the board is magically going to turn them into Dells with apple logos on them), etc etc..

I want a machine that truly tempts me to replace my QuickSilver! Muwahhaha.

In all reality, an entirely Apple machine (Big blue Apple board that doesn't fit in anything else), with dual dualcore opterons and tons of cache would be my droolworhty box right about now! Yes, tons of cache. Not bloated benchmarks on some stupid 3d shootemup test I couldn't give 2 farts about.

And I don't get the point of bolting DVR features into a Mac that would never in a million years be brute enough to handle encoding and decoding simultaneously (that "tivo killer" you guys were drooling about).. It wouldn't be anything like a Mac Mini, it'd be the size of an 80's VCR pretty quick! --- Especially if it used Intel processors (vs MIPS processors).

Yeah, think about it -- encoding (recording) a set (yes two) 1920x1080 streams while decoding (watching) a third one. Shoot, a dual PowerMac gets it in the balls decoding ONE of these (I think the topend ones do it with no lag but that's it).. and I know, you guys are completely filled with RDF believing a laptop chip is going to be like a gazillion times faster than 4 2.5ghz PPC cores, but let's look at reality for a minute here.

If Steve-o releases a dual tuner single output DVR-capable Mac between the size of a Mac Mini and a G4 Cube (more towards the Mac Mini's size) that has all the ding dongs and speed that YOU ding dongs think it will have, still be in the price range of a Mac Mini, I'll eat my hat and tape it and whatever else (or just eat my words and apologize for being so mean). LOL.

And that's a Mac Zealot speaking :)

Now, as for Apple peripherals. .... I wouldn't be surprised, and Apple's made some great speakers for their size before (that you could attribute to Apple's part, anyway).. I'd be thrilled to see something with Klipsch goodness, scared at the price of anything Bose based, and well, it's more likely we'll see more Harman Kardon goodness.

Yep, good ole' HK/JBL, Apple's been good friends with them for years now!

We'll just have to see, maybe we'll still see them video-enabled Airport Expresses with FrontRow interface (that I'd love to see).

[steebu]

anyone remember the wireless ipod patent?

its gonna be an awesome wireless airtunes speaker set. an airtunes+ipod dock does most of the work and sends the music to 2 or more wireless receiver+speakers.

no video streaming yet people.

[dernhelm]

I just hope that if the boombox concept is real that they put a useful size screen on the front of it between the speakers. The screen could then be used for running iTunes, visualisations - cool for a boombox, and for playing videos. This would make it different from past boombox incarnations. I just hope that they can keep the cost under control. Wireless connectivity would be a bonus.

Wow, you actually almost made this sound interesting! ;)

[hyperpasta]

It's not the alternate theory. It is in fact the rumor. Read the article. It says "one source called the gadget an oversized iPod with boombox-type speakers".

The scope seems very clear to me. Whether it downloads the music via USB, FireWire, Ethernet, or WiFi, is unclear.

Sorry if it was unclear. By taps into I meant that it used wireless and didn't have any storage on it.

[gnasher729]

Yeah, think about it -- encoding (recording) a set (yes two) 1920x1080 streams while decoding (watching) a third one.

Nobody in their right mind would _encode_ anything above standard terrestrial TV resolution. Everything else comes into your TV in a highly compressed form. All you do for recording is to grab the compressed signal, as it comes in. Any 1920x1080 stream will originate from H.264 and will be transmitted to some decoder in that form. There is no need to compress anything, it is already compressed. Just grab it and save it to disk.

[-hh]

It's not the alternate theory. It is in fact the rumor. Read the article. It says "one source called the gadget an oversized iPod with boombox-type speakers".


An "oversized iPod" could be one way to describe a mini.

This all could be little more than a mini with a set of speakers bolted on, and probably with an integrated iPod dock built in.

Run it on OS X with a different startup screen and an iPod-like Application that runs upon boot-up, and the average consumer will never know.

The scope seems very clear to me. Whether it downloads the music via USB, FireWire, Ethernet, or WiFi, is unclear.

Probably WiFi (811.2g) and Satellite Radio...with room for growth for TiVO.


-hh

[Proud Liberal]

Man, is there anything that hasn't been rumored for this upcoming expo? I'm just waiting for some powermac rumors and I think we'll have run the gambit.

yeah, there is something that hasn't been rumored for this event, a few things actually - things that are important to me at least :D


80GB/100GB iPods - it's not like the drives don't exist...
gapless playback


Just my 2 cents for the day...

