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Rumor Watch... So... What's Next?
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New Apple item
Not a PDA. I suspect that we'll see the iPod become the PDA, or at least fulfill that roll with the next upgrade and feature growth of text input though the rotary wheel.
If there is talk of something like two DVD boxes stacked up, the first thing that comes to mind would be an Apple branded DVD/Quicktime player. Much like the iPod with rotary wheel and harddrive, but it would play video media instead of audio media (although it would do this too). It would be the complete entertainment center on the go, able to play CDs, DVDs, MP3s, AAC's, .mov's, etc. The new port icon that was recently patented is either the video input or output for the device. Soon to be followed up by a Quicktime movie service where you can download DDR mpeg4's onto your iMov (or whatever...) just like you can do AAC now.
Not a PDA. I suspect that we'll see the iPod become the PDA, or at least fulfill that roll with the next upgrade and feature growth of text input though the rotary wheel.
If there is talk of something like two DVD boxes stacked up, the first thing that comes to mind would be an Apple branded DVD/Quicktime player. Much like the iPod with rotary wheel and harddrive, but it would play video media instead of audio media (although it would do this too). It would be the complete entertainment center on the go, able to play CDs, DVDs, MP3s, AAC's, .mov's, etc. The new port icon that was recently patented is either the video input or output for the device. Soon to be followed up by a Quicktime movie service where you can download DDR mpeg4's onto your iMov (or whatever...) just like you can do AAC now.
iBot
your own personal Apple robot, that will do the dishes, walk the dog, give great back rubs, and will look oh so cool.
your own personal Apple robot, that will do the dishes, walk the dog, give great back rubs, and will look oh so cool.
Kind of been done... I think it was Nissan a couple of years ago, created a concept car with a G4 Cube in it.... 😉
Usual rumours aside.... I reckon we'll be seeing updates to all the PowerBooks sooner rather than later... rationale being that the 15" is due to be updated now... and I really can't see Apple not increasing the speed.... and then I can't see Apple allowing the 17" to be slower than the 15"...
Even though the the 17" has only been shipping a couple of months (at best) this hasn't stopped Apple before.... 1GHz Ti update in November, didn't start shipping with SuperDrive until the December and they announced the new PowerBooks in Jan....
I cancelled my 17" order, on that rationale above... and also I can't be bothered on the expense of going from one 1GHz machine to another 1GHz machine.... 😉 😛 😛
12" powerbook 2nd revision (revB)?
i am definitely interested in "re-switching" back to the mac side o' things and getting a 12" powerbook when i return to school in the fall. however, i have heard people talking about overheating problems, "warping" problems with the chassis, etc.
i was wondering if anyone has heard when the second revison of the 12" powerbook is due, and what sort of specs it's supposed to have.
thanks!
i am definitely interested in "re-switching" back to the mac side o' things and getting a 12" powerbook when i return to school in the fall. however, i have heard people talking about overheating problems, "warping" problems with the chassis, etc.
i was wondering if anyone has heard when the second revison of the 12" powerbook is due, and what sort of specs it's supposed to have.
thanks!
CHECK MACBIDOUILLE!! 970 in May!
This French site has been pretty darn accurate before (still don't know how they pull off such stuff) --- they claim single-proc 1.4 GHz 970s will begin shipping at the end of May. This could open the door to lots of other things as well --- i.e., 970-based 15" PowerBooks!! 😛
This French site has been pretty darn accurate before (still don't know how they pull off such stuff) --- they claim single-proc 1.4 GHz 970s will begin shipping at the end of May. This could open the door to lots of other things as well --- i.e., 970-based 15" PowerBooks!! 😛
Yes, the opening was just a smidge too short on the "height" of the iPod.
Problem is, the iPods got just a smidge "taller" while all other dimenions shrank. So, the new iPods are an even worse fit for those (now discredited by MacWhispers) tablet dimensions.
I assume you meant QuickTime on the flip-down screens, unless you want the kiddies to be authoring their own movies and burning them to DVD while riding in the car (which would be cool, but would make more sense giving them laptops and a car battery recharger than trying to build a laptop into the car for all to share ...)
Snowy_River
macrumors 68030
Re: New Apple item
Apparently you didn't follow up on the news on that. That icon is for their Sound Units, which are, IIRC, a proprietary plug-in format for FCP...
