Apple Rumor: Macbook Nano/Apple Netbook

New York Times 'bits' contributor, John Markoff, has done some hard-nosed reporting about an unusual occurrence within Apple Computer: Steve Jobs on a conference calls with analysts. I know that doesn't sound too groundbreaking, but considering he hasn't taken part in one in eight years, it's news worthy. What's more news worthy is what was discussed.

First off, the economic tailspin isn't worrying the hipster computing giant. One analyst noted during the call...
Apple currently has "enough money in the bank to hire all of the engineers in Silicon Valley for a lifetime."

Secondly, with $25 billion in the bank, no debt, and a growing army of loyal clientele, Apple is positioned, like no other company in the industry, to develop a netbook computer that will provide the full computing experience for under $500.

And Markoff has some interesting news about this possibility as well; "A" search engine company [contacted Markoff, stating they] "spotted Web visits from an unannounced Apple product with a display somewhere between an iPhone and a MacBook."

Furthering this storm of speculation is Snow Leopard, Apple's latest incarnation of their lauded OSX, said to be optimized for a touchscreen interface; just the kind of interface a 'Macbook Nano' or Apple Netbook machine would be sporting.

I think that battery capacity and lifespan will be a deciding factor in how quickly, if at all, this will come to market. That screen looks like a battery killer to me.
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Spotted in the Wild: The New Kindle

    The hopes of Kindle users will seemingly be fulfilled. Etronics Blog's piece on the Kindle 2.
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Apple Event is On

Apple's invite...
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Kindle, Out of the Boardroom and into the Dorm

Amazon’s latest ploy to sell the online retailer's far from red-hot e-reader, Kindle, may be the marketing strategy that finally gives the device the wings Bezos seeks. Target: college students. They have to buy books, and at the beginning of each semester the college bookstore is no picnic, it’s pandemonium – pushy crowds, long lines, and overworked stockers. Wouldn’t it be nifty it hop on the Sprint EDVO network and download the textbooks needed right to your Kindle, for less? Not to mention the environmental savings, or the money saved on publishing.

The latest incarnation of the Kindle is set to drop around September or October, at the much more reasonable price of around $249 or $299; making it the perfect second semester Christmas gift for that diligent student on your list. Along with a bigger screen and a slimmer, sleeker case, the rumors have also suggested the reader will have a, much needed, updated interface, and larger keys with better placement. The hope is Kindle will jump several generations with these advancements. Making a final product seem more like a 4th gen device than a 2nd. Time will tell.

But, if history is any indicator...
Amazon may have a hard row to hoe. Book publishers have noted the number of electronic copies of books sold has declined while hard copies remain steady, and the New York Times hasn’t had a run on subscription through Kindle; stating, they’ve seen a ‘very small number’ of subscription since it’s launch. Add to that, the fact that I never see folks sporting these in NYC, and I really wonder who’s buying these things?

The college crowd is a fickle demographic, but get them in your corner and you can start shopping for that summer home. Amazon will have to be aggressive at promoting the advantages of this system over an iPod or laptop, in order to capitalize on a student's limited resources. I read the NYT everyday on my iPod; it’s free, and great for me. I’m the kind of reader they should be convincing. Just stick to you guns Amazon, if you'll know how to sell anything it’s books.

Source

Update: Drop date speculation has been confirmed to be false by Amazon spokesman Craig Berman. Source: NYT
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Apple Rumors: New iPods, iTunes 8, and a Price Drop?

Digg.com’s founder Kevin Rose: is either - quite well connected, lucky enough to get random emails by Apple insiders, or is just looking for blog traffic. Really, it’s probably all three. A self-made gentleman of the blog-o-sphere, Rose is taken quite seriously by most bloggers and podcasters, as his information is the stuff of dream posts. Hard hitting, late breaking, unconfirmed tech rumors… revealed.

We bloggers crave this type of inside track so badly that we’ll believe most anything. Rose revealed on Sunday’s “This Week in Tech” that he has received unsolicited anonymous emails, which included...

PDF files of reference photos and technical specs for the new nano. The photos released, show a rounder, thinner, and longer body design, in addition to a wider screen. Who knows if the emails are from people working for or with Apple on the latest iPod nano design, but the information is thought to be creditable.

Rose also wrangled up some insider info on the iTunes 8 release, however remained tight lipped about the purported new features, in hopes of avoiding ridicule if his information is found to be false. Of course, that’s silly because people are going to ridicule and discredit him, either way. He also won’t release the full photos of the nano with the technical specifications attached to protect the sources anonymity. OK, then. So we should just take his word for it? Seems as if.

Rose also added what seemed to be his speculation of an impeding price drop. Making the assertion that the current iPhone price, of $199 w/ two-year contract, has been taking sales away from regular iPods.

I personally never really considered buying an iPhone, the service contract always seemed like a rip off, so I bought the iPod Touch, no contest, no debate, no wavering. It seems counter-intuitive that Apple would readjust their entire iPod line's price point to match a discount that is given when a two-year contract is signed. I don’t see it happening… good thing we’ll only have to wait a few weeks for all to be announced (Sept. 9). I hate not knowing whether I'm right.



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Sony Leaks New Line of Budget-minded Walkman

Sony inadvertently, or not, announced a new slew of inexpensive portable media players (PMPs), through their New Zealand site (which has already been squelched). The NWZ-E430 series Walkman will take its place under the NWZ-S610 line to become Sony’s newest entry-level PMP.

With the earlier 2GB NWZ-S615coming in just under $90, you can guess the 2” screen sporting NWZ-E435, NWZ-E436, and NWZ-E438 will be more than reasonably priced, when released. Other advantages are increased compatibility with drag and drop supported by OS file managers or sync software, as well as Windows Media player and iTunes support.

As with most non-apple PMPs, there is an FM tuner and incredible battery life. However, the 45 hours of music and 9.5 hours of video that this player is purported to be capable of... is unheard of in today’s market. More info as it becomes available.

via Sony Insider
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MiniEV Plans Put on Hold?

Friday I sent an email to Mini USA inquiring about the electric version of their popular Mini Cooper, or the MiniEV. I simply asked, 'How do I pre-buy a MiniEV?' The response I received was a vague form letter that raised many more questions than it answered...

Plans had called for a next summer release, possibly only in Cali!? According to Autobloggreen's diligent reporting we now know further announcements are excepted later this year, possibly around the time of the Los Angeles Auto Show.

from Mini:
-"Due to the unexpected, overwhelming response, MINI is currently reviewing our plans regarding the evaluation, test drives and distribution of the new MINI EV. Right now, it's not determined yet and details will be released with plenty of time for our customers to take advantage of this new technology. Regrettably, no further information is available at this time."
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Macbook Air Uncovered

Wired's Gadget Lab, yesterday, broke the news on Apple's new "sub-notebook" computer. Is this their version of ASUS Eee PC?

Our own source inside Apple enlightens us to further specs. The MacBook Air, as it is rumored to be called, will sport a seven inch screen and don around 32Gigs of hard drive space. That's about all we've got on this breaking story, check back after Steve's keynote address for more news.

Update: Well, we couldn't be more wrong. Here's the scoop from Steve himself.

MACBOOK AIR specs: 0.76" at its tallest end and 0.16" at shorter end, 13.4″display, ships with 80gb flash HD or 160gb solid state, 1.6ghz or 1.8ghz Intel Core Duo, new Intel chip that is 60% smaller than usual core duos, comes with 802.11n and latest Bluetooth, price: $1799, 5 hr batter life, 'remote disk' feature will allow you to install software from another computer.

..Via TechCrunch..
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