[MindFad]

I vote fake as well. That one shot a few posts up looks like there's a piece of paper with the iHome logo sitting on top of a box. Weak. If it's real, then cool, but we shall see.

Actually what made me say fake was the styrofoam in the box. Anybody who's bought a new Mac knows that Apple would not use styrofoam like that.

Every Jobs-second-era Mac that I bought has always had sexy styrofoam.

[d4nth3m4n]

Originally posted by screamingFit:
Actually what made me say fake was the styrofoam in the box. Anybody who's bought a new Mac knows that Apple would not use styrofoam like that.

Every Jobs-second-era Mac that I bought has always had sexy styrofoam.

word.

[IFLY2HIGH]

Let's see, box inside of box, and since you already opened it, why not pull it all the way out and really show it off? It would be cool though for a product like this to happen. It'd be funny if it really was what will be coming around at mac world. Anyone ever think maybee Apple would slip out fake spy shots so most people like in this thread can shoot it down, but yet look stupid if it really was an Apple product unleashed at mac world? Could be just a matter of playing mind games, you just never know.

[factorguy]

I have it on good authority that this is the real deal. It was indeed taken in the UK, and since "Media Centre" is just the definition of what the device is, localization of the spelling is completely customary. Just read a UK Mac manual. Loads of localization.

As to the packaging, it's completely in line with what you'd expect. And to the person who claims that Apple wouldn't put "iHome" like that on the top of the machine...Have you seen the back of the iMac G5? It has it's name in the same style prominently displayed.

We'll know for sure on Tuesday, but based on what I've heard, I believe this is the real McCoy...

[ironknee]

ok, i'll say it, it's so thick! no way would it be thicker than the iMac!

but this is fun! like the 'ol days!

[d4nth3m4n]

Originally posted by factorguy:
I have it on good authority that this is the real deal. It was indeed taken in the UK, and since "Media Centre" is just the definition of what the device is, localization of the spelling is completely customary. Just read a UK Mac manual. Loads of localization.

As to the packaging, it's completely in line with what you'd expect. And to the person who claims that Apple wouldn't put "iHome" like that on the top of the machine...Have you seen the back of the iMac G5? It has it's name in the same style prominently displayed.

We'll know for sure on Tuesday, but based on what I've heard, I believe this is the real McCoy...

and you are?

you're not a Newsfactor guy are you?

[effgee]

Originally posted by factorguy:
I have it on good authority that this is the real deal. ...

if that's true ... and that thing really turns out to be a white hunk of plastic ... I can live with white plastic stuff in the kitchen (if absolutely necessary) ... but in my living room? No way, Jos�.

[Eriamjh]

A card board box inside a card board box! It is so FAKE!

An Apple Home Theater devie would be PLATINUM like the G5 and match most HT equipment. even with the iPod popularity, it would not go that route for HT equipment.

Fake.


.....fake.

[Xaositect]

No video out port of any kind that I can see.

DVI, maybe VGA is expected, and not through a dongle.

A device for set-top would have to have a minimum of RCA and/or S-Video (again, no dogle).

Fake.

[effgee]

didn't even notice "factorguy's" post count - in that case - let me express my opinion visually ...

• 

[alligator]

Since when has Apple ever put the name of the item on the product? My PowerBook doesn't say "PowerBook" on it. Nor does my G5. They would simply have an apple logo, and that's it. I'm not convinced. Plus, if you look closely, you can see the lettering doesn't quite look right.

[FulcrumPilot]

[veryniceguy2002]

Originally posted by factorguy:
I have it on good authority that this is the real deal. It was indeed taken in the UK, and since "Media Centre" is just the definition of what the device is, localization of the spelling is completely customary. Just read a UK Mac manual. Loads of localization.

Apple generally don't change speling of the product name for the different market. I can still remember "Color LaserWriter" and even now "ColorSync".

As to the packaging, it's completely in line with what you'd expect. And to the person who claims that Apple wouldn't put "iHome" like that on the top of the machine...Have you seen the back of the iMac G5? It has it's name in the same style prominently displayed.

But the word "iMac" is not as big (in proportion) as to the word iHome in the photos.

The packaging looks suspectious...

If you look carefully, the "written documentation" on top of the package does not seems to say "iHome media centre etc". In fact I think I can say on the middle of the text line there is a single letter towards the end, and this suggest the "written documentation" could be an Apple software documentation (the single letter looks like a 7 for me).

