Apple: Mini Mac, iPod Shuffle, slew of new software

[LoudMusic]

Apple has announced all kinds of neat new stuff today include the new Mini Mac and iPod Shuffle.

The Mini Mac is as barebones a Mac as you'll ever find. To the point of you supply the keyboard and mouse. This is a good thing for most PC owners as they can pick up a new Mac for as little as $500.

The iPod Shuffle is a USB drive with iPod software (no display) for $100

And there were lots of software updates and new information about OS X 10.4 / Tiger.

http://www.apple.com <<-- Check it out (:

 

[Stinky Chicken]

It's Apple - why do we care?

Well, Sage might, but then he's always been... different... shall we say.

 

[yesterdaylight]

Sweet. i'm a mac guy i have a G4 running panther, which makes me super cool. the minimac is really sweet looking, but that iPod ? what is mac doing !? making an MP3 player with no display is a disgrace of the iPod idea, of being able to navigate your whole music collection from your hand ! interesting never the less. now where are those software updates hmmmm. later-

 

[LoudMusic]

Eh, it's .5GB or 1GB - not a whole lot there to navigate. And the point of it is for when you're being very active. So you shouldn't have time to be pressing buttons. It's like this ... load it up, strap it on, press play, and go on about your business. Working in the yard, working out, cleaning the house, doing anything that makes lots of noise, doing anything that keeps your hands busy ... this is a cool thing to have. It's not an original idea by any means, but it is cool.

The Mac mini is very cool in certain situations. Any PC owner can now buy one of those and a USB KVM switcher and have two computers for under $600 - one Windows and one Macintosh. They are sucking in new users by the tens of thousands.

 

[CDailey]

w00t! Cheap Mac!

*writes down on birthday list*

 

[Sage]

If the Mac mini doesn't suck in switchers, I don't know what will. And the iPod shuffle isn't for me (especially since I already have an iPod – I wanted something that I could also use as a backup HD), but looks perfect for those who just need a step up from a CD player.

I'm most excited about iWork though… even though I got a heavy student discount, MS Office still cost me a pretty penny, and I only needed Word and Powerpoint, and not Entourage and Excel. iWork is perfect in that sense, since it has Pages (a word processor), and Keynote (slideshow presentation app). The only thing keeping me from buying iWork this very second is that my dad might buy a G5 iMac, so I'd rather save the money and just use the iMac's software installation CD.

 

[Solid Fro]

Apple still has their free iPod laser engraving deal. You can personalize your new iPod with up to two lines of text, 27 characters each, for free.

http://store.apple.com/1-800-MY-APPLE/WebObjects/AppleStore?family=iPod

 

[GilesGuthrie]

Apple still has their free iPod laser engraving deal. You can personalize your new iPod with up to two lines of text, 27 characters each, for free.

http://store.apple.com/1-800-MY-APPLE/WebObjects/AppleStore?family=iPod

Not really free. Firstly, you have to buy an iPod. Secondly, you have to buy an iPod from an Apple Store, which does not discount the unit. So you're looking at the loss of a 10% discount minimum. This doesn't equate to "free" in my book.

 

[sUn]

Neat! Both the Mac Mini and iPod Shuffle look like affordable solutions. 👍

 

[emad]

👍 to the mini-mac. 👎 to the iPod Shuffle. There's better on the market. Even *if* you're an active person, an LCD is very important to have on any mp3 player with more than 256 megs on it.

 

[LoudMusic]

Not really free. Firstly, you have to buy an iPod. Secondly, you have to buy an iPod from an Apple Store, which does not discount the unit. So you're looking at the loss of a 10% discount minimum. This doesn't equate to "free" in my book.

AFAIK, Apple price fixes their products so no one can sell for less than they do. They also provide *free* shipping, so buying local isn't an issue anymore.

 

[ExigeEvan]

to the mini-mac. to the iPod Shuffle. There's better on the market. Even *if* you're an active person, an LCD is very important to have on any mp3 player with more than 256 megs on it.

Memorizing how many *clicks* you need to get to each single (or album) when you can fit 100 songs on there is abit tedious.

 

[VIPFREAK]

Mini Mac.... uh ok, whatever?
iPod Shuffle... uh ok, whatever?

Why people insist that we are gonna wear our mp3 players like a pendant is beyond me... Why people think were gonna by a player without a screen is beyond me as well? Why people would buy "overpriced" mp3 player from apple and then buy even more "overpriced" accessories that should be standard is really beyond me.

 

[suzq044]

i think the mini-mac is just a way for macs to get into the mobile entertainment sector.. say carPC's..

 

[ExigeEvan]

Why people insist that we are gonna wear our mp3 players like a pendant is beyond me...

Its an amazing new sales strategy.

People where them round their necks, get mugged, buy another. And so it repeats 2/3 times untill the person becomes a nervous wreck.

 

[Event]

To all who buy the iPoo shuffle, this image is for you:

 

[VIPFREAK]

Lmao!

