Feb 28th Products: Intel Mac mini and iPod Hi-Fi?

MacRumors · Feb 25, 2006, 04:48 PM

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

More rumors of the February 28th Apple event are leaking out.

As previously reported the Intel Mac mini and an iPod Boombox/Hi-Fi companion product are expected to be released at the Feb 28th event.

Appleinsider now claims that the Mac mini has already been sent to manufacturing partners to ramp up for release. Meanwhile, the Intel iBook is not expected to be released at next week's event.

The most detailed rumors of the Intel Mac mini were described in November:

- Front Row 2.0
- "TiVo-Killer" DVR application
- Built-In iPod Dock
- Possible move to 3.5" hard drive

Meanwhile, the iPod Boombox/Hi-Fi which was originally described in December and confirmed yesterday by ThinkSecret is expected to be priced in at over $300. The exact functionality of the new iPod remains a mystery, but hints of "unique capabilities" and "strikingly different" have been used to describe the unit.

Both "iPod Boombox" and "iPod Hi-Fi" were recently trademarked by Apple in the Hong Kong Trademark office.

stoid · Feb 25, 2006, 04:52 PM

Bring on the Mac media center. A friend has recently got a Windows Media Center, and is sucks hardcore, even though the hardware is top-notch. I'd love to have an Apple product that wipes the walls with his Win MC!

jacobj · Feb 25, 2006, 04:53 PM

So the mini and iPod boombox are a dead certainty by the looks of it... do I need a media mini? Erm... give me time to think of a reason...

jinzo012 · Feb 25, 2006, 04:54 PM

hm looks like it's gonna be "fun" products

mackeeper · Feb 25, 2006, 04:57 PM

I'm guessing the iPod boombox will be the new video ipod/fullscreen with digital-virtual trackpad. The codename "boombox" is given because it also transmits wirelessly to speakers. But knowing how Steve Jobs is full of surprises, it will probably be the full shabang with widescreen video and much more.
Apple wouldn't be stupid enough to make an actual boombox. It has to be a codename for something much greater.

syklee26 · Feb 25, 2006, 04:58 PM

what da heck is FrontRow 2.0 anyway?

and would imac users get the update?

BlizzardBomb · Feb 25, 2006, 05:00 PM

Would be very cool if it happens. Can't wait till the 28th!

sam10685 · Feb 25, 2006, 05:00 PM

isn't there already a 3rd party boombox thing that u plug ur ipod in?

Yvan256 · Feb 25, 2006, 05:02 PM

Here's hoping to good specs for the Intel Mac mini... And the same form factor (6.5 x 6.5", don't mind any added height). I got two miniStack already (previous and new model).

Please, let the high-end model have a Core Duo, a mobile X1600 with 128MB, two RAM slots and a 3.5" drive.

goodtimes5 · Feb 25, 2006, 05:02 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by sam10685

isn't there already a 3rd party boombox thing that u plug ur ipod in?

Hundreds of them. The iPod accessory market is a fruitful one.

eme jota ce · Feb 25, 2006, 05:02 PM

Must have a Mini with remote for the entertainment center!

Please

mackeeper · Feb 25, 2006, 05:03 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by sam10685

isn't there already a 3rd party boombox thing that u plug ur ipod in?

Yeah. You can not call that the iPod boombox though.

sam10685 · Feb 25, 2006, 05:04 PM

also, somehow i don't see Apple giving up the actual click wheel. that design has been a trade-mark design since day one. (it has improved over the years...)

sam10685 · Feb 25, 2006, 05:06 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by goodtimes5

Hundreds of them. The iPod accessory market is a fruitful one.

why would apple be making their own if it already exists?

mackeeper · Feb 25, 2006, 05:06 PM

Ok here's what the ipod boombox will be able to do:

There'll be a menu that shows all the speakers in a range (it uses some crazy technology to detect them) and you can choose them to play your music wirelessly, however many you want.

+ the fullscreen video ipod and digital trackpad capabalities + a itunes userface.

Don't forget iTunes 7.0.

Mechcozmo · 07:30 PM

If Apple wants the Mini to be a DVR, then it would have to have a huge 3.5" hard disk. That is because to use your T.V. as a computer monitor, it better be High Definition. Anything less will leave you with blurry text. But High Definition video streams are huge, and thus the huge hard drive.

It would be nice to see multiple tuner support, video sharing in iTunes style, and a hardware encoder/decoder for various video formats (MPEG2, MPEG4, H.264, just to name a few). It may not 'need' these things, but for it to be truly extraordinary, it would.

MacMosher · Feb 25, 2006, 05:07 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Macrumors

Meanwhile, the Intel iBook is not expected to be released at next week's event.

