April 28th Rumor Roundup

[MacRumors]

As the weekend approaches, most readers are painfully aware that Monday, April 28th will bring us new announcements from Apple. The rumors surrounding Apple's upcoming event have actually been brewing since last year.

Apple Music Download Service

The first serious rumors of Apple's Music Service appeared on this site in late February, with reports from reliable sources indicating that Apple will be introducing a music download service at a cost of $0.99/song.

Looking back, however, a very similar -- but unconfirmed -- rumor appeared in December 11, 2002 as an anonymous Slashdot post... but in retrospect, was clearly based on real information.

The LA Times broke the story in the mainstream press - with additional details such as the planned use of AAC (MPEG4) and ongoing negotiations with the major music studios. While, AppleInsider brought first word of the date of April 28th -- which was confirmed by Apple themselves with a press invitation for the same date.

iPods

iPod rumors have plagued rumor-mongers since pre-MacWorld San Francisco... with the current line last updated 282 days ago. iPod rumors have run the gamut -- including color screens, FW800, video out, and countless other possibilties.

The most accurate specs appear to be from ThinkSecret with independent confirmation from our sources. The iPod's are expected to see a case revision, dock and 10gb, 15gb, and 30gb sizes.

Other

Despite readers' anticipation about IBM's 970 chips... there is no indication that Monday will have anything to do with the yet-to-be released processor. All rumors -- most of which have arisen from MacBidouille.com -- hint at WWDC (June) as the earliest possibility regarding the 970's.

The communication device rumor is still shrouded in mystery - without further details available. April 28th was mentioned as possible launching point for this non-descript device... however, it's unclear how it would be related to the other expected announcements.

The Apple-Universal buyout rumors seem to have died down after Apple's (non) statement.

The Event

The event appears that it will only be satellite broadcast -- without a webcast option at this time, however... one anonymous report indicates that capable Apple Stores will be hosting the event in house:

All theater stores will host a satellite broadcast of an announcement by Steve Jobs on Monday, April 28 at 10 a.m. (PT). These stores should be inviting customers to come watch this exciting announcement in the store.

As always, stay tuned... as last minute leaks always seem to pop up...

[Winston Smith]

I really think the communication device will show up as something which links the Mac with a home stereo, audio and video set up providing another arm to the digital hub strategy.

[ibookin']

I hope the Apple Stores will be showing it. The Glendale Apple Store is mere minutes from my house and I have class at 10:50AM that day. I'll have to go down there tommorow and see if they have the information.

[maxterpiece]

apple is getting boring. make them do something. The apple needs to start turning a bit faster. What have they done since like 2000 that, if the public knew everything about macs and pcs that they would be dumb not to choose a mac?

[melchior]

i hope that arn, or someone with the sattelite feed does a live update on a low bandwidth page the way it is done for macworld conferences.

i would really apreciate this and i'm sure many others would too.

[melchior]

Originally posted by maxterpiece
apple is getting boring. make them do something. The apple needs to start turning a bit faster. What have they done since like 2000 that, if the public knew everything about macs and pcs that they would be dumb not to choose a mac?

white ibook, TI powerbook, AL powerbook

pushing the superdrive

ipod

jaguar

i'm tempted to just list everything apple has done in 2.333333333333 years, but these things above are what i consider significant in real world terms. xserve is good, but i wouldn't say it revolutionary. some might argue the lcd imac, but it's just a pretty picture frame really, not a revolution.

apple has done good things. and they are doing more good things. show a little grit and hold you water a while longer.

[Perceptes]

I'm holding my breath, crossing my fingers on one hand, and tapping the fingers on the other hand as I wait for Monday...

[bentmywookie]

Ok, this MAY be pushing it, but stay with me . . .

Apple's invitation said, "announcements that will be music to your ear." Now wouldn't a bluetooth-enabled iPod with bluetooth headphones "bring" music to your ears?? Sounds right to me! It may be a little far-fetched, but a bluetooth-enabled iPod is definitely possible, and would be pretty ground breaking for Apple. Maybe bluetooth headphones are the communication device? I have a feeling the iPods will have bluetooth.

[T'hain Esh Kelch]

Actually, according to the french news-paper La Tribune, Apple Europas Vice President Pascal Cagni, has already spilled the beans...

AAC compatible iPod's and an online music-service.

[sparks9]

The anonumous (sp?) slashdot post sure is interesting now that we know the guy was telling the truth. Maybe the other stuff he tells in the post will also come true. I haven't read it all, but i saw that he mentioned custem made laser engraving of pictures on laptops... Maybe that would be cool?

[JPGR_Fan]

Nice summary.

More speculation now will only add to the "painfully" long weekend wait.

[Molson]

I found these old MacRumor stories. I was thinking, a lot of the rumors that appear on MacRumors come out eventually in one form or another. Remember Keynote?

Anyway, found this link about Apple patenting dual microphones in DISPLAYS (hence the connection with the new 'device'). The comments are really interesting. Have a look here.

Also, and this seems really interesting, Apple patenting the iPhone trademark. Again the comments are really interesting. Read them here.

My best bet (aside from the new AAC enabled iPods / iTunes / and the iMusic service which is a given!) is that Apple will announce video conferencing with iChat and release a new webcam/camera with high quality voice and pictures. So what? The neat thing is that the camera can plug in to the iPod to download pictures direct to the iPod. Now who has a camera with 10GB storage?!

Now that would sell like hotcakes.

Keep dreaming....

[Mr. MacPhisto]

Originally posted by melchior
white ibook, TI powerbook, AL powerbook

pushing the superdrive

ipod

jaguar

i'm tempted to just list everything apple has done in 2.333333333333 years, but these things above are what i consider significant in real world terms. xserve is good, but i wouldn't say it revolutionary. some might argue the lcd imac, but it's just a pretty picture frame really, not a revolution.

apple has done good things. and they are doing more good things. show a little grit and hold you water a while longer.

