Posted on 01/11/2005 7:46:25 AM PST by 1LongTimeLurker
Apple fans will learn what the future holds for the firm on Tuesday when boss Steve Jobs unveils his vision for 2005.
Speculation is always rife ahead of Jobs' annual speech at MacWorld, in San Francisco, but recent legal action to prevent leaks has fuelled expectations.
Several unconfirmed reports speculate that Apple is on the verge of releasing a sub-$500 (£266) Macintosh.
In January, Apple sued a website after it published what it said were specifications for the new computer.
A sub-$500 Mac? It sounds too good to be true. Leander Kahney, Wired.com
There have also been reports - for the second year running ahead of MacWorld - that Apple was planning to release a cheaper version of its iPod music player, using flash memory rather than a hard drive.
Ian Harris, deputy editor of UK magazine Mac Format, said that if the reports proved accurate about the cut-price computer it could be an attempt to attract PC owning customers who have an iPod.
He said: "The rumours on websites is that Apple is going to release a low-cost iMac which will come without a monitor.
"Apple want to appeal to people who have already got a PC but want to try using a Mac because of their experience with an iPod.
'Further taste'
"They want a further taste of Mac because they like what they have seen with iPod."
Analysts agree that the move would be logical for Apple after it had proved with the iPod that it could compete as a mass-market company.
Traditionally, the firm is known as a design and innovation-led firm rather than as a mass-market manufacturer.
Apple's new iMac G5 Last year's launch of the iMac G5 caused a stir Leander Kahney, who writes the Cult of Mac column for Wired.com, said he was sceptical about any low cost Mac.
But he said Apple's decision to sue website ThinkSecret.com, which leaked alleged details of the machine, has served to validate the story in many people's eyes.
"A sub-$500 Mac? It sounds too good to be true."
New York Times journalist John Markoff speculated that Apple might be about to unveil an even bigger surprise.
He said that Apple may be about to announce a low-cost home entertainment server - which would give access to movies and music over the net - rather than a low cost computer
He wrote: "Mr Jobs may have his sights on extending Apple in other new directions - perhaps a high-priced set-top box - rather than looking backwards.
"He has worked his magic in Hollywood before and would have the credibility to strike an alliance that might permit Apple to deliver movies and video to some sort of elegant digital home server."
Kahney said: "People think that Steve Jobs could easily do for video over the internet what he has done for music over the internet."
Apple kick-started the legal market for music downloads with its iTunes music store and has the lion's share of the market for digital music players.
This would be a smart move, considering price has been what has kept myself and many others away from the Mac platform.A couple of decent First Person Shooters written for that OS wouldn't hurt either.
That's actually one area where there are a lot of decent Mac games. Halo is already available, and has gotten tremendous reviews.
I'm hoping to see some decent sports games. The closest thing to a real football game is Madden 2000, which will soon feature players that are going to Canton. :-).
Of course I keep telling myself that if I want to play games, I need to get an x-box.
I'd buy a Mac, but I'm not gay.
You're welcome.
I've always had great admiration for Apple and crew. Too bad most of em are lefties...

So much for those Brits and any claim to linguistic superiority.
ROFLMAO!
Yep, guess that explains why I'm a PC kind of guy...
I'd buy a Windows box, but I'm not a masochist.
So over the next week or so I'm going to start shopping for a PC.
Mac mini just announced:
Apple introduces Mac mini. New member of Mac family Slot-load Combo optical drive. Play DVDs, burn CDs. Queit. Tiny, FireWire, ethernet, USB 2.o, both DVI/VGA output. Very tine. Height is half the size of an iPod mini. BYODKM. Bring Your Own Display, Keyboard, Mouse. Firs tone is $499: 1.25GHz 256MB/40GB More memory and larger hard drive for $599. Will ship on January 22. Ships in a box smaller than the regular iPod box.
On a different note, when did computers become "boxes"? I only have a laptop, and would hardly consider it a box. I could see a bunch of techie network people referring to the "box" that they change around all the time and customize, but not consumer PC's.
And finally they announced a new flash based ipod:
IPod Shuffle joins Apple family of iPods offering lots of choice. Jobs show new commercial to be aired. May be available at the Apple Store in San Francisco.iPod shuffle features new iTunes with auto-fill that will automatically select songs for iPod shuffle. Can also be used at flash storage device. 256MB usually cost $149. iPod shuffle in two versions: 512MB ($99) and 1GB ($149). Neon green box. Now shipping. Apple offers four accessories: Dock, Battery extender (20hours of battery life), Car adapter--each $29. Due in next four weeks.
Apple introduces iPod Shuffle..flash based player. Smaller than most packs of gum. Weighs the same as 4 quarters (less than 1 ounce). Volume/Up dow. Simple LED to provide feedback. No display. Either shuffle or album-based playback. USB 2 transfer connector under connector at the bottom. 12-hour rechargeable battery. Mac/PC compatible. Ships with a lanyard that connects directly to bottom connector for easy carrying.
I call them boxes because they are pretty generic.
OK, makes sense.
The apple.com web site has been updated with info on all the new products.
iPhone looks interesting, but I didn't see that on the web site. I'm going to cross my fingers and hope that next year brings an iPod with XM or Sirius receiver built in.
While I have been impressed with the graphics of these new game consoles I could never get used to the two handed gravis style controllers.I like my FPS with a mouse & keyboard I also like joysticks but haven't felt the need to buy one for years.
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.