There is something poetic about using the iPhone’s coolest jailbroken app to document the SIM unlocking of the iPhone 3G.  Dev team, we and our European offices <3 thee :D

http://qik.com/swfs/qikPlayer4.swf

http://qik.com/swfs/qikPlayer4.swf

Buying a Netbook to run MacOS for Christmas?  Here’s a list of compatibilities from Boingboing.  As we’ve stated before, the MSI Wind takes the crown for easiest hackintosh. (instructions).  More instructions below.

Oh and here’s Leopard running on the smallest full fledged PC, and OQO.

How To Guides:
Running Mac OS X on a Netbook: Guide, Tips, Tutorial, Walkthrough [Ditii]
Run Mac OS X on an Eee PC [Wired]
Installing OSX on Eee 1000h [Wikidot]
OS X For the Eee PC 901 and 1000H [Mac Eee]
Install OS X on the MSI Wind [Make]
Guide to Installing OS X on a Lenovo Ideapad s10 [Netbook Tech]
OSX on a Samsung NC10 [Wired]

But still, it will be interesting to see if Apple changes the Mini design at all… (via Macenstein)

 Yeah, of course it is the side of the Macbook.  Why would the Mini need a screen?

Thanks to Sverkel for this one..

Informationweek thinks it will be a challenger to the MacBook Air. What do you think? 

http://adamobydell.com/

We have to admit we love this idea.

Out of nowhere it seems Wired’s Brian X Chen is saying that rebellion might be afoot in Cupertino:

Rakesh said he believes Apple isn’t preparing to simply give Jobs the boot. He said it’s more likely that Apple has developed a new executive team, which will gradually transition Jobs out of his role as CEO. "It won’t be Jobs staying at home, and starting next day the new guy comes," Rakesh said. "It’ll be a transitional overlap — over the next six months — until the next team takes over."

Similarly, Piper Jaffray analyst Gene Munster on Wednesday distributed a note saying his firm believes Apple is getting ready to shift management roles. "Yielding this year’s Macworld keynote to Phil Schiller, along with the participation of Tim Cook and Phil Schiller at the October event is, in our view, a clear message that a leadership shift is underway," Munster said.

Oh really?  Got any real evidence?

Several Apple employees contacted by Wired.com have reported that they haven’t seen Jobs since the company announced the CEO would not appear for a Macworld keynote. Jobs generally isn’t very visible in public, but the employees said they haven’t seen him on campus recently, either.

So, let’s get this straight. A few of Apple’s tens of thousands of anonymous employees haven’t seen Jobs since Tuesday? That is two whole days. 

Come on guys, we expect better.   We called up some Apple employees who said that Jobs has been seen with some mysterious Tina woman and that’s why he’s not sitting next to you at the cafeteria.

Mac Minis and iMacs will see updates at Macworld, it is almost certain.  It seems that Apple is quickly moving its whole lineup to NVIDIA chipsets in order for the new models to take advantage of the GPU crunching abilities of Snow Leopard and the Open CL specification from the  Khronos Group.  The whole portable lineup currently is running NVIDIA chips.  Snow Leopard is widely rumored to be shipping ahead of schedule and we’ll likely get some sneak peeks at Macworld.

A few sites falsely reported that iMacs would recieve updates in November.  Some of those same sites have been reporting that the Mini had been EOL’ed in 2007.  Not true it seems.

Today, Insanely Mac Forum member (via MR) found further evidence (also Wired Magazine) in the form of  some strings that indicate that Minis and iMacs will be getting the NVIDIA chipsets as well.  This isn’t groundbreaking as Steve Jobs said the whole Mac lineup was moving to Mini DisplayPort shortly which is, so far, only the realm of NVIDIA.

More than likely, the iMac refresh will only be internal.  The iMac represents the direction other Apple products are driving towards (Cinema display, iPhone) and hasn’t changed since the plastic/Aluminum crossover.  There also isn’t much to change on the Mini unless major features are changed (like 3.5 inch Hard Drive).