Also, Apple hardware boxes normally don't put screenshots or other images... they normally just have the product image on the box!

Furthermore, from the photos which shows the ports at the back, you can see it uses DC power, like a PowerBook. Now, where is the "brick"? Normal packaging would put the "brick" side-by-side with the iHome (and cushioned by the foams seperately). It is to avoid any chance the "brick" might move and hit the iHome while in transit. I doubted the "brick" would put into another layer below the iHome, right?

We'll know for sure on Tuesday, but based on what I've heard, I believe this is the real McCoy...

We will know on Tuesday (well, Wednesday, for those of us who are 19 hours ahead). My guess is that the photos are real, but the object you have seen is just a prototype.

PS I don't think I have seen the paper clip emergency eject hole on the photo... but then it's a low-res, highly compress photo. Now, there is no manual eject button either, so I guess it's oeprates like a Mac, rather than operate like a DVD player.

[jnrjr79]

Originally posted by alligator:
Since when has Apple ever put the name of the item on the product? My PowerBook doesn't say "PowerBook" on it. Nor does my G5. They would simply have an apple logo, and that's it. I'm not convinced. Plus, if you look closely, you can see the lettering doesn't quite look right.

My iBook says iBook on it.
My iMac says iMac on it.
My iPod says iPod on it.

That said, these pictures are ridiculously fake.

[FulcrumPilot]

The box looks fake and the product looks non curvy so its all a hoax.

[Camali]

Its got to be a fake, its got a low gloss (or whatever) but put a light to the iBook and you'll see it shine, this one doesn't.
fAKE!

[Mafia]

Originally posted by FulcrumPilot:

same.
and even though the post above me already stated it. the imac does say "iMac" on the case.

[Disgruntled Head of C-3PO]

Originally posted by factorguy:
I have it on good authority that this is the real deal. It was indeed taken in the UK, and since "Media Centre" is just the definition of what the device is, localization of the spelling is completely customary. Just read a UK Mac manual. Loads of localization.

As to the packaging, it's completely in line with what you'd expect. And to the person who claims that Apple wouldn't put "iHome" like that on the top of the machine...Have you seen the back of the iMac G5? It has it's name in the same style prominently displayed.

We'll know for sure on Tuesday, but based on what I've heard, I believe this is the real McCoy...

So in other words you made the fake.

[cjrivera]

Originally posted by jnrjr79:
My iBook says iBook on it.
My iMac says iMac on it.
My iPod says iPod on it.

That said, these pictures are ridiculously fake.

iBook has its name in small letters under the display, not in huge letters under the backlit apple on the back. (inconspicuous)

The G5 iMac says iMac on the back with big letters (again, inconspicuous)

iPod again... name on the back (there's a pattern here)

If this iHome had the lettering very small on the front, it would be more convincing. (or the back, or bottom).

[Rev-O]

Originally posted by tooki:
There are more Americans than English, and some aspects of American English are in fact closer to middle English than yours.

And since English spelling wasn't cemented until fairly recently (long AFTER American English was established in America), you have no claim to one "proper" spelling any more than we do.

Most Brits don't speak proper Queen's English anyway, but rather a local dialect that nobody else can understand. (The U.S.'s major dialects don't vary a whole lot regionally.)

So get off your high horse, shut up, and remember that (to use your words) Britain "is the place that ran the world before" the U.S. did. If you're so right, how come you lost all your colonies?

tooki

And we Americans have more bombs. So there.
Hah!

[CollinG3G4]

From the images we can conclude that this product comes with zero documentation or software.

[jnrjr79]

Originally posted by cjrivera:
iBook has its name in small letters under the display, not in huge letters under the backlit apple on the back. (inconspicuous)

The G5 iMac says iMac on the back with big letters (again, inconspicuous)

iPod again... name on the back (there's a pattern here)

If this iHome had the lettering very small on the front, it would be more convincing. (or the back, or bottom).

I understand that quite well. As I said, the pictures are super King Kong mega mega fake.

My only point was that Apple does sometimes put the name of the product on the product. I'm not saying the iHome fake is consistent with other Apple products.

[AlfaMunky]

The unit looks fake.
The product box looks fake. (It doesn't match any of the other current Apple product boxes)
The back has all the ports in line but it looks as though it had been copied & pasted from an iBook or an iMac.


