Apple's February 28th 2006 Event Rumors and Speculation

[MacRumors]

Earlier this week, Apple sent out invitations (picture) to select members of the media for a news event on February 28th 2006. Apple teases:

Come see some fun new products from Apple.

The invite-only event kicks off at 10:00am Pacific at the Apple Town Hall Building. The event has sparked speculation by analysts about what Apple might introduce at the upcoming event.

American Technology Research expects Apple to announce "its first, full-length films available for download on iTunes". This would expand iTunes content beyond the music, music videos and television episodes currently available. ATR also expects a widescreen consumer notebook and an entry level Mac mini which includes a remote control and FrontRow software. In what may provide possible confirmation, FreeMacBlog claims that Apple is no longer taking large orders for Mac minis, suggesting that they may have cleared out current inventory.

Indeed, the most recent hints we've heard suggests that Apple will likely be introducing a new Intel-based Mac mini as previously described as well as an iPod companion product that was originally described in December in anticipation of Macworld San Francisco.

While rumors of a touch screen iPod have sparked the imagination of readers, there's no word on the likelihood of its release. Yesterday's claimed "Video iPod" photo has generated a lot of discussion.

 

[Chundles]

The iSteve - a collection of turtle neck jumpers for your iPod.

Available in an assortment of colours, so long as they're black.

 

[ajcannon]

I'm hoping for an Intel Mac Mini. Preferably with Front Row on it. That will get me to finally switch to the Mac.

 

[UKmac man]

i hope that steve anounces a tablet mac on teusday.

 

[ezekielrage_99]

Intel iBook?
G5 PowerBook?
Intel Mac Mini?
iPhone?
iPorn?
iDontKnow?

 

[AndyR]

Come on Macbook!

 

[R.Youden]

I would love to see a mac mini with a built in TV card of some sorts so I can connect to my TV and also run Sky through the box without needing any of the software. Basically a mac mini with built in front row that includes a TV card option, similar to being able to run an Eye TV device through front row

 

[UKmac man]

G5 PowerBook?

what about a 17"MacBook Pro (but with a different name)

 

[mbamac]

intel shows today new low cost pentium d

this week intel shows new low cost pentium d processor, so i think it's time for mac mini.

http://www.xbitlabs.com/news/cpu/display/20060222135908.html

 

[ipacmm]

what about a 17"MacBook Pro (but with a different name)

It would be nice to see it but I hope it comes out in a few months so they can use a better/faster chip in it.

But I would like to see either the new ibooks, 12" MBP's or a new 120GB iPod because I already filled my 60GB one....

 

[shorty116]

what about BLUETOOTH MIGHTY MOUSE? it can't be that hard to pull the wire out of this thing...

 

[UKmac man]

what about BLUETOOTH MIGHTY MOUSE? it can't be that hard to pull the wire out of this thing...

YES YES YES YES! then £35 ($49) will be worth it, but then again i got my mighty mouse came with my power mac

 

[rosalindavenue]

Can a mac mini support 1080p video? I'm ready to spring for a DVR and I'm thinking about HDTV as well. And with respect to the touch-screen ipod, I read about that for a couple of hours yesterday and I don't think I've ever seen such a consensus of "it must be real" opinions.

EDIT: Found this post-- apparently 1080i would be the highest res broadcast-- I'd settle for 480p to save disk space, I think.

 

[mvelinder]

How about the new iPod everyone is speculating about?

 

[spine]

A mac tablet is a HUGE leap from anything Apple has released before.
I seriously doubt that it would be announced as a "fun, new product."

Best bet - ipod accessories, mac mini with front row 2.0.

Here's my predictions, (for what its worth):
Sprint/Summer 06: lots more content to the iTunes store, including feature-length movies. iBooks with intel

October 06: new "true video" iPod with full front screen

January 07: the tablet

Anyone disagree?

 

[solvs]

Fun. That's the key word here people. Think fun.

