Support NeoGAF

[Drinky Crow]

Unrealistic expectations? I always expect Apple to suck, and they rarely let me down.

 

[Timbuktu]

When it's about Apple, love or hate, it's always with passion :lol

edit: Just like it is with Nintendo, actually

 

[Phoenix]

Mac Mini 40 ($499) + 512MB ($38) + Microsoft Wireless Combo ($80) = $617

 

[GXAlan]

Couple of comments, shared freely here on GAF so that it can be stolen by Apple in the future.

1) The iPod shuffle 2.0 should include an Sony eMarker like feature where if there was something you liked, you can push a button. With that, you can sync daily and then get a random mix of tunes from iTunes. It becomes like a portable HD/XM/Sirius radio. If there's any song you like, you push a button and it keeps track of that name. You can buy the song later from iTunes if you want. It would figure out which songs you might like and load those on next time. You could even combine it with a subscription model where you pay $10/mo for unlimited downloads, etc.

2) Mac Mini -- they should have included a SPDIF jack. That extra $1 would have made it a perfect HTPC.

 

[Smiles and Cries]

When it's about Apple, love or hate, it's always with passion :lol

edit: Just like it is with Nintendo, actually

exactly

 

[Phoenix]

Couple of comments, shared freely here on GAF so that it can be stolen by Apple in the future.

2) Mac Mini -- they should have included a SPDIF jack. That extra $1 would have made it a perfect HTPC.

Damn straight. That was the first thing out of my mouth when I saw the connector.

 

[Prospero]

In the middle of discussing all this hardware, we're forgetting to take note of the fact that Apple has a new word processor. And it imports from and exports to MS Word.

If this means I can finally dump MS Word, this is the biggest news of the day.

 

[Ignatz Mouse]

When it's about Apple, love or hate, it's always with passion :lol

edit: Just like it is with Nintendo, actually

I disagree. I don't love them, but I like them. I don't care about these new products for me, but I think they're interesting ideas-- and in the case of the mini, just overpriced as usual. Does that qualify as love?

 

[Ignatz Mouse]

In the middle of discussing all this hardware, we're forgetting to take note of the fact that Apple has a new word processor. And it imports from and exports to MS Word.

If this means I can finally dump MS Word, this is the biggest news of the day.

Also edits PDFs. Pretty cool!


WHy no spreadsheet in iWorks, anyway?

 

[shantyman]

It's funny because I was hoping they would bring back the cube, but they one upped that in my mind with the mini.

 

[human5892]

1) The iPod shuffle 2.0 should include an Sony eMarker like feature where if there was something you liked, you can push a button. With that, you can sync daily and then get a random mix of tunes from iTunes. It becomes like a portable HD/XM/Sirius radio. If there's any song you like, you push a button and it keeps track of that name. You can buy the song later from iTunes if you want. It would figure out which songs you might like and load those on next time. You could even combine it with a subscription model where you pay $10/mo for unlimited downloads, etc.

I like the cut of your jib.

 

[shantyman]

Since this is really a gaming forum, here is a quote all mac lovers and haters can laugh at from the mini web site:

Mac mini also offers all the software that you need to finally enjoy the Internet hassle-free — including email, chat and a web browser that blocks popup ads. You also get a DVD player, calendar software, an address book, faxing and a way to download your contacts to your cell phone or iPod. You can balance your check book with Quicken 2005. And when you want to take a break, play the 3D games Nanosaur 2 and Marble Blast Gold.

 

[Manics]

[/IMG]

If this means I can finally dump MS Word, this is the biggest news of the day.

Until you get a nasty email from someone at work complaining they can't open your document in Word. :lol

 

[dem]

In the middle of discussing all this hardware, we're forgetting to take note of the fact that Apple has a new word processor. And it imports from and exports to MS Word.

If this means I can finally dump MS Word, this is the biggest news of the day.

Is it me or is this just a very stupid thing to do?
Don't go out of your way to upset Microsoft or you'll end up with no office.
Whos going to be using a mac if you cant even use office? Certainly not any businesses...

 

[Vark]

I think they're envisioning the iPod Shuffle as a sort of personalized iPod Radio.

It's like listening to the radio, but it's all music you know you like because its yours. It just randomly shuffles through them. The next time you plug it in, it dumps whats on it and randomly grabs another 240 tracks for you to listen to.

It's for people that want to listen to something but don't necessarily care what it is as long as it's not crap. (most radio listeners).

I think this is one of those things where the concept escapes most people.

Is it uber innovative? Maybe, probably not. Will it sell? Hell yes.

 

[Vark]

Whos going to be using a mac if you cant even use office? Certainly not any businesses...

If you can use an office suite that natively reads and writes MS office files without have to use MS Office itself.. who wouldn't?

 

[Willco]

Could you rig the Mac mini to be a HTPC?

 

[Prospero]

Until you get a nasty email from someone at work complaining they can't open your document in Word. :lol

It exports to Word, HTML, RTF, text-only, and PDF. And it opens Word docs transparently.

 

[dem]

If you can use an office suite that natively reads and writes MS office files without have to use MS Office itself.. who wouldn't?

