MacShrine

First up we have the new wired Keyboard. This retails for $49 and as you can guess by the name - is wired. It features a full key set and includes a new “media” buttons such as Play/Pause, Dashboard and Exposé. It also has 2 USB ports on it, goody.

Secondly there is the new wireless Keyboard. This retails for $79, $20 more than the wired version but contains less keys! It’s a basically a laptop keyboard for desktops (although of course you can use it for your laptop). It connects via Bluetooth and also has the new “media” buttons. Look below for a picture of the “media” button set:

We’ve no specs or anything at all but we can confirm this Tuesday there will be new iMacs released with new keyboards. We’re presuming that the Mighty Mouse will be updated as well to suit the new color scheme. Hurrah! only 2 more days…

AppleInsider is reporting that Apple’s upcoming iMac revamp will come with snazzy new keyboards similar to the MacBooks. They say:

Tapping the wizardry of industrial design chief Jonathan Ive and his team, the Cupertino-based Mac maker has reportedly crafted a super-slim external keyboard for the new Macs. It’s said to draw upon the aesthetic and feel of the low-profile keyboard which was first integrated with the company’s 13-inch MacBook portables in May of 2006.

Apple today premiered Apple TV (code named “iTV”), an easy-to-use and fun way to wirelessly play all your favorite iTunes content from your Mac or PC on your widescreen TV, including movies, TV shows, music, photos and podcasts. Using Apple TV’s new interface, anyone can quickly browse and view their entire collection of digital media from across the room using the simple and intuitive Apple Remote. Apple TV easily connects to almost all modern widescreen televisions, and will be shipping in February for $299. Apple TV has a 40GB hard drive to store up to 50 hours of video, 9,000 songs, 25,000 photos or a combination of each and is capable of delivering high-definition 720p output. It is easy to connect to a broad range of widescreen TVs and home theater systems and comes standard with HDMI, component video, analog and optical audio ports. Using high-speed AirPort 802.11 wireless networking, Apple TV can auto-sync content from one computer or stream content from up to five additional computers right to your TV without any wires. The only bad part (which makes the whole idea seem pointless) is that it cannot play any video files apart from those bought via iTunes, talk about having a monopoly…

Toshiba’s new 1.8″ hard drive can store 100GB of data whereas current models hold a maximum of 80GB. Toshiba plans to start mass producing the drives in January next year. Updated iPods at Macworld?

DigiTimes are reporting that Apple, and other LCD vendor companies such as ViewSonic and Dell, are set to launch a widescreen 17″ LCD screen. Take this with a pinch of salt as DigiTimes have a historically bad record at rumors. Oh well, one can hope - and we really hope!

LCD monitor vendors expect 17″ widescreen monitors to replace entry-level and middle-range 15″ and 17″ LCD monitors in the future. The prices for 17″ widescreen monitors will not necessary be higher than 17″ 4:3 models because of more efficient panel cutting by makers.

In a rare move, Apple provided a sneak peek of the long rumored Apple media center. Currently codenamed iTV, it has the apperance of a flattened Mac mini. Providing various audio and video outputs, it is intended to be connected to a TV, communicating wirelessly with your Mac or PC and displaying a Front Row like interface for the content on your computer. The ‘iTV’ is to be available in Q1 2007, priced at $299. Final details and launch date is expected to be announced at Macworld in January.

Steve Jobs “one more thing…” at the “It’s Showtime!” event next week could be an iPhone. All products sold in America must be safety checked by the FCC. Details and photos of the product are then made public. This process normally takes 6-8 weeks. So for them to catch the holiday season with the iPhone, they must have or be about to send the iPhone in for approval. Apple is then said to announce the product next week, but will only launch it with the approval… This way details and photos won’t leak. The iPhone is said to be available in 3 colors (Black, white and “platinum”) with a magnesium-alloy case as well as 2MP camera (photo and video capable) with flash. Also they apparently look similar to the upcoming iPod nanos which are also in magnesium-alloy casing and are said to come in colors.