Apparently you didn't follow up on the news on that. That icon is for their Sound Units, which are, IIRC, a proprietary plug-in format for FCP...
Snowy_River
macrumors 68030
Re: What's next?
Let's be a little realistic, here, (realism, what's that? 😉) this sounds like they'd be trying to control what people listened to ("If it's not available for iTMS, you can't listen to it!"). I'd say it'd be far better to say that Apple managed to get every piece of music ever recorded available for iTMS. 😀
Surely you can dream bigger than that?
I know I wouldn't take such a job for less than six figures. 😛
(Five figures just isn't what it used to be... 🙁)
Let's be a little realistic, here, (realism, what's that? 😉) this sounds like they'd be trying to control what people listened to ("If it's not available for iTMS, you can't listen to it!"). I'd say it'd be far better to say that Apple managed to get every piece of music ever recorded available for iTMS. 😀
Surely you can dream bigger than that?
I know I wouldn't take such a job for less than six figures. 😛
(Five figures just isn't what it used to be... 🙁)
Snowy_River
macrumors 68030
Re: 970 in powerbooks.
I agree. If we see a new G4 based 15", then it'll be a while before we see and 970 PBs.
Ah, but there were also rumors that the reason for the prolonged delay of the new 15.4" PB is because, after all of the troubles that the 17" has had, and the unexpected yield rates the IBM has had in their production of the 970, that the 15.4" line was switched over to the 970, and has been geared up for that for a couple of months now. So, I don't think that it's at all clear what's coming down the road. It could well be a 970 based 15.4" PB by or at WWDC, or it could simply be a new G4 15.4" PB on the same time frame.
I know that I'm waiting to find out. Whichever comes, I'll be buying one. (Though, truth be told, for more reason than one, I really hope that it's a new 970 based PB. 😉)
I agree. If we see a new G4 based 15", then it'll be a while before we see and 970 PBs.
Ah, but there were also rumors that the reason for the prolonged delay of the new 15.4" PB is because, after all of the troubles that the 17" has had, and the unexpected yield rates the IBM has had in their production of the 970, that the 15.4" line was switched over to the 970, and has been geared up for that for a couple of months now. So, I don't think that it's at all clear what's coming down the road. It could well be a 970 based 15.4" PB by or at WWDC, or it could simply be a new G4 15.4" PB on the same time frame.
I know that I'm waiting to find out. Whichever comes, I'll be buying one. (Though, truth be told, for more reason than one, I really hope that it's a new 970 based PB. 😉)
Mudbug
Administrator emeritus
Re: Re: What's next?
Especially in silicon implant valley...
example:
here in Shreveport, a typical 3 bedroom, 2 bath home at a modest 1800 square feet on 1/4 acre of land = $100,000
same house, same lot in Silicon valley - starting at $600,000, and going up daily.
And that's just housing, let alone ANYTHING else. I would imagine the only thing you could get on the cheap there would be computers or computer parts. Anything else you're gonna pay out the yin-yang for.
Especially in silicon implant valley...
example:
here in Shreveport, a typical 3 bedroom, 2 bath home at a modest 1800 square feet on 1/4 acre of land = $100,000
same house, same lot in Silicon valley - starting at $600,000, and going up daily.
And that's just housing, let alone ANYTHING else. I would imagine the only thing you could get on the cheap there would be computers or computer parts. Anything else you're gonna pay out the yin-yang for.
Snowy_River
macrumors 68030
Re: Re: Wireless power?
You forgot to mention that this would make formatting the harddrive very easy... 😀
For that matter, it might format our brain... 😱
"Spot... Spot... Here boy.... Come here... No! Don't go skulking behind the couch! Watch out for the power!! Oooo! Now that's what I call a hot dog..." 😉
I think it's far more likely that we'll have a fuel cell in the basement. In comes the hydrogen (or, for that matter, natural gas, which can then be scrubbed to get the hydrogen for the fuel cell) from the local gas company. No more power lines disrupting our view of the sky... Then get everyone on cell phones and using satelite TV and we'd be rid of all of those pesky wires...
Oh well. It's a dream...
From one physics nerd to another...
You forgot to mention that this would make formatting the harddrive very easy... 😀
For that matter, it might format our brain... 😱
Yes, but no need to worry about heating the house in the winter!! (Summer cooling bills could get a bit out of hand, though...)
