Macgasm

I’ve said all along it’s none of our business as consumers, but the public and shareholders at large tend to disagree en masse with my opinion.  Well apparently the heat finally got to Mr. Jobs and he decided to stick it to everyone questioning his health, and all those reporting on him being on his death bed.

I guess I would be a bit cranky too if everywhere I looked people were telling me I was dying, and dangerously ill.

In a “Letter from Apple CEO Steve Jobs“, he discloses his health issues,

my doctors think they have found the cause””a hormone imbalance that has been “œrobbing” me of the proteins my body needs to be healthy. Sophisticated blood tests have confirmed this diagnosis.

So there you have it, straight for the patient’s mouth. The best part of the whole letter?

“So now I’ve said more than I wanted to say, and all that I am going to say, about this.”

Now can we put this to rest, and get on with our Mac obsessions in a normal way–obsessing over the technology innovations, instead of Steve Jobs’ health?

There is a litany of rumors flying just a couple days before the Phil Schiller Keynote at MacWorld 2009.  Instead of just running down each of the rumors, I’m going to go through the rumors that are floating and give each a percentage of likelihood.  The Scale for the likelihood is from 1 to 100  So, here we go.

New Mac Mini

There have been those who are speculating that if the Mac Mini is not refreshed during this go round, the platform is officially dead.  The current Mac Mini is almost two years old and has not seen a single upgrade since.  The rumors are pointing to the following features:

• Processor Upgrade
• NVidia 9400M Video card
• SATA Superdrive that is swappable with a second hard drive
• Dual Display options, Mini-DVI and DisplayPort.
• Firewire 800 ports
• 5th USB 2.0 port

Likelihood of seeing this: 95%.  If we do not see this, or if it is not updated afterwards then who knows what they are planning.

New 17″ Macbook Pro

This model was the only one that was not updated back in October at the Notebook event.  While it would make sense to upgrade this, the speculation is that Apple did not release the 17″ model because of battery issues.  Here’s the rumor breakdown for the Macbook Pro.

• Unibody design
• Non-Removable battery.
• Battery will be able to last up to 50% longer.
• Speed increases along with DDR3 Memory.

Likelihood of seeing new Macbook Pros: 90%.  It would obviously make sense to introduce the new Macbook Pros seeing as though they are still using the older technology.

New iMacs

The iMacs weren’t upgraded that long ago with a new look and Firewire 800, along with the LED Display.  So what would be the appeal of refreshing them again you may ask.  Well try these specs:

• Nvidia Graphics chipset
• Speed Boost
• DDR3 Memory (Up to 6GB of Memory)
• Quad-Core

Likelihood of iMac Refresh: 80%.  It makes sense to upgrade the video card in the iMacs and refresh the chipset to allow use of DDR3 memory like the Notebooks.

iWork / iLife ’09

The iWork and iLife suites were last updated in August of 2007.  Even then it was late (since it was usually a MacWorld release).  This might just get them back onto track with the updates.  however, there’s a twist with this rumor.   Reportedly, iWork and iLife will go online.  Now, I myself can’t see this for every application, but for iWork I can definitely see this as a possibility.  The iLife suite being online is a bit harder to swallow, particularly iMovie, GarageBand and iPhoto can be rather intensive and I don’t know if it’s feasible as of yet.

Likelihood of iWork and iLife being upgraded: 90%.  Likelihood of being moved online: 70%.

iTunes going 100% DRM Free

While I think this would just reinforce Apple’s lead in the digital music market, I can’t see the Record companies (read RIAA [scums of the earth or any other lowlife synonym you choose]) wanting to give Apple even more power within the digital music market.  I can see another record label going DRM Free on iTunes, so it’s not entirely out of the realm of possibility.

Likelihood of seeing iTunes Plus for all tracks: 80%.

Beatles on iTunes / Beatles Yellow Submarine iPod

This has been a long standing rumor first started by the infamous Merlin Mann of 43folders.com on the MacBreak Weekly podcast.  I myself am not a Beatles fan, I do like a few songs, but not enough to warrant wanting to have a Yellow Submarine iPod, but to each his own.  I would like to see the Beatles be available on iTunes for those who do enjoy their music.

Likelihood of the Beatles on iTunes: 50%.
Likelihood of Yellow Submarine Beatles iPod: 10%. However, if the Beatles are on iTunes, Likelihood of Beatles iPod: 90%.