Update: Hmm, seems not…

Apple is preparing to update their iMac range in September to be powered by Intels new Merom processors. These new processors have dual cores and are 64-bit compatible. The update will bring in a new flagship iMac model at 23″ with 2.33GHz processor followed by another model in 2.16GHz. These will be the first Macs to have Dual Core processors. It is expected that the whole Mac range will shift to the Merom by Spring next year as Mac OS X Leopard will take advantage of 64-bit…

Update: ThinkSecret and AppleInsider have both confirmed reports on the new iMac. Get your credit cards at the ready!

Update 2: They’ve now been released.

AppleInsider reports that Apple is working on a new all-in-one Mac for education, to replace the phased-out eMac, and that Apple is targeting release in the “September timeframe” 2006. If so, Apple would catch only the tail end of the purchase cycle for the school year beginning this Fall, since many educational institutions, faculty, and students are already planning their next purchases. The upcoming model is said to have a design similar to the current iMac, with a single enclosure, LCD screen, and an Intel Core Solo processor. It is not clear whether it will simply be a lower-end iMac or be a distinct model line. Apple’s challenge will be to keep the price down, despite the switch to LCD displays, because of the competitive pressures in the education market.

Apple previously trademarked the term “Mac Pro” in New Zealand in late 2005. On May 17th 2006, the same name was trademarked through the U.S. Patent Office under the following classifications:

computers; computer hardware; computer software; computer peripherals; notebook computers; laptop computers; tablet computers; computer servers; handheld computers; mobile computers; hard drives; audio speakers; speakers for computers; personal digital assistants; electronic organizers; electronic notepads; magnetic data carriers; computer gaming machines; microprocessors; memories boards; monitors; displays; keyboards; computer input devices; computer cables; modems; printers; parts and accessories for all the aforesaid goods.

Steve Jobs had indicated that Apple weas moving away from the “Power” name when the MacBook Pro was first announced saying “It’s a new name [MacBook Pro] because we’re kinda done with ‘Power’ and because we want ‘Mac’ in the name of our products.”

Nike and Apple have teamed up to launch a new line of NIKE+iPod products. The two companies today announced the first product developed through the partnership - the NIKE+iPod Sport Kit, a wireless system that allows Nike+ footwear to connect to an iPod nano to store information on time, distance, calories burned and pace. The kit provides real-time audible feedback through headphones, and includes an in-shoe sensor and a small receiver that attaches to the dock connector of the iPod. The new NIKE+ Air Zoom Moire is the first footwear designed to work with the kit. The NIKE+iPod Sport Kit will be available “within 60 days” for a retail price of $29. Please note that the battery cannot be replaced on the reciever, so a new one will have to be purchased when it dies. Also the kit requires iTunes 6.0.5 which has not been released yet.

They come in White or Black and all feature: 13″ widescreen “glossy” at 1280×800 display, Front Row and Apple Remote, integrated iSight, MagSafe, integrated Intel GMA 950 graphics with 64 MB shared graphics memory, mini-DVI with extended display support, 512MB 667 Mhz DDR2 SDRAM (PC2-5300), 1 Firewire 400, 2 USB 2.0 ports, Gigabit Ethernet and Airport Extreme + Bluetooth 2.0 (EDR) Standard. The iBook G4 and 12″ Powerbook G4 have been dropped from the Apple Store. The MacBooks come in 1.83Ghz White ($1,099), 2.0Ghz White ($1,299) and 2.0Ghz Black ($1,499). Check them out at Apple. The Black one is horrible!

Although the first generation of Origami (UMPC) devices are not all shipping yet, Sony has previewed it’s first entry into the space with their first second generation device. The device is set to be released in July and so far we know that it has a 7″ touch screen, WiFi, Bluetooth, Biometric scanner, 2MP camera, keyboard and WWAN. Seems pretty cool.

Arghhh, I’m getting tired of all these MacBook and iPod rumors. Just release the darn things Apple! The Register has the “latest”…

Update: I found this on Colorware. Could the new iPod red simply be something like this? The U2 black and red was a lot nicer.

