Rumor: Apple May Release Sub-US$1,000 Notebook Later This Year
23 July 2008 08:46 EST
Chris Barylick
It came from Rumorville, so it must be true.
On Tuesday, investment bank Piper Jaffray stated that it believes Apple is readying new iPod and notebook products which could apply downward pressure to profit margins given a lower price focus. The leading cause for this: a potential new 13" MacBook priced under US$1,000.
According to AppleInsider, Apple caught analysts and investors off guard by guiding the company's gross margin down to 31.5% for the current quarter ending September, and down to 30% for all of fiscal 2009.
In a report released yesterday, Piper Jaffray analyst Gene Munster stated that there appear to be two primary reasons for Apple's market guidance:
First, Munster stated that management is likely continuing with its historical practice of guiding gross margin 270 basis points (2.7%) below the previous quarter's actual margin.
Secondly, he believes the company is preparing to cut the prices of existing products to maintain its momentum during a time of economic uncertainty.
"We believe there is an 80% chance Apple will introduce redesigned MacBooks and possibly new MacBook Pros at lower price points," he wrote. "Specifically, Apple may re-enter the US$999 price point (currently US$1,099) with the MacBook, or test the $1,799 price point with the MacBook Pro (currently US$1,999)."
Munster also stated that he expects "slightly redesigned iPods" that will include "lower-cost touch-based iPods" in time for the holiday shopping season.
"We believe Apple is getting slightly more aggressive with its pricing; but overall the company is not diverting from its strategy of premium pricing," said Munster.
While the focus this week will be "anxiety over gross margin," Munster believes it's only a matter of time before Wall Street clears its head and looks past margin guidance to focus on fundamentals, such as the upcoming product transitions and the positive impact those new products will have on revenue growth.
Stay tuned for more news on this as it becomes available and if you've heard anything on your end, let us know in the comments or forums.
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Rumor: Apple May Distribute iPhone 3G to Chinese Market via China Unicom
18 June 2008 08:24 EST
Chris Barylick
It's been up in the air for a bit, but Apple may have reached a consensus with a Chinese provider for the upcoming iPhone 3G handset.
According to ChinaTechNews, wireless carrier may be receiving the iPhone 3G this August. In the past, Apple had difficulty getting Chinese carriers to accepts Apple's demand of a revenue sharing model.
This tactic may be going by the wayside and recent evidence, such as Chinese character recognition features being found in recent builds of Apple's iPhone/iPod touch software development kit have included Chinese character recognition.
China Unicom has yet to offer an official statement on the situation.
If you have an opinion on this or have heard anything from your end, let us know in the comments or forums.
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Rumor: Apple to Drop PowerPC Architecture Support in Mac OS X 10.6
04 June 2008 08:50 EST
Chris Barylick
Despite the overwhelming focus on a possible 3G iPhone announcement at next week's Worldwide Developers' Conference in San Francisco next week, a new rumor has posited that Apple will already have a new version of Mac OS X available for testing at the event. An additional rumor has stated that the operating system upgrade could launch as early as Macworld 2009.
According to AppleInsider, Apple will be seeding a rough version of its Mac OS X 10.6 operating system to developers attending the conference. The upgrade may see manufacturing as early as December and ship in January of 2009.
Similar to Mac OS X 10.1,, the release would more closely resemble a maintenance release than a complete overhaul. The primary change would be a complete transition to an Intel-only, 64-bit platform that drops PowerPC support, pushing developers to code only for the x86 architecture at the heart of all Macs released from 2006 onwards.
Apple has refrained from commenting on the situation, though the company has dropped an early signs that it may be prepping for 10.6 development via a mention of the upcoming operating system appearing in the latest build of the iPhone software development kit, the most recent version of which appeared last week.
Click the jump for the full story...
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Rumor: Next-Gen iPhone to be 22% Thinner, More Affordable
03 June 2008 08:30 EST
Chris Barylick
The days until a next generation iPhone launch are drawing close and the rumors are getting interesting.
According to Leander Kahney at Cult of Mac, Apple will release a thinner, cheaper iPhone with 3G support and much-improved battery life.
Kahney, who has authored several books about Apple and is an editor at Wired News, cites sources close to the story and has also mentioned that the new handset will offer 3G support, GPS and be available in 16 and 32 gigabyte versions.
No word has been given as to when Apple will release the device, though many expect an announcement at the upcoming Worldwide Developers Conference in San Francisco, California.
