MacRumors

Think Secret claims the Intel-based iBook due in January will be a 13.3", 1280x720 WXGA widescreen notebook to replace the current PowerPC based 14" model.

ThinkSecret also claims that while the 12" configuration of iBook will remain, the 12" Power Book will be discontinued in the coming months.
The Intel-iBook has been rumored to be released at Macworld San Francisco in January.

CoolTechZone claims to have insider knowledge of Intel's official launch date of the newest processor from Intel -- codenamed Yonah.

Intels Yonah is a dual-core chip based on the 65nm fabrication process. Yonah will also mark the first launch with Intels new strategy in place performance per watt.

The debut is expected on January 6th, 2006.

Yonah has been speculated to be used in the first of the Intel-based Macs in early 2006. Speculation began immediately after Apple's announcement that it was moving to Intel processors. Intel has outlined its processor plans in August.

Meanwhile, recent rumors have also expected that Apple will be launching its first Intel-based computers at Macworld San Francisco which (conveniently) takes place between January 9-13, 2006.

A recent analyst note on PortalPlayer has triggered speculation about Apple's involvement in developing wireless iPods.

PortalPlayer makes system-on-chip semiconductors used in many portable media playing devices, including the iPod. In fact, 90% of PortalPlayer's revenue in the 3rd Quarter of 2005 is estimated to come from the iPod.

PortalPlayer indicated that it wants to aquire a small company with a wireless technology portfolio and is "dedicating 2006 to building out wireless capabilities".

Rumors/speculation of a wireless iPod is not new, with previous comments by Motorola execs as well as Apple patent images depicting a wireless iPod.

The last time Steve Jobs spoke on the subject, he claimed that Bluetooth for the iPod isn't a good option due to sound quality and headphone recharging issues. As well, Apple is cautious in adding new features:

We are very careful about what features we add because we can't take them away

Jason O'Grady of PowerPage.org claims that FireWire (IEEE 1394) will be completely missing from the rumored Intel iBooks.

He also claims that the new Intel PowerBooks will lose FireWire 400 ports, and only retain a single FireWire 800 port to appease video professionals.
Apple recently dropped Firewire support from the latest iPod (5G).

Variety reports on yesterday's addition of NBC shows to iTunes.

According to Jeff Zucker, NBC Universal Television Group President, hints that there will be more NBC shows for iTunes in the coming weeks.

You are going to see a series of announcements in the coming weeks

Speculation points to MacWorld San Francisco 2006 which takes place January 9-13, 2006 in San Francisco, CA.

Update: An NBC/Universal iTunes Ad posted on Apple's site states that the best of Bravo and your favorite Saturday Night Live skits are "coming soon".

CNet provides an interview with Michel Mayer, CEO of Freescale Semiconductor. Freescale is the Motorola spin-off which provides Apple with the PowerPC G4 processor used in the Mac Mini and current Mac Laptops. Apple has a contract with Freescale to fulfill G4 processor orders until as late as Dec 31, 2008 if required. (Apple is under no obligation to continue purchasing them through that time, however.)

The interview provides some confirmation of Apple's earlier consideration to move to Intel.

In my previous job, I ran IBM's semiconductor business. So I've seen both sides of the Apple story, because I sold the G5 to Steve (Jobs) the first time he wanted to move to Intel.

This information was previously revealed in an internal IBM newsletter about Apple's potential switch to Intel at that time. Instead, Apple went forward with the PowerPC 970 (G5).

Meanwhile, Mayer goes on to say that IBM's focus has shifted to consoles:

IBM decided not to take the G5 into the laptop and decided to really focus its chip business on the game consoles.

Apple has greatly expanded the iTunes Music Store this morning to include a number of new television show content.

Apple originally launched the video/television portion of their iTunes Store with limited content -- including only three ABC shows, and two Disney shows.

Today, Apple has launched with a number of new NBC, Sci Fi and USA shows including:

NBC: Law and Order, The Office, Surface, The Tonight Show, Late Night with Conan O'Brien, Alfred Hitchcock Presents, Dragnet, Adam-12, Knight Rider
Sci Fi: Battlestar Galactica, Battlestar Galactica Miniseries
USA: Monk

Most episodes remains $1.99 per episode, and some of the shows offered are "vintage" episodes of older television shows (Knight Rider, Adam-12, Dragnet, Alfred Hitchcock). (A few "special" episodes are priced at $9.99 per episode.)

Update: Press release - Apple has sold over 3 million videos in the first two months of video sales.

