MacRumors

Microsoft's release of the Zune player, of course, has drawn a number of comparisons with Apple's iPod. With no official numbers yet available, many interested consumers are looking at other measures of comparison between the two product lines.

Several readers point to Amazon's Top Selling MP3 Player list as an informal sales ranking which shows that the Zune falls in 23rd place (after reaching a peak of 6th) behind many iPods as well as MP3 players from Creative and SanDisk.

Meanwhile, one analyst surveyed consumer electronics retail stores for comments and recommendations about the Zune player. According to their research, the iPod was recommended approximately 75% of the time, while the Zune was recommended about 8% of the time. As well, many of the quotes indicated that some sales people didn't even know what the Zune was:

"In fact, some MP3 player salespeople had not even heard of the Zune, despite the fact that they sold it in their store," he wrote.

To be fair, with the recent launch date for the Zune, such comparisons are hardly fair. After the initial launch, analysts expect the Zune to build gradually, with initial marketshare coming at the expense of other MP3 manufacturers besides Apple.

Microsoft is going to put tons of money in this over time, much like they did with the Xbox" video game console, she said. "It's not about the first generation (of devices).

The December 2006 edition of Mens Health magazine includes Men's Health 2007 Tech Guide, which includes an unannounced product labeled Nike Amp+, a wrist-mounted remote for interfacing with the Nike+iPod system.

Playlist miscues can ruin a run. That's the impetus behind this wrist-mounted Bluetooth remote, which lets you browse through songs on your iPod or check your run times without fumbling with the player. It syncs up with the Nike+iPod running system via Bluetooth wireless connection, displaying information on an illuminated LED readout hidden beneath the matte-finish face of the bracelet. Just stash your iPod in your pocketno more fiddling with the sweat-slicked dial.

Interestingly, the description describes the watch as using Bluetooth technology. While the existing Nike+iPod Sport Kit uses the bluetooth 2.4 GHz frequency, Apple claims it uses a proprietary protocol.

In addition, many users have been reporting for some time that the latest versions of the iPod software for their iPod Nanos (v1.3 for Gen1, v1.1 for Gen2, available via iTunes 7) is described as having support for an "Nike+iPod Voice Kit." No other information about this mysterious product is available at this time.

It is not known when either product will be available. Mens Health claims the Amp+ MSRP as $80.

Update: According to this FAQ on Apple's website, the Voice Kits appear to simply be downloadable software localizations for the spoken feedback produced by the Nike+iPod system.

Multiple readers report seeing a new holiday-themed "Get A Mac" ad on U.S. network television. While reader reports vary slightly on the exact details of the ad, in general the Mac (still played by Justin Long) performs a gift swap with PC with the Mac giving PC a photo book made from iPhoto, whereas PC gives a C++ GUI programming handbook and remarking "i've been eyeing that myself."

As of this posting, the ad has not been published to Apple's website. Justin Long's continued involvement in Apple's ad campaign and holiday-themed ads was previously rumored here.
Update: Three new Mac ads have been posted on Apple's site.

Gift Exchange
Sales Pitch
Meant for Work

Digitimes claims that Apple is planning on launching a 17" Widescreen LCD" monitor "by year-end or the first quarter of 2007".

According to vendors cited by the article, 17" widescreen monitors will not necessarily be more expensive than the current 17" 4:3 models.

Apple previously had sold a 17" 4:3 ratio LCD until June 2004, when it revamped their monitor line to what it stands today:

20" Cinema (1680x1050) - $699
23" Cinema HD (1920x1200) - $999
30" Cinema HD (2560x1600) - $1999

A 17" Widescreen LCD would fall in the bottom end of the monitor line. While intriguing, the report comes from Digitimes whose rumor reports have been historically inaccurate.

Fortune reports that Apple may be close to bringing the Beatles music catalog online exclusively through iTunes.

Other music stores such as MSN and Rhapsody have reportedly courted the Beatles over the years, but with little success. However, David Munns, head of EMI North America, was recently cited as saying that the Beatles would be available online "soon".

