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"an ideal iBook would arrive in time for the education buying season, cost $999, and include Intel's Core Duo chip"

Not Likely. With Apple's history of making a CLEAR distinction between consumer and pro lines. Good Bye iBook. Hello MacBook. 12 inch and single core. maybe $799

I don't think it's going to be new Intel-based computers.... that's not "fun", that's techincal.

UNLESS of course it's an intel-based mac mini with front row, dvr, etc.

I think it is likely that Apple will offer core duo chips in the iBook replacement (whatever it is called). They may also offer a single core, "budget" machine, but I think there are some lower speed duos that the consumer laptop can use to keep cost down while still providing a good Macintosh experience. Leave the single cores to the MIT $100 notebook.

"Here We Go!"

Is a laptop considered "fun"? I know I consider mine fun, but I'm guessing that this is an entertainment device-related announcement now that the patents have been filed.

iBooks might be fun according to Apple, but not a 17" MacBook Pro. That would be serious work stuff.

Fun and NEW. Would a laptop be a "new" product? No, I think this is something that'snot in the current product lineup.

Analyst are always wrong when it comes to Apple. So am I.

Maybe the iCal invitation is some kind of clue; how about something taking advantage of their recent patents, possibly a tablet or PDA-type device?

Let the speculation begin!!!

I agree, this is not an event for new Macs. This low key event will be used to introduce some low-key products (accesories such as a wireless mighty mouse) that we will probably enjoy but nothing ground-breaking. I am pretty sure that Steve will not bother attending.

I'm wondering if the use of iCal isn't actually a clue itself. Could it be a tablet device with limited functionality? And by limited I mean just not running a full version of OSX - will it just be Mail, iCal, Address Book and maybe iTunes? Something that would involve limited user input. Sync all your date with a main Computer and then just access it.

The invitation is a clue. And it should make the product announcement obvious. Fun, new product? iCal?

Steve will introduce a time machine.

With a click-wheel.

Need Duo Mac mini. And that's all I need. And this paddle game. And this chair. But that's all I need!

I think it's the new iBook. It just makes sense.
And too soon for the iPhone, no?


Unless... YES! That's it!

Jet Packs.
It HAS to be Jet Packs.

I think it will more of a music event. Talking about itunes 1 billion song download, and about adding some major videos on itunes video. Not sure if they will talk about and portables till may. Maybe if anything with the computers I would say mac mini, with front row plus new features to make it more home media worthy.

I don't think it's and ibook or macbook pro.

I think it's something totally different - note the 'see some fun new products' message.

That message is NOT a business message, it's a 'consumer' orientated message which could mean the launch of the itunes video store in europe, or a video ipod (proper one with a large screen!) or maybe a media server or even some sort of games device.

Or it could be something totally different or new - e.g. some sort of new kids app...

So it will be:

1. Apple-branded iPod accessories (like speakers/boombox)

And probably also 2. A Core Solo Mac (Mini or iBook).

Don't get worked up over all these patents. Apple does nothing with most of their patents, and if they did, it would take them longer to finish it.

iTunes 1 Bill, yes, something with iCal, maybe, subscription,
type of new show lists, for iTunes TV shows, like a tv guide
browser, of when new shows are available, for download,
pre pay, for full seasons, probably big new shows, to go
along with new iPod, Hopefully better resolution video
through iTunes, iPod boombox that seems as though
should have came out in January, maybe MacBook,

From Obivous,

"The invitation is a clue. And it should make the product announcement obvious. Fun, new product? iCal?

Steve will introduce a time machine.

With a click-wheel."



Ha! Ha! Ha! Thanks for the laugh!

Peace.

I think that Apple would make a BIG DEAL out of introducing a PDA device. Now that the iPod is established and is it's own branch of Apple, responsible for a huge amount of Apple's revenue, Apple has become a consumer electronics company. As a consumer electronics company, Apple introducing a PDA would be an entry into a new market segment worth billions. Apple wouldn't enter a market like that at Apple building #4.

I like the MacBook with single core Intel Processor as the item to be showcased. It fits in the timeline well, and would not require a whole lot of fan far.

I also like the Mac mini (also with single core Intel) because it qualifies** as fun, especially with improved Front Row capabilites.

**The cheaper and smaller an electronics item gets the more "fun" it is. Expensive electronic items tend to compel the user to handle more carefully and therefor are not as fun.

I'll just mark that in my iCal.

Hmmm... Fun new products...

iBooks/Macbooks? Maybe.
TabletMac? I'd love it, but can't see it.

God, I hate waiting.

It's a new Shuffle. That's it.

As long as we're voting, mark me down for THE Video iPod, kinda like that 8-pound gorilla that Steve warned us about not too long ago.

Ha! So, just downloaded Camino cuz I'm n 10.2.8 and sick of no access to like Google Maps cuz it's not supported under Safari 1.08 or whatever, and look at what MDN rewards me with.

Yay Apple!

iTab/iPad is what I expect, need and want.

The funky touchpad and the New Millenium Newton!

Aperture 1.1 would be nice!

homepage.mac.com/daddysteve

A special event, just to introduce two new models to existing Mac lines? Has Apple ever bothered with an event just to introduce improved Macs?