[lifeboy001]

With the right partner making speaker, it's possible. It's not like Bose is known for making good speakers, particularly its SoundDock (which is just okay considering it's small).

This is a pretty bold statement...While Bose is very pricey, it is pretty high end for the consumer level. Listen to a pair of 901s or Acoustimass modules instead of a pathetic sound dock. Its quite hard to find a better set of speakers at a reasonable price, and I would perfer Bose for my office over anything else available. I did take an acoustics lab with Professor Bose himself though, so I might be biased...Anyway, I doubt Apple would choose to work with Bose on price issues alone, and Bose can continue to make docks for the iPod provided they don't use the iPod name.

[Philsy]

This is a pretty bold statement...While Bose is very pricey, it is pretty high end for the consumer level. Listen to a pair of 901s or Acoustimass modules instead of a pathetic sound dock. Its quite hard to find a better set of speakers at a reasonable price, and I would perfer Bose for my office over anything else available. I did take an acoustics lab with Professor Bose himself though, so I might be biased...Anyway, I doubt Apple would choose to work with Bose on price issues alone, and Bose can continue to make docks for the iPod provided they don't use the iPod name.

Bose stuff is hardly hifi sound quality - it's OK for in the kitchen, say. Apple should be aiming higher.

[mklos]

Damn! I was hoping for a MacWorld WITHOUT the friggin' iPod being involved. It would be nice. Kinda bring back the old days when Apple focused its efforts on COMPUTERS!!!! You know those wonderful things that look good and have the best OS in the world? The things that most of Apple's revenues come from? Anyone remember those things?

[Loge]

80GB/100GB iPods - it's not like the drives don't exist...
gapless playback



Toshiba have an 80 GB 1.8 inch drive apparently; but who is making the 100GB drive ?

[Stella]

Not to sound like a jerk, but I seriously hope Apple isn't wasting away valuable R&D resources on boomboxes (even if they're wireless). I'm sure we could come up with a list of at least 1000 things that would be more important than this...:rolleyes:

iPod accessories market is a gold mind, what do you expect - apple not trying to dig - they'll make more profit than on computers ( accessories + iPods )

[1984]

Bose does some great things in terms of packing in a lot of bass into a small enclosure but for the money you can get better quality elsewhere. Something like the SoundDock isn't so bad but when you start shelling out $1200 or more on an Accoustic Wave system you are just wasting your money. For that amount you can get much, much, much better quality.

[Philsy]

Bose does some great things in terms of packing in a lot of bass into a small enclosure but for the money you can get better quality elsewhere. Something like the SoundDock isn't so bad but when you start shelling out $1200 or more on an Accoustic Wave system you are just wasting your money. For that amount you can get much, much, much better quality.

This goes back to my suggestion that the Arcam Solo would be a good model for Apple to look at. Something with a similar form factor and a built-in dock would be nice.

Of course, you're always going to be stuck with the inferior sound quality of MP3-type files...

[Proud Liberal]

Toshiba have an 80 GB 1.8 inch drive apparently; but who is making the 100GB drive ?

I guess I was referring more to the 80GB drive than the 100GB, although there are 2.5" 100GB HDDs, but obviously those wouldn't be compatible with the iPod...I have just heard elsewhere that the current 80GB 1.8" drives are not compatible with the form factor of the 5G iPod :(

[-hh]

It's not like Bose is known for making good speakers, particularly its SoundDock (which is just okay considering it's small).

Unfortunately, when you then take Bose's prices into account, their products aren't IMO really worth buying...poor overall values. For example, the Sounddock is $300, the Wave is another $500, and their Quietcomfort headphones are another $300...boom, we're at $1100 already.

There are competitors that provide at least ~90% of the performance (sometimes more) at a fraction of Bose's prices. YMMV, but for the three examples I listed above, I'd consider the Altec Lansing inMotion for $100 (66% less); Tivoli Audio Kloss Model One for $100 (80% less); Plane Quiet NC6 headphones for $60 (80% less), totalling to only $260.

YMMV on what to do with the $840 saved with this specific alternative suggestion, but I'm on the East Coast, so this time of year, it will buy two airline tickets to London with enough enough left over for tickets to a live theatre performance.


