Rumor: possible Apple event brewing for late February

[AppleInsider]

For the second time in three years, Apple Inc. may use the latter end of February to hold a special gathering where it will show off its latest innovations to analysts and members of the media, according to multiple reports.

TUAW bravely states that high end video production firm MIRA Mobile is rumored to be soliciting staffers for a yet-announced Apple production to take place some time near the end of the month.

The blog site warns, however, that readers should treat the tip as a highly unconfirmed rumor, as it has not been able to corroborate its source's tip with any further evidence.

Separately, AppleInsider has also heard rumblings that the Cupertino-based firm is prepping an unusual number of visual resources for some form of display to take place on or after February 21st, yielding the 26th as the most likely date should those resources indeed pertain to a special event.

Since neither tip can be corroborated with any degree of certainty, readers should take these rumblings with a grain of salt. Neverthless, it should be noted that Penryn-based MacBook Pros with mutli-touch trackpads and an official iPhone SDK are both expected in the coming weeks, whether Apple ultimately holds an event or not.

Meanwhile, MacRumors has dug up this YouTube video (below) filmed outside San Francisco's Moscone West convention center during Macworld 2007, confirming that Apple has indeed used MIRA Mobile to produce live event coverage in the past.



Back in February of 2006, the company held what will forever go down as its most underwhelming media event ever, rolling out leather iPod cases, the iPod Hi-Fi and the first Intel-based Mac minis. The iPod Hi-Fi has since met its fate, with the Mac mini believed to on its way down the same path.

[ View this article at AppleInsider.com ]

[Eduardo]

Alright! Leather cases for the iPhone and iPod Touch!

[solipsism]

Originally Posted by AppleInsider

Back in February of 2006, the company held what will forever go down as its most underwhelming media event ever, rolling out leather iPod cases, the iPod Hi-Fi and speed bumped Mac minis. The iPod Hi-Fi has since met its fate, with the Mac mini believed to on its way down the same path.

"It started badly, it tailed off a little in the middle and the less said about the end the better, but apart from that it was excellent."

[mowenbrown]

And I was all set to buy a 16Gig iPhone this weeekend when I picked my MBP up from getting repaired.

Should I wait?

How can I not?

The stock price is getting so pinched they might was well anounce everything for the rest of the year.

[bdkennedy1]

An iPhone Air with no dock connector or headphone jack?
A Mac Pro Air with one connector, Firewire 800?
An iMac Air with no base and really floats in the air?

A MacBook Air with both SSD and HDD hard drives so everyone can post their own comparisons?

What could it be?

[TednDi]

New iPod socks at last!

[eAi]

My bets are on it being a developer-focuses event launching the iPhone/Touch SDK.

On the side note, I don't see Apple killing the Mac Mini yet - perhaps they're waiting till they considering the Apple TV to be a worthy replacement for it. That said, I'm not even sure I see them killing it off at all - perhaps a redesign though?

[aaplguy]

I think the HiFi and Mini were significant - ultimately not garnering the sales that they had hoped for - but significant in that they represented steps toward expanding the companies focus. If this is a repeat of that move, we can expect to see something more than a MB, MBP speed bump. I would like to see them use this opportunity to expand into the small business sector. The consumer focus seems like a tough place to be given declining retail - if they would really follow through a put a small business package together they made be able to replicate the success they had with desk top publishing back in the late 80's early 90's - that got them to a 10% ms.

[MiMiC]

I would love to see an iMac with SSD + HDD!

[solipsism]

Originally Posted by MiMiC

I would love to see an iMac with SSD + HDD!

I don't see what benefit benefit iMac users. It would bring up the cost without adding anything. I haven't read any reviews of Turbo Memory from Intel being worthwhile.

[ColeSQ]

AI's been remarking about the Mac mini's short life for how long now? 1 year? 2?

Sorry - it just made me chuckle seeing you guys sneak that one in one more time. I think it would be freaking hilarious if they showed us another updated Mac mini just like after the first time you kept rambling on about its death...

BTW, look for something that probably should have made it to MWSF but got pushed back due to Apple's continuing challenge getting product out the door on time. Not very profound, but certainly not worse than hearing the mini's going away.

[mdotdubz]

Originally Posted by ColeSQ

AI's been remarking about the Mac mini's short life for how long now? 1 year? 2?

Sorry - it just made me chuckle seeing you guys sneak that one in one more time. I think it would be freaking hilarious if they showed us another updated Mac mini just like after the first time you kept rambling on about its death...

BTW, look for something that probably should have made it to MWSF but got pushed back due to Apple's continuing challenge getting product out the door on time. Not very profound, but certainly not worse than hearing the mini's going away.

Viva La Mac Mini! FTW

[Slagheap]

The iPod Hi-Fi has since met its fate, with the Mac mini believed to on its way down the same path.

Wow... AppleInsider just won't give up predicting the impending death of the Mac Mini. Will you just keep making that prediction until it finally does go away? I'm sure you will be right eventually.

You support this idea by linking to your own speculative articles that are full of conjecture and don't really support anything.

