What is Apple's big secret?
We haven't had any crazy rumors around here for a while so I thought I'd throw this out there for discussion. Right now, we are witnessing one of the longest blackouts of new Mac information since Steve Jobs retook the helm at Apple.
The last Mac updates were on November 8, 2006 when the MacBook was updated. We're coming up on 5 months since Apple updated any of their Macs at all and we've had no news on Mac OS X 10.5 Leopard, not even at MWSF. The only information we've been given is that Apple expects to ship Mac OS X 10.5 in the spring (from now until June) and that we haven't seen all of the special features yet. What special features could Mac OS X 10.5 have that Apple won't tell us what they are? We also know that some of the iPhone's features are being kept a secret, are these secrets related?
Trying to predict what Apple is going to do is like trying to forecast the weather. Most of the time, you can see what's coming. But once in a while, conditions are perfect for something unexpected. It would appear that there is going to be a major convergence here.
I think that Apple has something big up their sleeves and that it's related to why we haven't seen any new Mac hardware since November. June is shaping up to be a huge month for Apple. We are expecting to see the launch of Mac OS X 10.5 Leopard, the launch of the iPhone, and between now and June, we are due to see updates to the Mac Mini, iMac, MacBook, MacBook Pro, and Mac Pro lines. We are also due to see updates to Apple's monitors and the iPods (with the exception of the iPod shuffle).
What could be the special features that Apple is keeping us in the dark about, and how will it effect new hardware? Some immediate ideas that come to mind include storing the operating system on a flash drive for faster boot times, touchscreens on the laptops and Apple monitors, or new optical drives (Blu-Ray/HD-DVD). Of course, it could be something spectacular that no one else has thought of yet, and that's why they want to keep it a secret. Thoughts?
The last Mac updates were on November 8, 2006 when the MacBook was updated. We're coming up on 5 months since Apple updated any of their Macs at all and we've had no news on Mac OS X 10.5 Leopard, not even at MWSF. The only information we've been given is that Apple expects to ship Mac OS X 10.5 in the spring (from now until June) and that we haven't seen all of the special features yet. What special features could Mac OS X 10.5 have that Apple won't tell us what they are? We also know that some of the iPhone's features are being kept a secret, are these secrets related?
Trying to predict what Apple is going to do is like trying to forecast the weather. Most of the time, you can see what's coming. But once in a while, conditions are perfect for something unexpected. It would appear that there is going to be a major convergence here.
I think that Apple has something big up their sleeves and that it's related to why we haven't seen any new Mac hardware since November. June is shaping up to be a huge month for Apple. We are expecting to see the launch of Mac OS X 10.5 Leopard, the launch of the iPhone, and between now and June, we are due to see updates to the Mac Mini, iMac, MacBook, MacBook Pro, and Mac Pro lines. We are also due to see updates to Apple's monitors and the iPods (with the exception of the iPod shuffle).
What could be the special features that Apple is keeping us in the dark about, and how will it effect new hardware? Some immediate ideas that come to mind include storing the operating system on a flash drive for faster boot times, touchscreens on the laptops and Apple monitors, or new optical drives (Blu-Ray/HD-DVD). Of course, it could be something spectacular that no one else has thought of yet, and that's why they want to keep it a secret. Thoughts?
Comments
We could easily see touchscreen displays, Blu-Ray drives, flash system drives and more. I have a feeling that after Apple makes their big announcement, a quad core Mac Pro with a Superdrive running Tiger is going to look like a child's plaything.
Sigh.
I agree with your assertion that Apple has a big secret.
I'm guessing that it has something to do with technology that ties into the digital lifestyle theme, to include Apple TV, iPhone, and perhaps some unannounced products.
At Macworld there was only a nano-mention of Mac stuff.
I think this is probably a pretty good time to be in the market for a new Mac, but I certainly don't know that for sure. If we see new Mac Pros whose only new feature is dual quad-core 2.66GHz processors, I'll be disappointed.
Sincerely,
Jaddie
I have a feeling that Apple is planning to blow our minds.
To me, the most mind-blowing addition of all would be the integrated sensing display, which effectively would integrate iSight camera technology into the displays themselves, allowing for true eye-contact Jetsons-and-Spaceballs-style video conferencing. Anything short, in my opinion, leaves the iSight one generation short of the future.
The patent was filed nearly 3 years ago. I'm ready.
Implementation of touch screen displays - this feature itself worth a wait for few months ...