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Rumor: Apple May Be Planning Revised MacBook Laptops for Third Quarter
16 May 2008 09:22 EST
Chris Barylick
Apple may have something in the works for the third quarter as MarketWatch is reporting that the company is placing orders with assorted component suppliers for parts.
The company has apparently secured orders from component manufacturers AU Optronics Corp. and Chi Mei Optoelectronics Corp. for flat-panel displays to use in new MacBook units scheduled to ship in the third quarter of this year between July and September.
The news emerges as Mac industry chatter speculates Apple may have a complete redesign of its consumer laptops planned. The overhaul may introduce aluminium, rather than plastic, case designs.
It's the rumor mill, so it has to be true. Let us know what you think over in the comments or forums.
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Rumor: Apple Notebook Lines to Undergo Major Design Changes
08 April 2008 08:00 EST
Chris Barylick
As content as you may be with your MacBook or MacBook Pro laptop, things may be about to change.
According to AppleInsider, sources close to the story have stated that the 13" MacBook will undergo the most significant changes, losing its plastic enclosure for a more eco-friendly set of materials such as aircraft-grade aluminum and stainless steel.
The move, if pushed through, would make an effort made by CEO Steve Jobs to create a "greener Apple," as well as mark an end to the white enclosures that began to be phased out by the launch of the original iMac in 1998.
Sources have also stated that the MacBook Pro is due for aesthetic revisions and could take on a look with influences from the August 2007 aluminum iMacs and the recently-released MacBook Air. The end result, according to sources, would be a more uniform product matrix in terms of design and material usage.
Click the jump for the full story...
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Rumor: Next-Gen iPhone to Feature 3G Support, Video Chat Camera
24 March 2008 08:21 EST
Chris Barylick
It came from Rumorville, so it must be true:
According to MacRumors, Digg.com founder Kevin Rose claims to have heard rumors that Apple's next generation of iPhone will be 3G-capable and also feature a second camera on the front of the unit to be used for video chatting.
Cool stuff, even if rumors are a turkey shoot. 3G for the iPhone has been mentioned (and demanded) over and over again and a second camera would be an original idea, to say the least.
You'll just have to wait and see, but if you've heard anything cool or interesting about the future iPhone, let us know over in the comments or forums.
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Rumor: Apple iPhone/iPod Touch SDK Event Details Emerge
29 February 2008 08:54 EST
Chris Barylick
This week, Apple announced that it would be holding a special event on March 6th at Apple's campus to outline/establish a road map for the long-awaited iPhone/iPod touch software development kit. The meeting is expected to establish terms as to what is kosher and what will be limited in terms of developing and publishing applications for the iPhone and iPod touch handsets.
According to iLounge, which spoke with sources close to the story, Apple may be imposing the following criteria:
iTunes Store as hub: Least controversially, Apple plans to require that all mobile applications be distributed through its iTunes Store, making the Store a necessary hub for those interested in browsing or purchasing iPhone and iPod touch software. While one source suggested that a company’s well-trafficked website or product packaging would be considerably more practical places to distribute certain types of software, another source lauded the Store as a logical place for Apple users to locate and purchase applications.Apple as application picker: The most controversial aspect of Apple’s SDK plan is its intention to formally approve or deny all SDK-based software releases for its devices. Our sources confirm that Apple will act as a gatekeeper for applications, deciding which are and are not worthy of release, and publishing only approved applications to the iTunes Store; a process that will less resemble the iTunes Store’s massive directory of podcasts than its sale of a limited variety of iPod Games. While one source saw this as a positive for major developers, suggesting that Apple will be choked by application submissions and forced to give priority to releases from larger companies, another source disagreed, stating that Apple’s current approval processes for third-party products have resulted in lengthy, needless delays. It is unclear whether Apple will need to approve subsequent bug fixes and feature additions to accepted applications, another issue that could clog the approval system and postpone important improvements.
No accessory connectivity: Under current plans, SDK developers will be prevented from interfacing directly with Dock Connector-based accessories connected to the iPhone or iPod touch—a decision that we are told could cripple development of new accessories such as physical keyboards, traditional add-ons, and more ambitious, creative accessories such as Delphi’s iPhone car control prototype. One source described this limit as a guarantee that SDK-developed applications would be nearly as limited as current web-based ones, while consuming more of the device’s storage capacity. Yet integrated iPhone or iPod touch features such as the phone, Wi-Fi, and camera will be developer-accessible, certainly permitting development of programs that weren’t possible before. It is presently unclear whether Bluetooth 2.0, which is included in the iPhone but crippled to permit only monaural phone call streaming, will be opened to permit stereo audio streaming and data functionality as well.
