MacRumors.com

The wait is almost over for Apple fans who have ordered their Macintosh TV's. We've received reports from hundreds of users that their Macintosh TV's have shipped. Apple describes the recently-released product:

Macintosh TV can be used to view and capture frames from broadcast television and video sources. It can function as a video game platform. It can be used as a CD player with enhanced stereo sound. Interaction with the system is not limited to the keyboard and mouse: Macintosh TV comes equipped with an infrared remote that controls both the TV and CD player.

Based on the LC 520/Performa 520, the Macintosh TV is the first and only desktop Macintosh with a matte-black case. Apple CEO Michael Spindler sees a bright future for the Macintosh TV:

It's an exciting product, one that delivers on the idea of combining technologies like computers and television into one system. Although the Mac TV product is being tested in specific areas, we think it represents the future of converging technologies and intend to continue our development efforts in this area.

In the next few years, the Macintosh TV could be as commonplace as the VCR.

MacRumors has received word on a new possibility from Apple. It may sound strange... but an Apple Cell Phone?

With the introduction of the Apple Newton, it's clear that Apple is shifting focus from Macs. In fact, John Sculley said this year that he "can see the day when Apple won't be in the personal computer business." This, of course, drew protestations from devoted Apple II and Macintosh fans, with calls for him to step down. But going with that thought, our sources have revealed that Apple is working with Motorola on a Cell Phone. Our artist's rendition (click image for larger version) is based on all currently-known information. The purposes of the Control, Open-Apple and Closed-Apple keys are open for speculation.

"Cell Phones" are wireless telephones that don't have to be plugged into a telephone line.

Apple today announced they were "reinventing the personal computer" with a new dayplanner-like product called the Newton. Designed to aid users with communication tasks, Apple expects the device to sell well. Apple's CEO had this to say:

We believe the Newton is hitting the market at a time when schedules are the most hectic they have ever been. We believe the Newton is exactly what our customers have been asking for, and we're pleased to offer what we feel will be a great device for them. We are confident sales will skyrocket over the next few years.

Apple has released a getting started video, which is available here. Apple has also posted a series of documents for assisting in setting up the Newton with legacy Macintosh products on its website.

Normally-reliable sources have reported to MacRumors that Apple will discontinue the entire Apple II line in November of this year, just as the Apple IIGS was discontinued last December. This claim is doubtful at best, given how successful the Apple II has been and the dedication of its users.

This rumor can also be dismissed because of the huge investment made in recent years by Apple II software developers, who continue to bring out popular products such as HyperStudio 3, and the wide availability of add-in cards for Apple II models.

Contacted by MacRumors, Apple investment consultant Jim Weyhrich said:

While the Macintosh line has been moderately successful, it doesn't have the maturity of the Apple II series. Given that Apple will never sell computers to the business community, hobbyists are their most loyal and important customers. Apple would not take the risk of abandoning a product that served as the company's primary source of revenue.

Apple has other reasons to hedge its bets on the Macintosh line. Competition is heating up from the newly introduced Intel Pentium CPU, which does numerical calculations faster and almost as accurately as the Motorola 68040. Meanwhile, leaked information shows that a Macintosh model based on the Motorola 68060 processor may never see the light of day.

MacRumors believes that the Apple II line will continue, with the regular introduction of new models over the coming years, and that this rumor is patently false.

A video of an Apple product called the "Knowledge Navigator" has been leaked! The video shows a book-like device with an intelligent assistant, flawless speech recognition, and integrated video conferencing.



Check it out before it gets pulled!