Apple discontinues the PowerPC Mac mini
Posted by Lab Rat
Apple has removed the PowerPC-based Mac mini from its online store after unveiling the new Intel Mac mini earlier today. Apple has continued to offer the G5 versions of their iMac (while supplies last) alongside their Intel counterparts, but apparently Apple planned the Intel mini’s release to better coincide with existing mini inventory.
Apple announces new Intel Mac mini.. iPod Hi-Fi Boombox
True to rumors, Apple today announced an Intel version of their Mac mini, and an all new iPod accessory, the iPod Hi-Fi.
The Intel Mac mini comes in both single and dual core versions, features Front Row with remote, and sells for $599 (single) and $799 (dual). The $349 iPod Hi-Fi is a portable boombox meant to finally deliver natural, room-filling sound from your iPod.
We have already placed our order for a dual-core mini (despite the Apple store apparently being overloaded), and we’ll let you know when it arrives.
The new 6G iPod: Too much of a good thing?
Posted by iGor
As each Apple event draws near, often we Mac site are inundated with false reports and faked pics of allegedly real new products from Apple. Usually these shots are purposely blurred to mask the true nature of the object, making a definitive ID all but impossible. Some recent purported 6G shots that had been circulating the web have now been reported to be fakes.
Well, we at Macenstein have come across an exclusive photo of the new 6G iPod Apple will be announcing tomorrow, and we are positive it is in fact the real deal. While the source wishes to remain anonymous, we have no doubt as to the authenticity of this photo.
But the question arises, is this Pod too much of a good thing. You can see from the photo that this device is roughly 6 times as long as the current iPod. Contrary to reports, the standard click wheel remains intact instead of the rumored touch screen interface. The screen appears large enough to show 3 widescreen trailers simultaneously, yet it seems Apple doesn’t even know what to do with all that extra real estate. The words “This space intentionally left blank. For official use only.� appear on either side of what appears to be the HD movie trailer for Superman Returns.
So why would Apple design such a large screen? We are speculating that the space on either side of the screen will be used to show advertising. As more and more TV shows go commercial-free and become available on the iTMS, advertisers will need a way to get their product messages out there. Hopefully this supplemental advertising revenue stream will yield a slight reduction in the cost of video content.
Battery life on this new iPod is likely to range anywhere from 50-65 minutes. No word yet on pricing or availability.
So, is this new iPod a case of “Too much of a good thing?�. Judging from the current 5G iPod’s sales, people can’t seem to get enough of Apple’s media player. We think this new iPod looks to deliver more of everything iPod fans already love. We’re betting on another hit for Apple.
Microsoft: The Baskin-Robbins of OS Manufacturers
Posted by iGor
In a sign that they have once again over-estimated their customer’s understanding of computers, Microsoft has announced they will be shipping no fewer than 6 different flavors of their upcoming Windows Vista operating system. Sometime before the end of the year, PC users will be able to choose from: Vista Home Basic, Vista Home Premium, Vista Ultimate, Vista Business, Vista Enterprise edition, and Vista Starter edition for “emerging markets�.
Basically, these 6 flavors of Vista fall into 2 categories, Home and Business. The business versions consist of Vista Business, and Vista Enterprise. Vista Business is what most companies are supposed to buy because it has the word Business in the title. Vista Enterprise contains all the professional sounding goodness of Vista Business, but it adds the ability to allow users to spend more money on Software Assurance contracts and an Enterprise Agreement.
The home versions start out with the higher end Vista Premium, and then Microsoft offers cheaper variations with crippled features At the lowest end, the Vista Home Basic will have none of the OS X-inspired “Glass� visual effects, and will not have the music and media capabilities either. Home Basic seems to be geared towards people who want to impress visitors to their home by saying they HAVE a computer, but do not actually want to be bothered with DOING anything on it.
Vista Ultimate takes all the best from the Business and Home Premium packages, and blends them into an OS that sounds like it cannot be beaten. After all, what could be better than “Utlimate�? On the other hand, Vista Starter edition sounds like it might just contain an empty box.