The story also cites that Apple will release a "beta" version of the software development kit originally promised for February. The final version of the kit is expected to ship in June, coinciding with Apple's Worldwide Developers Conference in San Francisco. Additional announcements such as news regarding increased interoperability with Microsoft Exchange and Lotus Notes are also expected during the event.
And the lines are always open in the comments or forums.
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Rumor: iPhone SDK May Be Delayed Until March
25 February 2008 08:30 EST
Chris Barylick
With February fast running out, a large number of developers have been counting the days until Apple released the iPhone/iPod touch software development kit.
They may have to wait a while longer.
According to BusinessWeek, an inside source has stated that the release date for the devices will slip from its intended release window by one to three weeks.
No justification has been offered for the delay, although Apple reportedly sees progress for the kit as "fluid" and may not offer much in the way of explanation.
"There are, apparently, a lot of moving parts to something this complex," wrote BusinessWeek's Arik Hesseldahl.
Despite the delay, rumors have surfaced that the iPhone maker has been eager to spur development as soon as possible and may have released an early SDK to select developers, including a social networking site.
Stay tuned for more information on this as it becomes available and let us know what you think over in the comments or forums.
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Rumor: iPhone SDK Details Begin to Emerge
14 February 2008 08:00 EST
Chris Barylick
With the iPhone software development kit only a few days from release, the guys over at The Unofficial Apple Weblog have begun to sort through some leaked tidbits of what's to come:
1. The SDK will ship on time for late February, but many features will be delayed, so this will be at best an alpha or beta release.2. People who are in Apple's documentation department are working triple-quadruple-double-secret overtime.
3. Simulator will be there but you can also test applications directly on the hardware, via a docking cable tether.
Cool stuff and it should be interesting to get your hands on it. If anyone out there has seen an early version or can provide any insight as to what to expect, let us know in the comments or forums.
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Rumor: Apple Quietly Working on iPhone Radio Technology
11 February 2008 08:51 EST
Chris Barylick
It may be a bit down the line, but it could be cool when it comes out.
According to Macworld UK, Apple is quietly working on a technology that will allow iPhone users to receive and listen to digital radio.
The finding, buried in a report detailing a move away from DAB on the part of digital radio entity, GCap Media, mentions a variety of changes for GCap Media before mentioning a strange but useful Apple nugget.
According to the report, GCap Media has announced plans to sell its 63% stake in Digital One, England's national commercial radio digital broadcasting platform. The report cites that while 10% of UK radio listeners use a digital radio, the vast majority still simply listen to shows also available on FM frequencies and questions the costs associated with the platform.
In addition to closing down national digital stations such as TheJazz and Planet Rock, GCap is also selling Xfm analog licenses in Scotland, South Wales and Manchester, retaining only Xfm London.
Oddly enough, the report cites that GCap's greatest growth opportunities are presently FM and broadband-focused and that an upcoming tie-in with Apple allowing people to listen to digital radio on their iPhones.
No official comment has been released from either Apple or GCAP, though this could be an interesting development for the iPhone user base.
Stay tuned for updates from the PowerPage as this story develops and if you've heard anything, let us know in the comments or forums.
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Apple Store Down: 16 Gigabyte iPhone Rumor Comes Alive
05 February 2008 08:00 EST
Chris Barylick
It's Tuesday (Apple's favorite day to launch new hardware) and the guys at Engadget are reporting that a revised, 16 gigabyte iPhone may be in the works.
Other rumors of the morning focus on the release of the new MacBook Pro laptops running Intel's recently-released Penryn architecture with an enhanced multi-touch touchpad or a few more countries being added to the iPhone rollout.
It's anyone's guess at this point, but all anyone really knows is that Apple's online store is down and no one's quite sure what to expect.
If you have any suggestions, let us know over in the comments or forums.
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Rumor: MacBook Air to Arrive in Apple Store Locations This Wednesday
28 January 2008 08:30 EST
Chris Barylick
For those of you qualifying as more than eager to get your mitts on a MacBook Air or just want to test one out in person before putting down US$1,799, you may just get your wish this week.
According to Boy Genius Report, the "two weeks" that Jobs mentioned during his Macworld Expo keynote as to when the laptop would be showing up is about done. Inside sources have stated that product banners and visuals will go up Monday night while Genius Bar employees receive their official training today.
The current update is pointing towards a Wednesday launch. That being said, your three pounds of notebook spiffiness isn't that far away.