Digitimes thinks the new iMacs will have Intel quad core processors as well.

Intel is planning to launch three 65W low-power desktop CPUs targeting small form factor (SFF) PCs and all-in-one PCs in the middle of January next year, according to sources at PC vendors.

Intel will launch the Core 2 Quad Q8200s (2.33GHz/4MB L2), Core 2 Quad Q9400s (2.66GHz/6MB L2) and Core 2 Quad Q9550s (2.83GHz/12MB L2) with prices at US$245, US$320 and US$369, respectively in thousand-unit tray quantities. These CPUs will have the same specifications as standard CPUs with the same model number, but will see their TDP drop from 95W to 65W.

It would make sense that the Mac Pros would also see updates to Intel’s Core i7 line of processors and new NVidia chipsets.  This would give Apple’s whole lineup the ability to take advantage of Snow Leopard’s OpenCL GPU optimization features.

Apple is up to something, and as usual it’s the skills and press releases of other companies that shine the best light on Apple’s new direction.

Predicting the future is never easy, and with Apple it’s a special challenge. Apple always delivers far more, or far less, than people expect. They are experts at evolutionary change, like the new Macbooks. However, they are also experts at revolutionary change. The iPhone stands as a shining example.

Recently, Apple’s moves in acquiring PA Semi bought them a great deal of expertise in embedded systems, low power processing, and more generally in the area of SoC semiconductor design. As recently discussed, Apple possesses a lot of ARM design capability for a company that isn’t an ARM licensee. So, it is a reasonable assumption that they are.

The reasons to believe this are compelling. With the upcoming ARM Cortex processors in dual and quad-core configurations, ARM is going to be pushing out of the top end of their traditional performance envelope, and challenging Intel’s Atom for the netbook performance crown. More interestingly, ARM already thrashes the Atom on MIPS/Watt performance, and we know this is so important to Apple that Steve Jobs spent several minutes discussing it during his 2005 WWDC keynote – it was their primary reason for switching to Intel processors.

Now we have a new datapoint: Apple has taken a financial stake in Imagination Technologies. This is interesting for many reasons. Imagination has expertise in high performance graphics processing on small power budgets – something Apple desperately needs if they intend to bring high performance graphics to an ARM device for netbook or embedded use. The iPhone is passable, but it doesn’t have the performance to be a mainstay game platform, to do much with 1080p HD, or make for a pleasant OS X desktop experience.

Imagination Technologies is also a member of the Khronos Group, yes, the same people who recently finalized the OpenCL specification that is a big part of Snow Leopard.

From this we can start to draw reasonably safe conclusions about the device Apple would be designing, and its capabilities would betray its possible usage in future Apple products. What can we conclude?

Apple seems to be designing a high performance, power efficient, ARM-based SoC. It likely has high performance graphics, and an exceptional power envelope. It likely has the performance to support OS X natively, with comparable performance to current dual core Intel-based laptops.

This device seems almost overpowered for iPhone use. It would be a nice fit for a proposed netbook, where it would provide good performance, long battery life (days not hours), and an amazingly small thermal and physical footprint. It would also be very comfortable in the AppleTV, where it could reduce manufacturing cost and product complexity, and increase the AppleTV’s capabilities.

The greatest new product potential I see, when looking at the direction Apple has taken their core business over the last few years, is in selling devices that are tied to revenue streams that Apple controls. I’m referring, of course, to iTunes and the App store.

An AppleTV and a Wii have basically identical hardware requirements, and their functions support each other amazingly well. This new, proposed device would enable such a system to be built for less than $200. If you’ve used an iPhone, an AppleTV, a Wii and a DVR, you could see how these things coming together would be a Good Thing™.

The buzz, though, is about an Apple netbook. What does this proposed chip allow? If we take both design paths, the options are a giant iPhone with a touch-screen or proper keyboard, or the thinnest, lightest and ‘funnest netbook ever!’