For its part, Apple has never sought to offer dumbed down niche-OSes. The version of OS X you run at home is the one someone at Pixar would use (if they used OS X). Mac OS X Server is the only other flavor of OS Apple offers, and that contains specific features only IT professionals would even want to touch, sort of like Magic Shell.
So, following the ice cream analogy, is it better for an Ice Cream maker to offer just one flavor of ice cream that just about everyone likes, like say, Chocolate Chip (for $123)? Or is it better to offer 6 flavors for customers to choose from, containing such favorites as flounder pie ($310) and raspberry ketchup ($209)?
Time will tell.
Feb. 28th: Think Secret vs. AppleInsider…Cast Your vote!
Posted by Lab Rat
The past couple of years or so, there has been an intense rivalry between the “Ali and Frazier” of the Mac Rumor community, namely Think Secret and AppleInsider. Both have made predictions for Apple’s upcoming February 28th media event, but who will be right? Mac rumor bragging rights hang in the balance. Let’s see what is at stake.
Think Secret has a long career of accurately predicting Apple’s products, so much so that they have been sued by Apple for revealing trade secrets. Usually their predictions become most accurate the day before or day of an event, so while we may only learn the true nature of a product a couple hours before the world at large does, this does indicate they have legitimate sources. However, those sources fell flat 2 months ago at Macworld 2006, and Think Secret pretty much struck out completely.
AppleInsider has proven incredibly accurate recently, and was the only site to predict the Intel iMac launch. Hours before Macworld, AppleInsider also got word of the Macbook Pro. So, let’s take a look at the February 28th event, and what these two titans of gossip have predicted.
Think Secret has said a new video iPod is likely, and that a new iPod boombox is a definite. They credit AppleInsider with first delivering the news that such a boombox exists. As for anything else Apple may reveal, Think Secret says “Further product announcement details remain shrouded in secrecy.�
AppleInsider claims we will see a new Intel Mac mini at tomorrow’s event. AppleInsider agrees with Think Secret that “confirmation of other product introductions is still somewhat lacking at this time.� However, they suggest the most likely candidate is indeed the iPod Boombox it first predicted would arrive at Macworld.
So who will be right? The rumor game is a tough one, and available information appears to be either feast or famine with these sites. (Lord knows we have never been right when it comes to predicting Apple’s moves). Apple Insider will likely get a free pass if it misses the boat on this one, since it was so “on� about Macworld. Think Secret, however, really needs a win here to help it retain its “street cred� earned by predictions so accurate they got the attention of Apple’s legal team.
So, assuming both sites agree the iPod boombox is a “go�, who do you think will win this round? AppleInsider’s Intel Mac mini, or Think Secret’s video iPod?
20-inch G5 iMac available at Costco for $1479.99 with free Apple Protection Plan
Posted by Helper Monkey
Apple is “slumming it� a bit in an apparent attempt to unload the last of its G5 iMacs. The computer maker is now selling the 20-inch iMac G5 at warehouse-giant Costco for $1479.99, a savings of $20 over the apple store. PLUS Costco is throwing in the 3-year Apple Protection Plan FREE (a $169 value).
Is this a sign that Apple is having trouble moving the remaining supply of 20-inch G5 iMacs? Possibly. Is it a sign that the buzzards are circling above the G5 iMac in an ever-tightening radius? Most definitely.
While Costco sells a few iPod peripherals through its chain, the 20-inch G5 iMac is the only apple computer the chain currently sells, and the only Apple product they have sold in recent memory.
Review: iHome iH5 for iPod
Posted by Dr. Macenstein
I’m not what you would call a big coffee drinker. In fact, I would rather wake up to the Folgers Themes Song than to a cup of Folder’s coffee. Well, luckily for me, now I CAN!
A company called iHome has found a way to make getting out of bed fun for a fellow like me (or at least not the hellish experience it usually is). The iH5 by iHome is a full-featured alarm clock with beautiful iPod-esque styling which contains a built-in iPod docking station, allowing you to not only wake up to any song on your iPod, but you can charge your iPod while you do it! (Yes, I am so lame that I actually have an MP3 of the Folgers Theme Song on my iPod.)
