Snow Leopard Evidence of Built-In 3G in Future Macs?

MacRumors · 03:10 PM

Mockup of OS X Snow Leopard System Profiler (AppleInsider)

AppleInsider reports that the latest Mac OS X 10.6 Snow Leopard developer builds have broken out "WWAN" (Wireless Wide Area Network) into its own category within the System Profiler.

This suggests that WWAN services (which include 3G wireless networking) may become an Apple-standard technology in future machines. Rumors have previously suggested that Apple is planning on incorporating 3G wireless networking into future Mac notebooks. Further evidence this week includes a 3G-related job listing that was subsequently pulled by Apple.

What might be interesting is that if Apple does incorporate 3G wireless networking into future Apple notebooks, it's likely that we'll see substantial upfront subsidies against the cost of the machines. This could result in significantly discounted hardware when subscribing for 1-2 years of 3G service. While purely speculative, it's possible that this may be related to recent rumors that Apple may introduce cheaper Macs as early as this spring.

Article Link: Snow Leopard Evidence of Built-In 3G in Future Macs?

bcburrows · May 7, 2009, 02:52 PM

What sort of download speeds would be get I wonder?
If it is anything like my 3G wireless datacard - I would not be overly excited. I have found that there are so many hotspots around and the speed of 3G is so poor that to me this is a real last-ditch must use method for internet connection

PutzMan · May 7, 2009, 02:53 PM

Sorry, but that image is photoshopped. The font is nowhere near the same as the rest of the category names.

FJ218700 · May 7, 2009, 02:55 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by PutzMan

Sorry, but that image is photoshopped. The font is nowhere near the same as the rest of the category names.

yes, obviously photoshopped (see big red circle and arrow)

FSMBP · May 7, 2009, 02:57 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by PutzMan

Sorry, but that image is photoshopped. The font is nowhere near the same as the rest of the category names.

Cosign. The fonts are not the same and aren't even the same quality.

TraceyS/FL · May 7, 2009, 03:02 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by FSMBP

Cosign. The fonts are not the same and aren't even the same quality.

that was the first thing i noticed too...

H$R · 03:18 PM

It is a artist's conception but still..I don't see it coming too soon. iPhone tethering maybe..

I don't want to pay for a 3g module I don't use and I don't want to pay for a contract which is too pricey.

If there is a netbook in the works, then it might be for that.

Consultant · May 7, 2009, 03:03 PM

Not sure if that image is suppose to be a mock up, but it's definitely NOT a screenshot.

Quote:

Originally Posted by PutzMan

Sorry, but that image is photoshopped. The font is nowhere near the same as the rest of the category names.

Yup. An obvious poor photoshop job.

Hemingray · 04:10 PM

Edit: Read the rest of the thread. So it's an artist's conception. What was the point of that?

They could have easily just SAID that instead of mocking up what it looks like. How much imagination does one need to picture what it would look like, seriously...

zombitronic · May 7, 2009, 04:15 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Hemingray

Edit: Read the rest of the thread. So it's an artist's conception. What was the point of that?

They could have easily just SAID that instead of mocking up what it looks like. How much imagination does one need to picture what it would look like, seriously...

A picture is worth a thousand words.

Hemingray · May 7, 2009, 04:18 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by zombitronic

A picture is worth a thousand words.

Hmm, then with that picture I think they're about 999 short...

mrklaw · May 8, 2009, 03:42 AM

why do people that jump on this always tie it in with subsidies? The two aren't connected.

In the UK you can already get the macbook on a subsidy if you take a 3G USB dongle. Having the 3G built in wouldn't make much of a difference.

Unless you'd buy it directly from a mobile operator, which doesn't make a huge amount of sense for a computer IMO - I'd rather buy from a computer store

All this is is a cosmetic change - possibly because Apple realise how popular 3G dongles have become but how ugly they look sticking out of a macbook

FrauK · May 8, 2009, 04:35 AM

Yes, the screenshot was modified, but it's based on the truth, as Macnotes pointed out that System Profiler Menu for WWAN in February already...

mudenza · May 8, 2009, 04:44 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mrklaw

why do people that jump on this always tie it in with subsidies? The two aren't connected.

In the UK you can already get the macbook on a subsidy if you take a 3G USB dongle. Having the 3G built in wouldn't make much of a difference.