Tablet Mac

This rumor, like the Beatles iPod has been something that many users have been wanting.  There have been several iterations of the rumor.  Including, but not limited to, two iPod Touches hooked up together, two iPod touches with a hinge and a 13.3″ Macbook converted into a tablet, like Axiotron has already done.  Axiotron is an official modder sanctioned by Apple, so I’m not sure if it’s something we’ll see.

Likelihood: 10%.  I do not see why Apple would do a tablet, unless they buy Axiotron.

Apple Netbook

Steve Jobs stated that the netbook market was a ‘nascent’ one.  While it’s possible that it’s true.  I think Apple cannot ignore the market entirely.  It has been rumored that the Apple Powered netbook will arrive.  I just can’t see it yet.  I think once Snow Leopard is released it is more of a possiblity, since Snow Leopard will be a slimmer and faster version of OS X  Leopard.

Likelihood: 25%.  It’s not time yet, once Snow Leopard is unveiled, I think it’ll happen.

iPhone Nano

This rumor has been made before, but has recently been pushed to the forefront with the supposed release of cases by a couple of manufacturers.  This would make sense if somebody could tell me why they would do this.  The iPhone’s screen is a bit too small already, in my opinion.

Likelihood: 55%.  It’s possible, particularly with the rumors and evidence so far, but doesn’t seem practical given the size of the screen.

Snow Leopard Release Date

Snow Leopard being the next major release of the OS X operating system it would make sense that they would announce a release date at Macworld.  However, unless there is really something huge within the OS it may not be as much of a compelling update as 10.5 Leopard was from 10.4 Tiger.

Likelihood: 50%.  I do see them showing off parts of Snow Leopard during the keynote, but nothing concrete.

Product Red iPhone

This one just came to my attention while writing this article.  A red iPhone would add a nice additional color to it, along with helping a good cause.  We were duped earlier in the week with Pink iPhone that turned out just to be a case.

Likelihood of seeing Product Red iPhone: 30%.  It’s possible.

32GB iPhone

This is definitely a possibility and an eventuality.  The iPhone has been upgraded every year to include more storage and more features.  I do not necessarily see them introducing the next iPhone at Macworld, but more towards June / July, when they have been releasing them.  When they release the 32GB iPhone, they might drop the 8GB, unless they sell the 8GB at $99.

Likelihood: 45%.  Within the realm of possibility, however timing seems wrong.

64GB iPod Touch

Like the iPhone the iPods have always been getting more storage and sometimes a bit cheaper.  The iPod touch does seem to need more storage, but allowing more applications to be installed would be a bigger priority or me.  Along with folders.  But it’s entirely possible to get a storage update.

Likelihood: 45%.  Again, within the realm of possibility, however seeming unlikely.  Seems more like an iPod update announcement.

Dockable Photo Frame

This one is just out of the blue.  This wouldn’t fit into any section of Apple’s current line-up.  Unless they announce more consumer gadgets, I do not see this even happening at all.  Although, with more people taking photos and wanting a non-virus filled photo-frame, it could happen.

Likelihood: 10%.  I just can’t see this happening since it does not fit within their line-up at all.

Mac Media Server

This is a new prediction that people are bantering about.  I’m wondering where this exactly fits in with the Mac Line-up.  They have Time machine and external hard drives work quite well.  Although with the recent announcement by HP about an iTunes streaming server this rumor can definitely happen.

Likelihood: 30%.  It’s possible, however doesn’t seem to work that well within the lineup.

Mac Pro Upgrades

The current Mac Pros, are eight-core behemoths that just take any data thrown at them and processes it and spits it out with fervor.  The current Mac Pro was introduced about a year ago and Intel has since released new processors and chipsets.  So, it make sense that the Mac Pro would be upgraded.

Likelihood: 35%.  I say 35% because it could come at a later date because it’s not really a ‘consumer’ device.

Mac Pro Mini

This is one of my own hoping / thinking.  The Mac Pro is a good chunk of change, and I’d love to have the capacity and capabilities of the Mac Pro, just not at the price point.  I’d love to see a smaller Mac Pro that can have RAID 5, one super-drive and only one quad-core processor for about $1500.  This would be the ultimate in terms of function and

Likelihood: 5%.  It probably won’t happen, since I’d like to see it.

These are just some of the rumors floating around right now. I guess we’ll see what the Philnote has in store for us on Tuesday.