Think Secret is reporting that Apple has tapped Synaptics to supply click wheels for the iPod nano.

Earlier this year, Apple abandoned Synaptics and its proprietary click-wheel technology and circuitry for the nano in favor of its own proprietary application based on a part manufactured by Cypress Semiconductor Corp. But Cypress has been unable to keep up with increased holiday demand for that part, sources inside Apple have said.

In related news, Think Secret also is reporting that Apple's original estimates of selling between 8-10 million nano's may have been too optimistic, and has adjusted that number downwards to 7.5 million for the fiscal first quarter.

Last week, Intel announced company support for its Viiv media platform due in the 1st quarter of 2006.

A Viiv-based PC is expected to provide a standard compatibility platform to provide:

- Remote control operation
- Dual-core processor
- On demand Movies, Music, Pictures and Games
- Ability to Record, Pause and Rewind Live TV (DVR functionality)
- Surround sound/home theatre support

The recent press release announced the adoption by a variety of companies to provide compatibility testing and content for Viiv.

Intel is providing the engineering support, specifications and verification tools to content owners, content distributors, portals, software application developers and device vendors to help deliver Internetbased content services and software applications that are tested and verified to work with an Intel Viiv technology-based PC. The verified content services and applications will be capable of being accessed in full screen format with simple access using a remote control.

Meanwhile, recent rumors have pointed to Apple revamping their media distribution with the announcement of new partners for feature length as well as expanded television offerings. While there has been the typical analyst speculation that Apple and Intel may somehow be working together on a tie-in between Viiv and Mac OS X, there has been some independent verification that there will indeed be further cooperation between the two companies and Viiv.

Think Secret claims that Apple is set to unveil a new media content delivery system, which will include feature-length content, expanded television offerings, and more.

According to their source, the new system will rely on .Mac's iDisk for storage, keeping media files from ever being held locally on the purchaser's hard drive, utilizing the recently rumored Front Row 2.0.

In addition, Think Secret claims that Apple is poised to offer a number of new partnerships with various content providers, possibly including NBC, CBS and Paramount Pictures. Fox Filmed Entertainment has already gone on record as saying they were "open to" a deal with iTunes.

Apple has announced a milestone for the EU iTMS, with a countdown promotion starting today (Dec. 2).

Music fans in 17 countries around Europe are clicking their way to 100 million downloads on the European iTunes Music Stores. And to celebrate this milestone in the digital music revolution, we are running a special promotion to thank you for helping us make history.

100 Millionth Song Grand Prize
Selling 100 million songs on the iTunes Music Stores in Europe marks a dramatic acceleration in the purchase of legally downloadable music on the Internet. And the music fan who purchases the 100 millionth song in Europe will receive a prize that is just as dramatic and makes the digital music experience complete:

One 17-inch iMac G5 to command an entire world of music, photos, movies and DVDs, all from your sofa with Front Row and the new Apple Remote.
One 30GB iPod to take your music collection with you wherever you go.
10,000-song Gift Card for the iTunes Music Store to buy all the songs you want and fill up your new iPod.
Two Tickets for you and a friend to see Robbie Williams live in concert on his 2006 tour.

[Update] The 100 millionth download in Europe was album "Die Zauberflte" by Mozart, downloaded by grand prize winner Ken Reist from Steenokkerzeel, Belgium at 6.22 pm on December 6th.

MacCentral summarizes Apple's recent Form 10-K filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission which provides an overview of the company's over the past fiscal year.

Highlights include:

- Net Mac sales increased 27% year over year
- Average price of a Mac fell 7%
- 21% year over year growth in sales in higher education
- 11% growth in K-12
- 28 Million iPods sold with 248% revenue increase year over year
- 38 new brick and mortar retail stores in 2005
- Retail sales almost doubled to $2.4 billion
- Research and Development increased (up 9%)

Appleinsider posts some information and a presentation slide on the upcoming Motorola ROKR E2 phone.

The ROKR E2 is the successor to the ROKR E1 which was released by Apple and Motorola in September. While the E1 represented the first iTunes enabled cell phone, it was met with many criticisms.

Meanwhile, a recent Businessweek article reported that Motorola was revamping the ROKR for 2006 with many new features.

In 2006, Motorola is planning on introducing a new version of the ROKR that addresses many of the issues of the first generation. New features expected include a 1 megapixel camera, a 3.5mm earphone jack, capacity to hold 1000 songs, and a "sleek new look". iTunes support is expected to remain.