-hh

[Philsy]

YMMV on what to do with the $840 saved with this specific alternative suggestion, but I'm on the East Coast, so this time of year, it will buy two airline tickets to London with enough enough left over for tickets to a live theatre performance.

-hh

Hey, yes - come over here and smell some burning petrol
:D

[ShavenYak]

One of the new products are said to include a iPod Boombox

In other news, all our base are belong to Apple. :p

[Photorun]

My god Macworld Sounds Huge This year...I am overwhelmed by what to expect

PEOPLE PEOPLE this is RUMOR site, and AppleInsider hasn't had a correct prediction since the revised white iBook came out (they scooped it a day before, and by only a day), so that's five years of fabrication, false claims, and out and out outlandish manure they've been shoveling on the masses now since 2000. AppleInsider couldn't predict the results of yesterday's weather while reading today's paper.

My point? STOP IT! Those who jump on things like this and then will for whatever reason blame Apple when it doesn't come out only hurt themselves and/or the community when you go "boo hoo, we were promised this" NO, you weren't promised ANYTHING, you read a rumor of a rumor on a rumor site and you're a chump and clearly not paying attention. Want Mac news? Read Macworld or MacNN.com or some such, come here for folly and wild rampant speculation, or visit AppleInsider for crazy-arse pie-in-the-sky things that will never come true.

[-hh]

I guess I was referring more to the 80GB drive than the 100GB, although there are 2.5" 100GB HDDs, but obviously those wouldn't be compatible with the iPod...

Okay, but does it really matter what fits/doesn't into "XYZ Existing Product" when the rumor is that Apple's probably designing a new enclosure?

For example, the mac mini uses a 2.5" laptop drive, which are available at 100GB 9and 120GB).

Now look at the market application.

For example, for a bedside clock/radio type of product, the form factor of a mac mini is roughly comparable to what most people have today on their nightstands...just add integrated speakers and an iPod dock.

Alternatively, if the intended product is to live in the TV room, the typical form factor here is the 19" rack, which are approximated by VCR's and DVD players. Can you say "1990 vintage Macintosh LC II Pizza Box"? :).

Supposing something smaller than a 1" tall x 18" wide x ~15" deep enclosure, it would be pretty remedial to package the guts of a mini into a shorter-but-larger-volume box that can then use a 3.5" drive.

Why do so? Because at current retail prices, $80 buys you a 250GB 3.5" drive...as much storage capacity as the top-end Quad PowerMac comes standard with, which should suffice for holding one's music collection, as well as a respectable iPhoto image collection and an iTMS video collection too.


-hh

[-hh]

Hey, yes - come over here and smell some burning petrol
:D

I hear that France is downwind...they'll probably complain that it will improve the smell of their famously stinky Normandy cheeses :eek:


-hh

[xjebbx]

could this just be the mac mini "DVR media home center thing" with the built ipod connectivity. i mean there were talks about a dock on the mini it makes since to incorporate a sound system in to that as well.

[twoodcc]

could this just be the mac mini "DVR media home center thing" with the built ipod connectivity. i mean there were talks about a dock on the mini it makes since to incorporate a sound system in to that as well.

that would be cool.

[emaja]

This sounds very interesting. I have been looking and the Roku unit for a while and the big downside to it is that it does NOT play protected AAC files, so anything that you purchase form ITMS will NOT stream. Bummer if you have a large purchased collection or just like the free weekly downloads.

[Doozy]

It would be nice to control itunes from my couch. I know there are arternative ways to do this but, if apple could make it easier I would defiantly check it out.

Indeed January is starting to look very interesting. Is apple stock going to hit $100.00 in 2006? It will if intel and the ipod does well.

[shawnce]

Damn! I was hoping for a MacWorld WITHOUT the friggin' iPod being involved. It would be nice. Kinda bring back the old days when Apple focused its efforts on COMPUTERS!!!! You know those wonderful things that look good and have the best OS in the world? The things that most of Apple's revenues come from? Anyone remember those things?

You think Apple spends 140+ million dollars on R&D per quarter for the iPod?

Nope... they are working on Mac OS X, iLife, many professional applications, Macintosh hardware, various research projects (that may never see the light of day) in addition to the iPod.

Anyway the iPod is the best thing going for Apple at this time, for them to ignore it would kill it and would kill the mind share it is giving Apple... mind share that is translating in Macintosh hardware sales.

Apple has proven in the last few years that they can build relevant and diverse products (even when hobbled by unrealized G4/G5 power & performance goals, the Intel switch should allow them break away from that).