Unless you'd buy it directly from a mobile operator, which doesn't make a huge amount of sense for a computer IMO - I'd rather buy from a computer store

All this is is a cosmetic change - possibly because Apple realise how popular 3G dongles have become but how ugly they look sticking out of a macbook

Agreed, for the European market it would be a welcome addition.

amac4me · May 7, 2009, 04:42 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by PutzMan

Sorry, but that image is photoshopped. The font is nowhere near the same as the rest of the category names.

I agree, that image is clearly a fake but AI did mention that it was a mockup. Why the need for a mockup is another issue entirely!

TuffLuffJimmy · May 7, 2009, 04:45 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by PutzMan

Sorry, but that image is photoshopped. The font is nowhere near the same as the rest of the category names.

Quote:

Originally Posted by amac4me

I agree, that image is clearly a fake.

So neither of you know what a mock up is... it says right under the image that it's a mockup.

Jelite · May 7, 2009, 04:57 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by PutzMan

Sorry, but that image is photoshopped. The font is nowhere near the same as the rest of the category names.

pacmania1982 · May 7, 2009, 04:58 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by PutzMan

Sorry, but that image is photoshopped. The font is nowhere near the same as the rest of the category names.

And its not even antialiased!!!

Fake!!

pac

TuffLuffJimmy · May 7, 2009, 05:06 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by pacmania1982

And its not even antialiased!!!

Fake!!

pac

Please tell me you're being facetious.

Padaung · May 7, 2009, 05:34 PM

I think this is exciting. I currently tether my phone to my laptop via bluetooth, but the battery on my phone gets zapped in the process. At the moment 3G internet is a growing force - all the phone shops here in the UK are pushing 3G dongles in their shop windows. A few years ago all the main carriers bid crazy amounts of money for the right to use the 3G networks thinking that we would all be using video phones by now - bringing mobile internet to the masses would allow them to make their money back at last and bring the price down for everyone too.

Sitting reading the news (on my laptop) on the train is brilliant, and I've seen various student/teenagers twittering/facebooking on the train too. I can stream Spotify with a good signal (did it as a test, chews up my monthly download allowance!) People say they don't need internet access everywhere, but once tried, you quickly get used to it. Just look at the rise of smart phones so people can check their emails all the time...

Not only that, but with Apples constant stiving for design perfection I imagine seeing ugly dongles sticking out of laptops must send shivers up Steve Jobs' back!!!

bmacir · May 8, 2009, 03:55 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TuffLuffJimmy

Please tell me you're being facetious.

facetious |fəˈsē sh əs|
adjective
treating serious issues with deliberately inappropriate humor.

so you are telling me that we are treating a serious issue?

pacmania1982 · May 8, 2009, 11:36 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TuffLuffJimmy

Please tell me you're being facetious.

Yes I was. All these people shouting out 'fake!', or 'its been photoshopped' make me laugh. Engage brain, read, then re-read before commenting!

pac

Chase R · May 7, 2009, 05:55 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by PutzMan

Sorry, but that image is photoshopped. The font is nowhere near the same as the rest of the category names.

X2... please update the post arn!

Kardashian · May 7, 2009, 02:54 PM

I think its pretty obvious they're either adding 3G stuff to the Air, or branching it off into an actual netbook release.

The question is when.

I'm not in the market for one, and I doubt I ever really will be (unless I swap the MBP for an iMac, in which case, yeah, I probably would be) but I'm sure it would be a hit despite its (probably) £200 or so hike up over other netbooks.

WM. · May 7, 2009, 02:53 PM

This doesn't necessarily mean anything. OS X already has support (with bundled drivers) for USB WWAN dongles.

But I wouldn't be surprised if Apple did build in WWAN hardware.

May 7, 2009, 02:50 PM	#1
MacRumors macrumors bot Join Date: Apr 2001	Snow Leopard Evidence of Built-In 3G in Future Macs? Mockup of OS X Snow Leopard System Profiler (AppleInsider) AppleInsider reports that the latest Mac OS X 10.6 Snow Leopard developer builds have broken out "WWAN" (Wireless Wide Area Network) into its own category within the System Profiler. This suggests that WWAN services (which include 3G wireless networking) may become an Apple-standard technology in future machines. Rumors have previously suggested that Apple is planning on incorporating 3G wireless networking into future Mac notebooks. Further evidence this week includes a 3G-related job listing that was subsequently pulled by Apple. What might be interesting is that if Apple does incorporate 3G wireless networking into future Apple notebooks, it's likely that we'll see substantial upfront subsidies against the cost of the machines. This could result in significantly discounted hardware when subscribing for 1-2 years of 3G service. While purely speculative, it's possible that this may be related to recent rumors that Apple may introduce cheaper Macs as early as this spring. Article Link: Snow Leopard Evidence of Built-In 3G in Future Macs? Last edited by WildCowboy : May 7, 2009 at 03:10 PM.

