Appletell

Now that we’re pretty certain something is in the pipes for a September Apple event, let’s start sifting through rumors. One notable rumor has to do with possible changes to the inner workings of certain Macintosh Laptops and Desktops. For a long time, Apple has been regarded as the company to go to if your computing needs fall in a more creative range than what is offered with a PC. At the top of that list for creative computing needs is movie making. With Apple’s many applications just for this (iMovie, iDVD, Final Cut, Shake), Apple has taken out (most of) the guesswork when it comes to putting your clips into a polished home movie. Now, should these rumors prove to be true, Apple may hope to go the extra mile when it comes to ease of use for their movie editing software.

Find out how after the break.

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On the eve of this year’s keynote, TUAW has already received information and screen shots about a new “Mac Nano” that is being called the Mac Fusion. This mini computer is supposedly built for developers and comes with the tag lines, “Leave Windows behind. Build your Apps for OS X,” and “Bridge the Gap.” This rumor comes along with older rumors that a new Mac may be released at WWDC, but we will just have to wait and see.

The screen shots are clear enough to get the description, and it reads:

Building your applications for the Mac has never been easier. Mac Fusion was designed exclusively for new developers wishing to port their existing programs to the Mac without breaking the bank. Mac Fusion allows you to explore the power and stability of Mac OS X while keeping the ability to run alternate operating systems, such as Windows, or Linux, via Boot Camp.

Sounds like Apple is really going after getting more users to the Mac OS X platform this year, if this rumor is true. Only good can come from that, as it means there will be more developers for Macs, and, therefore, more applications from which to choose from. Let’s hope this one is true! Be sure to be here for our live blog at 10:00 a.m. PST to find out.

This coming Monday, Apple is expected to announce their 2008 Back-To-School Promotion, and, according to Apple’s senior Vice President Ron Johnson, it is the biggest promotion of its kind “ever”.  Specifics on the promo have yet to surface, but the iPod Touch and MacBook Air are probably going to be added to the slew of products to get rebates.  If past trends continue into this year’s promo, rebates could be as much as $219 for any qualifying Mac or iPod, with rebates coming in last year and the year before at $199 and $179 respectively.  MacNN reports the following:

The expectations are based upon yearly increasing incentives, with last year’s $199 discount covering the cost of a 4GB Nano. In 2006 and 2005, the promotion ran for a $179 rebate, which earned students a 2GB iPod nano and Mini, respective to the years.

The iPhone, iPod Shuffle, Apple TV and Mac Mini are expected to again be excluded from the deals, but all other Mac and iPod models are most likely to be covered by the rebates. 

Via [MacNN]

In a recent MacWorld test, the controversial Open Computer was pitted against the likes of the Mac Mini and the lower-end iMac.  In the tests, one thing was clear from the beginning.  The Mac Mini doesn’t really hold a candle to the Open Computer, making it more of an iMac competitor.  Using the Speedmark performance-measuring tool, the base-line Mac Mini scored 28% lower then the opposition.  Although the base-line iMac scored higher then the Open Computer, it didn’t win by much.  There was only an 8% deviation between their scores. 

With very similar specs to an iMac, and at almost $500 less, you may think that an Open Computer would be a worthy investment, but don’t jump too soon.  First off, the Open Computer seems significantly lower quality then anything Apple would put on the market.  The reviewer of the computer from MacWorld reported not only that there was only a box and packing peanuts protecting the computer from the elements during shipping, but that he had to reroute the power cable, as it was getting caught in the cooling fan.  I wouldn’t ever trust a computer with such simple design flaws.  Another aspect of complaints is the software update issue.  Somewhere along the line, someone decided to disable the Software Update application.  Instead, you have to trudge on over to the Psystar website and fetch the updates manually.  Some of the out-of-the box updates needed (shipped systems come with basic OS X 10.5, no updates) include one that enables Time Machine, which for some reason doesn’t work automatically.  Supposedly an update is in the works for an automatic updater, but its not here yet.  The software updater issue is one of the main complaints of users so far. 

Have you had any Open Computer experience?  If so, please detail some of what you like or dislike in your machine in the comments below.

Read [MacWorld]

How can you really show your mom that you love her this Mother’s Day?  With an Apple product, of course!  So if you’re wondering what you can get for the rapidly approaching May 11th, look no more, you can find it all here!

1) Mom’s love photos and memories, so get her an Apple photo book! You know how the saying goes, “A picture is worth 1,000 words.” Gather up all those old memories from this year and put them together in a nice, high quality book that your mother can cherish forever.  Plus, Apple is making it even easier with 20% of photo books just by using the promo code “LoveMom.” Just make sure you order in time so the books makes it for Mother’s Day.

2) Introduce them to the tech world with an iPod Shuffle! Only $49 and coming in five separate colors, an iPod Shuffle is the perfect way to show your mom you love her.  You can load it with all of her favorites songs before you give it to her and really make her smile, too!  Not only that, but they are extremely portable, light weight, and make for good fashion statements.