The details of the deal are still being worked out, according to the article:

As Fortune went to press, numerous deal points were still being hammered out. According to a music industry executive apprised of the talks, the parties were discussing how lengthy a window of exclusivity iTunes might get and how many tens of millions of dollars Jobs - who is said to be personally involved in the discussions - will commit to an advance for the band and marketing costs.

If a deal is established, this would be interesting conclusion to a history of legal disputes between Apple Computer and Apple Corps (Beatles company). The most recent outcome favored Apple Computer's use of the Apple logo in association with the iTunes store.

Smarthouse.com.au claims that Apple has a full working prototype of a Mac tablet PC within their labs with plans for a 2007 launch.

According to sources in Taiwan, the targets for this unreleased Mac tablet are expected to be home and education markets rather than the enterprise market.

The Mac tablet has been designed to handle third party applications such as home automation software that will allow users to control lighting, audio, entertainment devices and security feeds. It also acts as a full blown PC has wireless linking for a new generation of Wireless Hi Fi speakers that are currently being tested by Apple.

The Intel-based Tablet Mac would also offer a docking station to provide HDMI output to the appropriate screen. Beyond using the technology documented in Apple's recent patent applications for touch-screen/tablet Macs, Apple is reportedly licensing at least three patents from 3rd party companies.
This is not the first time that there have been rumors about a Mac tablet. In fact, rumors of a Mac tablet culminated in early 2003 with significant evidence that a Mac tablet project was in the works at that time. At the time, one description of the tablet at the time was as follows:

A device that superficially resembles a large iPod with an 8-inch diagonal screen, lacks a keyboard, packs USB and FireWire ports, and runs Mac OS X along with a variety of multimedia goodies.

The tablet, of course, never saw the light of day... though its unclear why Apple never released the tablet (if it did indeed exist).

As a historic note, Apple did work on a tablet form-factor for their Newton (PDA) devices. An unreleased prototype can be seen here.

Today (November 24th 2006), Apple is holding their annual Day After Thanksgiving sale (U.S. and Canada only) which is a one day event. What's notable about this event is that Apple rarely discounts their products, normally strictly following their manufactuer suggested retail prices. That being said, once sales tax and/or shipping costs and factored in, individual customers may still do better when purchasing from other online retailers.

Like last year, Apple will only be offering savings on specific products. A list of the discounts are presently detailed on Apple's online store.

Advertised Savings
iPod nano: Save $11-$21
iPod: Save $21-31
iPod Hi-Fi: Save $51
MacBook: Save $101
iMac: Save $101

There are additional savings on a number of iPod and Mac accessories and software. Discounts are also available at Retail Apple stores. User experiences trying to combine these sales with existing discounts have been variable.

MercuryNews.com reports on comments by Palm's CEO Ed Colligan on the persistent rumors that Apple will be introducing a Apple phone in the near future.

Overall, Colligan was not concerned about Apple's possible entry into the smart-phone market.

"We've learned and struggled for a few years here figuring out how to make a decent phone,'' he said. "PC guys are not going to just figure this out. They're not going to just walk in.''

Colligan does theorize that Apple might offer their phone with Wifi technology and distribute the phone in Apple stores rather than through the traditional wireless carriers, such as Cingular or Verizon.

Apple has been rumored to have paired with Cingular for their 2007 launch of the iPhone. Recent announcements, however, have cast some doubt on this arrangement.

The "Month of Kernel Bugs" project has found two unpatched security vulnerabilities in the way Mac OS X handles .dmg files.

The first vulnerability, rated "highly critical" by security-firm Secunia, can lead to privilege escalation, denial of service, and system access by a remote user (if Safari's open "safe" files option is checked).

The second issue is similar in nature, in that a corrupted UDTO HFS+ .dmg (ex. bad sectors) can lead to a denial of service condition.

A workaround for both issues is to disable Safari's option to open "safe" files after downloading, and to not open any .dmg file from a source you do not trust.

The latest findings increase the total to four security bugs found in Apple's software since the beginning of the project this month (See also: Airport Driver Exploit , fpathconf() Exploit ). The project has also targeted Windows, Linux, and other popular BSD distributions, with a stated goal to "check how many unreported and unknown issues can be found in kernel code out there, using simple, yet effective tools deploying techniques such as fuzzing and 'stress testing'."