"Spot... Spot... Here boy.... Come here... No! Don't go skulking behind the couch! Watch out for the power!! Oooo! Now that's what I call a hot dog..." 😉
I think it's far more likely that we'll have a fuel cell in the basement. In comes the hydrogen (or, for that matter, natural gas, which can then be scrubbed to get the hydrogen for the fuel cell) from the local gas company. No more power lines disrupting our view of the sky... Then get everyone on cell phones and using satelite TV and we'd be rid of all of those pesky wires...
Oh well. It's a dream...
From one physics nerd to another...
dongmin
macrumors 68000
Re: CHECK MACBIDOUILLE!! 970 in May!
hmm, I think Macbidioulle is still standing by their previous claim that 970-based PowerMacs will be introduced at WWDC and ship 6-8 weeks later; I don't think they've said anything regarding 970-powered PowerBooks.
The new rumor claims that 1.4 ghz 970 'processors' are coming off the assembly line at some manufacturer named Hon Hai--my guess is that these guys are manufacturing the motherboards. They also claim that they will release benchmarks--I'm seriously skeptical that these will be authentic--on May 15.
MacBidioulle link
hmm, I think Macbidioulle is still standing by their previous claim that 970-based PowerMacs will be introduced at WWDC and ship 6-8 weeks later; I don't think they've said anything regarding 970-powered PowerBooks.
The new rumor claims that 1.4 ghz 970 'processors' are coming off the assembly line at some manufacturer named Hon Hai--my guess is that these guys are manufacturing the motherboards. They also claim that they will release benchmarks--I'm seriously skeptical that these will be authentic--on May 15.
MacBidioulle link
Thing is, that plant (at Hon Hai) usually cranks out PowerBooks...what's changed with the new Power Macs? Fun stuff....
Snowy_River
macrumors 68030
Hmm.... Could this mean that these 1.4GHz 970s might actually be PowerBooks? Perhaps new 15" PowerBooks.
Hehehehehehehehe!
😀
About the wireless power supply thing.
Ther's another way to do it, though it sounds similar to the Tesla coil method.
It's the way electric toothbrushes are charged.
A spinning magnet (powered spin motor) is situated in the charger, which induces a changing EM field in teh toothbrush, charging its battery. But, I would think that this is quite inefficient, and thus dangerous (heat) for somethin on the scale of 400 watts continuous power. So basically, no. No wireless power supply in the near future.
Microwaves...
Actually, directed microwaves wouldn't heat the house very well.
The microwave oven emits radiation that excites water molecules. That's why water boisl so frickin' fast, but a dry crust of bread wouldn't be blisteringly hot after the same amount of time. Thus, the directed microwave would not heat the ambient air TOO much (though at 400 watts output, it just might). It'd be a good bug zapper, though.
Also the microwave idea is quite dangerous, as it would literally boil anything containing water (read: your hand, your pet) that blocks it.
Fuel cells...
Current fuel cells run on hydrogen, and if i'm not mistaken, this hydrogen is derived from water electrolysis and/or hydrogen mining. Hydrogen is a rather rare natural fuel, and derivation from water costs energy (which defeats the point of a fuel cell). Either way, unless we find a way to cheaply produce massive amoutns of hydrogen, current fuel cell technology (hydrogen + oxygen = water + energy) just isn't going to cut it.
Ther's another way to do it, though it sounds similar to the Tesla coil method.
It's the way electric toothbrushes are charged.
A spinning magnet (powered spin motor) is situated in the charger, which induces a changing EM field in teh toothbrush, charging its battery. But, I would think that this is quite inefficient, and thus dangerous (heat) for somethin on the scale of 400 watts continuous power. So basically, no. No wireless power supply in the near future.
Microwaves...
Actually, directed microwaves wouldn't heat the house very well.
The microwave oven emits radiation that excites water molecules. That's why water boisl so frickin' fast, but a dry crust of bread wouldn't be blisteringly hot after the same amount of time. Thus, the directed microwave would not heat the ambient air TOO much (though at 400 watts output, it just might). It'd be a good bug zapper, though.
Also the microwave idea is quite dangerous, as it would literally boil anything containing water (read: your hand, your pet) that blocks it.
Fuel cells...
Current fuel cells run on hydrogen, and if i'm not mistaken, this hydrogen is derived from water electrolysis and/or hydrogen mining. Hydrogen is a rather rare natural fuel, and derivation from water costs energy (which defeats the point of a fuel cell). Either way, unless we find a way to cheaply produce massive amoutns of hydrogen, current fuel cell technology (hydrogen + oxygen = water + energy) just isn't going to cut it.