ARGH I was really looking forward to it

Yvan256 · Feb 25, 2006, 05:10 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MacMosher

ARGH I was really looking forward to it

You could buy a Macbook Pro and paint it white...

slidingjon · Feb 25, 2006, 05:11 PM

maybe the "boombox" is a TNT detonator.......with gesture interface ofcourse.......nope.....

osustudent · Feb 25, 2006, 05:15 PM

Question: Would the new mini still serve as a regular computer? I mean, do people think you could still use it as a primary computer for word processing, internet, and such?

andrewm · Feb 25, 2006, 05:15 PM

How about an iPod Shuffle with screen as a side-product? Or, perhaps, an updated iPod Nano? *sigh*

FireArse · Feb 25, 2006, 05:16 PM

Please Apple:

- Front Row 2.0 with Hardware decoding/encoding of HD H.264
- Huge 500GB SATA drive
- Gb ethernet for fast transfers
- DVD+RW DL drive
- Core Duo 1.83Ghz for realtime H.264 playback of HD material
- Same price as the PPC mini

= First 'proper' media centre for connection to HD screens

= $$$

macorama · Feb 25, 2006, 05:18 PM

Bring on the 3.5" HD! The notebook HD at present is the biggest downer on the Mini. If that's right it should kick up the performance nicely!

The Mini is the favourite pick for the 28th here as well...

powerbook911 · Feb 25, 2006, 05:20 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by FireArse

Please Apple:

- Front Row 2.0 with Hardware decoding/encoding of HD H.264
- Huge 500GB SATA drive
- Gb ethernet for fast transfers
- DVD+RW DL drive
- Core Duo 1.83Ghz for realtime H.264 playback of HD material
- Same price as the PPC mini

= First 'proper' media centre for connection to HD screens

= $$$

I think they could do that device, for $1000. However, I doubt they'll put anything like that together.

bbarnhart · Feb 25, 2006, 05:23 PM

I hope there's a new AirPort Express with video streaming. I'm looking to ditch my TiVo. TiVo works so well, but could do so much, much more. I don't ever see TiVo ever making money. I might even settle for the mini with DVR and music support.

Bye bye TiVo. You could've been the greatest.

Feb 25, 2006, 04:48 PM	#1
MacRumors macrumors bot Join Date: Apr 2001	Feb 28th Products: Intel Mac mini and iPod Hi-Fi? http://www.macrumors.com/images/macrumorsthreadlogo.gif More rumors of the February 28th Apple event are leaking out. As previously reported the Intel Mac mini and an iPod Boombox/Hi-Fi companion product are expected to be released at the Feb 28th event. Appleinsider now claims that the Mac mini has already been sent to manufacturing partners to ramp up for release. Meanwhile, the Intel iBook is not expected to be released at next week's event. The most detailed rumors of the Intel Mac mini were described in November: - Front Row 2.0 - "TiVo-Killer" DVR application - Built-In iPod Dock - Possible move to 3.5" hard drive Meanwhile, the iPod Boombox/Hi-Fi which was originally described in December and confirmed yesterday by ThinkSecret is expected to be priced in at over $300. The exact functionality of the new iPod remains a mystery, but hints of "unique capabilities" and "strikingly different" have been used to describe the unit. Both "iPod Boombox" and "iPod Hi-Fi" were recently trademarked by Apple in the Hong Kong Trademark office.

Feb 25, 2006, 04:52 PM	#2
stoid macrumors 68040 Join Date: Feb 2002 Location: So long, and thanks for all the fish!	Bring on the Mac media center. A friend has recently got a Windows Media Center, and is sucks hardcore, even though the hardware is top-notch. I'd love to have an Apple product that wipes the walls with his Win MC! __________________ Get Salted!

Feb 25, 2006, 04:53 PM	#3
jacobj macrumors 6502a Join Date: Apr 2003 Location: Jersey	So the mini and iPod boombox are a dead certainty by the looks of it... do I need a media mini? Erm... give me time to think of a reason... __________________ "Insanity in individuals is something rare - but in groups, parties, nations and epochs, it is the rule" - Friedrich Nietzsche

Feb 25, 2006, 05:00 PM	#7
BlizzardBomb macrumors 68020 Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: England	Would be very cool if it happens. Can't wait till the 28th! __________________ Mid '09 13" MBP, Rev. B iMac G5, iPod classic 80 GB, 1st Gen iPod nano 2 GB Retired: 4th Gen iPod 20 GB

Feb 25, 2006, 05:02 PM	#9
Yvan256 macrumors 68040 Join Date: Jul 2004 Location: Canada	Here's hoping to good specs for the Intel Mac mini... And the same form factor (6.5 x 6.5", don't mind any added height). I got two miniStack already (previous and new model). Please, let the high-end model have a Core Duo, a mobile X1600 with 128MB, two RAM slots and a 3.5" drive. __________________ Mac mini Core 2 Duo 1.83 GHz/2.5 GiB, Mac mini G4 1.42 GHz/1 GiB, 12" PowerBook G4 1.5 GHz/512 MiB, iPod touch 16 GiB, silver iPod shuffle 1 GiB.

