In an email sent today to media outlets, Apple has invited the media to visit Apple’s Cupertino, Calif., headquarters, Apple Town Hall, Building 4 at 10am PST next Tuesday, February 28 to “Come see some fun new products from Apple.” The invitation includes nothing more than an iCal image of a calendar with the date Feb. 28.
“Sam Bhavnani, an analyst at market researcher Current Analysis, said he thinks Apple may introduce a 17-inch MacBook Pro as well as a redesigned iBook with a 13-inch widescreen display,” Ina Fried reports for CNET News. “‘The reason to expect an iBook announcement is so that Apple is able to have sufficient quantities shipping in time for back to school,’ Bhavnani said in an e-mail interview. ‘The fact that Apple started shipping Intel products ahead of schedule means it is serious about winning ‘switchers,’ and key to getting Windows customers will be to have systems that cost significantly less than $2,000.’ Bhavnani said that an ideal iBook would arrive in time for the education buying season, cost $999, and include Intel’s Core Duo chip.”
Full article here.
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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.
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“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.