[eleven24]

Ok Apple zealots, what will Jobs announce today? Rumors abound that it could be...

* A 6th Gen full screen iPod with the tactile scroll wheel replaced with a touch screen touch wheel.

* A 6th Gen iPod with tactile touch wheel and wireless (bluetooth) connectivity.

* Intel Core Duo Mac Mini

* Intel Core Duo Mac Mini Media Center (which I'm hoping for!)

* Widescreen HD MacBook Pro

[vladinecko]

all i care about is either something touchscreen, preferably, a tablet, OR some kind kind of media center.

can't wait though, both geneva auto show and a special apple media event the same day, and i have to have a lunch meeting :mad:

[vladinecko]

i just hope it won't be that boombox thing, i don't wanna see yet another iPod accessory...

[findtom]

I hope it's a Mac alternative to Windows Media Center. It would make sense considering Itunes is now selling tv shows.

I hope it's not a new and hot ipod because I just bought an Ipod video last week!

[SCA]

I'd like to see the iBook replacement (MacBook). I do not need another iPod product, but if something impressive debuts I will be tempted.

[vladinecko]

Originally Posted by findtom

I hope it's a Mac alternative to Windows Media Center. It would make sense considering Itunes is now selling tv shows.

I hope it's not a new and hot ipod because I just bought an Ipod video last week!

you got an iPod that does video, not a video iPod. there is a big possibility that a new iPod will be announced before the 2Q of this year. however, i think just like the BMW's geneva press conference, Apple will also announce something completely lame and expected (not that the Z4 M coupe is lame, just the press release was) such as a new feature in iTunes or some stupid iPod accessory that will allow you to do something, but now wirelessly. BIG FREAKING DEAL!

oh man, i'm pissed before the event even began...

[findtom]

They're overdue for an apple version of Windows Media Center... do they even have anything out?

If not they're way behind, it sucks I have to run 2 libraries of music... one for my ipod and one for windows media center.

[vladinecko]

if they do come out with a media center something, i hope it's going to actually work well and not miss any features. i know nothing about windows media centers, but can you actually plug your cable box in it and they get a TV output? if so, does it do HD? if the apple version of media center doesn't do any or all of that, i'll be very disappointed in them. i know mac mini couldn't do it before because it was just too slow for HD, but with Intel Core Duo, it should be capable enough.

[findtom]

Yes, everything runs into the computer... then out to your tv and audio receiver.

I'm not sure about HDTV though.... I used to have regular digital cable hooked up and there was definitely some quality loss. You'd need a helluva processor to instantly encode a high definition signal but I'm sure people do it.

I cancelled my cable before I changed from my EDTV plasma to an HDTV LCD so I never tried it... I just download all my tv shows and movies now. The LCD is connected as a monitor so it's obviously capable of displaying HDTV... I think you can actually download tv shows encoded in high definition.

Cliffs: Windows Media Center is the shit.

[Squawks]

You can download video encoded in HD but the quality is usually too tremendous for the average (and even above-average) computer to be able to run smoothly.

If you're expecting HD from a source, the main rules to remember is that 1) the source can output HD - which can be easily observed if the output is HDMI or component and 2) you have to use either HDMI or component. More advanced components have Firewire/iLink and VGA inputs/outputs.

I saw several windows media centers already (made from various brands, including Sony) - they can output in HD (e.g. the desktop, file library, photos, etc.) but it is questionable whether they are powerful enough to run HD video smoothly. Some can, some can't.

[vladinecko]

ok, so as expected, the new products are iPod Hi-Fi and a new Mini that is NOT a media center in any way, only has the new Intel chip inside. whatever.

lame, as i thought.

[eleven24]

YAWN.

Yippee - the Mac Mini now comes in Intel and you can hook it to your TV. Comes with Front Row and Bonjour to access any media on a Mac in your home. Big deal. I can stream a $1.99 TV show encoded for viewing on a iPod and watch it on my 50" TV via a Mac Mini.

Let me know when it had DVR functionality built in. And a toaster oven, a microwave, and a random orbital buffing robot named Gracie.

A boombox and a $99 leather ipod case? Wow, Steve.

[vladinecko]

Originally Posted by eleven24

YAWN.

Yippee - the Mac Mini now comes in Intel and you can hook it to your TV. Comes with Front Row and Bonjour to access any media on a Mac in your home. Big deal. I can stream a $1.99 TV show encoded for viewing on a iPod and watch it on my 50" TV via a Mac Mini.

Let me know when it had DVR functionality built in. And a toaster oven, a microwave, and a random orbital buffing robot named Gracie.

A boombox and a $99 leather ipod case? Wow, Steve.

[Imperial]

wow. That definitely didn't deliver the hype...

[SCA]

Originally Posted by Imperial

wow. That definitely didn't deliver the hype...

Exactly...

[vladinecko]

no wonder their stock is down by almost 2.5 points. this should have been a quite release, put it on the bottom of their webpage. not a media event, that's just ridiculous.

and what's up with DOW. it's going down like there is no tomorrow...it's below 11k again, wtf?

[Lost Rider]

Lame.
I want a 60 gig iPod the size of the nano, with wifi built in.

[vladinecko]

Originally Posted by ChiTown

Lame.
I want a 60 gig iPod the size of the nano, with wifi built in.

well, i guess you're gonna have to wait for this one a bit

[findtom]

You can build your own windows media center PC and spec it however you want, that's what I did. The whole thing was under $1000... and that includes about $300 for a snazzy computer case.

Yup, that press conference was pretty much of a letdown. Oh well, at least my ipod isn't obsolete quite yet.

[SCA]

Originally Posted by ChiTown

Lame.
I want a 60 gig iPod the size of the nano, with wifi built in.

How about all that plus BT and smaller than a Nano? 60GB Micro Nano.

[vladinecko]

well, the thing about mac mini media center is its form factor. that is why i was really looking forward to something that would be better than current media centers and you could just throw behind your DVD player and it would take no space.

[findtom]

My case is one of these:
http://www.ahanix.com/ctg_htc.html

You wouldn't use your DVD player anymore.