Our friends at Engadget have posted several photos of what may be the rumored super-slim, aluminum keyboard that will accompany the new iMac. It’s very thin indeed, and the keys look like those of a MacBook. I imagine typing on such a thin keyboard would be annoying, but I’ve never tried it, of course, so who knows.
The strangest feature is the Command key with no Apple logo! What’s going on here?
We can’t confirm that this is the real deal, so viewer beware.
Mixed in with Apple’s Financial Results, Apple announced that they sold 270,000 iPhones in the first 30 hours of iPhone sales.
The number was included with their financial results product breakdown and vaguely listed as 270,000 “iPhones and Related Products and Services”.
Despite this wording, during the conference call, Peter Oppenheimer clearly states that Apple sold 270,000 iPhones in the first 30 hours of sales.
Uh-oh, Steve: Apple just got a little less green. New, more stringent requirements for EnergyStar certification went into effect last week, and while most manufacturers have a model or two that meets the updated regs, not a single shipping Mac qualifies. Apple’s taken a lot of heat in the past for its environmental policies, and while Steve’s blasted back with stats of his own and committed to steps like totally eliminating CCFL backlights in Apple displays, the loss of something like EnergyStar certification isn’t going to sit so well with critics — or shareholders, for that matter. Manufacturers have until January to update their machines or lose the certification, so this isn’t a huge blow, but Apple’s been insistent that it’s more eco-conscious that other companies — looks like it’s put up or shut up time.
ThinkSecret pinpoints Tuesday, August 7th as the likely date for the long awaited iMac revision.
The revamped iMac will represent the first substantial upgrade to the system since it initially adopted Intel processors in January 2006, and will sport an entirely new brushed aluminum enclosure.
ThinkSecret also suggests that the overdue iLife updates could also arrive at the same time, but are less certain on this possibility.
A recent rumor had claimed that iLife update had gone “golden master”, suggesting an imminent release.
Meanwhile, 9to5mac.com independently posted an update also claiming that August 7th was the date for the new iMacs and probably new iPods.
Contrary to previous reports, they claim that the iMac will come in a 17″ config as well as 20″ and 24″ varieties. The iMac is described to have a metal “razor thin” enclosure and revised keyboard with additional media control functionality.
Their information on the Video iPods claim shorter and wider iPods (mockup posted) which still uses the traditional click-wheel design, rather than a new full-screen design that people have been expecting.
9to5mac is relative new to the Mac rumor world, but has had legitimate information in the past and were the first to claim a brushed metal look to the upcoming iMac.
MacScoop claims that according to “trusted sources” Apple is planning on releasing “a notebook that is so small and light that it could redefine the standards of ultra-portable computing.”
The upcoming Apple notebook is said to feature a 12″ display, 0.6-0.7 inches thick, and weigh less than 3 pounds. MacScoop’s sources are unclear if an optical drive will accompany this ultra-portable notebook, but do feel it is likely to come by year’s end (2007).
For reference, Apple’s current 15″ MacBook Pro weighs 5.4lbs with a 1 inch thickness.
Rumors of a ultra-portable Apple laptop have been ongoing since late 2006. MacScoop reported in December 2006 about the upcoming 12″ ultra-portable MacBook Pro with additional details provided by Appleinsider in February. There are some conflicting reports with one summary that believed the ultra-portable would carry a 13″ LED display.
Not since the epic P-P-P-PowerBook! saga have we seen an Apple laptop wrapped up inside of a hardbound enclosure more suited for literature, but this hack manages to actually provide a hint of utility to those willing to undertake it. Upon receiving an iBook with a non-functioning screen, what better to do than strip the “i” prefix, trim down the inessentials, and wrap it in a hardcover book case in order to create a literal book server? If this sounds like your bag, the journey only requires a partially destroyed iBook, a bit of wiring knowledge, and a gutted book for it to call home. Personally, we’d pony up for a built-in AirPort card so it could serve media whilst parked elegantly beside Of Mice and Men, so be sure and give the read link a visit for the step-by-step if you’re scouting new reading material.
As of this morning, that lovable gauge of fanboy fanaticism dubbed the iPhone retail locator shows Apple stores re-stocked and ready for action. Sure, the entire states of Texas and California are sold out, but on whole, about 43% of all Apple retail stores show iPhone availability after yesterday’s near-sellout. With on-line orders expected to be delivered today, it would appear that Apple’s supply chain is just fine, you know, after just a week’s worth of anecdotal evidence (which isn’t saying much).
Hrmpf notes that Apple has applied for a patent (in March 2006) which extends the concept of Multitouch to a computer mouse.
The user would be able to perform gestures such as pinching or a virtual scroll wheel on the surface of the mouse. In one embodiment, the touch-sensitive mouse would use an internal light source and a optically transmissive surface to track finger positions.
Gestures can also be used to invoke and manipulate virtual control interfaces, such as volume knobs, switches, sliders, handles, knobs, doors, and other widgets that may be created to facilitate human interaction with the computing system.
Combinations of taps or gestures could trigger different actions such as “tapping with the middle and ring fingers could open iTunes or be set in the preference panel to do any particular action.”
Apple has had a number of patent applications related to multitouch technology in the past, and features multitouch technology prominently on the Apple iPhone.
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Nothing really new here, just the first pictures of the latest MiniOne M8 redesign from the sides, top, bottom, and back. Sorry, we’d love to tell you when this 11.8-mm of sexy will break loose Stateside and beyond but we can’t. Still, if it makes you feel any better you can always prop these pictures up next to the dubious import pricing and dates we heard about this morning. You know, with claims of releasing a game changing 3G, HSDPA with WiFi worldphone packing 16GB of flash by early 2008… isn’t it about time for Meizu to get this project out of their Chinese language bulletin boards and issue an honest to goodness foreign press release? In the mean time, we’ll continue to cast doubt while you go toe-to-toe with product renderings in the gallery. Oh, and before you go… it looks like an iPhone. Ha, you didn’t think you’d escape this post without some kind of Apple reference did ya?
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