New iMacs on Tuesday? Starting at $1199?

Apple is hosting a Media Event on Tuesday, August 7th, 2007 for a Mac-focused announcement. There have been long running rumors about potential iMac updates. The Apple iMac was last updated 334 days ago in September 2006.

We’ve received word that price points for the new “Good”, “Better”, and “Ultra” iMac models will fall at $1199, $1499, and $1799 price points. No details beyond this are available, and it does not exclude the possibility of other configurations.

Of interest, this differs from the existing iMac lineup which currently holds a range of 17″, 20″ and 24″ models which hit $999, $1199, $1499, and $1999 price points.

Rumors have previously pointed to the elimination of the low end 17″ iMac model, which could correlate with these price points. Other reports have claimed that the new iMacs will see a striking new industrial design.

Apple Event August 7th

Multiple sites are reporting that Apple has called the media to its Cupertino headquarters next Tuesday, August 7th at 10am PDT. The reports indicate that the event will be strictly Mac-related.

Rumors have been indicating that the iMac is set for a dramatic refresh on that date, with iLife and iWork updates perhaps also in the wings.

Mac OS X 10.4.11 In the Works

ThinkSecret briefly claims that Apple will released another Tiger (10.4) update:

Apple is preparing to release another update to Tiger ahead of Leopard’s release, Think Secret has learned, although details of the Mac OS X 10.4.11 update are otherwise scarce at the moment.

Appleinsider adds that Apple informed a select group of developers about the intended plans.

Apple released Mac OS X 10.4.10 in June 2007, and expects to release Mac OS X 10.5 (Leopard) in October 2007.

Rumor: The new iMac keyboard

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.

Apple Sold 270,000 iPhones in First 30 Hours

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.

Current Apple machines don’t meet new EnergyStar guidelines

                             
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.

Read

iMac Revision, iLife, iPods on August 7th?

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.

Ultra-thin and Ultra-light Mac Notebook in 2007

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.

DIYer hacks iBook into hardbound server

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.

iPhone stocks recover at Apple retail

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).