You’ve probably already read about the invitations that Apple sent out inviting the media to come to Cupertino on the 28th to see some ‘fun new products’. The choice of words really struck me. My first reaction was some sort of game machine, or maybe the much-speculated larger iPod, but that doesn’t seem to fit the wording.
Coming from Apple, this sort of ‘teaser’ phrase is usually not literal; rather it has some clever twist that becomes fully clear after the announcements have happened. But I can’t figure out what it might be.
Anyone have any ideas?
Update
I’m now guessing it will be a new Mac mini. I couldn’t think of a product they would describe as ‘fun’ (besides PhotoBooth), but looking at the description of the current mini I noticed this phrase (emphasis mine):
“Mac mini provides what you need to have more fun with your music, photos and movies — right out of the box.”
Guillermo – Only the people directly involved would know what was coming.
My money’s on iPod Boombox.
I’ll make two guesses:
- The new Mac Mini
- Wireless iSight
- The debut of the MacBook (previously iBook)
Too many damn announcements
How many special events can you have in 1 year? Something is changing in Apple…
As for what, how about a 10″ iPod weighing 10lbs?
And Mike, in the Keynote rehearsals, were those not involved simply taken out of the hall while rehearsing things they didn’t know about?
Link92 – the rehearsal situation varied. The primary group of Apple people, including product managers for anything that was going to be shown in the keynote, was generally there the entire time. In some cases this meant they got to see things they didn’t know about before rehearsal started. For third-party presenters, like Adobe, Microsoft, and so on, they were only admitted to the room during their specific segment(s).
Ah, I guess that’s fair enough. I guess you [product managers] were under tighter NDAs (in your contract?) than the third-party presenters?
Some people are reading a lot into the iCal icon, but I dunno so much …
I think the iCal icon should give some clues so I would think something like a Cell phone or a Tablet
Umm. Have there been many launches in Infinite loop. Seems a bit unusual. A PDA would be nice as the Newton was amazing. An apple games console seems ridiculous. A mobile phone wont be bad and the fact that all these tablet patents have been granted, I think a tablet is a possibilty.
Azhar – the original iPod was introduced in this same location.
Well, I have a feeling it will be quite an important event. Will not be as big April the 1st but it will be quite important. Does anyone else feel that it may not be something revelutionary but something very different from Apple.
Finally someone’s got it link92,
Steve told us himself at MWSF that it would be a 10lb iPod with a 10″ screen. Also we should expect an iPod toaster – you don’t think he would lie do you?
Anyway i would guess there will be a few smaller products (e.g. iPod boombox and other accessories) and perhaps also a new full size iPod (possible a touch screen video one or an updated shuffle) and (if we’re lucky)/or a new intel Mac Mini (probably not an iBook). The other possibility is something totally different like a tablet (apple style) or phone (doesn’t seem fun enough to me).
BTW Mike what is this Apple Town Hall in Building 4 that is referred to in the invitation. Did many places in the Apple campus have such strange names?
Sorry – my above post was pretty vague.
I will be decisive and guess a new intel Mac Mini and an iPod boombox (It is product”s” after all)!
Pierce – ALL the meeting and conference rooms at Apple have ‘creative’ names: ‘Star Trek’, ‘Mission Impossible’, ‘Lego’, ‘Three Amigos’, etc.
Town Hall is the largest of the meeting rooms; more like a theatre really. I’d guess it holds about 300 people.
Sorry for sidetracking by im intrigued by infinate loop. Is the store the only part open to visitors? Also is the inside like a normal office or is it completly differnt. I’ve seen footage of the inside of Google land or whatever its called and it seems unique. Obviously Apple were the first to think different so are the walls made of aluminium, or are the floors covered in white plastic, oh yeh do people walk around or rollerskate. If people were to rollerskate around an office in the UK they would certainly be laughed at. Sorry for asking these childish questions but it seems so interesting.