Feb 25, 2006, 04:54 PM	#4
jinzo012 macrumors member Join Date: Jun 2005	hm looks like it's gonna be "fun" products

Feb 25, 2006, 04:57 PM	#5
mackeeper Registered User Join Date: Feb 2006	I'm guessing the iPod boombox will be the new video ipod/fullscreen with digital-virtual trackpad. The codename "boombox" is given because it also transmits wirelessly to speakers. But knowing how Steve Jobs is full of surprises, it will probably be the full shabang with widescreen video and much more. Apple wouldn't be stupid enough to make an actual boombox. It has to be a codename for something much greater.

Feb 25, 2006, 04:58 PM	#6
syklee26 macrumors 6502 Join Date: Jul 2005	what da heck is FrontRow 2.0 anyway? and would imac users get the update?

Feb 25, 2006, 05:00 PM	#8
sam10685 macrumors 68000 Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: Portland, OR	isn't there already a 3rd party boombox thing that u plug ur ipod in?

Feb 25, 2006, 05:02 PM	#11
eme jota ce macrumors regular Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: Chicago	Must have a Mini with remote for the entertainment center! Please

Feb 25, 2006, 05:04 PM	#13
sam10685 macrumors 68000 Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: Portland, OR	also, somehow i don't see Apple giving up the actual click wheel. that design has been a trade-mark design since day one. (it has improved over the years...)

Feb 25, 2006, 05:06 PM	#15
mackeeper Registered User Join Date: Feb 2006	Ok here's what the ipod boombox will be able to do: There'll be a menu that shows all the speakers in a range (it uses some crazy technology to detect them) and you can choose them to play your music wirelessly, however many you want. + the fullscreen video ipod and digital trackpad capabalities + a itunes userface. Don't forget iTunes 7.0.

Feb 25, 2006, 05:07 PM	#16
Mechcozmo macrumors 601 Join Date: Jul 2004	If Apple wants the Mini to be a DVR, then it would have to have a huge 3.5" hard disk. That is because to use your T.V. as a computer monitor, it better be High Definition. Anything less will leave you with blurry text. But High Definition video streams are huge, and thus the huge hard drive. It would be nice to see multiple tuner support, video sharing in iTunes style, and a hardware encoder/decoder for various video formats (MPEG2, MPEG4, H.264, just to name a few). It may not 'need' these things, but for it to be truly extraordinary, it would. __________________ This is not the signature you're looking for. This is not the signature we're looking for. You can scroll down now. You can scroll down now. Last edited by Mechcozmo : Feb 25, 2006 at 07:30 PM.

Feb 25, 2006, 05:11 PM	#19
slidingjon macrumors member Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: Coralville, Iowa	maybe the "boombox" is a TNT detonator.......with gesture interface ofcourse.......nope.....

Feb 25, 2006, 05:15 PM	#20
osustudent macrumors member Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: Ohio	Question: Would the new mini still serve as a regular computer? I mean, do people think you could still use it as a primary computer for word processing, internet, and such?

Feb 25, 2006, 05:15 PM	#21
andrewm macrumors regular Join Date: Apr 2004 Location: Los Angeles, California	How about an iPod Shuffle with screen as a side-product? Or, perhaps, an updated iPod Nano? sigh

Feb 25, 2006, 05:16 PM	#22
FireArse macrumors 6502a Join Date: Oct 2004	Mini Media centre Please Apple: - Front Row 2.0 with Hardware decoding/encoding of HD H.264 - Huge 500GB SATA drive - Gb ethernet for fast transfers - DVD+RW DL drive - Core Duo 1.83Ghz for realtime H.264 playback of HD material - Same price as the PPC mini = First 'proper' media centre for connection to HD screens = $$$

Feb 25, 2006, 05:18 PM	#23
macorama macrumors regular Join Date: Apr 2005	Bring on the 3.5" HD! The notebook HD at present is the biggest downer on the Mini. If that's right it should kick up the performance nicely! The Mini is the favourite pick for the 28th here as well... __________________ WWDC Intel Powermacs

Feb 25, 2006, 05:23 PM	#25
bbarnhart macrumors 6502a Join Date: Jan 2002 Location: Stilwell, Kansas	I hope there's a new AirPort Express with video streaming. I'm looking to ditch my TiVo. TiVo works so well, but could do so much, much more. I don't ever see TiVo ever making money. I might even settle for the mini with DVR and music support. Bye bye TiVo. You could've been the greatest. __________________ www.mykidshelpout.com

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