MacRumors

With the release of the Intel Mac mini, several sites have already taken the new Mac apart.

Macworld posts some photos disassembling the new Intel Mac mini, revealing that the 2.5" hard drive is SATA and the RAM slots are now horizontal, making them less accessible than previous models.

Another user also posts more detailed photos with some interesting observations:

- 110 Watt Power Supply (vs 85 Watt)
- Packed tighter and no room for a seperate video card
- The Intel Processor appears socketed - which means it is potentially upgradable in the future by a simple chip replacement. The Intel iMac also has a socketed chip, while the MacBook Pro processor is soldered on.

Finally, Applefritter posts a detailed guide on the dissembly with step by step photos.

Arstechnica provides their review of the MacBook Pro, and covers basic areas, including battery life (avg 3hr 17min) and benchmarking (vs G4 PowerBook and Dell Inspiron).

Macworld also provided their thoughts on the MacBook Pro along with Benchmarks comparing it to various Mac PowerPC (PowerBook G4, iBook G4, PowerMac G5) and Intel Mac models (iMac Dual Core).

Direct comparisons are still difficult to make between PowerPC and Intel models due to the variable availability of Universal Binaries.

iLounge posts their first look at the Apple iPod Hi-Fi which was released on February 28th 2006.

The first look hosts a number of photos of the new device, including unboxing photos, and size comparisons with other popular units:

Audio quality? We dont ever like to comment on this until weve done straight comparisons, but it was evident in each of Apples four demo rooms that the Hi-Fi is capable of revealing flaws in compressed audio - good for audiophiles, perhaps less so for average people or those accustomed to iTunes Music Store downloads.

Macworld provided their first impressions of the iPod Hi-Fi at the media event based on the demo rooms shown at the media event, and also received mixed reviews.

As previously mentioned, Inside Mac TV (iTunes) Video Podcast offers a relatively complete video of the introduction of the iPod Hi-Fi.

Appleinsider claims that Apple is in the "intermediate stages" of developing a full blown Movie download service through iTunes.

The information appears to be based on a survey distributed by a research firm asking questions about a potential "iTunes music service" that could be downloaded to your computer or iPod. The survey specifies that users would be required to have a broadband connection and the movies would be offered by monthly subscription.

With the monthly subscription basis, users would have unlimited access to the library of movies. Cost models proposed includes a $9.99 monthly fee, but also considers on a per-movie purchase option similar to the current iTunes song model.

There is no evidence that Apple commissioned the survey or if it means that an Apple movie service is in the works, but several analysts did expect an iTunes Movie service for the February 28th announcement. It was unclear, however, if these predictions were based entirely on speculation or from informed sources.

In January, Vongo launched a similar subscription-based movie service, but is still not available for Mac users.

Apple has addressed the recent well-publicized security issues involving the Safari "Open safe files after downloading" feature, including changes to Mail, iChat, and the LaunchServices facility.

Now available via Software Update for qualifying systems:

Security Update 2006-001

For Mac OS X 10.3.9 and Mac OS X 10.4.5.

Recommended for all users and improves the security of the following components:

apache_mod_php
automount
Bom
Directory Services
iChat
IPSec
LaunchServices
LibSystem
loginwindow
Mail
rsync
Safari
Syndication

For detailed information on this Update, please visit this website: http://docs.info.apple.com/article.html?artnum=61798

Specific information can be found here.

Also available for direct download: Mac OS X 10.4.5 (PPC), Mac OS X 10.4.5 (Intel), Mac OS X 10.3.9, Mac OS X 10.3.9 Server.

iTunes 6.0.4

With iTunes 6, you can preview, buy, and download over 3,000 music videos and hit TV shows on the iTunes Music Store and sync your music and purchased videos with iPod to enjoy on the go. To watch purchased videos, you must have QuickTime 7.0.3 or later and Mac OS X 10.3.9 or later.

iTunes 6.0.4 addresses stability and performance issues related to Front Row.

Note: After purchasing music from the iTunes Music Store with iTunes 6 or later, you will also need to upgrade your other computers that purchase music from the iTunes Music Store to the latest version of iTunes.

Also available as a direct download.

iPhoto Update 6.0.2

iPhoto 6.0.2 resolves several minor issues with playing shared slideshows in Front Row.

Also available as a direct download.

Front Row 1.2.1

This Front Row update improves compatibility with iTunes and iPhoto sharing.

Also available as a direct download.

CNet provides thee only video clips from yesteday's media event by Apple.

