iTunes 7.4? sometime today...

September 5, 2007   0 Comments
With Apple's Special Event this morning, they have announced the addition of Ring Tones to iTunes. This will prompt a new version of iTunes that will be released later today.

Apple has also introduced new iPod Shuffles, Nano's with Video, iPod Classics, and iPod Touch (iPhone style!)

Stay Tuned for more updates from the Special Event...

Labels: Apple, Event, iTunes, Software Update

Apple Event Video and Tutorials

August 8, 2007   0 Comments
For all of you that only believe what they see on TV; Apple really did introduce shinny aluminum and glass iMacs, newly updated iLive '08, and Work '08 with 'Numbers' and now we have the proof. Apple has posted the Apple Special Event video for all those of you that go ga-ga for Steve Jobs presentations.

Apple has also posted a bunch or useful Tutorials for iLife '08. From these you really can get a better feel for how the applications will look and work.

Labels: Event

MacMini not Dead, Just Refreshed!

August 7, 2007   0 Comments
We are excited to report that the MacMini is not Dead! From what we can tell the refresher centers around the introduction of the 1.83GHz or 2.0GHz Intel Core 2 Duo processor now seated in the MacMini's. Compliment this with up to a 160GB hard drive (up from 80GB) and you got a nice little HTPC in the making. The one downside, it it still lists the old 802.11g Airport Extreme card for wireless networking. We were hoping to get that upgrade, like the rest of the Apple line-up.

Features:
- 1.83GHz or 2.0GHz Intel Core 2 Duo processor
- Apple Remote with Front Row
- Up to 160GB hard drive
- iLife ’08, Mac OS X v10.4 Tiger (included with every new mac purchase)

The MacMini is available for customization and purchase starting at $599.00, just like the previous models.

We knew something was up when after presentation during the Q&A after the Mac Press Event today, that there was no mention of the MacMini.... to which Tim replied:

"We're refreshing the Mac mini today."

Labels: Apple, Event, Hardware, MacMini

New iMacs, iLife '08, 'Refreshed' Mini

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3 New iMacs - Aluminum and Glass
- 20in, Intel Core Duo, 1GB Memory, 250GB SATA, ATI Radeon 2400, $1199
- 20in, Intel Core Duo, 1GB Memory, 320GB SATA, ATI HD 2600 Pro, $1499
- 24in, Intel Core Duo, 1GB Memory, 320GB SATA, ATI HD 2600 Pro, $1799
Ports include: USB 2.0, Firewire 400, Firewire 800. Slot load Superdrive. iSight camera and mic. All with Glossy Screens

MacMini:
The MacMini is getting refreshed today. We'll report on this separately later :

iLife '08
iLife is getting a kick in the pants. '08 will introduce many new features and replaces iMovie all together. The new iLife 08 will be available for purchase at $79.00 USD .

iPhoto leads the pack with several new features. The new layout and look is very Web2.0 like. The main new feature is being able to group photos together by an Event. Currently I just separate these into separate rolls, but Apple has a better idea. iPhoto also has more advanced editing features, unified searching, theme-base printing, and new photo books and photo calendar options.

.Mac is also receiving a face lift in '08. With the new .Mac Web Gallery viewers can now view your .Mac galleries as sideshows, mosaics, and even a Coverflow like look. The galleries are now iPhoto compatible, and allow users to permit high-quality printing, if they would like. You may also add photos to your galleries via email or through a new iPhone menu. For those $99/year .Mac subscribers your getting 10GB of storage.

iMovie was replaced, when an Apple developer releaized there was no easy way to manage your movies. He built a new iMovie, which will now feature movie organization, similar to iPhoto or iTunes. The application can also handle HD video with little effort while still featuring all of iMovies great and easy to use editing tools. iMovie will also allow you to export your finished movies to iTunes, AppleTV, iPhone, iPod, and even YouTube!

iWeb will allow you to build more enhanced websites, with Live web widgets like, GoogleMaps and GoogleAdSense. Large directories of photos can now be indexed quickly, with comments. Of course '08 ships with several new themes as well. The best advancement however is that you are no longer restricted to your .mac address, if you own a domain, iWeb is now supported, but we wonder if Photocasting will be?

iDVD & GarageBand gets the snooze update. Do people still make DVD besides my sister? New 'pro editing' and themes.... yawn.