What do you think?

Got to love Google’s sense of humor

From 9to5mac.com/toys comes the news that AT&T is now selling refurbished iPhones for $50 off of retail.  That beats the deep $2 discount that Walmart will save you.  Subscribe to get all of the latest Apple shopping news.

Admob has a very interesting data sheet out today with lots of interesting iPhone and iPod touch data.  They measure data in terms of web requests (much like NetApplications)…some of the highlights below:

• Apple is now the top smartphone by Internet page requests with 10% of the total market, up 3%
• There is a small but significant percentage of iPhone requests over Tmobile’s US network
• Ad clicks in Asia and specifically Indonesia are literally off the charts
• Although it is in 5th place globally with a quicky growing 7.8% of handset data requests, the iPhone model has the market lead with 6.3% (they count 1.5% of traffic from iPod Touch devices).
• Apple has about 25% of the smartphone handset market in the UK, but is gaining on market leader Nokia who has almost 2/3rds of the market
• Perhaps most interestingly, iPhones are using Wifi much more than other Wifi enabled devices by a wide margin.   The only other device on the radar is the PSP (and Nokia’s N95-6 series in Europe).  This has to be good news for AT&T who bear the burden of the iPhone’s 3G capabilities.  It is also a testament to the iPhones ease of switching between WWAN and Wifi networks.

Apple today was outted as the mysterious investor in  Imagination Technologies, now owning a 3.6% share.  This long term strategic move will solidify Apple’s ability to create future iPhones, iPod Touches and possible Netbooks based on ARM’s future products.   The aquisition of PA Semi earlier this year and bringing in IBM’s Mark Papermaster are also seen as moves to bring this all together.  Although they haven’t yet been outted, Apple is also believed to be an ARM licensee.

As I’ve stated before, I believe that Apple will, in 2009, deliver a new ARM Cortex Touch-based platform with a much bigger screen and physical keyboard option that will serve as a general computing platform for the masses.  This will incluse the Mobile multi-touch Safari, Apps store, Mail.app, iCal Maps, GPS, iWork and iLife Mobile. 

This will also be the opening battle in the Intel vs. ARM architecture war.  More below on this from ABI research:

Ultra-Mobile Device Market Becoming Processor Battleground

NEW YORK – December 18, 2008 –
The processor vendors supplying chips for UMDs (ultra-mobile devices) are playing a pivotal role in how this market is shaping up. X86-based processors are well entrenched in the PC world and ARM-based processors are well entrenched in the handset world.
 
Since UMDs sit right between the PCs and handsets in terms of power, size, and function, x86-based and ARM-based processors will compete in the UMD space and are already fighting it out, starting with marketing wars.
 
ABI Research principal analyst Philip Solis says, “x86-based processor vendors are in a very good position in the near term as far as product wins and market share are concerned. However, as mobile internet devices (MIDs) start to surpass netbooks in shipment volumes, ARM-based solutions will be in a better position.”
 
Processors based on the x86 architecture (available from vendors such as Via Technologies and Intel) hold a key advantage in that they are compatible with all x86-based applications – the same PC applications most people use today.
 
Since they evolved in a more portable and mobile device world, ARM-based processors have always excelled at low power consumption. For devices such as MIDs that may be used very heavily all day or may need to last for days without recharging, ARM-based processors hold the advantage.
 
The x86 vendors will have to make significant advancements in terms of power consumption while executing instructions in order to put up a better fight across the whole UMD space, while ARM is working with software vendors to ensure that as they develop processor architectures and instruction sets, the latest versions of software are compatible.
                                                              
Solis concludes: “The future shape of this market will be determined by engineering success on the x86 side versus business success on the ARM side.”
 