 

[LoudMusic]

Mini Mac.... uh ok, whatever?
iPod Shuffle... uh ok, whatever?

Why people insist that we are gonna wear our mp3 players like a pendant is beyond me... Why people think were gonna by a player without a screen is beyond me as well? Why people would buy "overpriced" mp3 player from apple and then buy even more "overpriced" accessories that should be standard is really beyond me.

Mac mini: it comes with none of the peripheals. Do you already own a USB keyboard and mouse and a monitor? Well probably 50% (if not more) of the Mac mini market already has those things so why charge them $100 more for the keyboard and mouse when they don't need it and will probably replace that worthless one-button mouse anyway. Get a Mac mini and a USB KVM sitcher and you're set. PC people will have no trouble at all getting used to the Macintosh way of life.

The iPod Shuffle is a different audience. People who are moving and shaking, no time to be their own DJ. Just turn it on and hit play, go on about your business. It doesn't have to be worn as a neclace - it can be strapped to your arm, hip, or stuck in your pocket / purse / backpack or down your undy-pants.

Just because it's not for you doesn't mean that it's a bad product.

 

[VIPFREAK]

Mac mini: it comes with none of the peripheals. Do you already own a USB keyboard and mouse and a monitor? Well probably 50% (if not more) of the Mac mini market already has those things so why charge them $100 more for the keyboard and mouse when they don't need it and will probably replace that worthless one-button mouse anyway. Get a Mac mini and a USB KVM sitcher and you're set. PC people will have no trouble at all getting used to the Macintosh way of life.

Ok yeah I guess I get your point but there's no way in hell anyones converting me to apple... one mouse click, no scroll wheel? I don't even know how to turn the damn things on (as witnessed on my aunts computer yesterday, don't ask me which one it was... it's the one that looks like a flower in a vase then only thing is that it has a monitor coming out instead of a flower.)

The iPod Shuffle is a different audience. People who are moving and shaking, no time to be their own DJ. Just turn it on and hit play, go on about your business. It doesn't have to be worn as a neclace - it can be strapped to your arm, hip, or stuck in your pocket / purse / backpack or down your undy-pants.

I don't care whether your a DJ or a typical person... unless your a psychic or have a very good memory I don't see how you will be able know what music you have as well as what's coming up next or searching for a certain song.

Just because it's not for you doesn't mean that it's a bad product.

I'm not saying just because it's not for me it's a bad product but as an industrial designer that pretty much would do this kind of products there are basic flaws in some areas that might have been bad decisions or compromises.

 

[Event]

The iPod Shuffle is a different audience. People who are moving and shaking, no time to be their own DJ. Just turn it on and hit play, go on about your business. It doesn't have to be worn as a neclace - it can be strapped to your arm, hip, or stuck in your pocket / purse / backpack or down your undy-pants.

But the thing is: you can do that ith any Flash MP3 player. Plus, most other ones have LCDs and will let you choose your own songs and see what song you're playing. Why would you label yourslelf as an iTool by getting a flash MP3 player with less features than, let's say, and iRiver or creative MuVo Slim? It makes no sense. Apple is just trying to sucker people into buying their crap because of the Apple logo. And, as history and the Christmas season has taught us, people are idiots. They will buy whatever society says is "cool."

 

[LoudMusic]

Ok yeah I guess I get your point but there's no way in hell anyones converting me to apple... one mouse click, no scroll wheel? I don't even know how to turn the damn things on (as witnessed on my aunts computer yesterday, don't ask me which one it was... it's the one that looks like a flower in a vase then only thing is that it has a monitor coming out instead of a flower.)

It's on the back, where power buttons used to be. And you should only need to turn it off when there is a power failure as OS X does a very good job of conserving power when you're not using the computer and there is no need to turn it off.

I don't care whether your a DJ or a typical person... unless your a psychic or have a very good memory I don't see how you will be able know what music you have as well as what's coming up next or searching for a certain song.

Dude, that's the whole point! You don't NEED to remember where stuff is because you're not going to be selecting anything. It's supposed to SHUFFLE the songs for you. Turn it on, hit play. You're done.

 

[LoudMusic]

But the thing is: you can do that ith any Flash MP3 player. Plus, most other ones have LCDs and will let you choose your own songs and see what song you're playing. Why would you label yourslelf as an iTool by getting a flash MP3 player with less features than, let's say, and iRiver or creative MuVo Slim? It makes no sense. Apple is just trying to sucker people into buying their crap because of the Apple logo. And, as history and the Christmas season has taught us, people are idiots. They will buy whatever society says is "cool."

And they're going to make millions of dollars doing it.

The iPod line all support Apple's file formats and simplicity. I think the simplicity factor is the biggest selling point. I agree that the other products are better for anyone with half a brain, but as you've pointed out people are idiots. Need we say more? Maybe that the iPod shuffle is actually competetively priced. That's a definite bonus.