Apple has updated the mini five times since introduction three and a half years ago. That's on par with the their other machines.
http://buyersguide.macrumors.com/#Mac_mini
And of course, there is the fact that they don't have any other machine like it. It's a sub-$1000 desktop. Niche product? Hardly... that niche describes the vast majority of PC sales. Sure, Apple focuses on different parts of the market, but that doesn't mean they're going to abandon that huge market.

[Ireland]

event brewing

It's official people... iBeer

[StuBeck]

A finished version of Leopard?

[GregoriusM]

Originally Posted by eAi

My bets are on it being a developer-focuses event launching the iPhone/Touch SDK.

On the side note, I don't see Apple killing the Mac Mini yet - perhaps they're waiting till they considering the Apple TV to be a worthy replacement for it. That said, I'm not even sure I see them killing it off at all - perhaps a redesign though?

I agree.

[MatthewGavin]

Originally Posted by StuBeck

A finished version of Leopard?

A finished version of Leopard in the new MBP!!!!

I bet I get hammered for this, but, what does SDK stand for? as in iPhone SDK

[Rogzilla]

Originally Posted by ColeSQ

BTW, look for something that probably should have made it to MWSF but got pushed back due to Apple's continuing challenge getting product out the door on time. Not very profound, but certainly not worse than hearing the mini's going away.

I would not be surprised if Jobs said "Well, that is our developer kit...oh and we made a new larger tablet device that this works with too, its the greatest thing ever so go buy it...BOOM!"

[Rolo]

I vote for iPhone/touch SDK (software developers kit) and maybe a new MacBook Pro redesigned along the lines of the new MBA. The SDK should be accompanied by some new apps.

[solipsism]

Originally Posted by MatthewGavin

A finished version of Leopard in the new MBP!!!!

I bet I get hammered for this, but, what does SDK stand for? as in iPhone SDK

I would never come down on someone for not knowing, but I would for not even attempting the simplest of Google searches.

• http://www.google.com/search?q=sdk

[TheToe]

Originally Posted by ColeSQ

Sorry - it just made me chuckle seeing you guys sneak that one in one more time. I think it would be freaking hilarious if they showed us another updated Mac mini just like after the first time you kept rambling on about its death...

Indeed, why would Apple kill the mini? I said it on the original article, and I can't see what's changed: the Mac mini is an important part of their lineup.

Apple has a very robust enterprise offering right now. With Leopard Server, the Xserve, and the Xserve RAID, they have a tremendous back-room lineup. What they don't have is a computer that corporations would want to deploy on the desktop. The best they have is the mini.

I say if they discontinue the mini it would only be in order to replace it with a different desktop.

For the enterprise, the desktop Apple would need to produce would be a mini-tower. Same as the Mac mini, but with some PCI slots, and maybe without so many wireless options.

[shutterrelease]

SDK stands for "Software Development Kit". When Apple puts this out it will allow 2nd party developers make programs for the iPhone and Touch. These applications will run nativlely on the device and not as a web app. Pretty sweet really. Now all those native apps available to Jailbroken phones will be available to us who are to scared to Jailbreak our iPhones.

[brostd]

I was surprised to see Apple pull out of NAB so i wouldn't be surprised to see Apple actually release their FinalCut Sever.

[Banalltv]

My Mini, like Ryanair and Ronseal, did exactly what it said on the tin, and I loved it.

I would not be surprised if it had more fans and more customers than people realise. Maybe not dead, maybe just not high-margin enough to develop and upgrade the hell out of it.

http://img105.imageshack.us/img105/4...lsignedvu6.jpg

[mdotdubz]

Originally Posted by Banalltv

My Mini, like Ryanair and Ronseal, did exactly what it said on the tin, and I loved it...

I would not be surprised if it had more fans and more customers than people realise. Maybe not dead, maybe just not high-margin enough to develop and upgrade the hell out of it.

http://img105.imageshack.us/img105/4...lsignedvu6.jpg

Maybe we will see Apple take the MS and Dell approach to branding and marketing! Best way to gain 80% marketshare and fill in all the niches!

Rebranded Products:
OSX Leopard Cat 10.5 eXtreme Edition XXX!
OSX Leopard Cat 10.5 Ultimate
OSX Leopard Cat 10.5 Corporate and Pro Edition
OSX Leopard Cat 10.5 Lite
OSX Leopard Cat 10.5 Lite Pro for Home Use
OSX Leopard Cat 10.5 Pro for Lite Use
Macbook 365 iLive Edition
Macbook 366 iLeap Edition Extreme!
Mac Mini Student & Office Pro
Mac Mini Corporate Ultra Pro
Mac Mini Corporate Pro Extreme!
Macbook Pro 3490pv i890R
Macbook Pro HT Extreme! 3780 i898Rs
Macbook Pro Extreme! Pro 3670 i892R
Mac Longtitude i8600 Magellan (formerly iMac)
Mac Longtitude i8600 XDS Magellan (formerly iMac 24")
Fffe900 UMPC (formerly the MBA)
iLake 800ps (formerly iPod Classic)
iPod eXtreme!!! (formely iPod Touch)
Zoom Phone Intelligent Phone (formerly iPhone)

Don't forget, apple will get all trendy on us on offer Avant Garde design, such as offering lime green and fire truck red laptops! Also the backs of the iMacs and Macbooks will have intricate paterns mimicing swirls and other patterns which are so artsy. Everyone will be able to tell that Apple finally "gets it"!