A study from ABI Research, “Mobile Internet Devices” analyzes the drivers and barriers for UMDs across the ecosystem. It examines the issues that will shape this market, including the contest between x86-based processors and ARM-based processors, distribution and subsidization, device definitions, and the effect of cellular voice-enabled MIDs. It includes detailed, segmented market forecasts through 2013.
 
This report forms part of ABI Research’s MIDs and Mobile CE Research Service.
 
ABI Research is a leading market research firm focused on the impact of emerging technologies on global consumer and business markets. Utilizing a unique blend of market intelligence, primary research, and expert assessment from its worldwide team of industry analysts, ABI Research assists hundreds of clients each year with their strategic growth initiatives. For information, visit www.abiresearch.com, or call +1.516.624.2500.

While the economy is of course a concern for many companies (especially Adobe who are handing out pink slips), we have to wonder if these four companies might have had prior knowledge about Steve Jobs’ absence from Macworld before the general public knew.  Google, who significantly downsized their booth just a week before Apple’s announcement, shares Eric Schmidt, their CEO with Apple’s Board of Directors.  Adobe, whose relationship with Apple has been pretty tumultuous lately, also has many Apple insiders who could have been privy to the situation.  They pulled out just over a week before the announcement.

Seagate and Belkin are both much smaller players in the Apple landscape but industry sources could have been floating these rumors for quite awhile.  They have  both have bailed on the event in recent days  A non-Jobs Macworld certainly isn’t the same bang/buck as one with Jobs pulling technology products out of his magic hat. 

We can only wonder…

Would AT&T’s iPhone service be any better if the US had a similar policy as France’s new ruling indicates?  It isn’t just France either.  Apple is forced to sell an open iPhone in many other countries.  Maybe Verizon wouldn’t charge $15 to send 200 SMS’s?  Maybe Tmobile would offer a 1 year deal?  Or Sprint would charge less for mobile broadband (WiMAX?)   We can only wonder.

Just some thoughts, feel free to chime in with your own in the comments section.

• As some people have stated, this isn’t just about Apple.  Macworld (the event, not the website/magazine) is in big trouble.  They have lost their headliner – which has been the anchor for 25 years.  As Apple has left other Expos (Macworld East, Apple Expo Paris, NAB, etc) attendance has waned and some are closing up shop.  This year is a done deal.  Most people have already booked/bought Macworld tickets for 2009.  How many fewer attendees and exhibitors will be on hand for 2010?  It will be a shadow of itself despite their best efforts to show otherwise.  The economy certainly doesn’t help.  You also have to wonder if Belkin, Adobe, etc. knew of Jobs’ absence when they decided not to be present.
  
• Steve Jobs’ health will obviously be called into question yet again.  No matter how personal a matter it is, it does have a huge impact on the company – no one can dispute that.  While everyone should have a right to privacy about their well being, every piece of information about Steve’s health will be now pored over with a fine-tooth comb (like it wasn’t already).  Many people have a lot invested – literally and figuratively – in Apple, so the curiosity is natural.  If Steve Jobs needs total privacy, he unfortunately will have to give up his role at Apple.
• There probably aren’t going to be any ground-breaking devices at this year’s show.  It isn’t just the economy, but the downturn doesn’t help.  Apple hardly wants to unveil the next big thing in a time when people aren’t spending.  There have already been reports of flat or lowering estimates of Apple sales.  Also, don’t expect to see that ARM netbook or tablet.  It will be incremental upgrades, some entertainment announcements. Otherwise Jobs, unless on his deathbed, would present no matter what was going on behind the scenes with IDG.  We’d opt for no big announcements.
• There is also the question of whether things are good between IDG and Apple.  Apple’s PR statement rings pretty true; they’ve been pulling out of all of their traditional events over the past decade.  However, the timing and finality of this announcement seems pretty unusual.
• Whether Jobs is sick or not, he is signaling a reduced role in the company.  All the signs are there.  In recent events he has been taking on a smaller and smaller roll, while propping up those around him.  Although scary for Apple fans/followers/investors, perhaps the big announcement at Macworld will be Steve Jobs quitting his day to day role at the company.

