RUMOR: 17� MacBook Pros tomorrow
Posted by Lab Rat
Macenstein reader Jeff has popped up once again to provide us with his prediction for Apple’s 30th Anniversary Event tomorrow.
“Event?� you say. “ What event?�.
Exactly.
BUT, claiming to have “some degree of insider� knowledge�, Jeff claims we will see a 17’ PowerBook (er… MacBook Pro) tomorrow.
Sure he could be pulling our leg, but at the same time it is not HIS fault Apple was founded on April 1st.
For our part, we think that would be great and all, but for some reason we feel Apple has got nothing up its sleeve this time around. We feel our earlier info regarding another special sales event is more likely.
First, if they really WERE releasing a new product, Apple traditionally likes to create a media buzz first by pre-announcing their announcements. Second, if Apple were releasing a new “pro� Mac tomorrow, why would they release the Universal Binary versions of their Pro apps a mere 3 days before? Why not wait and do it all at once?
Still, Jeff was right once before, so we thought we’d post it if for no other reason than we know many of you are looking for a reason to live just one more day.
(And if you REALLY wanna get your hopes up, remember, if the 17-inchers DO arrive tomorrow, then there’s no reason we can’t assume that the 12-inchers will too!).
Just go ahead and TRY to sleep tonight!
[UPDATE:] Apparently Jeff knows nothing.
Deals: Get a free iPhoto book
Posted by Lab Rat
A company called mypublisher has created a new plug-in for iPhoto which allows you to bypass Apple’s iPhoto store when ordering photo books. The company claims they print higher quality books than those purchased via Apple, and deliver them faster and cheaper as well (although looking at the prices on mypublisher’s site, their hardcover book is only 19¢ cheaper than Apple’s, the softcovers were priced the same., and the 3-pack 3.5 inch books are 3¢ MORE expensive). Still mypublsher claims they have sales and discounts which Apple traditionally hasn’t, and if their quality claims are to be believed, then the deal is worth it.
To help publicize their entry into the Mac market, they are offering a special deal. Simply enter coupon code MAC241 during checkout and receive a free iPhoto book. The coupon is only good for orders of 2 or more (i.e. order 3 books, pay only for 2) but still it is a $30 savings.
The plug-in disables ordering through Apple for books, but can be uninstalled “with one simple click�, setting things back the way they were.
There is also a coupon for 50% off an entire order using code MAC2550, which expires April 30th.
Thanks to Macenstein reader Lazy Smurf for the tip.
[Disclaimer: We are not associated with mypublisher in any way]
Apple releases Final Cut Studio “Universal Binary�
Posted by Helper Monkey
Well, Apple said its pro apps would be universal binaries by April, and they were true to their word with 1 week to spare. Final Cut Studio is now available as a universal binary, and existing users can upgrade for as little as $99 (for a “cross-grade�), or $699 for older versions of the studio’s products.
From the Apple Store:
Final Cut Studio 5.1
Final Cut Studio puts everything professional editors need to elevate production values in a single box: Final Cut Pro 5, Soundtrack Pro, Motion 2 and DVD Studio Pro 4. Now available as a Universal application, this version runs natively on both Intel- and PowerPC-based Macs. 

Special offer: For as little as $99, upgrade to the complete Universal version of Final Cut Studio from Final Cut Pro 4, HD (4.5), or 5; Motion 2; SoundTrack Pro; DVD Studio Pro 4; or Production Suite.
Apple updates iPod software to combat hearing loss
Posted by Lab Rat
Apple will allegedly release iPod Software 1.1.1 for download later this afternoon. This update, which will allow users to set a maximum volume setting on their iPods, comes on the heels of lawsuits claiming the iPod can cause hearing loss if listened to for prolonged periods at excessively high volumes.
This measure seems largely designed to calm parents who are worried the iPod may damage their children’s hearing, as once the maximum volume level is set, it can be protected by a numeric code to prevent tampering.
[UPDATE:] iPod Updater 2006-03-23 is now available in software update for download, and contains iPod Software 1.1.1
Apple brightens up its 30-inch display
Posted by Lab Rat
Macenstein reader Gary B. noted that the spec page for Apple’s 30-inch Cinema display now claims it has a brightness level of 400 cd/m2, up from 270 cd/m2. The old specs are still listed on reseller pages such as Clubmac, so if you are not ordering directly through Apple, you may want to try to confirm the specs before placing a 3rd party order. The specs on Apple’s 20-inch and 23-inch displays seem to be unchanged.
Apple’s Macbook display is also much brighter than that of the PowerBooks it replaced. It would seem Apple’s future is getting brighter all the time (sorry, couldn’t resist).
RUMOR: April 1st, special sales at the Apple Store?
Posted by Lab Rat
While the odds of an Apple “special April 1st event” are dwindling with each “special invite”-less day, (we’re so worried we won’t see any new products unveiled this weekend, we’d even be happy just to see the normal batch of fake Apple invites on Flickr at this point) one source has come forward to shine at least a little ray of hope on this weekend’s prospects. We have received a report that Apple will (at the very least) be providing another one of its Apple Store sale days, offering varying discounts on its products this weekend to commemorate the 30th anniversary of the company’s founding.