3) Keep in touch with a new Mac!:  If money isn’t a factor, go ahead and get her a new computer.  With the iSight camera and Leopard, it is easier than ever to have a great time video chatting.  She will thinks it’s awesome and you’ll have fun doing it, what more could you ask for on Mother’s Day?

4) If home made is more your style, use iLife! All Macs come with great pre-installed editing software.  If you want to give your mom something truly from the heart, make her a movie or slideshow with her favorites pictures and clips.  They love to see that you took the time to create something wonderful for them.

5) If your mom already has all the above, give her the gift of Apple with a gift card!:  Whether it be for iTunes or the store, everyone loves have the freedom to spend their money one what they want.  Get your mother a gift card and allow her to choose something for herself.  You can always find something at the Apple Store to spend some money on.

Psystar, a small tech company, has recently announced the OpenMac, a $399 computer ready for Leopard.  For $554, you can get a retail copy of Leopard pre-installed. As you probably know, Apple has never licensed another hardware company to make an OS X Compatible computer, so legal action is inevitable.  The knock-off includes a 2.2 GHz processor, 250 gigabytes of hard drive space, 2 gigabytes of RAM and four USB ports.  The OpenMac uses minimal patching and a EFI V8 Emulator to successfully run Leopard. 

With the OpenMac you can run OS X natively as if you had purchased an expensive Apple computer except that, while paying less, you receive more. Apple’s entry-level computer, the Mac Mini, is a small and not very powerful machine. When comparing base configurations, the Mac Mini costs 150% of the price of the OpenMac while offering poorer performance, smaller storage space, and RAM. Not only that but the Mac Mini doesn’t have the option for an nVidia GeForce 8600 video card like the OpenMac does so playing games on it is a lost cause.

The Psystar website, for unknown reasons (possibly legal?), is down, and as soon Apple’s legal department notices that which has spread all over the web, appropriate action will probably be taken on the OpenMac. 

Via [TUAW], [Ars Technica], [Mac Rumors]

Macessity today introduced two new stands for Apple’s Mac Mini desktop computer. Both stands, the M4-Mini and M-Mini share a similar design - one that matches a Mac Mini perfectly with its 0.1085-inch thick steel, coated in an aluminum color. It is leveled with non-skid rubber pads to prevent it from moving whilst on your desk. The stands are designed to sit on top of your Mac Mini, allowing you to place any display that weighs up to 60 pounds.

The M4-Mini is a more expensive model that features a built-in, self-powered USB 2.0 hub - that allows you to extend your Mac Mini’s USB connectivity by an extra four ports. The M4-Mini will cost $59.99, and the M-Mini will cost $44.99; both will be available on April 28, 2008.

Via [Macworld]

The Mac Mini is Apple’s cheapest computer, and smallest desktop computer - great for those who don’t need much processing or graphics power. But recently there have been several rumors of its death nearby, brining a new mid-range Mac to replace it. According to AppleInsider, the Mac Mini is not dead yet - and may receive an upgrade soon. They speculate that these are the new specs the Mac Mini will get:

• 45-nanometer Core 2 Duo mobile chips starting at 2.1Ghz
• 800MHz front-side bus
• Stepped-up Intel graphics processor (most likely GMA X3100)

Via [TUAW]

Apple, we know you want this gaming market. You showed us numerous iPhone game demos and now have over 20 games for the iPod, but what about the MacBook and computer?

Apple has sold about 5.7 million laptops since the beginning of 2007. MacWorld predicts that a large percentage of the total are MacBooks. More games are appearing on the Mac and when games come to the iPhone with the SDK in June, do you want the halo effect? If the games on the iPhone and iPod Touch are really as good and better when iPhone 2.0 comes out it will be a huge hit in the gaming market. Users may then buy Macs, and will be disappointed, especially with the MacBook. The Mac Mini, MacBook and Macbook Air’s GPU, Graphic Processing Unit, memory is shared with the rest of the system. Integrated graphics on these computers keep them thinner, the weight and price lower - but also the performance. An upgrade to the hardware would definitely help and keep developers happy. Peter Cohen writes that “they’ve moaned and groaned about the system’s inability to run the games they’ve developed or have in the works.”

Will Apple be mainly focusing on iPhone and iPod Touch for gaming?

Via [MacWorld]

In perhaps the best Mac mod I’ve ever seen, Hideo Takano took the Mac Mini and made it into a mini Mac Pro. Perhaps this is the midrange tower we’ve been waiting for?

Takano took a 2.33 GHz Mac Mini with 2 GB of RAM, outfitted it with a 500 GB Hard Drive, and managed to cram it all into a case that looks a lot like the Mac Pro. He even added an extra USB port and a power button to the front.

Unlike most mods, the back of the Mac Mini sits flush with the back of the case, lending a fit and finish that is unseen in any other mod. All the ports are still easily accessible, and it looks so much better than the Mac Mini’s boring case. Check out his website (non- English) here.

Via [Unplgged]