It’s official! Apple this evening sent out email invitations to the media to attend a special event at Moscone West in San Francisco on September 5th at 10am PDT.
“The Beat Goes On,” is a song released by Sonny and Cher in 1967. The phrase also appears on Sonny Bono’s tombstone.
In addition, and perhaps more relevant to Apple’s event (let the speculation begin), the phrase also appeared in The Beatles final press release, issued April 10, 1970:
Spring is here and Leeds play Chelsea tomorrow and Ringo and John
and George and Paul are alive and well and full of hope.
The world is still spinning and so are we and so are you.
When the spinning stops — that’ll be the time to worry, not before.
Until then, the Beatles are alive and well and the beat goes on, the beat goes on.
The albums depicted in Apple’s Cover Flow-inspired invitation artwork (from left to right):
• Keane – Under the Iron Sea
• The Flaming Lips – Yoshimi Battles The Pink Robots (Thanks “slayerfran” and “jtmportland”)
• Beastie Boys – The Mix-Up
– Apple’s iPod silhouette artwork with “September 5” text
• MIKA – Life in Cartoon Motion
• Jack Johnson – In Between Dreams
• Sonic Youth – Rather Ripped (Thanks “Tribhanga”)
It’s been rumored that Apple will use the event to debut next-gen Mac OS X-based iPod(s), add TV shows and feature films to iTunes Stores outside the U.S. (UK, France and Germany are the most likely candidates), and perhaps “One more thing.”
For those inclined to some sleuthing: the first songs from each album on Apple’s iTunes Store (in the same left to right order) are as follows:
Atlantic, Fight Test, B for My Name, Grace Kelly, Better Together, Reena
The top songs from each artist on Apple’s iTunes Store (in the same left to right order) are as follows:
Somewhere Only We Know, The W.A.N.D., Fight for Your Right, Grace Kelly, Upside Down, Kool Thing
So, obviously, Grace Kelly will be there. 
Then you clearly don’t understand what we all mean when we say a Mac mid-tower. The mini isn’t it, the iMac isn’t it, and the Pro is overkill. I’m not going to explain it — you either get it, or you don’t.
As an AAPL shareholder, Mac user, and “Windows platform” user, I am interested in your personal needs which can’t be fulfilled by Apple’s current product line. I’m not trying to be confrontational in any way, so please don’t construe this in that way.
Could you please explain to me the need that you have that can’t be provided by either a mini or the iMac. I own several of both for personal and professional use. I do understand that the Pro is overkill for most, especially in my business.
I think Apple believes that they have a big enough overlap is consumer needs, and that a large number (probably a majority) of people that purchase a mid-tower with the intent of upgrading never actually upgrade, but rather end up buying another machine.
Absolutely no doubt that it is indeed an introduction of the Beatles production at iTunes Store.
We got some hints in the CoverFlow picture.
The album with Beastie Boys left has nearly the same cover as Beatles album “Magical Mystery Tour”, you can see it here:
And the cover from Mikas album to the right looks very much like Beatles album “Yellow Submarine”, you can see it here:
And new iPods are indeed very welcome!
Never mind all that, I’m desperately waiting for the damn announcement on when the iPhone will be released in the UK!!
OK, I’ll throw my hat in the ring.
Here’s what I hope/predict
1) New proper Touch iPods that operate/look like iPhones
(I think everyone expects this)
2) New Wide/fat Nanos (We’ve already seen the pics)
3) “One more thing” will be the Beatles. Its the perfect thing to round up the presentation – play out on a Beatles tune and there isn’t a great deal to say about it other then “They are available now”
Fears (I hope I’m wrong)
1) Europe will not get the new iPods yet as the iPhone hasn’t even launched here yet.
2) The New Ipods will be Flash Based and therefore offer a reduced maximum capacity on what has gone before.
@ Grigori
Indeed. My mother was a McCartney worshiper and she raised me right. I lost hope that we would ever hear Carnival until Paul started talking about it recently, and if Smile can be released after so long, then maybe there’s hope!
-c
MW: ‘hope’
Paul started talking about it recently, and if Smile can be released after so long, then maybe there’s hope!
But I get the feeling that Brian “needed” to finish SMiLE as a form of therapy. I doubt Carnival means as much to Paul, and as a Beatles fan, although I’d like to hear it, it doesn’t get me as excited as say, “What’s the New Mary Jane” did…
Over & Over the crow flies uncover the cornfield!
OOOhhh Yeah. Payday next thursday and I have about 1K in ot to blow. Hmmmmmm.
“If there’s users that don’t want our computers, they should still be able to run OSX.””
Why would you even want that? I don’t understand this fascination with running OSX on non-Apple hardware.
I agree with Solidstate.
I’m guessing that a new iPod was developed at the same time as the iPhone.
The new iPod:
Similar form factor to the iPhone with widescreen, touch interface and CoverFlow.
Music, photos and video.
No Safari, e-mail or phone.
Camera, calculator, photos and clock widgets.
Possibly simple games but only if an iPhone update gets them as well.
No brown models, points or squirting.
I don’t think it will cannabalize iPhone sales as it will serve a large market that doesn’t need or want a new cellphone.
@Macromancer
Why would you even want that? I don’t understand this fascination with running OSX on non-Apple hardware.
That’s because you understand very little about computers in general. Like most of the fanboys here, you have bought the Apple PR and believe that there is something “magical” about Mac hardware…. There is not. It is the same as a Acer, HP, Dell, or Gateway. Packaged up in a pretty case and costing a few extra bucks for the inclusion of a TPM and EFI instead of Bios…
For the most part, non-Apple hardware is more configureable, more update-able, and a much better value that Apple Hardware.
