Mac Predictions for 12 Sept

[bwana]

Ok - putting it on the line for tomorrows Showtime media event I'm predicting . . . . . .

• iPod with a bigger screen - possibly in a 16:9 format with a landscape orientation for the device
  
• Updated Airport Expess with video support
  
• iTMS selling movies.

Any other guesses?

[teraside]

Microsoft aquiring Apple

[bwana]

Microsoft aquiring Apple

Apple's worth more than Dell now so perhaps it's that.

[GiveMeSpeed]

I really hope they update the Airport express!!

[JStrike]

hrm...I have heard the rumours about the Airport Express with AirVideo (or whatever they will call it), but I have my doubts

My prediction.

* iTMS selling movies at $9.99 (You have to make a prediction on the price here bwana :-) )
* Minor upgrade to iPod. Major difference will be bigger harddrives - 80Gb
* New iPod Nano's with 8 Gb memory and metallic case - Although this might get released in a separate event in a month or two

[bwana]

How about a media center version of the mini? They need something besides a iPod to show the $9.95 movies on.

[icyrus]

How about a media center version of the mini? They need something besides a iPod to show the $9.95 movies on.

Don't the new mini's come with Front Row? Or do you mean with builtin TV capture card?

[JStrike]

I'm doubting it due to the update to the Mini last week. I also doubt they will produce a dedicated HTPC type device as the best thing to release would be something like the rumoured Airport Express for video (with IR/Bluetooth receiver). I just dont think the technology is ready for that yet. It would be a a massive drain a wireless network to get the neccessary dedicated bandwidth. They would also have to deliver at least 480i resolution (standard TV res) which is higher than what they currently deliver

[JStrike]

icyrus : They will never release a Mac Mini with a built in capture card. There are way to many different input option. Analog terrestrial PAL, NTSC, etc. In this case it will also require a TV licence to purchase in SA, England and other countries.
DVB-T and friends, Satellite (And then the neccessary Cams for Irdeto, and a hundred other. This alone will cost a fortune) Cable will also have the same amount of options.
So if it doesn't replace your DSTV box, then your DSTV/Cable/etc will plug into the Mac Mini. In which case, it just needs a standard audio/video input and no TV tuner

[noxibox]

Don't the new mini's come with Front Row? Or do you mean with builtin TV capture card?

A discrete graphics chip would be nice. No more integrated graphics.

[JStrike]

noxibox : Apparently, they have a created a version of OpenGL that takes advantage of the Dual Core chips. Apparently this results in a massive improvement for integrated graphics (With less of an improvement for dedicated GPU's). Blizzard has also confirmed this

[bwana]

I'm doubting it due to the update to the Mini last week. I also doubt they will produce a dedicated HTPC type device as the best thing to release would be something like the rumoured Airport Express for video (with IR/Bluetooth receiver). I just dont think the technology is ready for that yet. It would be a a massive drain a wireless network to get the neccessary dedicated bandwidth. They would also have to deliver at least 480i resolution (standard TV res) which is higher than what they currently deliver

I dont know - I regularly stream video over my airport express - attached to a powerbook without a hitch so its very dooable - esp if they put some extra flash memory in as a cache/buffer. Remember also we're talking about a home solution so a drain on the network wouldn't really be that much of a problem.

Anyway - its my prediction so I'm sticking with it!

[lilDeath]

I just want cheaper Apple merchandise, that's all I want.

[bwana]

I just want cheaper Apple merchandise, that's all I want.

We all do but at the end of the day Apple aims for the premium end of the market and are pretty competitive about it.

Beside until there is an official presence in SA - and ZA Store isnt that - prices will be over-inflated.

[JStrike]

Its begining. iTMS says "It's Showtime"