May 7, 2009, 02:52 PM	#2
bcburrows macrumors regular Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Newcastle	3G speeds What sort of download speeds would be get I wonder? If it is anything like my 3G wireless datacard - I would not be overly excited. I have found that there are so many hotspots around and the speed of 3G is so poor that to me this is a real last-ditch must use method for internet connection __________________ 15 inches of macbook pro 2.66Ghz, 4GB, 320HDD iPhone 3GS 16GB, iPod 60Gb, Shuffle 1Gb 1 TB Time Caspule with 1TB WD NAS Remote, Few cables, A Box, Some headphones

May 7, 2009, 03:08 PM	#7
H$R macrumors 6502 Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: Switzerland	It is a artist's conception but still..I don't see it coming too soon. iPhone tethering maybe.. I don't want to pay for a 3g module I don't use and I don't want to pay for a contract which is too pricey. If there is a netbook in the works, then it might be for that. __________________ White MacBook 2.4 Ghz, 4 GB RAM, 320 GB WD Scorpio HDD Black iPhone 3GS 32GB White iPod G3 Red iPod Nano G2 Last edited by H$R : May 7, 2009 at 03:18 PM.

May 7, 2009, 04:08 PM	#9
Hemingray macrumors 68030 Join Date: Jan 2002 Location: Ha ha haaa!	Edit: Read the rest of the thread. So it's an artist's conception. What was the point of that? They could have easily just SAID that instead of mocking up what it looks like. How much imagination does one need to picture what it would look like, seriously... Last edited by Hemingray : May 7, 2009 at 04:10 PM. Reason: Read the rest of tht thread.

May 7, 2009, 05:34 PM	#20
Padaung macrumors regular Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: UK	I think this is exciting. I currently tether my phone to my laptop via bluetooth, but the battery on my phone gets zapped in the process. At the moment 3G internet is a growing force - all the phone shops here in the UK are pushing 3G dongles in their shop windows. A few years ago all the main carriers bid crazy amounts of money for the right to use the 3G networks thinking that we would all be using video phones by now - bringing mobile internet to the masses would allow them to make their money back at last and bring the price down for everyone too. Sitting reading the news (on my laptop) on the train is brilliant, and I've seen various student/teenagers twittering/facebooking on the train too. I can stream Spotify with a good signal (did it as a test, chews up my monthly download allowance!) People say they don't need internet access everywhere, but once tried, you quickly get used to it. Just look at the rise of smart phones so people can check their emails all the time... Not only that, but with Apples constant stiving for design perfection I imagine seeing ugly dongles sticking out of laptops must send shivers up Steve Jobs' back!!! __________________ www.charleshenderson.co.uk www.charleshendersonphoto.co.uk

May 7, 2009, 02:53 PM	#3
PutzMan macrumors newbie Join Date: Feb 2009	Sorry, but that image is photoshopped. The font is nowhere near the same as the rest of the category names.

May 8, 2009, 03:42 AM	#12
mrklaw macrumors 6502 Join Date: Jan 2008	why do people that jump on this always tie it in with subsidies? The two aren't connected. In the UK you can already get the macbook on a subsidy if you take a 3G USB dongle. Having the 3G built in wouldn't make much of a difference. Unless you'd buy it directly from a mobile operator, which doesn't make a huge amount of sense for a computer IMO - I'd rather buy from a computer store All this is is a cosmetic change - possibly because Apple realise how popular 3G dongles have become but how ugly they look sticking out of a macbook

May 8, 2009, 04:35 AM	#13
FrauK macrumors newbie Join Date: May 2009	Yes, the screenshot was modified, but it's based on the truth, as Macnotes pointed out that System Profiler Menu for WWAN in February already...

May 7, 2009, 02:54 PM	#24
Kardashian Banned Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: Britain.	I think its pretty obvious they're either adding 3G stuff to the Air, or branching it off into an actual netbook release. The question is when. I'm not in the market for one, and I doubt I ever really will be (unless I swap the MBP for an iMac, in which case, yeah, I probably would be) but I'm sure it would be a hit despite its (probably) £200 or so hike up over other netbooks.

May 7, 2009, 02:53 PM	#25
WM. macrumors 6502 Join Date: Apr 2003	This doesn't necessarily mean anything. OS X already has support (with bundled drivers) for USB WWAN dongles. But I wouldn't be surprised if Apple did build in WWAN hardware.

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