Isn't it obvious?

 

[UKmac man]

A mac tablet is a HUGE leap from anything Apple has released before.
I seriously doubt that it would be announced as a "fun, new product."

Best bet - ipod accessories, mac mini with front row 2.0.

Here's my predictions, (for what its worth):
Sprint/Summer 06: lots more content to the iTunes store, including feature-length movies. iBooks with intel

October 06: new "true video" iPod with full front screen

January 07: the tablet

Anyone disagree?

yes

i do agree that a mac tablet would be a huge leap, but then the anouncment that they would be shifting over to intel chips. they have the technology, they have the know how. and i really really want one

please steve

 

[UKmac man]

Fun. That's the key word here people. Think fun.

Isn't it obvious?

iFun, a new product which makes fun! that makes perfect sence...

 

[R.Youden]

Fun. That's the key word here people. Think fun.

Isn't it obvious?

No, please do tell....

 

[Chundles]

Can a mac mini support 1080p video? I'm ready to spring for a DVR and I'm thinking about HDTV as well. And with respect to the touch-screen ipod, I read about that for a couple of hours yesterday and I don't think I've ever seen such a consensus of "it must be real" opinions.

Nup. It can't even do 720p video. My iBook handle 480p but anything higher than that drops frames and just looks bad.

There is absolutely no way in hell Apple would bung a Pentium D into the Mac mini, the thing would melt in just a few seconds. The Mac mini will share the iBook replacement's processor - whether that be slower Core Duo or a Core Solo processor. The Core processor is what Apple switched to Intel for, not the mess that is the Pentium D. Intel's new desktop chip is going to be out later this year based around the higher specced 64bit version of the Core Duo. Those will go into the PowerMac, xServe and possibly the iMac.

I don't think we'll see a Mac announced at this event - I get the feeling it's going to be more iPod/recreational consumer electronics for this one. Mac mini and iBook replacements I think will be out in autumn, probably around April.

 

[redAPPLE]

Fun. That's the key word here people. Think fun.

Isn't it obvious?

i also don't know why this has not been mentioned more often. the iGame. the Apple game console.

 

[spine]

yes

i do agree that a mac tablet would be a huge leap, but then was the anouncment that they would be shifting over to intel chips. they have the technology, they have the know how. and i really really want one

please steve

I want a tablet also - but it seems like its not the right time.
They want all their machines to be intel before they introduce a tablet.
It makes sense, from a marketing viewpoint, to not crowd the announcements.
Of course, when has Apple ever follwed the rules?!?!

 

[ezekielrage_99]

what about a 17"MacBook Pro (but with a different name)

The ULTIMATE G5 PowerBook with a Hydrogen Fuel cell.....

 

[FocusAndEarnIt]

I want a tablet also - but it seems like its not the right time.
They want all their machines to be intel before they introduce a tablet.
It makes sense, from a marketing viewpoint, to not crowd the announcements.
Of course, when has Apple ever follwed the rules?!?!

Yeah, a Tablet would be awesome, I'd buy one.

 

[evansls]

I don't know.... hmm...

There's a lot to offer in those rumors:

- Full length films on iTunes
- Intel Widescreen MacBook (iBook)
- Intel Mac Mini
- iPod Companion Product (iPod Boombox)
- New iPod Video

Well, it's my understanding that Apple holds January/June as their main announcments and everything in between as their smaller announcements. This special event is definitely an iPod event. If Apple does go the direction of films on iTunes then they will most likely split the store up into two. The iTunes Movie store and the iTunes Music store, but then I'm sure people would ask... what about the iTunes TV Store? I don't know... just a thought.

I think it's an iPod event, because there was nothing really of an iPod event in January. Since June is so far away it only makes sense for Jobs to reveal what's new to the iPod community now... So, I don't think were going to see iBook upgrades to be called MacBooks until June and the same thing for the Mac Minis. What do you all think?

Evan