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Feb 28th Products: Intel Mac mini and iPod Hi-Fi?
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Regarding the iPod "Hi-Fi" Boombox has anybody even thought that this might not be an accessory, but instead be an actual iPod . I believe the boombox will be a stationary iPod; with built-in harddrive, speakers, and screen.
Instead of thinking of it as a boombox for the iPod think of it as a boombox that is an iPod. I believe Steve Jobs may have given us a clue with the 8-pound iPod joke at Macworld.
Instead of thinking of it as a boombox for the iPod think of it as a boombox that is an iPod. I believe Steve Jobs may have given us a clue with the 8-pound iPod joke at Macworld.
joeboy_45101 said:
Simple audio box to replace your AM/FM/tape/CD player that also doubles as a (big) iPod with integrated iTunes + ripping with Wi-Fi for CDDB, iTMS and Airport Express compatibility... a 10" screen would actually be enough to browse the iTMS and use iTunes, too.
Did Steve really give us all the details? Did we just fill the gap to explain what the product was?
joeboy_45101 said:
I wouldn't call it an iPod, this is more about the true "media" hub in the living room. Albiet portable enough to travel.
Yvan256 said:Simple audio box to replace your AM/FM/tape/CD player that also doubles as a (big) iPod with integrated iTunes + ripping with Wi-Fi for CDDB, iTMS and Airport Express compatibility... a 10" screen would actually be enough to browse the iTMS and use iTunes, too.
Did Steve really give us all the details? Did we just fill the gap to explain what the product was?
Throw in "gestures" and you've got it. You'd need a touch screen, not a keyboard and mouse......oh yea, I'm buying one.
Props
Props to you guys who made the connection with the 8lb ipod joke. I remember wathcing the keynote and saying "That's not gonna be a joke in a few months" it makes total sense what you guys and gals came up with. I'm super excited for Tuesday, we have't had any good rumors for a while!
Props to you guys who made the connection with the 8lb ipod joke. I remember wathcing the keynote and saying "That's not gonna be a joke in a few months" it makes total sense what you guys and gals came up with. I'm super excited for Tuesday, we have't had any good rumors for a while!
muffinman said:so is the boombox a completly new ipod, or something u plug your ipod into?
I'm sure there would be a few options for how this would work with iTunes or an iPod. In the end I think an iPod could dock with it, but the boombox would be the storehouse, not the iPod, much like your Mac is now.
Hmmm... we have to remember that the Mac Mini was built to lure Windows users to try a Mac. It just so happened that Mac users loved a small/compact computer. I'd say Apple will introduce a Mac Mini with an Intel Core-Solo processor inside and another Mac Mini with all the bells and whistles of the "living room" computer. But it wouldnt be right to put a Core-Solo inside those media center-like macs. Then again, Apple might intro an entirely new product (It says so in the invitation: "Fun NEW Products")
So yeah, my guess would be Updated Mac Minis with Core-Solo processors (this will be for luring Windoze users) and a completely new product (or a Mac Mini-like media center computer).
So yeah, my guess would be Updated Mac Minis with Core-Solo processors (this will be for luring Windoze users) and a completely new product (or a Mac Mini-like media center computer).
"new products"
I am a fairly recent switcher (imac g5 17'', with EyeTV, so I don't need a DVR)
I think it should be important to remember that the invitation specifically said fun "new" products. So I think if anything that is updated (mac mini, ipod, etc) it will come under a new name, to make it new. This is one of the reasons I have holding out for a new ibook (macbook=new name=new product).
The mini will not have built in DVR. It will probably get a nice little update, but nothing spectacular. IF (big if, as it goes agaisnt iTunes) Apple goes DVR it will be an external/add on unit. It would be Abolutely Re-dic-u-lus to have a mac mini (or whatever the name it) to have DVR but to leave their true spenders (imac, macbook, macbook pro, and power mac buyers) out in the cold. I also think it would REALLy piss off all the the TV studios who made this giant leap and put their stuff on itunes, just to have apple go and release a DVR to negate the other stuff.
Don't be two sure apple won't make a me-too speaker system (they already entered the ipod access. business-ipod shuffle/nano cases, specialized earphones, etc.)
It is a VERY good chance something ipod related will be intro'd, as iLounge was invited.
Me, all I've hoping for is an ibook with a backlit keyboard.
thebrain
I am a fairly recent switcher (imac g5 17'', with EyeTV, so I don't need a DVR)
I think it should be important to remember that the invitation specifically said fun "new" products. So I think if anything that is updated (mac mini, ipod, etc) it will come under a new name, to make it new. This is one of the reasons I have holding out for a new ibook (macbook=new name=new product).
The mini will not have built in DVR. It will probably get a nice little update, but nothing spectacular. IF (big if, as it goes agaisnt iTunes) Apple goes DVR it will be an external/add on unit. It would be Abolutely Re-dic-u-lus to have a mac mini (or whatever the name it) to have DVR but to leave their true spenders (imac, macbook, macbook pro, and power mac buyers) out in the cold. I also think it would REALLy piss off all the the TV studios who made this giant leap and put their stuff on itunes, just to have apple go and release a DVR to negate the other stuff.