The iH5 allows you to wake up to any song from your iPod.
The iHome iH5 delivers a wealth of features and extremely good sound given its fairly small price tag of $84.99. For people like myself who pretty much pick up their iPod in the morning and don’t put it down until right before they go to bed, the iH5 is the perfect iPod accessory.
The iH5 has all the features you’d expect from an alarm clock, such as an AM/FM radio, 9 minute snooze, 3 display brightness settings, battery back up, and the ability to choose multiple wake up options. It also boasts a line-in and line-out port, so you can either hook the system to a more robust stereo system if you wish, or hook up other devices for playback through its speakers.
What makes the iH5 stand out from regular alarm clocks, however, is its built-in iPod dock. This allows you to play your iPod through the iH5’s speakers and, more importantly, allows you to choose any song on your iPod as your wakeup call.
The iH5 comes equipped with a series of adapters that allow for a snug fit of any model iPod sporting a dock connector. There is even an adapter for the iPod shuffle (of course the shuffle cannot connect via the dock connector, but the line in feature works great).
Those wishing to spend a little extra can purchase a remote for the iH5 ($19.99) which can control the unit and skip through songs on your iPod and control the volume from across the room. Our review unit shipped with the remote, and it worked well in most cases, although the range fell off dramatically around 15 feet or so.
Setting the alarm is easy. Just select the song you wish to wake up to on your iPod, choose your initial wakeup volume, and select “iPod� as your wakeup method. The iH5 has a gradual volume increase feature, meaning the volume “ramps up� from your initial volume to a level of 21, a level high enough to wake the most hearty sleeper, yet just low enough to not wake the entire house.
Cons
The iH5 does have a few shortcomings worth mentioning; most notable among them is the inability to set a final wakeup volume. No matter what volume you start at, the iH5 will always ramp up to a setting of 21 (I found 18 or so a comfortable daily listening volume), and I could see this level being a bit loud for some people. However this IS an alarm clock, and the purpose is to wake you up.
I also felt the button design to be slightly lacking. The problem is the buttons make a loud “click� when pressed, and setting the alarm to “ON� makes a loud beep which could wake an already sleeping partner.
Finally, the brightness on the iH5 display, while having 3 different brightness settings, could also have done with an even dimmer setting (or perhaps even an “off� option), as at its dimmest setting the display can still be a bit bright. The reason for this is that instead of illuminated numbers in a black field, as most alarm clocks have, the iH5 has black numbers set against a fully illuminated display. This allows for a much brighter light to be emitted into your bedroom.
None of these issues stops the iH5 from functioning as a perfectly serviceable alarm clock, but they do detract a bit from the end-user experience, and I would expect all of them to be addressed in a future revision.
The iH5 buttons and cock connector (right) and line-in/out and antennae ports (left).
Final thoughts
The iHome iH5 raises the bar for iPod accessories in my opinion. I realize the iH5 is being marketed as an “iPod alarm clock�. However, I think most people considering the iH5 should look at it not as an alarm clock with a great iPod dock/speaker system, they should look at it as a great iPod dock/speaker system with a built-in alarm clock.
The sound quality is really amazing. I found myself using this iH5 in our living room as an iPod shelf stereo system more often than in my bedroom as an alarm clock. The sound on the iH5 is better than any other $84 speakers you will find, and better than some $150 dollar ones I’ve tested. Add to that the fact that the iH5 has a built-in dock (something Apple charges $40 for) and you really have an amazing bargain. The fact that it supports any iPod with a dock connector means it has a huge potential audience, and will likely support future iPods for years to come. The line-in/out is also a great plus, as you can hook other devices such as CD players or even an iPod shuffle to the iH5 for playback.
Those people looking to use the iH5 as an alarm clock most likely don’t need the remote, but I would recommend getting it if, like me, you think you would use the iH5 in a kitchen or family room setting.
Price: $84.99 (Amazon)
Remote Price: $19.99
Rating: 8.2 out of 10
Pros: Good sound quality and feature set for the price, rivals costlier offerings without alarm feature from JBL and Logitech
Cons: some design issues hamper the alarm feature (which is what makes it unique) from reaching its full potential
RUMOR: iTunes Music Store changing its name to iLife?
