“Last Thursday Gateway launched what looks to me like the iPod of the next-generation. Sales data suggests that people want a mini-sized produce, and there has been wide speculation that Apple would be launching a color version of an iPod for some time. With Apple’s launch last week, a color display is now the cool new feature. A vendor anticipating these trends would be motivated to get ahead of the curve and bring out a mini product with a color screen,” Rob Enderle writes for TechNewsWorld.

MacDailyNews Take: “Sales data suggests that people want a mini-sized produce?” You mean like those little ears of corn you can get down at the Dim E Chinese restaurant? For the record, we think Rob meant “product,” so [sic].”

“But what Apple announced was two large iPods, one black and red without the color screen (that makes you wonder if a black iMac is coming), and a big white one with a color display. There is little doubt that next year there will be an iPod Mini with a color screen,” Enderle writes. “Gateway, however, already has the first product that is ahead of the Apple design curve, and it did this by anticipating, rather than responding to, Apple.”

MacDailyNews Take: Rob’s wondering if a black iMac is coming. We assume he expects it to come without the color screen, too. Good ol’ Robbie sure has his finger on Cupertino’s pulse, huh? He’s the only person in the world wondering about black iMacs, when he’s not wondering if those black helicopters are coming for him, that is.

Enderle writes, “So, largely thanks to Apple, you can either wait for the product you want next year or you can buy Gateway’s small, silver, 4 GB, MP3 Photo Jukebox this year and have something closer to what you want for Christmas. Or you can settle for something less.”

MacDailyNews Take: Earth to Rob, we laugh when we see that thing from Beleaguered Gateway. Cold Hard Fact Alert: Apple will sell more iPods in this 90-day quarter alone than Gateway will sell units of that piece of junk in its entire product lifetime. “Settle for something less?” Who exactly is Rob trying to kid?

“In the end, Apple helped create the right product at the right time, but Gateway will benefit from it,” Enderle writes. “Regardless of what happens with Apple, the ideas, employees and history of the company will live on. The market has been incredibly enriched by this company, which is now transitioning into something new. But as they transition, companies like Gateway… are executing on many of the ideas and concepts that originated at Apple.”

Enderle writes, “Sometimes it really is about a place in history, and Apple’s place is now founded on the success of its children, each of whom are showcasing innovation in new and incredibly creative ways. As children often do, one may eventually grow to eclipse the parent.”

Full thing here.

MacDailyNews Take: Rob’s so off the deep end, he was last seen swimming around near the bottom of the Marianas Trench. Poor Rob really should’ve taken some oxygen along with him.

Related MacDailyNews articles:
Beleaguered Gateway announces ‘iPod Photo killer’ (with image) – October 28, 2004
Beleaguered Gateway launches ‘iMac G5 killer’ – September 21, 2004
Beleaguered Gateway to ditch consumer electronics to focus on PC box assembly – September 13, 2004
Beleaguered Gateway cuts another 1,500 jobs; has cut 22,600 jobs in last four years – April 30, 2004
Beleaguered Gateway grinds up customer and spits him out unsatisfied – April 02, 2004
Beleaguered Gateway closes all retail stores; Apple poised to open 77th outlet – April 01, 2004
Beleaguered Gateway to axe over 2,000 jobs in next few months – March 03, 2004
Beleaguered Gateway to buy eMachines; combo could be 3rd largest Wintel box assembler – January 31, 2004
Beleaguered Gateway cuts more jobs; closes Virginia manufacturing plant – September 03, 2003
Beleaguered Gateway puts on a happy face – December 16, 2002
Beleaguered Gateway ditches cow on its way to slaughterhouse – October 31, 2002
Beleaguered Gateway desperately circling the drain – September 25, 2002