The president and CEO of Eneco, a "development stage company" that claims to have developed a small chip that can convert heat into electricity, claims that he is in talks with both Apple and Dell regarding his company's technology.

First reported on an IT Week blog "Green Business News", Eneco claims that their chips can produce electricity from heat at up to 30% efficiency.

The company says it is already in talks with both Dell and Apple about how the chips could be used in their devices. Initial talks have focused on integrating the heat conversion chips into the device so it can harness the heat generated by processors and turn it into electricity to power fans or other cooling technologies. By harnessing this power the devices, be they initially laptops and handhelds, or later even servers and PCs, should see improved energy efficiency, extended battery life and enhanced performance.

There are issues with the chip, as are to be expected from a development-stage product based on a new technology. At the present time, Eneco hopes to begin production late next year or early 2008.

EETimes is reporting word from analyst Chris Caso that PortalPlayer may have scored a big win in Apple's rumored phone, receiving the contract for the applications processor design.

PortalPlayer was dumped from Apple's iPod Nano line in April 2006, and has since been bought by NVidia, who themselves are rumored to have scored the multimedia chip contract for the forthcoming "true" video iPod. PortalPlayer still supplies the audio processor for Apple's full-sized iPod (iPod with video).

Apple's phone has recently been rumored to be in production overseas, with initial deliveries starting in February 2007.

Apple started new advertising their new iPod shuffle tonight on U.S. television. Like the recent iPod nano ad, the new Shuffle ad is a departure from the silhouette iPod ads that Apple has previously used.

The new iPod shuffle ad emphasizes the new shuffle's small form factor that allows it to be clipped on any outfit.

Appleinsider reports on a research note by analyst Shaw Wu about a possible second version of the iPhone from Apple.

This second version would incoporate Apple's iChat software and may be dubbed "iChat mobile". According to Wu, Instant Messaging (rather than email) would be the focus of the device.

According to recent reports, one version of the iPhone has already been contracted out with target delivery in early 2007. This first version of the iPhone was described as a candy-bar form factor (artist rendition).

Previous predictions of Shaw Wu are reviewed in our Guide pages.

In the U.S., the day after Thanksgiving is called "Black Friday", which is historically one of the busiest shopping days of the year.

Over the past few years, Apple has participated with one-day specials at both their retail Apple stores as well as the online Apple Store.

Apple has posted a teaser at their online store:

Come back to the Apple Store the day after Thanksgiving for a special one-day-only holiday shopping event. You'll find dozens of great gift ideas all with free shipping.

Mark your calendars now. And until then, start your research by visiting our Holiday Gift Guide to find Mac and iPod gifts for everyone on your list.

Last year, Apple offered discounts on select Macs and accessories.

Hrmph reports on a recently released patent filed by Apple for a configurable input system that is shown to be applicable for an iPod and a laptop computer.

Apple seems to propose that you take a blank iPod and add a wheel for a standard iPod, add a keypad to make it a phone - add a joystick to make it a game machine. The overlays are identified by the computer/device and it reacts accordingly. Imagine adding a nice volume control to your iPod. The blank iPod can be made into a PDA, cell phone, game machine, handtop or remote control.

Add a joystick to your MacBook? How about a mixing desk?
Presumably, this would allow third-party vendors to design their on interfaces for the iPod/MacBook- this would make an extremely versatile machine. Examples mention by Apple include surfaces to make your MacBook a music/video editing machine or even overlays allowing you to add two buttons to your MacBooks touchpad.

The concept is based around adding physical/tactile controls over a touch-sensitive pad. By having such a modular system, an iPod or laptop could become even more multi-functional. The following image depicts several different modules that could be used on a laptop.

As a grain of salt, readers are reminded that Apple routinely patents technology that never makes it into shipping products.

On today's CNBC 'On the Money' program, which aired at 7pm EST, MacRumors founder and Editor-in-Chief Arn was interviewed on national television about Apple's rumored iPhone.

In case you missed the program, CNBC has posted a stream of the interview (mirror) and accompanying story on their website.

A special congratulations to Arn in his national television debut!