MOST IMPORTANT!!! There is no power cable. How are you suppose to power this thing?

FAKE.

[Link]

I'm surprised nobody's said anything about how the box has random pictures of people and stuff on it, that's HP style packaging, not apple!

[cjrivera]

Originally posted by jnrjr79:
I understand that quite well. As I said, the pictures are super King Kong mega mega fake.

My only point was that Apple does sometimes put the name of the product on the product. I'm not saying the iHome fake is consistent with other Apple products.

Sorry... I wasn't trying to be insulting towards you.
It was more in response to factorguy's statement about the iMac G5 lettering on the back.

[gautch]

I vote that its fake.
How many Apple products bend when you pick them up?



Seems like a dumb mistake.

If i ever bought an Apple product named iHome (most likely overpriced) and it sagged when i picked it up.. id be pissed as hell!

[alphasubzero949]

Fake. Moving along...

[ManOfSteal]

Originally posted by gautch:
How many Apple products bend when you pick them up?

To name a few:

* iPod Headphones

* Power Cables

* iMac G4 (Flat-Panel)

[veryniceguy2002]

Originally posted by Link:
I'm surprised nobody's said anything about how the box has random pictures of people and stuff on it, that's HP style packaging, not apple!

I did say something along that line above... didn't you read it?

[shabbasuraj]

Silver and white looks kinda neat I guess.

Maybe someone is going to get sued over this one also.

[TubaMuffins]

dont care if its real or fake, im not gonna throw in a white unit into my HT stuff thats already a mix of black and metallic, t'would be ugly. I think Apple would be smarter than that.

[Disgruntled Head of C-3PO]

Ok has anyone mentioned that if you pick the box up by the handle the iHome and junk on the front of the box will be upside down?

Cuz I ain't reading through 2 pages of fakery to find out.

[vinster]

Originally posted by OAW:
I agree that this looks fake. Having said that, Apple should make a product just like this. This would be a set-top box that functioned as follows:

1. DVD Player (for iMovie/iDVD content as well as commercial DVDs)
2. Digital Photo Player (for iPhoto content on the Mac, Photoshop Elements or My Pictures content on Windows)
3. Digital Audio Player (for iTunes content including ITMS tracks)
4. Digital Video Player (for QT based video content ... though this isn't really necessary given #1)

<snip>

I don't think a set-top box would be a good idea. Too much competition from TiVo and others. I'd like to see a Mac with the following tweaks.

- small form factor (headless)
- S-Video and composite inputs
- Hardware MPEG-2 encoder
- Bluetooth remote control
- Software to integrate everything

But I'm already doing the media centre thing using my aging G4-upgraded Pismo, an EyeTV 200, external DVD-R, Keyspan remote control and a couple of hard drives. Works great (a faster CPU would be nice, though).

[Luca Rescigno]

Well, I personally wouldn't pay one penny for a computer made of cardboard. If Apple releases this, I think it'll flop once people realize that prettied-up cardboard boxes aren't OS X compatible.

[moonmonkey]

Originally posted by tooki:
If you're so right, how come you lost all your colonies?
tooki

At least they had some.

Oh, I forgot, Cuba... cool.

[MacmanX]

The fake mockups are weak this year! Well, you can't blame them for trying. Anyway, here is an interesting look at the iHome that's guaranteed to be a fake (but a much funnier one).

http://www.thespoof.com/news/spoof.cfm?headline=s2i7154

If they come with keyboards like the one in the article, I for one insist on an extra hand with which to use it.

Cheers!

[Wiskedjak]

Originally posted by Mr Heliums:
Do you really think this looks realistic? Or does it not give the slightest indication that someone has made this out of a small, and slightly battered, cardboard box? Look at the wild angles, for f***'s sake.

And don't you think that if they made the effort to oh-so-sneakily get this out of its cardboard box, they might just go the extra half-mile and, oh, plug the f***ing thing in so that we could see what it actually does?

Oh, I despair sometimes, I really do.

No doubt this is poorly done, but that just points out how pathetically done the last iMac fake was. Having said that, I do think the headless iMac will look something like this, although hopefully somewhat thinner.

[Wiskedjak]

Originally posted by alligator:
Since when has Apple ever put the name of the item on the product? My PowerBook doesn't say "PowerBook" on it. Nor does my G5. They would simply have an apple logo, and that's it. I'm not convinced. Plus, if you look closely, you can see the lettering doesn't quite look right.