The invite mentions "fun new products". I'm expecting that to mean NEW products, not new models of existing products.

Is there any significance in having the announcement at the Apple Campus?

Forget fun

Is it useful?

Fun things from Apple are way too expensive.

Useful things are money better spent.

I got so many "fun" Apple things, but only a few are actually useful.

Money is tight, no more frills.

When a frigging loaf of bread that costs mere pennies to make is over $2.50 usd and when starter houses cost over $200,000. It's time to cut back.

Welcome to another edition of "Name That Rumor!"
Vana is stand by, the torch is lit, the screen is fading to black, and. . .

I think it's iKitchen, a program that will do your dishes, but not your Windows. Apple is leaving that for 3rd party developers.

MacDude -- For once you've said something I agree with.

Is that really you?

Apple 'brand' cereal

maybe he really IS going to introduce the pequeño! As seen on SNL…

maybe he is banking on some Cheney-like announcement. By going low-key, none of the major sources will carry the story, and all of the little guys will be there to get the BIG scoop!

I think the iCal is definitely an icon. ;;-)

More smoke and mirrors to keep pepole guessing until the REAL announcement… he is good at that.

rstrb8r

MacDude,
I am with you, too. All the way, and I am a hard core Mac "fanboy".

I'll buy an iBook....'MacBook'

My guess is some of the new ipod accessories Apple is suposedly poised to release. The new boom box and speaks come to mind, with a one more thing Intel ibook. IMHO of course! =)

Maybe it's a tablet.

Look at the iCal picture, flip the pages out of the way and it would look similar to a Mac Mini.

Only a week to go to find out.

Jeff--

If it's a jet pack, I'm all over it. As long as it's not running Windows... (I wouldn't want to crash.)

can the intrepid amongst us figure out which products (if any) were announced on the Apple campus. Is this a first?

after MacWorld bet $5 that we would see a media event which would reveal some of the "missing" products from the Keynote by the end of February.

I'll be keeping that $5.

If Apple makes an iPod dock/alarm clock/radio i will buy one right away.

Hey MacDude, on the subject of bread in the US, when i was over in CA this summer, I came across this bread "Ezekiel 4:9™ Sprouted Grain Bread" What struck me was that comapred to the cardboard variety, it was actually cheaper (still $2.50). Still in the UK I can buy simple organic wholewheat for $1.80. What gives?

"Not Likely. With Apple's history of making a CLEAR distinction between consumer and pro lines. Good Bye iBook. Hello MacBook. 12 inch and single core. maybe $799"

The iBoo isnt going anywhere pals... otherwise a rename of the iMac would need to come along. They need the staple of the i in a portable form computer to interact with the other i product marketting such as ipod and imac.

A macbook maybe coming, but eh... tablet anyone?

I'm surprised nobody has thought to connect "fun new products" with video games, i.e. Apple's version of the game console. You know, something to compete with Microsoft's Xbox... and Sony, and Nintendo, and... Hmm, well maybe not.

Remember the trademark 'iPod Boombox?'

"I think Apple will release blah, blah, blah".

"I expect Apple to release yada, yada, yada".

"Our credible sources tell us Steven P. Jobs will launch the itsit whatsit".

Blah, blah, blah, blah, blah, blah - blah.

Just lots of Apple-designed iPod accessories....so apple can get in on the secondary market for iPod goodies.

In volume, the Core Duo Chip goes for something around $360. I don't think we will be seeing chips of that price in a $999 computer. Besides, why buy a $2k MacBook Pro if you can get the same chip for 1/2.

It will be the mediacentric intel mac mini. Apple will tie this in with the fact that they will have sold over 1 billion songs via iTMS. New video content, perhaps feature films. Just as other online music download services are floundering Apple's gonna blow them out of the water.

Ummmm.....

It has something to do with iCal!!!

Come on folks!

Get with the Apple-ads!

All this talk about the MacBook 17''. What about the 12''?

SHIT SHIT SHIT SHIT SHIT SHIT SHIT!


the excitement begins....

What would interest Apple in making an alarm clock/radio for the iPod? They already have a huge banner for the iHome iH5 on the iPod Accessories site in the Apple Store, and I do believe I saw an ad for the iHome not too long ago by Apple on TV. Why would Apple want to compete with SDI after that?
iPod Boombox? Maybe, but A) it'll probably be some small portable speaker thing if anything at all to give us something other than Altec Lansing's portable speakers, and B) what's fun about that? I mean, I'm sure an iPod Boombox would be fun for many people, but I'd bet this "fun" is a clue to what it will be, and I don't really see an iPod Boombox or really any iPod accessory at all being "fun" in any important way or being critical enough to have a whole event for it.
I doubt the iCal icon means anything, it's probably just to make it look cute and to have it make sense with their products.
What will it be? I don't know, but you better believe Apple will leave us hanging until February 28th, because the more people make predictions and speculate, the more people are interested in what the event is really about.

MacDude,

In Orange County California, you can't even buy the kitchen in a starter home for $200,000.. In fact, you'd be hard pressed to find any home at all in OC for under $500,000... And that gets you about 1000 square feet...

Mac Box Station Mini