Have fun when the incompatabilities start...

I dunno why anyone would want to give up office anyway... its by far the best thing out there. Even MS haters cant deny it.

 

[shantyman]

There is an s-video/composite out adapter... with the EyeTV thing you could do it I think.

 

[border]

Mac Mini 40 ($499) + 512MB ($38) + Microsoft Wireless Combo ($80) = $617

512 MB upgrade is $75.

 

[Timbuktu]

Is it me or is this just a very stupid thing to do?
Don't go out of your way to upset Microsoft or you'll end up with no office.
Whos going to be using a mac if you cant even use office? Certainly not any businesses...

iWorks is no Office. It's just Appleworks and Keynote repackaged together, it purely for consumers. I dunno why one would want to dump Word.

 

[Doth Togo]

http://www.apple.com/ipodshuffle/

Plug-and-Playlists
iPod shuffle makes syncing a piece of cake. Cupcake, even. Use the optional Dock to connect to your computer or just plug iPod shuffle directly into a USB port on any computer(4). Then drag and drop individual songs, Autofill your favorite playlists or Autofill your iPod shuffle with a random sampling from your music library. Since iPod shuffle automatically charges while syncing, it stays ready for your next adventure.

Music capacity is based on 4 minutes per song and 128Kbps AAC encoding.
Do not eat iPod shuffle.
Rechargeable batteries have a limited number of charge cycles and may eventually need to be replaced. Battery life and number of charge cycles vary by use and settings. See www.apple.com/batteries for more information.
Some computers require either the optional iPod shuffle Dock or a USB cable extender (sold separately).


:lol :lol :lol

 

[Mr. Lemming]

Sweet! Final Cut Express comes with Livetype and Soundtrack now! I wonder if the key-framing is still as limited as it was compared to Final Cut though.

I have no need for the miniMac and shufflePod (having a Powerbook and an iPod) but they are sexily tempting. Pages looks pretty good... sort of wish I could try it out first though... iLife... eh...

 

[Smiles and Cries]

I want iWorks Pages seem to be just what I need right now to finish my book

 

[Matrix]

Buying an ipod shuffle for my mom,sucks that the apple store seems to be down.

 

[Prospero]

iWorks is no Office. It's just Appleworks and Keynote repackaged together, it purely for consumers. I dunno why one would want to dump Word.

If this is true, then why does Pages have to import files from Appleworks?

 

[btrboyev]

I guess it as too damn hard for apple to include a display on the ipod shuffle...what a joke.

 

[duderon]

The apple hate is reaching critical levels :lol

You know they did something right when this many people get pissed off. By the way, my little sister is buying a iPod shuffle.

 

[Timbuktu]

If this is true, then why does Pages have to import files from Appleworks?

Sorry, didn't know that, but my point was that iWorks occupies the same market that Appleworks did and does not threaten Office. It is a lot cheaper, to begin with. I have to try my hands on it, but my feeling is that it will still lack a lot of the features that Office has and those who need Office should still get the Office.

but man... iLife got buried under all the annoucements, HD for iMovie is pretty amazing. And I'm surprised that Sony got on stage with Jobs, I thought the two companies were fighting each other.

 

[shantyman]

This pic shows the relative size of the mini:

 

[Prospero]

Sorry, didn't know that, but my point was that iWorks occupies the same market that Appleworks did and does not threaten Office. It is a lot cheaper, to begin with. I have to try my hands on it, but my feeling is that it will still lack a lot of the features that Office has and those who need Office should still get the Office.

but man... iLife got buried under all the annoucements, HD for iMovie is pretty amazing. And I'm surprised that Sony got on stage with Jobs, I thought the two companies were fighting each other.

I don't think that iWorks threatens Office, either. At my job I use most of the Office suite at one time or another during the day, but at home, or working on my own projects, Word is the only thing I go near. I've never used Appleworks (or ClarisWorks, the name before it got rebranded) precisely because it doesn't have enough features for my purposes--if Pages offers the functionality of Word and superior ease of use (and I acknowledge that the jury's still out on that), then it'll replace Word for me, just like Safari replaced IE.

So, yeah, people who need the full suite should stick with Office, but there are also a number of people who have the suite just for Word, and I think Pages will target them.

 

[Manabanana]

Willco, your tag is too perfect :lol I thought I knew poor baiting...then I came into this thread.

 

[Funky Papa]

Last month I bought a 1GB mp3 player for just €99. It is a USB stick with a color LCD, a FM tuner/recorder and a lot of other features. Sure it is not white, but it sounds great and I can't really understand why I should pay more for a less capable product.

 

[GXAlan]

Could you rig the Mac mini to be a HTPC?

You'd want an external box to provide SPDIF. A HTPC is sort of useless without the ability to play DVDs properly.

 

[Phoenix]

Is it me or is this just a very stupid thing to do?
Don't go out of your way to upset Microsoft or you'll end up with no office.
Whos going to be using a mac if you cant even use office? Certainly not any businesses...