I'd argue that the iMac is somewhat revolutionary. Of course, Apple calls it evolutionary, but no one has built anything like it yet. It also inspired Gateway to launch a direct (failed) attack at Apple. The stainless steel arm on that thing is pretty amazing from an engineering standpoint.

[melchior]

yeah... i guess i just saw the imac as inevitable and "only a matter of time" of course, apple's implementation has been stunning. although, maybe not as stunning as they hoped. (how about expandability, apple? huh? )

and i could definetely concede that the arm is very impressive. i have wondered more than once what exactly is going on there... =)

[iAlan]

I was looking at the ThinkSecret concept drawing of the iPod 2...I can't quite get my mind around the button positions and size. If we assume the screen is the same size on the iPod 2 as on the iPod, then the buttons will be smaller than the current center button on the iPod and the scroll wheel will have to be smaller to allow for space for the buttons.

I don't see the mock-up drawing as being all that accurate - the buttons and scroll wheel don't really fit, given you would want to use just one hand to control the thing, like you can now, and the mock-up would be awkward on your thumb.

A new design would be great, but if it ain't broke, don't fix it.

Really like the idea of a docking station though...

[Molson]

I think the reason the buttons have moved is because of the docking station. In the current iPod form the Play/Pause button is the one at the bottom (due South) of the scroll wheel. However if the iPod were docked it would be likely that this button would either get in the way of the docking station (and may even become pressed) or would be hidden by the docking station and hence coudn't be used if the iPod was docked.

Hence, Apple have had to move the buttons so that the iPod can be used when docked in a docking station.

Makes sense really.

[MrMacMan]

Drat, why are they forcing us to go to the apple stores for the info?

And why must it be morning monday!

Good new all around though.

[iAlan]

Originally posted by Molson
Hence, Apple have had to move the buttons so that the iPod can be used when docked in a docking station.

Makes sense really.

Very good point, but I still don't know about the button size and the scroll wheel. If the entire body of the iPod were slightly smaller, you could easily use the button with one hand. Also, the docking station may not have a front lip to interfere with the buttons on the front of the iPod.

I guess I am old fashioned and like my iPod the way it is (I still have the original 5 gig model, but will update to a newer model in the not too dstant future!)

How about iPod's in other colours??

[iAlan]

Originally posted by MrMacman
Drat, why are they forcing us to go to the apple stores for the info?

And why must it be morning monday!

Good new all around though.

I can't go to an Apple store here in Japan - we don't have one...YET.

Monday morning is Tuesday 2.00 am in Tokyo, but if there is going to be a wedcast i will be watching (thankfully Tuesday is a national holiday here!).

Good to remember the success of the iPod in Japan has been brilliant...lets hope we don't have to wait as long as usual (refering to Apple products not beeing available here the same time they ship in theUSA) for the iPod 2 to be available in Japan, and what about the Apple music service - could it be USA only? This would not surprise me as an initial step, as there could be unique factors blocking a trueluy global music service.

Monday is not far off...

(edit - sorry for the double post)

[marcsiry]

Aren't the ports for the current iPod on the top of the device? If so, there would need to be a whole new iPod design to enable docking- one with a port on the bottom- otherwise you're either jamming the iPod in updisde down or snapping it in and then attaching a top "lid," both of which are inelegant and un-Apple.

Correct me if I'm wrong, current owners- I've only groped iPods at the Apple store.

[Molson]

Originally posted by iAlan
If the entire body of the iPod were slightly smaller, you could easily use the button with one hand. Also, the docking station may not have a front lip to interfere with the buttons on the front of the iPod.

Firstly, I don't think the iPod could get any smaller as it's size is constrained by the size of the (already very small) hard drive inside.

Secondly, the Think Secret artist rendering (whilst it may be inaccurate) shows the dock to have a front lip which would would probably get in the way of the Play/Pause button (as it is positioned on the current iPod).

http://homepage.mac.com/stuarti/ebay/attachment.gif

[Jobobike]

Originally posted by Molson
I think the reason the buttons have moved is because of the docking station. In the current iPod form the Play/Pause button is the one at the bottom (due South) of the scroll wheel. However if the iPod were docked it would be likely that this button would either get in the way of the docking station (and may even become pressed) or would be hidden by the docking station and hence coudn't be used if the iPod was docked.

Hence, Apple have had to move the buttons so that the iPod can be used when docked in a docking station.

Makes sense really.

Nope... I diagree. The buttons could just as easily been designed into the iPod base without reconfiguiring the iPod interface. Ask not what the iPod can do for the other devices but ask what can be done for the iPod. :-)

[TrenchMouth]

so here is my question, if the new iPods that appear to be coming out on the 28th are to be AAC compatible, is it safe to say that a hardware change was needed to make them so? Or, is it possible to upgrade the software of the existing iPods to allow them to use AAC as well? I am under the impression that AAC requires more processing power to decode and encode than the current MP3 format.

i have been holding out for these iPods for about 3 months now, this better be worth it. 30Gigs here i come.

[Foxer]

In today's Wall Street Journal:

Nice tidbits about the music service coming next week. .99/song, $10/album. They've got artists that wouldn't allow their stuff on other download services. Stronger safegurads to prevent transferring songs from iPod to computer. Songs will be playable on only 3 macs.

[Freg3000]

Originally posted by Foxer
In today's Wall Street Journal:

Link please?

I am only expecting 3 things: iTunes 4, new iPods, and a music service. If I expect for something else, and it doesn't come, it will ruin a perfectly good day.