Posted by Lab Rat
Take this one with a BAG of salt. We have received 2 anonymous e-mails saying that Apple will be changing the name of the iTunes music store in the near future, quite possibly even at the February 28th event. While both sources claim the reason for the change is Apple’s continuing diversification away from just music, one of the e-mails actually claimed to know what the store’s name would be changed to. Are you sitting down?
The iLife Store.
“But that name’s already taken!� I hear you shout.
Quite right. But the same e-mail claims the iLife bundle of products will also undergo a name change as well, to none other than “iLife Studio�.
Now, we have a long and impressive history of being jerked around by anonymous e-mails, so we do not necessarily give any credit to these reports. However, it DOES make sense that with Apple’s move into downloadable videos, and the rumored introduction of feature films, the “iTunes Music Store� starts sounding a bit odd. Even Blockbuster Video has dropped the “video� from its name now that it is more about DVDs and music.
But the question is, would Apple risk changing the name of the world’s most popular and recognizable online media download service? Probably not. Would it use an event claiming to introduce “fun new products� to announce such a major change? Almost definitely not. We’re guessing if anything they will just call the store the “iTunes Store�, and drop the “music� part, even though the “tunes� in iTunes still connotes a music-only experience. Or perhaps when loading iTunes you will be presented with the iTunes Music Store on one side, and the iTunes Video store on the other, as separate entities. Who knows. In any case, we feel a name change would not occur until Apple is ready to announce full length feature films on iTunes, and we don’t think that will be part of the February 28th announcement.
The idea of the “iLife Store� just sounds bad to us. It isn’t really a dynamic name. While we can see how the evolving iTunes Store will in fact deliver professional versions of all the types of media that iLife allows consumers to create, we doubt we will see an iLife Studio tie-in.
So while we would not be surprised to see some sort of name change, or at least a clearer division between the 2 stores, we are not holding our breath for the iLife Store. Just throwing it out there on the trillion-to-one chance it has any basis in reality.
Windows Vista’s biggest bug? Windows Vista!
Posted by Lab Rat
Macenstein reader rico sent us a posting over at Gizmodo showcasing an interesting new feature of the upcoming Windows Vista operating system. It seems the latest version of Microsoft’s OS will actually show you a list of programs which are running slowly or causing your computer to under-perform. The ironic part is they have a screen cap showing that the 3 apps slowing down a particular user’s copy of Windows Vista are: (Host Process for Windows Services) svchost.exe, (Windows Explorer) explorer.exe., and (Microsoft Desktop Window Manager) dwm.exe.
Of course, Windows Vista is still in beta, so it is likely at least one these bugs will be fixed by the time it ships (or soon thereafter).
Apple sells 1 Billion songs on iTunes
Posted by Lab Rat
Apple hit the 1 billion (that’s a B folks!) song mark this morning, way ahead of analysts predictions. No word yet on the identity of the lucky person who was the 1 billionth customer, but that person has won a new 20-inch iMac, 10 60GB iPods, and a $10,000 iTunes Music Card to jumpstart their digital music collection.
Music lovers like you in 21 countries around the globe have purchased one billion songs from the iTunes Music Store. And for helping us reach this massive milestone in digital music history, we’d like to thank you.
We had one billion reasons to celebrate, and we started with you. As we marked our way to one billion, the music fans who downloaded every 100,000th song won a prize package featuring a black 4GB iPod nano and a $100 iTunes Music Card.
The lucky music fan who downloaded the billionth song from the iTunes Music Store — won a new 20-inch iMac, 10 60GB iPods, and a $10,000 iTunes Music Card to jumpstart their digital music collection.
[UPDATE:] The billionth song Speed of Sound was purchased as part of Coldplay’s X&Y album by Alex Ostrovsky from West Bloomfield, Michigan and as the grand prize winner he will receive a 20-inch iMac, 10 fifth generation iPods and a $10,000 gift card good for any item on the iTunes Music Store. In addition, Apple will establish a scholarship to the world-renowned Juilliard School of Music in his name to commemorate this milestone.
