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t_hah · Feb 28, 2006, 10:55 AM

So... do you guys know which sites will have live coverage for today's special event?

wdlove · Feb 28, 2006, 11:07 AM

I don't think that there will be any live coverage. Hopefully there will be a QuickTime release of the event later today.

rickey939 · Feb 28, 2006, 11:10 AM

http://macrumors.com

rparke1 · Feb 28, 2006, 02:12 PM

iLounge: New Mac mini
Based on Intel, single-processor and dual-processor chip versions.
2.5x - 3.2x faster

demibob · Feb 28, 2006, 02:16 PM

with front row
http://www.ilounge.com/index.html

Diggory Laycock · Feb 28, 2006, 02:17 PM

Engadet is - but their server is failing...

It's two and a half to three times faster in the same box. Also, putting a core duo processor in the Mini, it's 4.8x to 5.5x faster. We have a product that's over five times faster in the same form factor. We've added gigabit ethernet and doubled the number of USB 2 ports to four. Analog and SPDIF input and output. And its really quiet, it's a pretty great product.

five times faster - yeah - right....

[edit] - hmm - engadget guy must have got over-excited while typing...

demibob · Feb 28, 2006, 02:19 PM

its not five times faster according to ilounge
"2.5x - 3.2x faster"

rparke1 · Feb 28, 2006, 02:23 PM

macCentral:The Mac mini appears physically the same as it did before, but it's 2.5x to 3.2x faster than its predecessor (using the same benchmarks Apple offers for the iMac and MacBook Pro), thanks to the inclusion of the new Intel Core Solo CPU, depending on clock speed. For the Core Duo models, it's 4.8x or 5.5x times faster on those tests.

ort888 · Feb 28, 2006, 02:25 PM

The mini went up in price??? LAME!

rparke1 · Feb 28, 2006, 02:26 PM

$599 for single core and $799 for duo

production_coordinator · Feb 28, 2006, 02:29 PM

Originally Posted by Diggory Laycock

Engadet is - but their server is failing...

five times faster - yeah - right....

[edit] - hmm - engadget guy must have got over-excited while typing...

STOP

Before we go down this road AGAIN... the CPU WILL BE 2-5 times faster!

The COMPUTER (CPU+motherboard+hard drive+RAM+etc.) will NOT b 2-5 times faster.

ort888 · Feb 28, 2006, 02:32 PM

Steve Jobs the vegan selling leather iPod cases? HA!

baw · Feb 28, 2006, 02:32 PM

Haha. Raised the price.

vmarks · Feb 28, 2006, 02:36 PM

Originally Posted by ort888

Steve Jobs the vegan selling leather iPod cases? HA!

Steve's benz has leather seats more than likely as well. What's a well-heeled vegan to do?

ort888 · Feb 28, 2006, 02:37 PM

How much is this speaker thing going to be. I bet it's $299.

rparke1 · Feb 28, 2006, 02:38 PM

IPod integration: there's a software update for iPods that puts a speaker menu item in the main menu

ort888 · Feb 28, 2006, 02:39 PM

$349... funny.

rparke1 · Feb 28, 2006, 02:39 PM

Price: $349 - Goes on sale today.

baw · Feb 28, 2006, 02:39 PM

$349

Diggory Laycock · Feb 28, 2006, 02:40 PM

Originally Posted by production_coordinator

STOP

Before we go down this road AGAIN... the CPU WILL BE 2-5 times faster!

The COMPUTER (CPU+motherboard+hard drive+RAM+etc.) will NOT b 2-5 times faster.

I'm not the one stating "We have a product that's over five times faster in the same form factor" - sounds a little like he's talking about the Mac, doesn't it. Watch that spin, Steve.

rparke1 · Feb 28, 2006, 02:41 PM

engadget: 10:30am PT - You want a wide frequency range... room filling power without distortion. We're gonna introduce one today that has some of the attributes of some of the speakers out there today. Today we're introducing the iPod Hi-Fi.

ThinkInsane · Feb 28, 2006, 02:43 PM

Where's this iPod update that's supposedly already out? Nothing on software update and I don't see it on the Apple website yet.

Salty · Feb 28, 2006, 02:43 PM

http://news.com.com/2061-10801_3-604...4066&subj=news

I thought this event was going on at 1pm Cupertino time...

ort888 · Feb 28, 2006, 02:44 PM

Is that it? One more thing? Please...

Chuckit · Feb 28, 2006, 02:46 PM

Originally Posted by Diggory Laycock

I'm not the one stating "We have a product that's over five times faster in the same form factor" - sounds a little like he's talking about the Mac, doesn't it. Watch that spin, Steve.

They have a product (the Core Duo CPU) that's four times faster in the same form factor (a Mac mini case) the old product (the G4) came in. How you measure speed is a fairly subjective thing — some parts are a lot faster, some are no faster. I won't fault him for using the most favorable method of measurement.

rparke1 · Feb 28, 2006, 02:49 PM

engadget: 10:39am PT - So, what've we talked about today? Some really cool products, a new Mac mini that runs 5x faster... Front Row with Bonjour, update will go out later this week... iPod cases, they're really, really nice. And, of course, the new iPod Hi-Fi.

10:40am PT - Thank you very much for coming today, and we'll see you all real soon...

JOBS IS WALKING OFF-STAGE, THAT'S ALL FOR TODAY!

baw · Feb 28, 2006, 02:50 PM

ha. Where is the iTunes Movie Store?