In it, Apple introduced the Intel Mac Mini as well as the iPod Hi-Fi, which were both expected

Curiously, Apple is not offering the presentation for streaming/download on their site. Typically Apple has posted their Quicktime videos of their presentation following a media event.
iLounge has posted a photo gallery from the event.

Update
- Inside Mac TV Video Podcast offers a relatively complete video broadcast of the event.
- MacBreak Video Podcast offers clips from the Keynote and interviews with Apple Execs.

At the media event February 28th, Apple unveiled an iPod stereo for home use, offering crystal clear sound and a built-in universal iPod dock. The new iPod Hi-Fi measures 17" x 6.6" x 6.9" and includes the Apple Remote.

While normally running on A/C power, the box is alternately powered by D-cell batteries, and features integrated handles to make moving the speakers easy.

The iPod Hi-Fi is priced at US $349 and is available immediately from the Apple Store.

World-class acoustic design
Large soundstage
Precise imaging and separation
Wide frequency range
Room-filling power without distortion
Seamless iPod integration
Apple Remote
AC and DC modes
Analog/digital input
Compact footprint

Steve Jobs also announced that leather iPod cases for the 5G and nano iPod models would be available mid-March, for $99 each. The new cases offer no screen or control access.

At the media event February 28th, Apple unveiled a revised Mac mini featuring either a 1.5Ghz Intel Core Solo or 1.66Ghz Core Duo processor, offering up to a 5x increase in overall speed from the previous model. The form factor for the machine remains unchanged.

The new mini sports the Apple Remote with Front Row, up to 2 GB memory, Intel GMA950 graphics processor, DVI connector w/ VGA out option, Slot loading optical drive, up to 120GB hard drive, built-in gigabit ethernet, analog and digital audio, USB & Firewire ports, iLife '06 and Mac OS X 10.4 Tiger.
Additionally, the new mini offers "Shared Music, Photos & Video" which allows the mini to stream music, photos and video wirelessly from other macs on the same subnetwork using Bonjour technology. iTunes TV shows can be streamed.

1.5Ghz Intel Core Solo Model: $599
1.5GHz Intel Core Solo processor
2MB L2 Cache
667MHz Frontside Bus
512MB memory (667MHz DDR2 SDRAM)
60GB Serial ATA hard drive
Combo drive (DVD-ROM/CD-RW)
Built-in AirPort Extreme and Bluetooth 2.0
Apple Remote

1.66Ghz Intel Core Duo Model: $799
1.66GHz Intel Core Duo processor
2MB L2 Cache
667MHz Frontside Bus
512MB memory (667MHz DDR2 SDRAM)
80GB Serial ATA hard drive
Double-layer SuperDrive (DVD+R DL/DVDRW/CD-RW)
Built-in AirPort Extreme and Bluetooth 2.0
Apple Remote

All Mac mini models also include an integrated Intel GMA950 graphics processor with 64MB of shared DDR2 SDRAM, 10/100/1000 Gigabit Ethernet, four external USB 2.0 ports, FireWire 400 port, optical digital and analog audio in/out, and built-in mono speaker.

Apple's Feb 28th Media Event takes place at 10:00am Pacific at the Apple Town Hall Building in Cupertino, California.

The most likely products for release include an iPod Boombox and the Intel Mac mini.

Meanwhile, Intel iBooks and Touch Screen iPods are said to be coming soon, but not necessarily at this event. Finally, some analysts are expecting a full blown Movie-download service from Apple.

Event is Over!

Live Coverage was provided by the following sites:
iLounge.com
Engadget.com
MacCentral.com
ValleyWag.com

Product stories will be posted shortly.

San Jose Business Journal is reporting that Apple computer has acquired a never-used 107,000 sq. foot data center in Newark, CA. The center was originally designed for MCI WorldCom.

Data centers generally house computing, data-storage and networking equipment assisting in Web-based services and transactions.

This center is described as a "Tier IV" datacenter with high levels of redundancy and security.

What Apple plans to do with the Data Center remains up for speculation.

Microsoft launched a website (Origami Project) which offers a short teaser product intro which simply promises more information on March 2, 2006.

Details of the upcoming product, however, has revealed a multi-function wireless tablet described as follows:

"According to at least one report, Bill Mitchell, Corporate Vice President of the Mobile Platform Division, showed a slide that outlined specs for the new PC category, including that it be wearable, always on, no larger than 10-inches, connected through 3G networks, pen-based, and have a suggested retail price of $500 or less. One notable spec that could differentiate this one: Microsoft is apparently insisting that this run the full version of Windows."