[Proud Liberal]

Okay, but does it really matter what fits/doesn't into "XYZ Existing Product" when the rumor is that Apple's probably designing a new enclosure?

-hh

sure it does - I don't want to carry around something the size of mac mini for a "portable" device. The beauty of an MP3 player is that it gives me the capability to carry my entire music collection in 1 small portable device...a mac mini - or something that size - is not exactly what I would call "small" or "portable".

[powerofthekiwi]

very very interesting...

front row ~ only available on new imac. why not release it for sale? apple is a software revenue company who is very very dependent on strong software sales, why wouldn't they release it to cash in on the money?

because..

this device could also include streaming video and photos. if front row is on these new devices (and they have video out) then you would have to get one to use the software.

you want front row, you have to get a new toy. if apple made front row available for all macs with video out (which are lots... ;)) then all these people would be in much less need for this new product. Why spend $130-150 on a hardware device that lets you do something $50 software can ~ exactly why apple has not made front row available for sale.

hmm... will be interesting to see what comes in january!

[-hh]

RE: device size - does it really matter?

sure it does - I don't want to carry around something the size of mac mini for a "portable" device.

Sure, but the rumor is for a "Boom Box", not a tiny nano device.

YMMV on what size footprint the generic description of "Boom Box" does for you, but for me, I envision something like this size...or larger:

http://graphics.x10.com/images_med/RC-EX20S.jpg


With this as a starting point for product packaging, I look at the center volume of this box and say to myself that its sufficient to swallow *several* iPods...pretty much anything up to roughly the volume of a mac mini, athough that won't include a battery.

From there, to build an iPod powered version of the above, its just an engineering design exercise: with an available product volume of "X", how much do you want to use for battery, for hard drive, for electronics, etc...(and ending with "how much volume to simply eliminate?")

Industrial Design itself only goes so far...you then have to look at the costs of your various components' choices and the trade-offs that they result in. My basic point is that there's no justification to use a 1.8" hard drive when there's adequate volume (and power) to use a cheaper 2.5" HD instead.

The beauty of an MP3 player is that it gives me the capability to carry my entire music collection in 1 small portable device...a mac mini - or something that size - is not exactly what I would call "small" or "portable".

Sure...I agree. My point is that I don't generally see people on the streets carrying around Boom Boxes anymore. The last time I really saw that, Disco was still alive :)

As such, even though it may be still called a "Boom Box", the consumers of this product doesn't use them like they used to in the 1970's - - they're much more likely to be something sitting on a picnic table or in someone's dorm room - - - not sitting on a guy's shoulder walking down a city street. As such, the consumer's marketplace desires for the product's form factor and weight aren't necessarily going to be the most important - - it can very well end up being other factors, such as capacity, playtime, and product cost.

Since the iPod already has the "small/portable" market defined and dominated, a "Boom Box" form factor logically has to be for a different market segment that doesn't put such emphasis on small/portable.

For an analogy, this rumor is that Apple is building a truck and you said that your preference is for a motorcycle. All I'm saying is that a truck isn't a motorcycle, and a motorcycle isn't a truck: yes, they're both transportation products, but they're different enough so as to cater to different consumer market segments.


-hh

[iHavenolife]

Could it just be Apple making the speaker, that is for the generic alarm, usable for playing music without the headphones.

[Compufix]

Transferring photos & video wirelessly on two Tivos is painfully slow - not sure how Apple could improve it.

If Apple came out with a whoop-a$$ boombox that synced wirelessly and sounded great I'd think about picking one up.

The reason it is slow is because it it letterally send the audio/video across the line to be re-recorded by the second TIVO. IT really should just be a file you send. I wish they would improve that, otherwise, I really like TIVO. I would love to see a Mac Hardware box that ran OSX, and all the goodies with a wireless keyboard/mouse, and had a TIVO expansion to Front Row.

They also need to make Front Row be expandable to third party plugins. I would love to use VLC as a player for movies, instead of quicktime. etc.

[mozmac]

I've been very interested in all the speculation that has gone on here. All I can say is:

Jan 8, 2006 - 24 Season Premiere (and my birthday)
Jan 9, 2006 - Another 24 Episode
Jan 10, 2006 - MWSF Keynote

Three days of bliss.

[doogle]

RE: device size - does it really matter?



Sure, but the rumor is for a "Boom Box", not a tiny nano device.