Don't be two sure apple won't make a me-too speaker system (they already entered the ipod access. business-ipod shuffle/nano cases, specialized earphones, etc.)
It is a VERY good chance something ipod related will be intro'd, as iLounge was invited.
Me, all I've hoping for is an ibook with a backlit keyboard.
thebrain
P.S.
I think there is a good chance of dual core minis.
I agree that the "dual cores in every mac" is a very compelling ad line. it could also be something like "twice the bang for the buck" or "twice as much/fast as PC's" (not really true, but ya know, its Apple, they exaggerate)
I think there is a good chance of dual core minis.
I agree that the "dual cores in every mac" is a very compelling ad line. it could also be something like "twice the bang for the buck" or "twice as much/fast as PC's" (not really true, but ya know, its Apple, they exaggerate)
No DVR for Apple
This has been said before but Apple will not get into the DVR business. It totally undermines the ITMS.
This has been said before but Apple will not get into the DVR business. It totally undermines the ITMS.
As an added note...
If the "8 lbs, 10-inch screen iPod" joke refers to an "iPod stereo" that replaces your tape/CD player unit, can read/rip CDs (for people without computers or computers too old for iTunes), has an iPod dock and has iTunes + Wi-Fi for the iTMS...
There's not much more hardware needed to have a TV out to get Mail, Safari and iChat in the living room. That's where FrontRow and the remote fits into the picture! (with a bluetooth keyboard to use the other programs).
I'd also bet this unit will use a G4 to keep it low-cost. If it has an ATI GPU that can do real-time H.264 hardware decoding, the G4 could even be 1.25 or even 1GHz. I also remember a low-power, real-time H.264 decoder/encoder chip in the news a few months ago. And remember that long-term Freescale contract?
Of course, it's gonna be a complete Mac, you'll be able to install software, play WoW on your TV and all, but Apple won't market it as a "Mac" (or perhaps they will... to re-enforce the Mac image/platform).
"Introducing... The EntertainMac"....
Ok, so I hope Apple's marketing department will have a better name for it.
Now, who can "photoshop" a nice mock-up of such a device? Remember, it has to have the look of an iPod/iMac, 10" touchscreen, CD/DVD player (slot-load, of course), IR port... possibly with optional speakers. Just as the Mac mini was only supposed to replace your beige tower, so will this product only to replace your tape/CD player, your DVD player and your VHS recorder (with iTMS subscriptions to shows, a-la-carte).
If the "8 lbs, 10-inch screen iPod" joke refers to an "iPod stereo" that replaces your tape/CD player unit, can read/rip CDs (for people without computers or computers too old for iTunes), has an iPod dock and has iTunes + Wi-Fi for the iTMS...
There's not much more hardware needed to have a TV out to get Mail, Safari and iChat in the living room. That's where FrontRow and the remote fits into the picture! (with a bluetooth keyboard to use the other programs).
I'd also bet this unit will use a G4 to keep it low-cost. If it has an ATI GPU that can do real-time H.264 hardware decoding, the G4 could even be 1.25 or even 1GHz. I also remember a low-power, real-time H.264 decoder/encoder chip in the news a few months ago. And remember that long-term Freescale contract?
Of course, it's gonna be a complete Mac, you'll be able to install software, play WoW on your TV and all, but Apple won't market it as a "Mac" (or perhaps they will... to re-enforce the Mac image/platform).
"Introducing... The EntertainMac"....
Ok, so I hope Apple's marketing department will have a better name for it.
Now, who can "photoshop" a nice mock-up of such a device? Remember, it has to have the look of an iPod/iMac, 10" touchscreen, CD/DVD player (slot-load, of course), IR port... possibly with optional speakers. Just as the Mac mini was only supposed to replace your beige tower, so will this product only to replace your tape/CD player, your DVD player and your VHS recorder (with iTMS subscriptions to shows, a-la-carte).
wishful thinkers here...but no, there will NOT be macbooks or video ipods or souped-up mac minis...if anything, it will be a mac mini with intel and maybe a couple of new multimedia apps, but nothing totally major.
for sure: boom box thing
maybe: online video store w/updated itunes
for sure: boom box thing
maybe: online video store w/updated itunes
kugino said:
As someone else said... Who buys "boomboxes" anymore? Are we still in 1980?!
xterm said:
And this year, he told us about a "8 lbs, 10-inch LCD iPod". Sounds like a "hi-fi stereo component" to me! And it's "fun" since it gives acces to audio CD ripping, music library playback (iTunes) and iPod syncing to people who don't have a computer. If you got Wi-Fi access (say, someone in your household as a computer but you don't use it because "computers are too complicated"), you got iTMS as an added bonus. Oh, and shared music libraries too. And since it's Airport Express compatible, you can stream music anywhere in your house with a single unit.
Now, that is a "fun" product. Especially if it has all the other features I've mentionned previously! (Mail, Safari, iChat, FrontRow, etc)
I've been thinking, what if Apple comes out with something like... iMac without the screen and iSight, but adds an iPod dock and more ports (USB, dual link DVI, HDMI, optical out, etc.)? I would say to go with some slightly lower specs than the iMac to cut down cost.