Sorry, but most business are no longer office dependent in that manner. Most documents that we deal with are in .pdf format when exchanged because they will work on every platform in our enterprise without problems nor concerns about spreading macro viruses and the like. If you're using a Mac just because you can use office - there is something mentally wrong with you. There are STILL plenty of people out there using WordPerfect and a growing number using OpenOffice - neither of which have 100% office compatibility.

And many business have enough old PCs sitting about that you can have a Windows box sitting on your desktop right next to your Mac if necessary

 

[keiichi]

Last month I bought a 1GB mp3 player for just €99. It is a USB stick with a color LCD, a FM tuner/recorder and a lot of other features. Sure it is not white, but it sounds great and I can't really understand why I should pay more for a less capable product.

You wouldn't pay for it, but others would/will. I remember all the criticism that Apple recieved when they first announced the iPod Mini, and look how well that has sold.

This is going to sell.

 

[Desperado]

Yeah too bad you didn't get this out before Christmas, apple...


Already got this:
http://images.americas.creative.com/images/products/inline/10737-body-image.jpg

not really a fan of only 256 MB, but Line in feature+Screen+FM tuner sold me. $100

 

[Dagon]

Another point to remember is that by adding a screen to the iPod Shuffle Apple runs the risk of cannibalizing sales of the iPod Mini. The iPod Shuffle is there for people who want a bare-bones MP3/AAC player. If you want something more powerful, well, Apple has you covered there too with the iPod Mini, iPod and iPod Photo.

 

[Funky Papa]

You wouldn't pay for it, but others would/will. I remember all the criticism that Apple recieved when they first announced the iPod Mini, and look how well that has sold.

That's the thing that boogles my ming. I work hard to earn my money and I can't understand why I should pay €50 for a thing that is going to rest in my friggin' pockets. If at least it had a decent screen, but not even that.

 

[Fusebox]

If you only have good music on your 'shuffle' then what does it matter what song is playing? If you really feel the need to skip a song when you're out jogging then just delete it from your player.

 

[Funky Papa]

If you only have good music on your 'shuffle' then what does it matter what song is playing? If you really feel the need to skip a song when you're out jogging then just delete it from your player.

I am out of words, I retire from this thread.

 

[dem]

Sorry, but most business are no longer office dependent in that manner. Most documents that we deal with are in .pdf format when exchanged because they will work on every platform in our enterprise without problems nor concerns about spreading macro viruses and the like. If you're using a Mac just because you can use office - there is something mentally wrong with you. There are STILL plenty of people out there using WordPerfect and a growing number using OpenOffice - neither of which have 100% office compatibility.

And many business have enough old PCs sitting about that you can have a Windows box sitting on your desktop right next to your Mac if necessary

Exchanging documents isnt the only problem. Its office documents that are already existing. Don't tell me they all display correctly because Ive seen them.. and they dont. Things like pivot tables... and sometimes simple things such as a word document dont display correctly.

And to say Corel has PLENTY of people using it in the business world is prettymuch a bald faced lie.... depending on your definition of "plenty" anyway. I'd wager that MS owns more than 90% of the market in office suits.

 

[SickBoy]

I have no idea what SPDIF is ...but Shantyman answered my question.

There is an s-video/composite out adapter... with the EyeTV thing you could do it I think.

One thing I thought about this new mini Mac is that it can double as a portable in a pinch, so long as you can plug it into a television or something. I mean, yeah, that's what laptops are for, but not everyone wants a laptop... or not everyone will necessarily have something that needs to be taken on the road except maybe once in a blue moon. The option is the key.

If I had the cash, I'd consider this as a more-powerful friend to my old iBook, but it might be a while. Might be getting a Mac desktop handed down to me anyhow...

EDIT: ANd I'm glad to see (because it wasn't obvious here), that you have the option not to shuffle music with the new iPod. Not that I'm getting one, just saying.

...also, I'm thinking portable users are going to be up in arms, with still no news about a G5 Powerbook (unless I missed it).

 

[Archaix]

WTF, damage control? I offered a PR quote that offered some basic insight into why no screen. What is the point of a 2 line, barely legible screen? That is their point.

Holy shit, he fed you a PR line and you asked for seconds.

He managed to convince you that being able to choose what song you want to hear is a bad thing.

I'm entirely baffled as to how it worked. Hm...maybe you're just open to suggestions.

You will spot me the money for a fully grown iPod and not this toddler bullshit...you will...

 

[xsarien]

...also, I'm thinking portable users are going to be up in arms, with still no news about a G5 Powerbook (unless I missed it).

I trust that Powerbook users understand that Apple simply can't slip a G5 into a laptop without either the case or users' laps melting. Give it time, the current Powerbooks are still plenty powerful.

 

[Baconäger]

I love how OSX crashed on Jobs during the keynote :lol

 

[nitewulf]

Until you get a nasty email from someone at work complaining they can't open your document in Word. :lol

exactly. all corporate culture adheres to the *.doc format. you may do whatever you wish, but you better make sure there is a doc version available for everyone else. MS Word is staying proper where it is.

 

[Timbuktu]

The keynote's now online

 

[nitewulf]

as for the shuffle, aesthetically its good as usuall. but why is apple always one gen behind, the screen should be mandatory imo. please give your money to iriver and creative, they deserve it.