Nikkei Net Interactive has a report claiming that Apple and Softbank are co-developing a mobile phone with iPod features. They have already reached an agreement on the development of this device. The new device will be Apple branded:

Apple, which will be selling cell phone handsets under its own brand for the first time, is expected to outsource production. The company is believed to have chosen Softbank as its partner because Softbank plans to offer high-speed Internet access for cell phones, for a mobile iTunes store.

SoftBank is known to have diversified its activities into the mobile business with the acquisition of Vodafone Japan. The new phone is expected to be introduced first in Japan then later in the USA.

Apple today unveiled the new 17″ MacBook Pro featuring the Intel Core Duo processor and an all new system architecture that delivers up to five times the performance of the PowerBook G4. The new 17″ MacBook Pro features an aluminum enclosure just one inch thin, weighs 6.8 pounds, includes a built-in iSight video camera for video conferencing on-the-go, and the Front Row media system with Apple Remote. The 17″ MacBook Pro also features a MagSafe Power Adapter. It’s priced at $2,799 and will be available from next week!

This is pretty cool as it is the first keyboard to integrate a universal iPod dock into its design. This allows for easy synchronization and charging of all iPods without the hassle of additional wiring. The keyboard also comes with a line-out for audio peripheral plug-ins, two USB ports for convenient peripheral plug-ins and a gold-plated USB connector for optimal conductivity. The gently sloping wrist rest gives way to an ergonomic design and its pure white exterior paired with blue-white ambient keyboard backlight combines to create a clean, minimalist design. Should be available in April from Razer Pro. No pricing has been announced yet.

Apple today announced the iPod Hi-Fi. Pull black grille off of white box to reveal three speaker drivers. Integrated power supply - no brick. 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. Great bass, doesn’t distort when cranked up. Universal Dock connector and integrated handles. It’s a sealed resin enclosure, and doesn’t vibrate. iPod integration: there’s a software update for iPods that puts a speaker menu item in the main menu. Tone control, backlight always on or off, large album art on or off. Screen can go black and just show album art. Controlled with the Apple Remote. It costs $349 and goes on sale today. Let’s all go buy something worth nearly as much as our iPod! Is Apple trying to extort us all today?

We’ve been posting so many images these past days that we thought why not another three? One image shows the actual MacTablet whilst the other two show interface shots from within Mac OS X and the virtual keyboard and numberpad. Clicky below for larger versions.

  

On Wednesday Apple Computer confirmed the fact that the new iMacs experience video playback problems. An article at Information Week states that video sometimes has random horizontal lines, ghosting, video tearing, and other problems. These do not occur when playing movies in QuickTime, rather in iMovie and in alt-tabbing circumstances. Consumer Machine takes a good look at what exactly is wrong. They say that most cases are not software related, pointing the finger at ATI. An excerpt from a company email reads:

Apple is aware of this issue and is looking into it, If a customer has any technical issues, they should contact AppleCare.

According to ThinkSecret, Apple is to release the new Intel iBooks (a.k.a MacBook) in March. The new notebook is said to have a 13.3″ display and use the Intel Duo Solo processor.

Sources continue to report that the iBooks will arrive clad in a new enclosure; one more significant than a mere incremental update to the current iBook’s design.

Apparently the iPod boombox was meant to be announced along with the iPod radio last week at Macworld, but the whole keynote was taking too long so Apple decided to release it this week at NAMM (a music product show). Same goes with the “Asteroid” GarageBand breakout box. This does sound rather plausible since Apple does like to do “small announcements” at various expos throughout the year.

The new age is here, the first of the Mactels has arrived on Earth! Apple has released new iMacs powered by Intel Duo Core, but everything else is the same - even the price. So we have the 17″ 1.83GHz model at $1,299 and the 20″ 2.0GHz model at $1,699.00. Both come with iLife ‘06, Airport Extreme, Bluetooth and a rather snazzy ATI Radeon X1600 graphics card. They are available now at your local Apple Store or online.