Wow.  Bombshell!  Also note that last time Schiller covered a Keynote for Jobs, Steve Jobs was undergoing cancer surgery.  We hope all is well in Cupertino.

Apple Announces Its Last Year at Macworld (BOOM!!!!)

CUPERTINO, California—December 16, 2008—Apple® today announced that this year is the last year the company will exhibit at Macworld Expo. Philip Schiller, Apple’s senior vice president of Worldwide Product Marketing, will deliver the opening keynote for this year’s Macworld Conference & Expo, and it will be Apple’s last keynote at the show. The keynote address will be held at Moscone West on Tuesday, January 6, 2009 at 9:00 a.m. Macworld will be held at San Francisco’s Moscone Center January 5-9, 2009.

Apple is reaching more people in more ways than ever before, so like many companies, trade shows have become a very minor part of how Apple reaches its customers. The increasing popularity of Apple’s Retail Stores, which more than 3.5 million people visit every week, and the Apple.com website enable Apple to directly reach more than a hundred million customers around the world in innovative new ways.

Apple has been steadily scaling back on trade shows in recent years, including NAB, Macworld New York, Macworld Tokyo and Apple Expo in Paris.

(via Macenstein)

Shady but still interesting:  Our friend PL just sent us these picts:

What do you think? More below..

From tw.Apple.pro (Google Translated – which doesn’t do much good)

See the iPhone at the top right of the lens of the right

???????? Again, under which the hesitation

Wired says they’ve received a tip (from Captain Obvious?) that the Mac Mini is going to get a refresh.  They predict (try to stay awake for this one):

• Similar to the MacBooks, the Mac Mini will sport a silver enclosure composed of a block of aluminum.
• Some internal parts will be PVC-free, and combined with its size and low power requirements, Apple will tout this as the "greenest Mac ever."
• For video output, the Mac Mini will use the DRM-crippled DisplayPort for connectivity, which Apple is offering to manufacturers for a no-fee license.
• It’ll have a CD-DVD slot loader (i.e. Super Drive). There will be no Blu-ray player, because Steve Jobs believes the format is a "bag of hurt."
• It’ll ship with 2 GB of RAM, expandable to 4 GB — up from the current 1 GB, expandable to 2 GB. (The aluminum case should make expanding RAM easier than in the original Mini.)
• It’ll ship with at least a 160-GB hard drive.
• The Mac Mini will come in two options with different processor speeds: a 2.0-GHz Core 2 Duo and a 2.3-GHz Core 2 Duo (up from 1.83 GHz and 2.0 GHz).
• Like the higher-end MacBook and MacBook Pro, the 2.3-GHz Mac Mini will ship with an Nvidia video card, making this higher-end model a decent gaming device.
• The 2.0G-Hz Mac Mini will ship with an Intel video card, perhaps the GMA X3100 graphics card found in the low-end, white MacBook.
• The slower model will cost $500, and the faster model will cost $700 ($100 less than the current Mac Minis), in light of the recession.

Yeah, those are all safe calls.  We’d like to see it bulk up a little bit in the HD department.  Maybe even a 3.5 inch drive which would make it a bit more cubical.  Oh, and you can probably kiss that Firewire port goodbye but will get a Gigabyte Ethernet port to tide you over. 

Anything else on anyone’s wishlist for the bargain basement Apple computer?

Apple has two new holiday ads today. These two aren’t going to win any awards.

According to iPhone Alley, Apple pushed the OS updates today that disabled the ability to jailbrekeak the iPhone/iPod touch just like it had previously done in unibody MacBooks.  No word yet from the iPhone Dev team except..um.. DON’T UPDATE!.

10.5.6 is out, go grab it from Software update (377mb here!) or via the standalone installer.

Here are the details or check below.  It looks like there are many performance improvements in this one!  Yes, we are feeling the snappieness™, are you?