YMMV on what size footprint the generic description of "Boom Box" does for you, but for me, I envision something like this size...or larger:

http://graphics.x10.com/images_med/RC-EX20S.jpg

-hh

...is this guy for real!!!!!
It must be almost sacriligious to post such an ugly image! :)

[cwright]

I've been very interested in all the speculation that has gone on here. All I can say is:

Jan 8, 2006 - 24 Season Premiere (and my birthday)
Jan 9, 2006 - Another 24 Episode
Jan 10, 2006 - MWSF Keynote

Three days of bliss.

A-MEN! :)

[-hh]

...is this guy for real!!!!!
It must be almost sacriligious to post such an ugly image! :)

Consider yourself lucky: Try taking a gander (http://images.google.com/images?q=boom+box&hl=en&btnG=Search+Images) at what "Boom Box" returns on Google Images...this was one of the least ugly.


-hh

[Porchland]

I've been very interested in all the speculation that has gone on here. All I can say is:

Jan 8, 2006 - 24 Season Premiere (and my birthday)
Jan 9, 2006 - Another 24 Episode
Jan 10, 2006 - MWSF Keynote

Three days of bliss.

And you might be able to watch "24" on your iPod sometime later that week. I seriously think the season premieres of "24" and "American Idol" are going to figure into Macworld.

[doogle]

Consider yourself lucky: Try taking a gander (http://images.google.com/images?q=boom+box&hl=en&btnG=Search+Images) at what "Boom Box" returns on Google Images...this was one of the least ugly.


-hh

Sorry hh I do no buy the excuse you took the first image that appeared!! :D

[Jimmieboy]

Hey everyone. You all seem to be focusing on the apple 'boombox' device. Does it say that apple was releasing ipod companions? That means more than 1! Does anyone have any ideas on what the other devices may be? Do you think that this boombox will be over 500 Australian Dollars? Well thanks in advance

[-hh]

Sorry hh I do no buy the excuse you took the first image that appeared!! :D

Actually, when I first Googled it, it wasn't the very first image: it was on the lower half of the page, after the image with the "dudes". I also looked through pages 2 and 3 to see if anyone made an "Apple White" design, but didn't see any, so I went back to the JVC.

In any event, I can safely say that even though my high school graduation photo was taken in a Leisure Suit (no, I will NOT provide a photo!), I've never, ever, owned a boom box.


-hh

[doogle]

Actually, when I first Googled it, it wasn't the very first image: it was on the lower half of the page, after the image with the "dudes". I also looked through pages 2 and 3 to see if anyone made an "Apple White" design, but didn't see any, so I went back to the JVC.

In any event, I can safely say that even though my high school graduation photo was taken in a Leisure Suit (no, I will NOT provide a photo!), I've never, ever, owned a boom box.


-hh

OK, OK, I give up.

[lostngone]

Steve is going to Demo his latest Reality Distortion Field version 3.7b. After the whole cancer causing feedback problem in 3.6 has been worked out. Now he has 3.7 working great, he is going to really be able to WOW us!

I hear with 3.7 he can now bend light like butter!

[Steak]

sorry folks, but your wireless speaker idea will not happen.Speakers are capable of being fed info from airport/bluetooth, but, need an amplifier and power to transfer that signal into audio. So, you cut the tiny speaker wire, and add an ac power cable, or wall wart for each speaker, as well as large, hot, heavy speakers.

As much as Tesla tried long ago, we cannot transfer 100 watts rms over RF signals, nor over infrared. Not even 5 watts. The day that electrical outlets exist no more, and all electricity can be transferred over RF, to all your home appliances, you will get these speakers. Until then, expect wire. I wish my blender or refrigerator did not have to be plugged in, but they do, and so do our speakers.

[duklaprague]

I guess this explains why Apple cracked down on the use of the "ipod" name by other peripheral makers. Still, its not that exciting, at least as written-- there are plenty of speakers and ways to get your music to your stereo.

exactly - the current dock, and a £2 cable!

i'd love to see a dock that outputs front row to a tv, with a fully functioning remote - effectively turning your iPod into a media hub, and foregoing the need - not to mention expense - of getting a mac mini. of course, it wouldn't have the PVR functionality - but for music, videos, photos (all the stuff on your iPod) it would be a great solution.

griffin are just releasing something along these lines - but an apple one with front row would be better i think.

Iain