CoolMacintosh.com: The Macside: Rumormill

The Macside:
Rumormill

11/15/01

By Nick Canfield
With MacExpo London coming up on November 22nd and Macworld San Francisco on January 7th rumors are rampant as to what Apple may announce. There are many rumors floating around. Some people say new products will be released, others say older ones will be updated. No matter what actually happens, it's always fun to guess.

One rumor, and in my opinion the most likely, is a flat-screen iMac. This seems to be the most logical release. Apple has not put much effort into updating the iMac and seems to have lost motivation for their consumer all-in-one desktop. This may be a sign of a new version coming out soon. In a recent interview Steve Jobs was asked about the possibility of a LCD iMac and if the high cost of LCD screens would affect this. He responded that price was definitely an issue. Apple is always coming up with new ideas and always updating their products. It just may be time for a LCD iMac.

Another possible product is a Mac handheld. People have been talking about this for months. This is what we expected as Apple's non-computer product. The rumors spread that Apple was going to make its own operating system for the handheld. Others said that it would be based on the PalmOS. Some claimed that the tablet would be part of a Mac, and that it was a removable device. There were so many rumors that people seemed almost ready to buy what had not been released. Instead we got the iPod. The Mac tablet is still something to consider but people are unsure how much consideration to give to this possibility. After the iPod, which filled the gap in Apple's hardware plan, people think that maybe a Mac handheld is less likely. On the other hand, some think it is more likely. They believe that Apple will continue with its own non-computer products. In my opinion both are valid arguments, and to tell the truth I'm not sure what Apple might do on this subject.

Of course after the iPod's release people are betting on the releases of more iProducts like a digital camera and camcorder. This may happen; I can't pass judgement on this possibility yet. However, if these products do come out it is my opinion that they will not come out soon. It is not Apple's style to release more things like the iPod so soon.

Another popular rumor is the G5 rumor. I've seen a lot of stories and pictures that don't really seem to be based on anything. They are working on a G5 and I have heard that they have reached 1.5GHz with it, but I'm not sure how accurate that is. I do believe that Apple will come out with a G5 but how soon I don't know. I've heard that Motorola is having trouble stabilizing it. We may have to wait until Macworld New York.

Rumors are just that, rumors. Some are more reliable than others. I have tried to make predictions based on more reliable ones and what I know of Apple's past and its tendencies. But I cannot guarantee anything I have said here. My record of predicting Apple is pretty good, but they are an unpredictable company by nature. All of the things I have said may come true, none may prove correct. The Mac world is like that, a place of rumors.

What do you think?
Go discuss in CoolMacintosh.com's Rumor forums...

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