 

[VIPFREAK]

But the thing is: you can do that ith any Flash MP3 player. Plus, most other ones have LCDs and will let you choose your own songs and see what song you're playing. Why would you label yourslelf as an iTool by getting a flash MP3 player with less features than, let's say, and iRiver or creative MuVo Slim? It makes no sense. Apple is just trying to sucker people into buying their crap because of the Apple logo. And, as history and the Christmas season has taught us, people are idiots. They will buy whatever society says is "cool."

Thank you...

And they're going to make millions of dollars doing it.

The iPod line all support Apple's file formats and simplicity. I think the simplicity factor is the biggest selling point. I agree that the other products are better for anyone with half a brain, but as you've pointed out people are idiots. Need we say more? Maybe that the iPod shuffle is actually competetively priced. That's a definite bonus.

I do not want restrictions or anyone forcing me to say this is how you WILL handle your music nor should anyone else half too. That's why I like drag and drop so much... why is it so hard to take a jumpdrive slap a screen on it so it plays music?? I'm not sure but I found the closest thing to it and have been happy ever since.

As for "jumping on the bandwagon" I avoid it at all cost. Waste of time and yes people are idiots for it... think a bit, do some research don just be a damn lemming. (ha ha I said lemming)

 

[CDailey]

Ok yeah I guess I get your point but there's no way in hell anyones converting me to apple... one mouse click, no scroll wheel? I don't even know how to turn the damn things on (as witnessed on my aunts computer yesterday, don't ask me which one it was... it's the one that looks like a flower in a vase then only thing is that it has a monitor coming out instead of a flower.)

That would be the iMac.

I don't care whether your a DJ or a typical person... unless your a psychic or have a very good memory I don't see how you will be able know what music you have as well as what's coming up next or searching for a certain song.

I can recognize every song in my Winamp playlist just be hearing it. That's nearly 2000 songs.


Anyway, I should be getting the Mac Mini for me birthday.

 

[emad]

Memorizing how many *clicks* you need to get to each single (or album) when you can fit 100 songs on there is abit tedious.

You're talking to a person with 8500 songs on his mp3 player. I have no problems whatsoever navigating my player. All I need to do is glance down for a few seconds. If the interface is well designed, there isn't any tedium involved in finding specific songs.

 

[emad]

Dude, that's the whole point! You don't NEED to remember where stuff is because you're not going to be selecting anything. It's supposed to SHUFFLE the songs for you. Turn it on, hit play. You're done.

What if you're in the mood to listen to a specific song you just downloaded the night before? You can't because you wont be able to specifically select it. I like the shuffle thing but the player needs a screen so you can see what's on it.

 

[VIPFREAK]

What if you're in the mood to listen to a specific song you just downloaded the night before? You can't because you wont be able to specifically select it. I like the shuffle thing but the player needs a screen so you can see what's on it.

true... how different is that to the radio or even XM? They don't call it an Mp3 player for nothing.

 

[Sage]

Ok yeah I guess I get your point but there's no way in hell anyones converting me to apple... one mouse click, no scroll wheel?

Why don't you people still get it – you never, ever, EVER have to use Apple's mouse. I use an 8-button Logitech MX500 with my iBook, and it works just dandy.

And, in fact, this is the whole point in not offering a keyboard and mouse with the Mac mini… it's supposed to then be obvious that any PC user can take their current keyboard and mouse and plug it right into the Mac mini. It's a smart strategy to get rid of the stupid required-to-use-the-one-button-mouse myth.

I don't even know how to turn the damn things on […]

The power button looks like any power button, with the 0/1 combo thingie. And like LM said, Apple has designed their computers so that you almost never need to turn them off, because they use very little power when sleeping.

I don't care whether your a DJ or a typical person... unless your a psychic or have a very good memory I don't see how you will be able know what music you have as well as what's coming up next or searching for a certain song.

That's why it's called the iPod shuffle.

 

[yesterdaylight]

on another note... about tiger. the only major productivity increases i can see can come from those new little wigits which do some fun things. thats all i will use. and the new find feature which searches more places is nice. u can already get wigets for panther though... konfabulator has a whole ****load of em. google it. later-

 

[VIPFREAK]

Why don't you people still get it – you never, ever, EVER have to use Apple's mouse. I use an 8-button Logitech MX500 with my iBook, and it works just dandy.

And, in fact, this is the whole point in not offering a keyboard and mouse with the Mac mini… it's supposed to then be obvious that any PC user can take their current keyboard and mouse and plug it right into the Mac mini. It's a smart strategy to get rid of the stupid required-to-use-the-one-button-mouse myth.
.

I guess I'll be the first to admit I have been brain washed to only use PC but I'd rather do that then be confind to apple. Even if I switch mice which I already know you can that doesn't mean that the operating system is the same.

The power button looks like any power button, with the 0/1 combo thingie. And like LM said, Apple has designed their computers so that you almost never need to turn them off, because they use very little power when sleeping.

right right... uh huh... I like my blue screens better thanks.

That's why it's called the iPod shuffle.

So, say again what's so special about this "shuffle"?? mine can already do that... as well as be a radio, recorder, transmitter and oh yeah a jump drive.