I agree with this. I'm not happy that the software and hardware updates are taking so long but if they come out with something really revolutionary (not the iphone) and hopefully affordable, it will certainly be worth the wait.
The drop of the 40y old 'Desktop'-Metaphor..:
trash cans, folders, ... and, hey, what is a 'file' anyhow? I'm doing projects, versions...
iTunes, Frontrow, TimeMachine... VERY different GUI...
oops, ok, this is Hardware forum ..
Tomorrow's Tuesday, and APPL stock is climbing like a fighter jet.
The sizes will be 20, 24, and 30" widescreen LCD respectively. However, the screen will not be "flat' rather they will curl inward from the edges to maximize depth of field so that even a 30" LCD feels like a 54" Plasma HDTV.
All machines will ship with 2 gigs of DDR3 RAM with two open slots offering up to 8 megs of usable RAM in the iMac platform.
Keyboard and mice will be abandoned so that Apple can finally release iOcto, a superintelligent albino octopus genetically engineered to breathe oxygen while sitting atop your head and translating your thoughts into specific octopus gestures that will be read and intepreted by the embedded iSight camera that now includes "x-ray specs mode" so that you can see yourself naked without having to actually take off clothes.
Apple will refresh their Power Mac line by removing all the processors and replacing them with a Mariachi band consisting of idiot savants who are specialists at mathematics.
The Mac Mini will be made larger to incorporate a more robust motherboard, heat sink, and scaled up Merom processor. The mini will also be outfitted with wheels, eye stalks, and pinchers much like a crab, so that it can be ordered to clean up the room where it performs its duties. Though some will complain that it still uses integrated graphics.
The refreshed Macbook will sport no screen at all but two full sized keyboards.
The refereshed Macbook pro will sport three screens, one in the traditional place, one on the back of the lid, and one where the keyboard used to be.
Apple will also release the iHat, a baseball cap decorated with Intel GMA950 graphic accelerator chips. The iHat includes an MP3 player, XM/Serius Satellite receiver, 52" Projection DLP TV, an entire DVD collection of Pixar films on a keychain mounted drive that hangs from the bill, and a 2.5 G cell phone. The iHat will only be sold through Cingular Wireless stores.
Steve Jobs will also announce that they have developed a solar powered car made entirely of American Cheese.
The UI will still look relatively the same but what it will do is where the excitement comes from. Windows will be animated (Core Animation) in a way that we simply do not see coming. Think about thinks like choosing a particular application and not having that app just pop up but rather slide into place as the other open windows gracefully aquiesce.
This would not require explicit 3rd party developer support IMO. Why do I believe this? Because Leopard finally has the tools to make this feasible.
1. Excellent scaling.
2. Resolution Independence
3. Mulithreaded OpenGL 2.1 where the UI always has a thread going.
This allows Apple to really glitz up the UI without hammering Quartz and slowing your computer down. Expect to see stuff sliding around with grace like they do on the Dock. Expect to see the UI spin on the Z axis for new looks.
Is there any wonder anymore why iLife 07 and iWork aren't here yet? They will be Apple's first showcase of what Leopard offers for new UI functionality and they will be bundled with Leopard for a good price.
I think we see a newly revamped Finder....
Windows will be animated (Core Animation) in a way that we simply do not see coming. Think about thinks like choosing a particular application and not having that app just pop up but rather slide into place as the other open windows gracefully aquiesce.
I think they will integrate the Mac and PC guys from the commercial to walk your aps off the dock and open them for you. But there will be terminal commands so that you can make them fight to the death with knitting needles and bottle openers.
Apple will release a refreshed iMac a scaled down Woodcrest finally bringing quad core to their most popular desktop offering.
The sizes will be 20, 24, and 30" widescreen LCD respectively. However, the screen will not be "flat' rather they will curl inward from the edges to maximize depth of field so that even a 30" LCD feels like a 54" Plasma HDTV.
All machines will ship with 2 gigs of DDR3 RAM with two open slots offering up to 8 megs of usable RAM in the iMac platform.
Keyboard and mice will be abandoned so that Apple can finally release iOcto, a superintelligent albino octopus genetically engineered to breathe oxygen while sitting atop your head and translating your thoughts into specific octopus gestures that will be read and intepreted by the embedded iSight camera that now includes "x-ray specs mode" so that you can see yourself naked without having to actually take off clothes.
Apple will refresh their Power Mac line by removing all the processors and replacing them with a Mariachi band consisting of idiot savants who are specialists at mathematics.
