Thoughts on the Keynote
Interesting Keynote, and perhaps confirmation of a new trend for Apple - announcing future products. If you think about it, that's what Apple did with Apple TV, and what they've just done with the iPhone.
MIND THE GAP
There's now a blaringly obvious gap in the hardware side - right between the Mac mini (which will have to be updated to C2D at some point) and the Mac Pro. That gap may or may not be 6.5" cubed, but it's there. I also find it interesting that the new AirPort has the same footprint as the Mac mini, perhaps we're going to see the introduction of a stacking system (like the existing Belkin and Iomega solutions).
GUI
But what I'm really interested in now is the new Apple User Interface. The interface on the iPhone is very similar to the iTunes interface ? except that instead of it being a UI for just a one-off app., it appears to be a system wide interface. And a bloody good one at that. Having been offered a glimpse of the bigger picture, methinks the new interface was developed with greater scalability in mind. If there is ever going to be a tablet, it surely a lot closer now.
DESIGN LANGUAGE
It's also interesting to note that the iPhone doesn't fall easily in to any of the existing design langauges. The new AirPort and the Apple TV clearly do, but not the iPod.
AFTERTASTE
Overall, I have the distinct feeling that Apple have taken two steps forward, and that there have been a variety of products that have been overstepped today. I think there are going to be a slew of new product announcements...
What did you guys think of the Keynote?
MIND THE GAP
There's now a blaringly obvious gap in the hardware side - right between the Mac mini (which will have to be updated to C2D at some point) and the Mac Pro. That gap may or may not be 6.5" cubed, but it's there. I also find it interesting that the new AirPort has the same footprint as the Mac mini, perhaps we're going to see the introduction of a stacking system (like the existing Belkin and Iomega solutions).
GUI
But what I'm really interested in now is the new Apple User Interface. The interface on the iPhone is very similar to the iTunes interface ? except that instead of it being a UI for just a one-off app., it appears to be a system wide interface. And a bloody good one at that. Having been offered a glimpse of the bigger picture, methinks the new interface was developed with greater scalability in mind. If there is ever going to be a tablet, it surely a lot closer now.
DESIGN LANGUAGE
It's also interesting to note that the iPhone doesn't fall easily in to any of the existing design langauges. The new AirPort and the Apple TV clearly do, but not the iPod.
AFTERTASTE
Overall, I have the distinct feeling that Apple have taken two steps forward, and that there have been a variety of products that have been overstepped today. I think there are going to be a slew of new product announcements...
What did you guys think of the Keynote?
Comments
Interesting Keynote, and perhaps confirmation of a new trend for Apple - announcing future products. If you think about it, that's what Apple did with Apple TV, and what they've just done with the iPhone.
MIND THE GAP
There's now a blaringly obvious gap in the hardware side - right between the Mac mini (which will have to be updated to C2D at some point) and the Mac Pro. That gap may or may not be 6.5" cubed, but it's there. I also find it interesting that the new AirPort has the same footprint as the Mac mini, perhaps we're going to see the introduction of a stacking system (like the existing Belkin and Iomega solutions).
GUI
But what I'm really interested in now is the new Apple User Interface. The interface on the iPhone is very similar to the iTunes interface ? except that instead of it being a UI for just a one-off app., it appears to be a system wide interface. And a bloody good one at that. Having been offered a glimpse of the bigger picture, methinks the new interface was developed with greater scalability in mind. If there is ever going to be a tablet, it surely a lot closer now.
DESIGN LANGUAGE
It's also interesting to note that the iPhone doesn't fall easily in to any of the existing design langauges. The new AirPort and the Apple TV clearly do, but not the iPod.
AFTERTASTE
Overall, I have the distinct feeling that Apple have taken two steps forward, and that there have been a variety of products that have been overstepped today. I think there are going to be a slew of new product announcements...
What did you guys think of the Keynote?
I was kind of hoping for some Leopard information and maybe a widescreen ipod (without all the extras on the iPhone). Overall though, it was quite the surprise.
i also totally agree with you on the gap between the mini and the mac pro. Especially considering the push towards HDTV's as the common place display. Its not going to be long until the TV becomes the display of choice for the computer ( of any kind ) when you look at HDMI and DVI inputs becoming standard on most modern TV sets. The 1900x1080 resolutions of HDTV sets are perfect for computer uses too.
With this in mind, the market for a bring your own keyboards, display and mouse becomes greater . . . and the only products to fill it at the Apple TV, the Mini and the Mac Pro. You really see that gap. Yes, the iMac sits in there spec wise and its a nice machine, but for the display/TV reasons i've given, i think there is opportunity to fill the gap.
Personally, i think a larger mac mini would suffice. It would only have to only slightly taller for it to take a larger HDD and possibly dedicated graphics. Its a height increase i'd happily see.
Another thing of note is the list of older macs that support the new 802.11n airport standard, which includes all Intel iMacs except the 17" 1.83GHz. This leads me to believ that Steve was really PO'ed last year when they couldn't get the Apple TV out on the market.
I think that there is plenty of time to get the Macs out closer to the release of 10.5 in the spring, probably in April. This lets the iPhone steal the attention from Vista, and Steve can hold a special event in the spring without any competition. All they have to do now is get Apple TV and Airport base station out on time and with minimal consumer complaints between their release and the Leopard event.
In the meantime Apple will probably release the Mac Pro update with 8 cores, idealy when Adobe releases CS3 at a joint press conference with a demo. The iMac and others are updated when they can be based on Intel's release of newer chips.
A pun no less ?
Or
i can't imagine they did all that r&d just for one cingular product.
1) iphone won't be here for nearly a year and I really want a bigger screen on the ipod for movies but his leads to point 2.
2) The UK itunes store sucks for content so some of the great functions of apple tv can't be used.
I reckon a design change is also needed for the macbook's and imac but that is just personal preference. I mean the iphone looks great so surely they could do somethings with the macbook and imac.
A whinging pom!
Once you come off the high of the phone, this keynote kinda sucked.
actually, i just want leopard. and in particular i want time machine. That's all i want.
I also find it interesting that the new AirPort has the same footprint as the Mac mini, perhaps we're going to see the introduction of a stacking system (like the existing Belkin and Iomega solutions).
Are you sure about this? I read the new airport was the footprint of AppleTV which is an inch bigger than a mac mini.
Another thing of note is the list of older macs that support the new 802.11n airport standard, which includes all Intel iMacs except the 17" 1.83GHz.
Nope, sorry - it is not all Intel macs, it is all "core 2 duo" macs. The old intel "core duo" macs are not on the list.
I miss the computer company.
I also find it interesting that the new AirPort has the same footprint as the Mac mini, perhaps we're going to see the introduction of a stacking system (like the existing Belkin and Iomega solutions).
I don't think so, it's the wrong colour which I don't think apple would do and that'd probably kill wireless range.
The CEO of cingular is a complete dick.
my thoughts of the keynote - just watched it.
The CEO of cingular is a complete dick.
I don't know if he is a dick but i got the feeling he was wondering 'what in the hell am I doing here?'
my thoughts of the keynote - just watched it.
The CEO of cingular is a complete dick.
He also sounded like the couldn't read. Lord knows he did not have that memorized. At all.
He also sounded like the couldn't read. Lord knows he did not have that memorized. At all.
Give him a chance, i did not like as well ... but anyone will be nervous when they are with Steve on Stage ... Steve's RDF so powerful ...
I remembered last time one of the CEO from cingular, do not like either
only Google CEO sounded ok, all the others are nervous ...