Mac Required...
While the new device may not absolutely require a Mac it will almost certainly be greatly enhanced by use in conjunction with a Mac. Apple is not out there simply to join the non-computer hardware business. Macintosh computers and software will always be the biggest money makers and the impetus for any non-mac hardware release is almost definitely a ploy to get some of the 95 to want the device so badly that they will be forced to "convert" in the process. A lure, if you will, to reel in a few more core customers. Core being defined as those who buy apple computers. Imagine, all us Mac owners waltzing around with something really kick ass that is off limits to non mac users(to an extent). Not that 3rd party manufacturers couldn't soon replicate it but, as is always the case, Apple's product will be more funtional and more attractive. It's bound to create some cross over traffic. If you make it independant of a mac the only bennefit to apple, besides a small increase in revenue if the product is successful, is a moderate increase in consumer traffic to apple retail stores. While this is nice, why would apple settle for less when they could push it so much further?