If you've heard anything new about the launch or have an opinion to throw in about the Macbook Air, let us know over in the comments and forums.
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Rumors of a Pink iPod Nano, Canadian iPhone and New Items Abound as Apple Store Goes Offline
22 January 2008 08:15 EST
Chris Barylick
Following its Tuesday release history, Apple has taken down its online store just hours before announcing its first quarter financial returns.
According to Engadget, the current rumors floating around have mentioned a possible new pink ipod nano, possible Penryn-based MacBook Pro or a Canadian iPhone launch.
It's anyone's guess and we'll know in a few hours...
Have a guess as to what's coming up? Let us know over in the comments or forums.
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Rumor: MWSF Keynote Agenda
14 January 2008 08:54 EST
Kenn Marks
This rumor comes to you from our friends in France at iPhon.fr. I have searched elsewhere and cannot ferret out another reference. Don't know where this originated but it follows Steve's format of presentation and could be authentic or just another rumor like Keynote Bingo where you download a Bingo card covered in supposed topics to be covered in the keynote, you cross them off the card as they are announced and see if you win Bingo. If you play, remember to cross of the updated Mac Pro (A FREE space)
Click the jump for the full story...
Let us know what you think over in the comments and forums.
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iTunes 7.6 to Support Movie Rental Service
10 January 2008 08:00 EST
Chris Barylick
With Macworld Expo just around the corner next week in San Francisco, some cool things may be emerging from the software end. According to AppleInsider, iTunes 7.6 has been confirmed as complete and ready for launch in the coming days.
The new version has been confirmed as supporting a new rental service that will let iTunes Store shoppers spend between US$2 and US$5 to download movies from studios such as Walt Disney, Twentieth Century Fox and others. Once downloaded, the movies will last for 24 hours before they expire/become unplayable.
Apple's foray into digital rentals may also be complemented by a move on the opposite end of the spectrum, whereby movie studios participating in the iTunes rental service will also begin shipping physical copies of their movies with iPod-compatible versions included on the same DVD.
Like the rental service, iPod-comptable digital film files that will be included on future DVD discs may also require the presence of iTunes 7.6.
Stay tuned for further details as they emerge and let us know what you think over in the comments and forums.
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Thin-MacBook Concept Images Leaked
07 January 2008 08:10 EST
Chris Barylick
Macworld Expo begins next week and a leaked set of concept designs for the ultra-thin MacBook (or "ThinBook" or "SlimBook", pick your monicker) has circulated around the Internet.
Over at MacRumors, a small gallery has been posted.
Here's the most interesting one:
In multiple cases, the design centers around a wide touchpad derived from an earlier Apple patent initially described back in 2006.
The touchpad's functionality would be as follows:
"the wide touchpad may be a cursor control device having the capabilities of conventional computer mouse devices, such as the ability to point, drag, tap and double tap objects on a graphical user interface, as well as more general purposes such as scrolling, panning, zooming, and rotating images on display screen."
Cool stuff and we'll see how it pans out next week. Until then, head over to the gallery and let us know what you think over in the comments and forums.
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Rumor: Copy and Paste, Other Features to Emerge in iPhone 1.1.3 Firmware Update
03 January 2008 08:30 EST
Chris Barylick
Heading back to Rumorville (where hamburgers eat people), various sources are stating that the long-awaited iPhone/iPod touch version 1.1.3 firmware update will be released during Macworld Expo 2008 this month. According to MacScoop, the current copy firmware update lacks all of the features slated to be included in the update, despite being leaked on the Internet.
Reports have stated that the update will add a copy and paste feature as well as interface improvements, stability and performance boosts (especially where user interface and application hang bugs are concerned), offer an improved Google Maps with localization and hybrid views and introduce mass SMS sending and a multi-page editable home screen.
Stay tuned for more details as they emerge and if you have anything you'd like to see in the next iPhone/iPod touch firmware update, let us know in the comments or forums.
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Rumor: Apple May Offer External Optical Drive to Outfit Rumored Sub-Notebook
02 January 2008 12:26 EST
Chris Barylick
Straight from Rumorville (where everything must be true), reports have surfaced that Apple is likely to offer an external optical drive as an optional accessory for its long-awaited sub-notebook.
The laptop, which has stirred through the rumor and hype mill, is said to be an ultra-compact notebook design that will lack a built-in optical drive as a means of keeping the unit light, its power requirements lower and its overall size smaller.
According to AppleInsider, Apple is currently planning to offer an external optical drive capable of both reading and writing to CD and DVD media.
