Appletell

No, this isn’t really a new iMac. It’s a great (and very cute) new stand for your iPod touch called the iClooly (anyone want to translate?), made by RockRidgeSound. Though I would buy it just for the iMac-esqueness, it also has functionality. The stand holds your iPod Touch while you are watching videos, viewing pictures, or just listening to music. It could also be a good replacement for Apple’s Dock, as there is still the ability to access the dock connector.

For those of you who don’t want to touch your Touch, this is for you. Made of Anodized aluminum and Plastic, this item could probably stand up to a lot. Also included is a dock connector cut-out (located in the same spot as the disc drive opening in the real iMacs), and a 90° swivel for those who prefer portrait. 

On its slated June 7th release, the stand will cost ¥4,980, about $50. 

Via [Engadget]

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]

Apple’s update of the iMac line on Tuesday is really beginning to show the direction that Apple is taking in its computers. Most significantly, Apple seems to be showing signs of preparing its Macs for the world of gaming.

Some evidence of this is the new 3.06GHz processor option for the 24-inch iMac, which is suspicious only because Apple is working the current technology to get 3.06GHz out of something designed to only give 2.8GHz. Another piece of evidence is the GPU, which seems to be a stock nVIDIA 8800M GTS (even though Apple calls it an 8800 GS, but Apple also called Mobility HD 2600 XT parts HD 2600 Pro). This is a very high-end GPU and offers much more power than most Mac users currently need from the iMac.

Implementing the overclocked processor and a high-end nVIDIA GPU in an iMac is a suspicious move for Apple to make. Whether Apple is starting to optimize Macs for gaming using Boot Camp with Windows, or even preparing Mac OS X-based gaming, no one can be sure. Either way, it appears that Apple is taking a step forward towards a future of gaming in its Macs.

Apple has announced that coming June 2008, a majority of G4 computers will be classified as “obsolete” or “vintage” which means they are no longer supported by Apple in terms of hardware (except for vintage computers, which are only supported in the state of California due to legislation.) If your computer is still supported by Leopard or other software, it’s fine to run it, but if something breaks on your computer, Apple wont fix it, even for a fee. They just won’t have the parts.

As of June 17, 2008, the following computers are no longer supported by Apple.

• iBooks with 32 MB VRAM
• iBook (Opaque 16 VRAM)
• Sunflower iMac Flat Panel (Summer 2001)
• eMac
• Power Mac G4 with Firewire 800

Think it’s too soon? Sound off below!

As suspected by the rumor websites, Apple’s latest update comes to us on a surprisingly early Monday. The all-in-one desktop success has just been upgraded with brand new Intel Core 2 Duo “Penryn” processors and new video cards. The new processors range from 2.4GHz to 3.06GHz. Unfortunately, for 4 or 8 cores, you’ll still need a Mac Pro - as these are still dual core processors.

The new models are as follows:
20-inch, 2.4GHz, 1GB RAM, 250GB Hard Drive, ATI Radeon HD 2400 XT 128MB. $1199
20-inch, 2.6GHz, 2GB RAM, 320GB Hard Drive, ATI Radeon HD 2600 PRO 256MB, $1499
24-inch, 2.8GHz, 2GB RAM, 320GB Hard Drive, ATI Radeon HD 2600 PRO 256MB, $1799
24-inch, 3.06GHz, 2GB RAM, 500GB Hard Drive, NVIDIA GeForce 8800 GS 512MB, $2199

Similarly to the recent MacBook Pro update, this update brings no new design - it is simply a regular update to keep the iMac’s up to speed with the competition. The new iMacs are available to purchase immediately from Apple retail stores, and the Apple Store online. Authorized Apple resellers should also be receiving stock of the new iMacs, if they haven’t already.

Geeksugar, who was right about the new MacBook Pros refresh last time around, is now reporting that new iMacs will be out next week, most likely on Tuesday.  The last time this product was updated was all the way back in August 2007, but that was a complete case redesign.  These new machines will be at the same price points, but will have faster speeds (i.e. the new Penryn processors) and a larger hard drive.  With recent news of Apple shipping 2.289 million Macs this most recent quarter, this could help raise that even more this coming quarter.

