It was with great anticipation and enthusiasm that common-folk stopped doing their day jobs at 10AM PST today. We all tuned into our choice rumor site (those that could handle the stress) and eagerly awaited each update as they came in, play-by-play. We, to put it lightly, were let down.
Apple today introduced a new revision to their Mac mini computer, which now sports and Intel process (available in single and duo core). The Mac mini now comes in two flavors: Too-Expensive and Way-Too-Expensive. Meh.
They also revealed a boombox-like product for the iPod, called iPod Hi-Fi, also available in the Way-Too-Expensive category.
Let me ask a simple question here, fully knowing my audience of Apple-fans and geeks: Do you think Apple is abusing their power?
An event? For this?
Apple events are big. They’re, like, bigger than big. When Engadget.com goes down because of the stress on their server you know something’s big (not even CES did that). There wasn’t one pre-event headline or article that didn’t call this event “big”. Even Leo Laporte (of the This Week in Tech podcast) said it was supposed to be big.
Was it big event? No.
So if Apple knows their power in drawing the masses, why did they use it for such small offerings?
Caveat: Okay, I can understand the necessity for a Mr.-Jobs-himself reveal of the Intel Mac mini (or any Intel-based Mac). The move to Intel is a huge to majorly huge deal for Apple. Still, don’t you think it should have been the “one more thing …” or at least the last thing on the agenda? Instead it was the first. It was almost like they wanted to downplay the Mac mini and have it upstaged by the iPod Hi-Fi! (You think they actually did want that?)
A hundred bucks? For that?
In addition to the Mac minitel (minintel?), and the iPod Why?-Fi, Apple also graciously introduced a stunningly lame iPod leather case. Priced at an unbelievable $99, the case’s only qualifying features are a stamped Apple logo and “iPod” wording—and maybe the tab-pull thing. Again, meh.
I told a friend I would have likely purchased the case had it been priced at $29, and maybe heavily weighed the cost at $39. But for $99? I think we’re seeing some price-gouging going on.
Media bias? What’s that?
Steve Jobs & Co. have clearly won the media over with their iPod and cool business strategies—well, most of the media, anyway. Columnists who wouldn’t pay Apple a second thought are now writing speculation about their future, almost endorsing their endeavors. Apple, once the forgotten dog, is now the underdog. And who doesn’t like rooting for the underdog?
I’ll openly admit that my Apple-geekness causes my emotions to get all wound up when an event like today’s is announced. But when the general public, who three years ago said, “Apple-who?” join in the fray … let’s just conclude that Apple’s got some powerful influence and a lot going for them right now.
So, why, with everything going so well, does Apple pull a stunt like they did today? It was, without a doubt, one of the most disappointing product announcement(s) from Apple … ever. And not just because of the rumored video iPod, full-length films on iTunes, or other such speculations that surrounded the event. It’s a disappointment because Apple held an event for it.
Meh.
Prototype dissected and made into a yummy info-graphic. Thanks, Jonathan!
From the man who can take a sentance and make it a paragraph. Gruber on beer.
Animated live search tutorial from Steve Smith. Sweetness except for it adds a lot of bulk to the page.
We all know that if you want to minimize a window in OS X, all you need to do is hit cmd+m, right? But what if you want to un-minimize a window? Is there no hot-key, hack, or software tool that enables this?
Camino 1.0 gets released. Check out my favorite Safari alternate, and the only other browser I use. (Site currently getting hammered.)
I stopped by my local Mac Store today — no, not the Apple Store, the Mac Store. I almost wish I wouldn’t have.
While browsing the myriad of iPod accessories they had displayed I overheard a gentleman ask one of the employees if they had any MacBook’s in stock. The female employee, who I could tell was fond of herself talking, replied by giving a long, innacurate summary of the MacBook Pro and what it is; finally answering that they did indeed have one in stock, in the back. This is where my interest was piqued and I stopped pretending not to hear — I turned and looked at the employee dead-on.
“We’re not allowed to put it out until Apple does,” she said, I guess implying that they have to wait for the Apple Store to put it out first … ? I rolled my eyes and went back to browsing. I could tell her knowledge went about as deep as the Finder help menu.
“So can I see it now?” the customer asked.
“It looks just like the previous PowerBook,” another (male) employee joined the conversation. “But they just have the 15-inch version right now.”
“Oh, okay.”
“… otherwise, it’s the exact same,” he continued. “It feels the same, looks the same …”
“Well, besides the iSight!” laughed the female employee.
I guess you had to be there, but at this point I realized these employees were, in fact, idiots. I felt really sorry for the guy who asked the question. They obviously didn’t have a MacBook and just wanted to “sell” the guy on one.
Anyway, they went on to tell the gentleman that they did, in fact, have a 17” Intel-iMac on the show-floor that he could look at. They pointed it out, and after a few minutes of playing around on it, the guy went about his way. I hoped on and double-checked to make sure it was an Intel machine. It was!
All I have to say is, Intel shmintel. The “noticable” speed difference wasn’t there. I don’t know what Leo and Amber were testing at MacWorld when they reported such amazing performance — it certainly wasn’t the same model I was on. Then again, having recently upgraded to a dual-core G5 machine I’ve probably become a little spoiled.
Okay, I admit, I’ve definitely become a little spoiled.
Still, I was expecting more — you know, because of all the “4x faster” hype Apple has been pushing. I guess I’ll just have to wait for the “real world” benchmarks, and the MacBook Pro’s release, to see if this Intel business is what it’s cracked up to be.
All this hoopla over potential touchscreen iPods or tablets; I was bored until I watched this video! Holy … ! Excuse me while I pick my jaw up off the ground.
D’oh! Don’t you just hate it when you don’t remember that great idea you had while trying to fall asleep?
C|Net hates Apple. An example of how headlines can communicate bias. (Thanks, Jeff. Nice spot.)
In addition to the ESPN SportCenter guys unanimously saying the officiating determined the outcome of the Super Bowl, several other sport columnists feel the same:
There’s also emails circulating with (digitally manipulated) photos of Steelers Coach Bill Cowher handing head referee Bill Leavy money during the pregame warmups, as well as one with Leavy and caption “Steelers’ 12th man”.
Still think Seattle’s just bitter and bias?
Generously provided by my friend Matt, here’s a ‘Hawks desktop picture for your enjoyment. Click the thumbnail to download. (Only one size available, sorry.)