Diggory Laycock · Feb 28, 2006, 02:51 PM

How about this as his farewell message - deliberately misleading...

So, what've we talked about today? Some really cool products, a new Mac mini that runs 5x faster... Front Row with Bonjour, update will go out later this week... iPod cases, they're really, really nice. And, of course, the new iPod Hi-Fi.

baw · Feb 28, 2006, 02:53 PM

What!? No tablet mac?! No new iPod Video?!

ort888 · Feb 28, 2006, 02:53 PM

LAME!

The speakers are huge, ugly and expensive. Leather cases? For $99? Who cares. New Mac Mini? eh, it's ok, but $599? What are they thinking?

[image=http://www.ilounge.com/h1feb.jpg]

ort888 · Feb 28, 2006, 02:56 PM

According to the Apple website, there is still a $499 mini???

EDIT: No, there site is just screwed up. The splash page has the intel Mini, but when you click on it, it still takes you to the old mini's info.

Diggory Laycock · Feb 28, 2006, 02:57 PM

http://www.apple.com/ipodhifi/

http://www.apple.com/macmini/

Dakar · Feb 28, 2006, 03:09 PM

Remember, the mini is going from a G4 processor to a Intel... it's a much bigger speed jump, and it makes it much more competitive to the iMac. No big surprise they had to raise the price to compensate.

Mastrap · Feb 28, 2006, 03:10 PM

Originally Posted by ort888

The speakers are huge, ugly and expensive.

They look pretty sweet to me. Small too, and if the quality is as described not expensive either.

iLikebeer · Feb 28, 2006, 03:16 PM

Why all the buildup for this when it could have just been a press release and store change? Steve had to know people would be pulling all the big rumors back out with the secretive invite and fun new products. I think he got caught up in his own RDF on this one.

Dakar · Feb 28, 2006, 03:16 PM

On the other hand, the HD space is a travesty.

MallyMal · Feb 28, 2006, 03:25 PM

Hmmm, not much to see. A special event just to debut some speakers and Intel Mini? Seems like there should be more. Perhaps, the event was changed because of Microsoft announcing stuff. Maybe there is more to come once Microsoft shows its hand. That way Apple's press coverage won't be overshadowed by MS. It could happen...

Nodnarb · Feb 28, 2006, 03:52 PM

Originally Posted by iLikebeer

Why all the buildup for this when it could have just been a press release and store change? Steve had to know people would be pulling all the big rumors back out with the secretive invite and fun new products. I think he got caught up in his own RDF on this one.

That's what I was thinking. Every time Apple has had a special event like this, on their own campus no less, they have released something huge (think first iPod).

But I just had this crazy idea and wondered if Apple is still making the announcement. The Mac mini hooks up to TV's and streams music/photos/video from other mac's on your wireless network via bonjour. If there is a major update to the iTMS, say in 2 days (when MS unviels '"oragami"), the Mac mini will be a great addition to a TV. Coupled with a bluetooth mouse / keyboard and an Apple remote, one could a) use the Mac mini as a traditional computer, and b) use front row to access all the media on all of the Mac's in your house. Anything anyone purchases from iTunes (including full-length movies if the store updates?) would be readily available on the TV. If that happens, it will be a great announcement.

However, I am still dissapointed that all that touchscreen stuff is about nothing.

Edit: Beaten to it, haha I guess after I read the post I replied do I didn't read the next post. My bad.

turtle777 · Feb 28, 2006, 03:57 PM

Nowhere does Apple tell us how many watts of music this iPod Hi-Fi produces. Not even in the specs. Weird.

Doofy · Feb 28, 2006, 03:59 PM

Originally Posted by rparke1

engadget: 10:30am PT - You want a wide frequency range... room filling power without distortion. We're gonna introduce one today that has some of the attributes of some of the speakers out there today. Today we're introducing the iPod Hi-Fi.

A 16 KHz top end cutoff is a "wide frequency range"?

Doofy · Feb 28, 2006, 04:08 PM

Originally Posted by what_the_heck

Nowhere does Apple tell us how many watts of music this iPod Hi-Fi produces. Not even in the specs. Weird.

Perhaps because it's a largely irrelevant figure.

Example:
I have a cheap set of self-powered PC speakers which say "240 watts" on them. They're sort of OK for PC speakers but not loud.

I also have a pair of Gauss PA cabs with JBL drivers. Stick a drum machine through a 25 watt amplifier into them and you literally can't stand in the same room without severe ear pain and your breathing dramatically affected (literally knocks the wind out of you).

Volume mostly depends on driver sensitivity and cab design.

turtle777 · Feb 28, 2006, 04:25 PM

Doofy, agreed.

But don't forget, Apple is mainly catering to non-Hi-Fi folks, who want to see 150 WATTS written all over it. I'd just think it would be interesting to know...

Doofy · Feb 28, 2006, 04:37 PM

Originally Posted by what_the_heck

Doofy, agreed.

But don't forget, Apple is mainly catering to non-Hi-Fi folks, who want to see 150 WATTS written all over it. I'd just think it would be interesting to know...

Oh I dunno - I don't think many general public Apple buyers are the least bit worried about what's actually in the box as long as it does the job simply and elegantly. They're perhaps a bit more sophisticated than your average Creative Zen 500 WATTS AWESOME SUPER LUCKY POWER!! user.

Just a guess.

ThinkInsane · Mar 1, 2006, 01:04 AM

Well, keep in mind that although this announcement was pretty weak, Apple's 30th anniversary is coming down the pipe and we might get some prime goods out of that. Only another month to go.