Up to the minute coverage of Apple’s Special Event
Thanks for joining us for our live coverage of Apple’s special event. The event is at Apple’s headquarters in Cupertino, CA where Steve Jobs will be announcing some of their “fun new products.†We weren’t lucky enough to be on Apple’s invite list for todays event, but we’re still going to give you live coverage of what’s going on. The event starts at 10:00 PT.
So check back here in a few and we’ll keep you up to speed on what Steve J has for us. While you’re waiting, you can read over the anticipated products and rumors from the past couple of days.
Just a little reminder, F5 will refresh this post for you (so you don’t have to keep clicking refresh).
8:59 PT: Apparently the press just got inside…
New version of iTunes is up on the site… version 6.0.3. check it out here.
9:55 PT: 5 minute countdown begins.... NOW!
The Apple Store is officially down. Here come the new products…
I’m betting on a 12” or 13” MacBook (formerly the iBook), a iTunes Movie Store, and a new partnership with Cingular for an iPhone (no likely but I can still wish). Post your predictions down in the comments.
10:08: Everyone is seated in the room.... eagerly awaiting the presence of Steve. iLounge says “Apple design guru Jonathan Ives in front row.”
10:10: Steve comes on stage and discusses the Intel transition and talks about “fun new things” they’ve got for us today.
10:11: New Mac mini! “Based on Intel, single-processor and dual-processor chip versions. 2.5x - 3.2x faster” I’m willing to be that it’s going to be $399.
Intel Core Solo, Intel Core Duo versions, 2.5x - 3.2x faster, Same exact form factor, Front Row software, IR sensor on right of disc slot, Six button Apple remote…
Read on for more after the break.
10:16: Here’s a new feature… Shared Music… You can now share music with the new Bonjour technology. It allows devices to find themselves automatically over a network.
“And, of course, you can also hook it up to televisions.”
MacWorld: The new Mac mini, like its iMac sibling, features Front Row, an application that makes it possible to view movies, listen to audio, watch music videos and more from your Mac, in full-screen, using an infrared remote control from across the room. The Mac mini now sports an infrared sensor in the front of the Mac min, next to the machine’s optical disk drive slot.
10:20: Shared Photos… same as Shared Music only with photos.
The Mac mini is the same form factor as before but a lot faster. The new Front Row announced… Jobs is calling it “Front Row with Bonjour”
NOTE: I forgot to mention the gigabit ethernet
10:25: The standard features on the new minis: Tiger and iLife 06, Remote and Front Row, Airport Extreme and Bluetooth, DVI video out, SPDIF and analog in and out.
Here’s the scoop on the new minis:
MacWorld:The entry-level Mac mini system, available starting today, is a 1.5GHz Core Solo system with 667MHz bus, 512MB RAM, 60GB SATA hard drive and “Combo” DVD-ROM/CD-RW drive for $599—$100 more than the previous base model.
The 1.67GHz Core Duo-based model features an 80GB SATA internal hard disk and 8x “SuperDrive” that can burn DVDs as well as CD-Rs, for $799.
10:26: Jobs makes a good point… “It took McDonalds 8 years to sell a billion burgers.”
10:29: Announces new Leather iPod cases. They’re due out mid-march for 99 bucks a pop. I don’t even have a case yet because they’re always sold out. Steve, please send me a sample!
Jobs: 40% of all autos sold this year in US will have iPod connectivity as an option.
Sounds like Steve is about to announce Hi-Fi for the iPod.
10:32: Yep, I’m right! “Home stereo… Reinvented.” iLounge: “Looks like a center channel speaker with iPod dock on top.”
10:36: About the iPod HiFi:
iLounge: Power it off of six D-size batteries if you want. “Several hours outside.” Two 80mm mid-range drivers in sealed acoustic suspension. In center is 130mm dual voice coil woofer, ported bass reflex design.
The Boombox integrates with your iPod with the new software update. In addition, the iPod can be controlled with the Apple Remote. It’s $349 and goes on sale today. Apparently Jobs doesn’t care about the accessory companies. I wonder how Griffin is going to take this. It can also run on 6 D batteries for your long walks on the beach.
10:47: Recap of what’s been talked about today… a new Mac mini running 5x faster, Front Row with Bonjour, Leather iPod cases, and the new iPod Hi-Fi.
Jobs just walked of stage… Looks like that’s it for today. Thanks for joining us for our semi-live coverage of the Apple Special Event. Lookout for our new podcast to be released later today. We may even sit down for a little and discuss Apple’s annoucements for a special episode of the podcast. Have a good day.
Special thanks to Engadget, iLounge, and MacWorld for their live coverage of todays event.
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I’m not that sure we are going to see anything earth shattering. Some type of iPod accessories...maybe Movie content download…
iPhone would be a neat surprise...but unlikely.
Video iPod with integrated wireless possible.
But what do I know? Let’s just get thing goin already...the anticipation is killing me.
on February 28, 2006 at 08:43 PM - LINKF5 huh?
Command+R
on February 28, 2006 at 08:46 PM - LINKSo Doug, any bets on whats gonna go down?
on February 28, 2006 at 08:58 PM - LINKLooks like engadget is down...you guys might be about to get a lot of traffic.
on February 28, 2006 at 09:03 PM - LINKMovie Store for sure…
on February 28, 2006 at 09:10 PM - LINKAnother intel based product to help fill the idea of replacing all this year?
on February 28, 2006 at 09:11 PM - LINKnew mini. 2.5 - 3.2x faster. cool.
on February 28, 2006 at 09:12 PM - LINKexact same form factor mac mini based on intel!
on February 28, 2006 at 09:13 PM - LINKoffereing both single and dual core...interesting
on February 28, 2006 at 09:14 PM - LINKOMG! It a MacTablet!!!!!
on February 28, 2006 at 09:22 PM - LINKthe new mac mini available today
on February 28, 2006 at 09:27 PM - LINKmacinme is a moron
on February 28, 2006 at 09:27 PM - LINKnow onto iTunes and iPod…
on February 28, 2006 at 09:28 PM - LINKdid it really take mcdonalds 8 yrs to sell a billion burgers?
on February 28, 2006 at 09:29 PM - LINKiPod Hi-Fi!
on February 28, 2006 at 09:32 PM - LINK6 D Sized batteries? people still use those?
on February 28, 2006 at 09:36 PM - LINK$349? ouch
on February 28, 2006 at 09:38 PM - LINKNo kidding...Jobs likes to whore out his faith in Apple products.
on February 28, 2006 at 09:45 PM - LINKThat’s All?!
on February 28, 2006 at 09:47 PM - LINKI guess there’s not going to be ...one more thing.
on February 28, 2006 at 09:50 PM - LINKiLounge has pics of the hi-fi...its bigger than I was imagining.
on February 28, 2006 at 09:52 PM - LINKsweet you guys are doin a podcast! can’t wait to get it.
on February 28, 2006 at 09:53 PM - LINKApple homepage updated...Store still down
on February 28, 2006 at 09:55 PM - LINKguess we just have to wait till 4/1 for the awesome stuff…
on February 28, 2006 at 10:02 PM - LINK