[Wiskedjak]

Originally posted by Luca Rescigno:
Well, I personally wouldn't pay one penny for a computer made of cardboard. If Apple releases this, I think it'll flop once people realize that prettied-up cardboard boxes aren't OS X compatible.

Of course, a cardboard computer is conceivably the only way we'd ever see a sub-$500 Apple ...

[Superchicken]

Originally posted by alligator:
Since when has Apple ever put the name of the item on the product? My PowerBook doesn't say "PowerBook" on it. Nor does my G5. They would simply have an apple logo, and that's it. I'm not convinced. Plus, if you look closely, you can see the lettering doesn't quite look right.

Funny... My PowerBook says PowerBook G4 on the front... my iBook said iBook on the front under the screen, my iMac says iMac. Actually I think the PowerMacs are the only ones that I can't think of where the text that says it's name is on it...

[E's Lil Theorem]

While a product like this may be introduced at MWSF, it is my professional opinion that these images are fake. Someone had a lot of time in their hands and wanted some web hits. Good job for that. Mission accomplished, if you will.

Originally posted by screamingFit:
...
Every Jobs-second-era Mac that I bought has always had sexy styrofoam.

[Xeo]

Originally posted by Disgruntled Head of C-3PO:
Ok has anyone mentioned that if you pick the box up by the handle the iHome and junk on the front of the box will be upside down?

Cuz I ain't reading through 2 pages of fakery to find out.

Haha, didn't catch that.

[DeathMan]

They're using the wrong typeface. That's definately not myriad.

http://homepage.mac.com/petelasko/rounddot.gif
[ALL inline images MUST be no wider than 480px. Besides, 1/2 of your image width is nothing but whitespace. --tooki]

[driven]

Originally posted by Mr Heliums:
The 'iHome's' lines aren't straight. At the bottom right and top left of the picture it's clearly slightly bent in the way that a cardboard box would be. And the left hand side of the box isn't parallel with the right-hand side.

Oh, and you can actually see the piece of paper on which the Apple logo has been printed on top.

Agreed. Look at the right side of the box in this picture .... it certainly looks "cardboard" to me.
http://dms.tecknohost.com/macrumors/...Photo-0007.jpg

[Disgruntled Head of C-3PO]

the upsidedown box and CentRe is enough to say fake for me.

[rozwado1]

Weren't the fake pictures for the Cinema Displays taken in this same-type elevator? links?

Didn't those pics turn out to be real?

I think the unit says iHome big on it's face because your dumbass friends wouldn't understand what the hell it was if it didn't. This is a mass-market product and, in general, people are stupid. (Especially Joe 'Windows User')

Centre is Apple's way of making it more 'Euro'. I dig.

[Luca Rescigno]

Originally posted by rozwado1:
Weren't the fake pictures for the Cinema Displays taken in this same-type elevator? links?

Didn't those pics turn out to be real?

No, the elevator pictures were for the rumored G5 iMac and those were fake. I think someone just put an LCD monitor in a box and took some crappy pictures of them in an elevator just like this one.

Oh, and I have NO F*CKING IDEA where people are getting this notion that Apple's going to release a TiVo style device. It's a god damn $500 Mac, not a TV recording thing.

[Mr Heliums]

Originally posted by Luca Rescigno:

Oh, and I have NO F*CKING IDEA where people are getting this notion that Apple's going to release a TiVo style device. It's a god damn $500 Mac, not a TV recording thing.

I agree that it WILL NOT be a TIVO-type thing. Steve Jobs can't stand television or the 'mindless' [his words] people who watch the facile programmes that appear on it.

But I hope that doesn't rule out some sort of media server entirely. I would like to see a mini-server that acts as a central hub for your iTunes and iPhotos. As the owner of a 30Gb iBook, I'd love to see that. But then if it is a $500 Mac, that's a fairly good use to put it to.

PS: The only other suggestion would be some form of 'breakout box' for Garageband. But as I have no idea what a breakout box is, that's where my ideas run out.

[anthonyvthc]

Originally posted by Mr Heliums:


PS: The only other suggestion would be some form of 'breakout box' for Garageband. But as I have no idea what a breakout box is, that's where my ideas run out.

A breakout box is usually used to supply additional audio inputs/outputs, useful for recording.