The Mac Mini will be made larger to incorporate a more robust motherboard, heat sink, and scaled up Merom processor. The mini will also be outfitted with wheels, eye stalks, and pinchers much like a crab, so that it can be ordered to clean up the room where it performs its duties. Though some will complain that it still uses integrated graphics.
The refreshed Macbook will sport no screen at all but two full sized keyboards.
The refereshed Macbook pro will sport three screens, one in the traditional place, one on the back of the lid, and one where the keyboard used to be.
Apple will also release the iHat, a baseball cap decorated with Intel GMA950 graphic accelerator chips. The iHat includes an MP3 player, XM/Serius Satellite receiver, 52" Projection DLP TV, an entire DVD collection of Pixar films on a keychain mounted drive that hangs from the bill, and a 2.5 G cell phone. The iHat will only be sold through Cingular Wireless stores.
Steve Jobs will also announce that they have developed a solar powered car made entirely of American Cheese.
Was that really worth your time?
Apple will release a refreshed iMac a scaled down Woodcrest finally bringing quad core to their most popular desktop offering.
The sizes will be 20, 24, and 30" widescreen LCD respectively. However, the screen will not be "flat' rather they will curl inward from the edges to maximize depth of field so that even a 30" LCD feels like a 54" Plasma HDTV.
All machines will ship with 2 gigs of DDR3 RAM with two open slots offering up to 8 megs of usable RAM in the iMac platform.
Keyboard and mice will be abandoned so that Apple can finally release iOcto, a superintelligent albino octopus genetically engineered to breathe oxygen while sitting atop your head and translating your thoughts into specific octopus gestures that will be read and intepreted by the embedded iSight camera that now includes "x-ray specs mode" so that you can see yourself naked without having to actually take off clothes.
Apple will refresh their Power Mac line by removing all the processors and replacing them with a Mariachi band consisting of idiot savants who are specialists at mathematics.
The Mac Mini will be made larger to incorporate a more robust motherboard, heat sink, and scaled up Merom processor. The mini will also be outfitted with wheels, eye stalks, and pinchers much like a crab, so that it can be ordered to clean up the room where it performs its duties. Though some will complain that it still uses integrated graphics.
The refreshed Macbook will sport no screen at all but two full sized keyboards.
The refereshed Macbook pro will sport three screens, one in the traditional place, one on the back of the lid, and one where the keyboard used to be.
Apple will also release the iHat, a baseball cap decorated with Intel GMA950 graphic accelerator chips. The iHat includes an MP3 player, XM/Serius Satellite receiver, 52" Projection DLP TV, an entire DVD collection of Pixar films on a keychain mounted drive that hangs from the bill, and a 2.5 G cell phone. The iHat will only be sold through Cingular Wireless stores.
Steve Jobs will also announce that they have developed a solar powered car made entirely of American Cheese.
It's so obvious. How did we all miss this?
No secret(s).
That's the secret.
Apple will release a refreshed iMac a scaled down Woodcrest finally bringing quad core to their most popular desktop offering.
The sizes will be 20, 24, and 30" widescreen LCD respectively. However, the screen will not be "flat' rather they will curl inward from the edges to maximize depth of field so that even a 30" LCD feels like a 54" Plasma HDTV.
All machines will ship with 2 gigs of DDR3 RAM with two open slots offering up to 8 megs of usable RAM in the iMac platform.
Keyboard and mice will be abandoned so that Apple can finally release iOcto, a superintelligent albino octopus....
....Steve Jobs will also announce that they have developed a solar powered car made entirely of American Cheese.
I see Apple as an incremental company, designs slowly evolve into the next thing.
No secret(s).
That's the secret.
Don't you think iPhone contradicts this view? It's not an iPod, it's not a laptop, it's nothing like what they've done before. In fact, iPod contradicts this view as well - when it was released, it didn't resemble anything else in Apple's product line.
Don't you think iPhone contradicts this view? It's not an iPod, it's not a laptop, it's nothing like what they've done before. In fact, iPod contradicts this view as well - when it was released, it didn't resemble anything else in Apple's product line.
It's a widescreen iPod with a phone and an OS. It's just iPod evolved.
The scaled version of OSX is no surprise to most of us because Apple has probably had it since they bought NeXT. MOst of thought we would have seen it in something years ago. I'm actually surprised it took so long. The phone thing was a 50/50 chance IMO. But your Wrong. It is an iPod, it's not a laptop, but it is not unlike Apple.