What do you think?  Is this just another rumor started to get some hype and commotion, or are new iMacs due for a little refresh?  Either way, it would be nice to see a few improvements made to the machine to draw some more customers.  So save that money you were just about to spend on a new iMac for another week or so if you can just in case this rumor turns out to be true.

For those of you who are unsatisfied with the current MacBook Air (or the iPhone, iMac, MacBook Pro or iPod Classic, and who value looks and style over functionality (or in some cases a lack thereof), this mod is for you.  Computer Choppers, an Oregon-based company, will take one of the previously mentioned Apple products and really pimp it out.  You have the choice of five precious metals and four semi-precious metals to cover your computer in, and other add-ons such as multi-colored sapphire Apple Logos on your computer. 

The main feature of their line if a 24 karat gold MacBook Air.  For $5,000, you can get a base-line MBA sheathed in the shiny stuff, and for another $3,000, you can get the Apple logo on the top cover replaced by multi-colored sapphires (of course using the original Apple Logo color scheme).  Other specialties include a Platinum iMac, a Rose Gold iPhone, and a Black Nickel iPod Classic. 

Via [9 to 5 Mac\

According to an undisclosed Taiwanese worker at an undisclosed Taiwanese case company, Apple is planning on a redesigned case for their MacBooks.  On a Taiwanese Apple forum, the worker wrote about Apple’s recent order for Aluminum casing for the MacBook.  Citing a non-disclosure agreement, he refused to answer further questions about the order.  This move to anodized aluminum cases would unify the entire Macintosh computer line, with everything from iMacs to MacBook Airs in sleek aluminum coverings.  When talking about a partial redesign of the Apple computer line, Appleinsider writer Kasper Jade reports that “13-inch consumer MacBooks will undergo the most significant metamorphosis, shedding their plastic enclosures for ones constructed from more eco-friendly materials such as aircraft-grade aluminum and stainless steel, people familiar with the matter say.” Some of the other possible changes to the line up include thinner computers across the board.  All of these changes are highly anticipated, as the MacBook and MacBook pro have looked the same and have been built the same since 2006.  It will hopefully be coming soon, as Apple’s average design cycle (18-24 months) is up for the MacBook and MacBook Pro.

Via [Appleinsider]

Apple today released Firmware Updates for the Intel iMac, MacBook Air, MacBook Pro, and Aluminum Keyboard.

The firmware updates are available at apple.com and through Software Update. They “[fix] several issues to improve the stability of [the] computers.” The keyboard update addresses an issue with keys repeating themselves wittttttttttttthout warning.

Firmware Updates require a restart and the keyboard update renders your keyboard useless for as much as 5 minutes while it installs, then it, too, requires a restart of your computer. Follow the instructions (usually “Quit Everything, Touch Nothing") to the letter, other wise your computer may get messed up. Potentially REALLY messed up.

Oddly, I downloaded the Firmware Update for my MacBook Pro manually, as Software Update didn’t find it and it told me I didn’t need the update. Is this happening to anyone else?

Kabateck Brown Kellner, LLP, a law firm from Los Angeles, California, has filed a lawsuit against Apple on behalf of a number of users claiming that Apple “deceptively marketed” its 20-inch iMac by claiming that it has improved display performance, although the device’s monitor is allegedly of “inferior” quality to its previous model. The lawsuit claims that the iMac’s monitors are incapable of displaying “millions of colors,” despite Apple’s marketing claims. “Apple is duping its customers into thinking they’re buying ‘new and improved’ when in fact they’re getting stuck with ‘new and inferior,’” said Brian Kabateck, Managing Partner of Kabateck Brown Kellner. “Beneath Apple’s ‘good guy’ image is a corporation that takes advantage of its customers. Our goal is to help those customers who were deceived and make sure Apple tells the truth in the future.”

The “millions of colors” claim comes from the assertion that while 24-inch iMacs display 16,777,216 colors on 8-bit, in-plane switching (IPS) screens, as did the previous generation of 20-inch iMacs, the new 20-inch iMac monitors display 98 percent fewer colors (262,144).

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