We’ve decided to get a little bit of a jump start and get things organized for the keynote on Tuesday.  We’re planning on doing a live posting in this exact post.  So if you bookmark us, and reload us on Tuesday just before the keynote, you’ll see our updates and commentary.

We’re also putting together an IRC channel for the keynote, so I hope you can join us over there for a live chat and running commentary while the keynote is going down. It should be a super good time.

Update: IRC server irc.abducted.us and the channel is #macgasm

Macworld 2009 Keynote

Hope you guys are ready for Xmas part two!

We’ve picked the giveaway winners, and have attempt to contact them all via email or twitter.  Before we post the winner names here, we’re hoping to give them a couple days to respond to us before we let the public know.  We also thought it would be fun to not tell people what they won so when the stuff arrives they’ll be excited to find out what they got.

Grats to the winners, and more importantly thanks to all of our sponsors.  Without them, we would not have been able to give you the items we did.  You should give their sites a visit.

• An 8 GB Silver Ipod Nano (Donated By: Alpha-one.ca)
• Nano Sleeve (Donated By: eco-TAV)
• Bento 2 (Donated By: FileMaker)
• SkullCandy Hesh Headphones (Donated By: EastScene)
• Fabrix Laptop Case (13.3 Macbook)
• KidzGear Headphones
  
• Newer Technology Computer Tool Kit and Case
• Unibind PhotoBook Creator Program and Blank Books

I am a recent Netflix convert, so I have become obsessed with managing my queue, and making sure to send my discs back in time to get new ones before the weekend. There are a few apps that I have taken to using to make sure that everything is running smoothly, so it is a natural extension that I would share them with my favorite Mac users: The Macgasm community.

First, I use a desktop application called Fluid to create a separate application just to interface with the Netflix website. For all intents and purposes, it is a copy of Safari sitting in your dock just for your queue. It cuts out the middleman that is the bookmark, and lets you have your queue open at all times.

Second, I use iCal to set reminders to take my DVDs to the post office. If I’m at home on my iMac, at a coffee shop with my MacBook Pro, or listening to music on my iPod Touch, I will get an alert to remind me to get my discs out in the mail. I will also have an alarm set for the previous day to warn me that it is almost time to send out my discs. This twenty-four hour warning is so I’ll remember to watch the movie currently in my possession. I can’t forget that step.

Third, I use an iPod Touch/iPhone application called PhoneFlix to view and manage my queue when I’m not at my Mac. It is completely free, and it shows a more compact and simplified view of my massive Netflix queue. There are a number of applications available to complete this task, but this is my favorite one that I have found.

These applications allow me to keep a consistent stream of discs coming in. There is no doubt in my mind that my Mac and iPod Touch allow me to get my money’s worth out of my Netflix subscription. I let the computers do the heavy lifting, and I try to enjoy as many movies as possible.

Well, the holidays are officially over, and most of us got way too wrapped up in them to post much, so I thought I’d write one post to get you up to date on the happenings in Apple land while we were all gone, stuffing our faces with turkey and opening all of our gifts.  It’s a half-ass attempt at getting back into the swing of writing, so… deal with it.  ;)

1. New Mac Minis have been rumored to be sitting in the wings, waiting for Mr. Jobs’ replacement at Macworld to announce.  It’s also believed that the new Mac Mini will support duel displays.
2. Everyone loves to eat yellow snow.  Right?  Well, what if I told you that partaking in yellow snow goodness is a way to get your iPhone off of those Crappy AT&T and Rogers networks? I bet you’d gobble down a whole ton of it.  That’s right, an unlock application is in Beta!
3. A certain internet celebrity freaked out over Steve Jobs’ health and sold all of his Apple stock, a Gizmodo writer takes the heat for having “bunk” sources, and MSNBC decided that it was okay to be dicks and speculate in an article where they clearly say they don’t speculate (I filed this one in the ‘who cares file’).  If people are buying and selling stocks based on a blog post that clearly cites the news as a “rumor” and an internet celebrity…they deserve to be flogged.
4. There’s a pink iPhone floating around, and of course the internet is a buzz with rumour mongering and rejoicing about a new iPhone being on the brink of release… but, it turns out it was just a cover for the back of the phone (lol).
5. An Apple store got robbed, and the thieves were clearly wimps, as they obviously avoided the Mac Pros!
6. There might be a Super-Duper sized iPod touch (Newton 2.0 anyone?)
7. Our Holiday Giveaway has closed, and we’re sorting through the submissions and will be picking the winners in the next couple of days!