Latest Mac Rumors: Netbooks and New Mac Minis

There are a number of rumors circulating about what news Apple might make at next month's Macworld expo. Last year's Macworld brought the announcement of the Macbook Air, and two years ago, it was the iPhone. So what will be the big announcement this year? Depending on who you ask, we may see an Apple netbook, an iPhone Nano, or maybe just an updated Mac Mini.

An update to the Mac Mini line is long overdue, and a Wired report is giving some credence to this rumor. It cites an anonymous Apple corporate employee who said that the Mac Mini would see an update, though gave no specific details as to what those updates may be. The Mac Mini hasn't had an update since mid-2007, despite strong sales (it is currently the number 2 bestselling desktop computer on Amazon.com), so an update with faster specs and an aluminum case seems almost like a no-brainer.

But Wired also notes that the updated Mac Mini is not meant to be the big announcement at the Macworld expo. Technology Business Research analyst Ezra Gottheil might have the answer. In a report today TBR stated that it expects Apple to announce a new line a notebok to capitalize on the popularity of these smaller, less expensive laptops.

Given Steve Job's statement that Apple doesn't "know how to make a $500 machine that's not a piece of junk," the Apple netbook is predicted to be priced around $599. That would put it on the more expensive side of netbooks, but with the popularity of the Apple brand it would surely still be competitive.

Most interesting about the TBR prediction is that the proposed Apple netbook would make use of the iTunes App store for most of its software. This isn't especially surprising given the tremendous success that the App store has been, but it leads me to wonder about something that the TBR report didn't predict. If the hypothetical Apple netbook makes use of the iTunes App store, it is quite possible that it would implement a multi-touch display. Could an Apple netbook be the first Apple tablet?

Something that would have a touchscreen is an iPhone Nano--if it ever came to be. As we Reported yesterday, an iDealsChina report says that Apple will soon launch a smaller, cheaper version of the iPhone.

It's all still rumors and speculation at this point, but it makes the anticipation of next month's Macworld expo all the more exciting.

Scott Nichols

Dec 16, 2008 11:47 pm

Source: www.pcworld.com

Sony Ericsson Ready to Launch Android Smartphone

Sony Ericsson to create a new blow, that challenge Google's answer has been to create a smartphone Android, T-Mobile G1. Sony Ericsson as a member OHA (Open Handset Alliance) Rumor has said were to prepare a handset platform based Google Android.

Rikko Sakaguchi, corporate Vice President of Sony Ericsson, said that Sony Ericsson plans to develop a handset based on the Android platform. Sakaguchi add Sony Ericsson already has a strong supporter for the open source operating system, which will be developed in the mobile phone Android.

Speculation Sony Ericsson is now building a rival Google, after Google announced the T-Mobile G1-based Android, which was launched back in September last. Meanwhile, Dick Komiyama, president of Sony Ericsson revealed that Sony Ericsson is very interested and now is learn the Google mobile phone platform.

However, details about the Android-based smartphone, the Sony Ericsson not want to open secret. However, information obtained from the website Computer Sweden reported interview with the PR executive from Sony Ericsson, which stated that Sony Ericsson will launch its first smartphone Android in early 2009. Sony Ericsson, which based in Taiwan, in addition to the smartphone Android, Sony Ericsson also developed a Windows Mobile Xperia.



Source by: www.beritanet.com