Shoeman: I’ll bet you could be a lot more condescending, arrogant and insulting if you just tried harder. Anyone else want in on this bet?
Maybe Mika will be the special guest performance. They always seem to have those at these “special events.” He doesn’t have any concerts scheduled, so he’s free!
MW: Response. I hope the response to Sept 5 is better than the one for the iMacs…
No Squirt for You: “I’m guessing that a new iPod was developed at the same time as the iPhone.
The new iPod:
Similar form factor to the iPhone with widescreen, touch interface and CoverFlow.
Music, photos and video.
No Safari, e-mail or phone.
Camera, calculator, photos and clock widgets.
Possibly simple games but only if an iPhone update gets them as well.”
====================================
Aw come on, why no wi-fi/bluetooth? The possibilities are endless, even without the phone part.
@ shoeman, you sound as if you should able to put a BMW engine in your Toyota. You want to pay bare for barebones but have the Mac Experience. If hardware is all equal, why do people say that Vista runs better on a Mac than it does on a PC it was designed for? Answer, Better hardware.
“and one thing,…. Let them eat Cake!!!”
@NSFY
Shoeman: I’ll bet you could be a lot more condescending, arrogant and insulting if you just tried harder. Anyone else want in on this bet?
I could be, but in this case I am not attempting to be. I am simply stating the “facts”…. Yes, I build computer systems and have done so for years. Unfortunately, most Mac users are so ignorant of hardware that they consider anyone who is knowledgeable in simple tasks such as changing out a video card as a “tinkerer”…
Let’s face it, the majority of Mac users neither know nor care what is inside that “Gorgeous” Mac they have on their desk. Gosh Golly Gee, It’s Just works!!!!!!!!!
Obviously by the fact that you consider me “condescending, arrogant and insulting” makes it clear that you have no desire to learn anything.
I Know, I know, You don’t really understand it, but it’s better because “Steve Said So”!! WOOOOOO HOOOOOO
“Aw come on, why no wi-fi/bluetooth?”
That’s possible. Good point on Wi-Fi. If true, then add in the ‘net widgets like Google Maps, stocks, weather, etc.
I’m also hoping for a better battery. One can hope.
But bluetooth? Not so sure.
Shoeman, maybe Apple realise that only having to tailor their software to their machines is both easier for them and better for the product in terms of stability and quality. Even if they released OS X for other machines and offered no support for drviers etc it would only serve to harm the public image of their product if there were problems or if a particular manufacturers hardware was shoddy. They may prefer to hold their own destiny in their hands.
It’s not about hardware + software, it’s about computers and more lately devices. Devices that look a certain way, function a certain way and have an overall feel to them due to Apple being able to make them the way they want them. You could argue that certain areas of the product may not be as strong as offerings from other manufacturers, but that’s Apple’s choice, and your choice as to whether you use them.
Microsoft decided to license their stuff to anyone and everyone and that has benefited them, but it’s also causing them lots of problems. Problems Apple doesn’t want and compromises Apple doesn’t want to make.
If buying a computer was about getting the best raw specs then most of the computers on the planet would be obsolete. I bought a G4 mac mini which is now terribly underpowered but it does a job and it does it in a way that I much prefer to some cobbled together solution from a variety of different parties.
@ Marko
If hardware is all equal, why do people say that Vista runs better on a Mac than it does on a PC it was designed for? Answer, Better hardware.
Wooooo Hoooooo… There’s the Proof!!!!!!!! “People Say it!!!!” Wooooo Hooooooo!!!!!!!!! And better yet, STEVE Says it!!!! That makes it fact!!!!!!
Why not go learn something instead of listening what “People Say”… I’ve been inside them both and unlike you, I understand the interworkings of the design . Same stuff.
Oh and by the way, I have a homebuilt running OSX 86 that dusts everyone of my “Real” Macs… And I don’t even need to remove 60 screws to change the HDD.,.
Shoeman (the artist formerly known as Macdude, given his particular form of OCD) is a troll who has appeared here from time to time under various names to provoke fights over the advantages of Apple’s software and hardware over the gray little boxes provided by the dwindling community known as PC manufacturers (given that Gateway swallowed Packard-Bell and was simultaneously swallowed by Acer).
Let’s give Shoeman a challenge: as he’s such an expert on both the construction and marketing of personal computers and their operating systems, it should be no problem for him to either start a volume PC manufacturing concern of his own (with a target of one million units/quarter within three years). All he has to do is put his genius on display by writing a business plan and get a venture capital firm to back him.
I wish him well.
“Obviously by the fact that you consider me “condescending, arrogant and insulting” makes it clear that you have no desire to learn anything.”
That’s the funniest contradiction I’ve read today.
Thanks! I guess if the shoe fits . . .
I think we got it pretty much figured out
1: Glossy screen iPods with Coverflow (glossy not a problem as we don’t stare at iPhones too often and the small size makes it easily tilt away from glare, unlike computer screens)
2: Beatles remastered and ready to join iTunes, because nobody is buying their music on cd anymore, because their music is old and a bout on iTunes wouldn’t hurt.
3: New iPods will run Mac OS X, tilt sensor to be hacked within a week to run all sorts of other things. iTunes to sell better iPod games.
4: New iPods will sport a Intel processor, basically be a handheld computer capable of running basic apps. Although it will need to be hacked to do so.
Place your bets…
“Why not go learn something instead of listening what “People Say”
“Let’s face it, the majority of Mac users neither know nor care . . .”
A bit hypocritical there, Shoestring.
” An one more thing….. Apple laptops have been one the most fastest selling computers this past year. NPD statitics has shown that 1 in 4 laptops is a mac. The Macbook Pro line is one of the highly demanding and versatile laptops. That is just about to get better…with the new MacBook Pro Ultra……..”
One can dream yes?
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