Though said to be originally included in the notebook's design, the ergonomics of the drive reportedly forced engineers to make the concession and thus plan for an external optical drive.
Other features of the upcoming Apple sub-notebook, due to make its inaugural appearance during a keynote presentation by chief executive Steve Jobs at the Macworld Expo on January 15th, are onboard NAND flash memory, a 13.3" LED-backlit display, built-in iSight and a footprint that is nearly 50% thinner and lighter than the company's current MacBook Pro offerings.
Stay tuned to the PowerPage for more details as they emerge and be on the lookout for full Apple sub-notebook coverage during Macworld Expo San Francisco this month.
As always, let us know what you think over in the comments or forums.
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Rumor: Apple May be Readying HD Radio Device for Macworld
28 December 2007 12:30 EST
Chris Barylick
When Apple essentially killed its iPod Hi-Fi speaker earlier this year, users were a little flummoxed as to why this suddenly went off the shelves. The answer may be appearing at Macworld Expo next month. The guys from iLounge have learned that Apple may be planning a push for iTunes Tagging-ready, HD Radio-equipped boomboxes complete with iPod docks for the event.
Announced back in September, iTunes Tagging is an HD Radio feature designed to encourage iTunes sales by allowing listeners to "Tag" a song that happens to be playing. Once tagged, the song is added to a "Tagged" playlist on the connected iPod. When the unit is synced with a computer, the playlist appears in iTunes and becomes easy to track and purchase from tagged tracks in the iTunes Store.
Click the jump for the full story...
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Rumor: Apple, Intel to Collaborate on Ultra-Mobile Processors, Devices
21 December 2007 02:21 EST
Chris Barylick
There's an old saying about strange bedfellows, especially when two companies were bitter rivals for years.
Still, if Apple and Intel are making a killer product in the end, that saying tends to go out the door.
According to AppleInsider, Apple and Intel will form a closer bond in early 2008 with the goal of creating a line of ultra-mobile processors that can work with a new generation of handheld devices.
Sources close to the projec have cited that Apple will soon emerge as one of Intel's biggest supporters for its "Menlow" Mobile Internet Device platform. Additional details have pointed to Apple being interested in Intel's 45 nanometer "Silverthorne" chip as the processor for not just one, but multiple products en route for the 2008 calendar year roadmap.
Silverthorne, which was introduced at this year's spring Intel Developer Forum, has been slated for release in early 2008 and seems aimed at cell phones, ultra-mobils PCs and other devices. The chip is expected to be as fast as the second generation of Pentium M processors while only using between half a watt and two watts of electrical power (about a tenth of that consumed by a typical notebook processor).
Click the jump for the full story...
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Rumor: Goldman Sachs States iPhone, Apple TV Revisions on the Horizon
12 December 2007 02:21 EST
Chris Barylick
As much as Apple would like to keep its analysts and suppliers quiet, this isn't always the case.
According to AppleInsider, representatives from Goldman Sachs, after meeting with key component suppliers and manufacturers in Asia, have stated that they believe Apple will introduce two revisions to the iPhone in 2008 -- one major and one minor. Also included in upcoming revisions is an anticipated Apple TV overhaul during the second half of the year.
On Tuesday, analyst David Bailey released a research note advising client that his Far Eastern contacts have lead him to believe that "Apple has several important new products lined up for 2008," although the changes would be more gradual than Apple's marquee release of the iPhone earlier this year.
The second-generation iPhone, which, according to Bailey, is currently in a "final design phase," is expected to "have a similar form factor as the current version although it could have a different look and will probably include 3G capability." Bailey also estimated that the device will launch in the second half of 2008 but believes the company will sate customers with "a smaller upgrade with more flash memory earlier in the year."
Click the jump for the full story...
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Rumor: Apple May Introduce E-Book-Focused iPod
07 December 2007 09:01 EST
Chris Barylick
Althoug Amazon's Kindle e-book reader has been taking a bit of abuse in recent weeks, Apple may be able to do it better.
According to Indian news web site The Hindustan (web site is currently down, but the story has been corroborated by booktrade.info, Apple seems set to introduce a next-generation video iPod with a book-reading mode designed to make print easy to read.
The company has reportedly asked a number of the world's major publishing firms to commit their book libraries to their electronic archives. Customers can then download text versions of books to their video iPods and read them on the go.
Such a move would place Apple in direct competition against Amazon as well as other outfits producing alternate readers.
No details have emerged as to a potential release date for such a device.
If you have any thoughts on this, let us know in the comments or forums.
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