In the past, Apple has offered discounts on all things from iPods to iMacs to software. Recently Apple was able to remove its remaining stockpile of G5-based iMacs, leaving the iBook G4 and the 17-inch and 12-inch Powerbook G4 (which are ripe for Intel updates) to be the the candidates most likely to see a notable discount. Usually the price drops have been no more than $100-$200 off a CPU at most, but with updates to many product lines looming, and the need to do SOMETHING special to commemorate reaching the big 3-0, Apple may be willing to go the extra step here.
Rumors of a new “video iPod” for April 1st have been circulating for months, but recent reports have said production on these models may have only just recently begun. Intel updates to Apple’s remaining G4 portable line are much more likely for this weekend, however we would have expected to see an official press release teaser by now if that were the case, so we are leaning towards lending this rumor a bit more credibility than most.
Apple to release “Freedom Pod” to combat the French
Posted by iGor
Amid reports that the French goverment is declaring war on the DRM technology Apple uses to protect purchased songs from unathorized use, comes word that Apple has decided to fight back, and is taking a page from none other than the The Pentagon’s war book. Insiders say Apple is set to release a new iPod next week meant to combat the French. It is called the “Freedom Pod”, and sources say it will have an American flag etched into the back of each unit, and be sold in red, white, and blue models.
“Just as Apple would never tell the French how to make their berets, we would have never expected France to try and tell us how to market the most successful digital media service in the world,” read a spokesperson. “Our DRM technology is just as much a trade secret as how the French get that little thing to stick up in the middle of their berets. Our new Freedom Pod will stand as a symbol of America’s indomitable spirit to innovate, and stand up for what is right.”
Macenstein reader (and conspiracy theorist) CJ has taken Apple’s lead and has called for a boycott of all things French, “from Paris to Perrier………including Vivendi products which are likely behind the French legislative attack on Apple.”
CJ may be on to something. There is no denying the the French government’s Vivendi ties.
I for one will be buying 12 Freedom Pods, and as many “Justice Pod nanos” as I can afford.
Adobe reports record financial results
Posted by Helper Monkey
SAN JOSE, Calif. — March 22, 2006 — Adobe Systems Incorporated (Nasdaq:ADBE) today reported record financial results for its first quarter ended March 3, 2006. The Company’s Q1 results reflect the recent acquisition of Macromedia, and are compared to pre-acquisition results of prior fiscal periods.
In the first quarter of fiscal 2006, Adobe achieved record revenue of $655.5 million, compared to $472.9 million reported for the first quarter of fiscal 2005 and $510.4 million reported in the fourth quarter of fiscal 2005. On a year-over-year basis, this represents 39 percent revenue growth. Adobe’s first quarter revenue target range was $630 to $660 million.
Now, if only a portion of those profits were put towards cranking out universal versions of its Mac Apps, we’d be set!
Has Howard Stern’s move to Sirius helped iPod sales?
Posted by Lab Rat
Back in October 2004, Howard Stern announced he was leaving regular “terrestrial” radio and jumping on board Sirius Satellite radio. Stern is often referred to in the press as the “’self-proclaimed’ King of All Mediaâ€?, but after seeing the latest ratings from his terrestrial successors, there can be no dispute that he certainly is at least the king of all radio.
While usually radio ratings are given from a 3-month analysis of ratings books, early numbers suggest even the most “successful� of Stern’s replacements (David Lee Roth?!?!) lost over 3�4 of his audience, while others, such as Adam Carolla, have seen ratings so small they are almost immeasurable (a 0.4 share).
Many other established radio personalities assumed they would see an increase in their audiences as Stern left for satellite, hoping the $13 a month would keep most of Stern’s 12.5 million fans from signing up. Well, so far only about 2.5 million HAVE signed up, leaving 10 million people for other on-air personalities such as Don Imus to pick up.
Yet it seems Stern’s listeners are staying away in droves. No one is apparently attracting Stern’s audience, and in fact, some of their ratings (like Imus’) are actually DOWN slightly. So, what ARE they listening to? Stern himself has suggested that his former audience is probably just listening to their iPods at this point after hearing what else is out there.
So, has Stern’s departure for “space� impacted iPod sales? Who knows. We’ll likely have to wait for an official 3-month ratings book as well as Apple’s next quarterly filing to begin truly speculating, and even then we’ll likely never know for sure how many (if any) iPod sales can be attributed to Stern.
I for one know I bought both a Sirius radio AND an iPod when Stern announced his move. I now record his show using Audio Hijack, and listen to it all day at work on my iPod. So there’s one sale attributable to the KOAM at least.
Microsoft delays Windows Vista launch due to security and stability concerns
Posted by Lab Rat
Microsoft’s shares fell 3% after it announced it would be pushing back the launch of its new Windows Vista operating system to January 2007 from a late 2006 date. Among the reasons Microsoft cited were stability and security concerns with the OS. Additionally, Microsoft claims they did not want to upset PC makers by releasing the OS during the upcoming holiday season.