An online marketing presentation (has been pulled) depicts a small wireless tablet that offers a number of functions, including handwriting, sketching, instant messaging, GPS/mapping and gaming.

Arstechnica now claims that Microsoft is hosting a surprise media presentation on Tuesday (Feb 28) night unveiling an "innovative concept in development". Coincidentally, Apple is also hosting a media event on the same day but rumors have not suggested a similar product from Apple.

While this news is not directly Apple related, numerous Apple Tablet rumors have sparked interest in the possibility of an Apple-branded touch-based computer.

Update: A copy of the marketing video is provided here.

The widely discussed iPod Video photo appears to be a fake.

A Quicktime video (.mov) is now being distributed appears to document the creation of the fake image. The video is mirrored at YouTube. Higher quality version is also mirrored here.

The original image was posted at Flickr and then popularized by many technology sites Thursday morning. Fake "spy shot" images have long been a tradition prior to Apple release events, but with the increased attention of Apple from various technology sites, these fake images get more and more attention.

See our historical Gallery of Apple Mockups and Fake Products.

More rumors of the February 28th Apple event are leaking out.

As previously reported the Intel Mac mini and an iPod Boombox/Hi-Fi companion product are expected to be released at the Feb 28th event.

Appleinsider now claims that the Mac mini has already been sent to manufacturing partners to ramp up for release. Meanwhile, the Intel iBook is not expected to be released at next week's event.

The most detailed rumors of the Intel Mac mini were described in November:

- Front Row 2.0
- "TiVo-Killer" DVR application
- Built-In iPod Dock
- Possible move to 3.5" hard drive

Meanwhile, the iPod Boombox/Hi-Fi which was originally described in December and confirmed yesterday by ThinkSecret is expected to be priced in at over $300. The exact functionality of the new iPod remains a mystery, but hints of "unique capabilities" and "strikingly different" have been used to describe the unit.

Both "iPod Boombox" and "iPod Hi-Fi" were recently trademarked by Apple in the Hong Kong Trademark office.

Appleinsider reports that Apple will expand the use of magnets beyond its recent addition to the MacBook Pros' MagSafe power connector which is designed to safely pull away when yanked rather than drag your MacBook Pro to the floor.

According to the rumor site, the upcoming Intel-based iBook will incorporate an entirely magnet based latch technology. At present, the Mac laptops utilize a small magnet to pull a small metal latch down when laptop is closed. In the future, they claim that a stronger magnet will hold the screen shut.

The Intel iBook is also described to house a 13" display, built in iSight, Apple Remote and retain the white enclosure.

There have been a number of rumors surrounding the Intel iBook. At present, the latest expectations pinpoint the iBook replacements to come in March/April.

Earlier this week, Apple sent out invitations (picture) to select members of the media for a news event on February 28th 2006. Apple teases:

Come see some fun new products from Apple.

The invite-only event kicks off at 10:00am Pacific at the Apple Town Hall Building. The event has sparked speculation by analysts about what Apple might introduce at the upcoming event.

American Technology Research expects Apple to announce "its first, full-length films available for download on iTunes". This would expand iTunes content beyond the music, music videos and television episodes currently available. ATR also expects a widescreen consumer notebook and an entry level Mac mini which includes a remote control and FrontRow software. In what may provide possible confirmation, FreeMacBlog claims that Apple is no longer taking large orders for Mac minis, suggesting that they may have cleared out current inventory.

Indeed, the most recent hints we've heard suggests that Apple will likely be introducing a new Intel-based Mac mini as previously described as well as an iPod companion product that was originally described in December in anticipation of Macworld San Francisco.

While rumors of a touch screen iPod have sparked the imagination of readers, there's no word on the likelihood of its release. Yesterday's claimed "Video iPod" photo has generated a lot of discussion.

Update: ThinkSecret also confirms the coming iPod Companion Product (iPod "Hi-Fi") and Appleinsider expects the Intel Mac mini.

Several sites are popularizing this Flickr photo claiming to be a photo of the upcoming full-screen Video iPod.

The photo resembles the leaked 5G iPod photos, but may have simply been inspired by the same photos.

There is significant debate about the part number shown. The part number "M8719Z/A" is the same part number as Mac OS X 10.2 Server, but several people feel it is a "B" not an "8".
(Moved to Page 1 due to popularity/interest, not because of any particular evidence that this is real)