Snowy_River
macrumors 68030
Well, there are two aspects of this that aren't quite true. First, the advantage of hydrogen powered fuel cells comes in power transmission. Transmitting power over powerlines can be accompanied by a very measureable amount of loss due to resistance in the power lines. Now, using that same power to obtain hydrogen from water through an electrolytic reaction is a very efficient process. Piping the hydrogen to a fuel cell in your basement is, again, a very efficient process. So, using a fuel cell could save a lot of power, simply from eliminating losses that are currently a part of the system.
Second aspect is that there are new technologies that allow 'scrubbing' of hydrocarbon chains to extract the hydrogen. I believe the by products of such scrubbers are hydrogen and carbon-dioxide. The hydrogen can then be sent on to a fuel cell. Now, what's so great about this? Well, the hydrocarbons that are typically focused on are those found in natural gas (though gasoline has also been experimented with).
I suppose some might ask why this is any better than burning gas in something like a turbine generator. Well, turbine generators typically get, at most, in the neighborhood of 60% efficiency, whereas fuel cells get in the neighborhood of 95% efficiency. Looking at this way, replacing the IC engine (typically around 30% efficiency) in your car with a gasoline scrubber, a fuel cell, and an electric motor, and you'd go from 30mpg to 95mpg, but still have just as much power at your disposal.
<Steps down from the podium, figuring it's time for his lecture to be over...>
BaghdadBob
macrumors 6502a
Hey Snowy, what's the differential between the energy used to distribute the hydrogen to basements and the resistance in the power lines? 😛
I'm just kidding, I don't really want to get into an argument on this, I actually like hydrogen technology, but I'm going to wait the quarter of a century before we have a fusion reactor.
I'm just kidding, I don't really want to get into an argument on this, I actually like hydrogen technology, but I'm going to wait the quarter of a century before we have a fusion reactor.
Snowy_River
macrumors 68030
Mudbug
Administrator emeritus
sorry everybody...
I feel as though responsible for jokingly opening the discussion of the "wireless power" debate. Anyone with enough power should start a thread on this, and get this back to the possible rumors. I kinda seriously doubt that Apple's burning off brain cells thinking this one through.
I feel as though responsible for jokingly opening the discussion of the "wireless power" debate. Anyone with enough power should start a thread on this, and get this back to the possible rumors. I kinda seriously doubt that Apple's burning off brain cells thinking this one through.
Snowy_River
macrumors 68030
Re: sorry everybody...
I suppose I'd like to appologize too. I've kept it going a bit.
Back on topic:
I really, really hope that we see absolutely incredible new PowerMacs (and PowerBooks) based on the 970 that will bring us back to the good old days of the G3, when the Mac was undisputably more powerful than the PC.
Here's to hoping!
I suppose I'd like to appologize too. I've kept it going a bit.
Back on topic:
I really, really hope that we see absolutely incredible new PowerMacs (and PowerBooks) based on the 970 that will bring us back to the good old days of the G3, when the Mac was undisputably more powerful than the PC.
Here's to hoping!
Mudbug
Administrator emeritus
something new and different
what I'd like to see is some way for the new 15" pb (whether G4 or 970) have a direct connection way to attach the new iPod to the deck. Basically a retractable (got a better idea?) male port on the PB that would directly connect into the base port of the iPod. If some of the other threads are correct, you could have a somewhat complete, albeit simplistic, recording studio that you could conceiveably take anywhere. One less cord to carry around...
what I'd like to see is some way for the new 15" pb (whether G4 or 970) have a direct connection way to attach the new iPod to the deck. Basically a retractable (got a better idea?) male port on the PB that would directly connect into the base port of the iPod. If some of the other threads are correct, you could have a somewhat complete, albeit simplistic, recording studio that you could conceiveably take anywhere. One less cord to carry around...
BaghdadBob
macrumors 6502a
You ever wonder hours later if you used the word you meant to and it turns out you didn't? Take fission for example. But enough of the electricity alrady 🙂
DP iMacs for under 2k! That's what's next. You know, ESPN the magazine has a "What's Next" issue every year, maybe I should consult them.
Ah! It's LeBron James! Good job, Apple.