Labels: Event, Hardware, iPhoto, Software

'Mac' Event Predictions

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We feel like kids in a candy store anytime Apple has something new to announce and the rest of the world really has no clue what it is. What can we expect during the 'Mac' event at TownHall? Apple could say they are killing off the entire line-up, or introducing 5 new models. You just never know. So here are
EntertainMac's predictions for today's 'Mac' Event.

What We Expect:

• New iMacs: 2.2-2.4GHz, 23in Model, New Look (Brushed Silver?)
• MacBooks/Pro: Bump in speed
• New Keyboard designs
• .Mac Update
• No MacMini News

Wishful thinking:

• New MacMini: LONG overdue
• DVD-Add on for AppleTV
• New Cinema Displays with iSight (at reasonable pricing!)

Well thats about it right now... see you in 45min or so. For live coverage check out:
Engadget, Gizmodo, or MacNN

Labels: Apple, Event

'Mac' Press event on Aug 7.

August 1, 2007   0 Comments
Apple is contacting the press about a 'Product presentation for Mac' that will be held in the Apple Town Hall, August 7th. The news organizations that were contacted, have indicated that the meeting will be strictly about Mac products.

If we were the betting type, we would look towards new iMacs to be released. A new generation has been long rumored and long over due. A new revamped MacMini (or MacNano?), perhaps with the slightly larger foot print the AppleTV and Airport Extreme are using. As you may recall the Intel-based Mac Mini's were released in an Apple Town Hall meeting.

Labels: Apple, Event, Hardware

MacWorld Keynote

January 9, 2007   0 Comments
Apple took some major steps away from the Personal Computer company it was founded as. Sure they had the Newton and now the iPod. Today Apple Showed off its 2 newest comsumer products, the AppleTV and the iPhone. To solidify the change Apple has even droped the 'computers' part of their name, and will know be known as Apple Inc.

So what is AppleTV? As demo's its a home theater device that will play nicely with your television, projector, stereo and Macs. Its designed to be the missing piece. To bring your digital content into your family room.

This device automatically synchronizes with your iTunes library much like your video iPod does. Equiped with a 40GB internal hard drive, TV Shows, Movies, Music, and Photos are syched. If the 40GB isn't enought, AppleTV also has the ability to access shared movies and photos, through the network. A newly designed FrontRow like interface revolves covers of Movies, CD Art work, Photos on the 720i HDMI/Component Out. An Apple IR Remote takes control of the device.

AppleTV has the same footprint as the MacMini, but at about half the height. HDMI or Component Video ports allow you to display the video on a variety of devices. Optical Audio out guarantees the best audio quality to your reciever. An Airport and Network Jack allows AppleTV to jump onto any local network for sharing and internet trailers. Then there is the mysterious USB Port. Initial thoughts are that this would be for external storage, but Apple tech indicate its a service port. I figure its a matter of time before that gets hacked.

Labels: AppleTV, Event

New Mac Mini with Intel & FrontRow

February 28, 2006   0 Comments Apple released their next intel Macintosh today. The Mini. This thing screams to be placed in a Home Theater. The New Mini includes your standard assortment of Apple Apps. But this Mini also includes Front Row and an Apple Remote to control it. Other extras include a built-in Airport, Bluetooth, 4 USB 2.0 Ports, Firewire 400, and they deleted the modem (who uses dial up any more?).

Right now it appears that the graphics card will be on the motherboard and driven by the processor. This could be a problem if the processors can't keep up with video. I think the Dual Core 1.6GHz should be ample to feed 1080p HD Video, if my 800MHz can handle 480p. But tests will tell!

Labels: Event, FrontRow