[bwik]

Is there something wrong with the iMac for enterprise?

Most enterprise workstations (>99%) are stock machines with simple video, modest ram, word processing/email/Excel and that's it. 99%. iMac can handle that.

The iMac is no server but as a node, it is one of the best.



About this event.... I really think Apple should focus on the TV appliance market. Go deep.

[solipsism]

Originally Posted by bwik

Is there something wrong with the iMac for enterprise?

Most enterprise workstations (>99%) are stock machines with simple video, modest ram, word processing/email/Excel and that's it. 99%. iMac can handle that.

The iMac is no server but as a node, it is one of the best.

About this event.... I really think Apple should focus on the TV appliance market. Go deep.

It's not about the performance, it's about the vendor lock in. There is also an issue with the price compared to cheaper solutions and the all-in-one issue. If I was in charge of a large corp. I wouldn't even consider Macs as workstations.

[eAi]

Originally Posted by bwik

Is there something wrong with the iMac for enterprise?

Most enterprise workstations (>99%) are stock machines with simple video, modest ram, word processing/email/Excel and that's it. 99%. iMac can handle that.

The iMac is no server but as a node, it is one of the best.



About this event.... I really think Apple should focus on the TV appliance market. Go deep.

For most uses, the iMac is overpowered. Being an All-in-one machine is probably an issue too - companies can't (economically) use existing monitors and they're harder to fix as they're more compact than standard workstation.

To get into the SMB/enterprise market Apple need to really innovate both in hardware and software. They need to offer 100% windows compatibility, all the profiles for restricting user access and they need to make a really good case for them being a good investment. Boot Camp is not good enough for business... (unless the machine is Windows only)

On the hardware front they need to produce a form factor that companies are used to and can service internally to some degree. I'm sure they can play with the standard workstation design and come up with something great.

They've even got the product name 'Mac' just waiting for them! Using 'Mac' would make a very clear statement about the product's intended reach - a computer for the majority as it were...

Mac Mini -> Mac -> iMac -> Mac Pro

Isn't this speculation fun!

[drjjones]

Cramer says sell apple so it must be time to BUY.March will be lookin good .

[SpamSandwich]

Originally Posted by Eduardo

Alright! Leather cases for the iPhone and iPod Touch!

LMAO!

[SpamSandwich]

Originally Posted by drjjones

Cramer says sell apple so it must be time to BUY.March will be lookin good .

Cramer puts the "schmu" in schmuck.

[KingOfSomewhereHot]

Originally Posted by bwik

Most enterprise workstations (>99%) are stock machines with simple video, modest ram, word processing/email/Excel and that's it. 99%. iMac can handle that.

But those simple (Windows based) enterprise workstations are available for half the price of an iMac... even after purchasing a monitor. (Though odds are they've already got an adequate monitor to use.)

Originally Posted by bwik

The iMac is no server but as a node, it is one of the best.

That's just it... As a node, the iMac is overkill.

[solipsism]

Originally Posted by drjjones

Cramer says sell apple so it must be time to BUY.March will be lookin good .

Really? I have learned a lot and made a lot by lisening to Cramer. I sure hope isn't right because I'm not selling!

[Eriamjh]

Originally Posted by MiMiC

I would love to see an iMac with SSD + HDD!

You wouldn't like the price. And the performance would be disappointing.

[MacTel]

Originally Posted by StuBeck

A finished version of Leopard?

No, it's the iPhone SDK.

[kenaustus]

I'm in the camp going for the iPhone/touch SDK as the primary reason for the little get together with Steve J.

That doesn't mean that Steve can't deliver other interesting releases - he's been known to come up with a "one more thing" now and then.

I wouldn't be surprised if some new products are waiting for 10.5.2 for one reason or another. MBPs come to mind, especially if it is tied to something new from Intel.

WIth the economy looking to be rough in 2008 I also wouldn't be surprised to see Apple delivering something new or upgraded every month, regardless of it was a minor or major announcement.

[suhail]

Originally Posted by TheToe

For the enterprise, the desktop Apple would need to produce would be a mini-tower. Same as the Mac mini, but with some PCI slots, and maybe without so many wireless options.

You mean something like an xMac? What a brilliant idea, why didn't I think of that!

[iBill]

Originally Posted by SpamSandwich

Cramer puts the "schmu" in schmuck.

What a coincidence, Cramer also puts the "too" in tool..

[quinney]

Originally Posted by drjjones

Cramer says sell apple so it must be time to BUY.March will be lookin good .

Forward p/e is down to about 24.
Plenty of time to lighten up downside hedges
before numbnuts issues a buy for AAPL in August.

[quinney]

Originally Posted by solipsism

Really? I have learned a lot and made a lot by lisening to Cramer. I sure hope isn't right because I'm not selling!

Clearly you also ignored his continuous touting of SHLD, NY stock exchange,
and numerous other losers.