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Apple Preps Booth For "Big Surprise"

PARIS EXPO - Apple Preps Booth For "Big Surprise"

by , 2:30 PM EDT, August 27th, 2004

PARIS - As anticipation heightens for the opening of Apple Expo in Paris next Tuesday, Apple and over 200 other companies are preparing their booths at the Paris Expo convention center. All of the focus, however, is on Apple and a black-draped sign being constructed in its booth that many are betting is a promotional banner for its new iMac.

On hand Friday as carpenters and builders put their handy work to full use, a large banner was being hoisted to the ceiling in Apple's booth (see photo below), draped in black. When asked what the banner was all about, a booth electrician told The Mac Observer, "Oh, it's the big surprise. We don't even know what it is. We were asked to leave the hall when the began to construct it."

The keynote for Apple Expo will be given by Apple VP Phil Schiller, and leading up to the Paris event, media outlets and tech analysts have reported that Apple is expected to introduce the iMac G5 at the Expo. Apple announced in July that it would introduce the iMac G5 in September.

The Mac Observer is on hand for Apple Expo, and will be covering the keynote and the show floor in detail. 70,000 people are expected to attend this year's show.

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Close Name:jcbeckman Posts: 55 Joined: 06 May 2004
Subject:

Any word on whether or not the keynote will be streamed via QuickTime live?

Close Name:Guest
Subject:

...sex?

Close Name:kenaustus Posts: 602 Joined: 27 Jun 2003
Subject: There's room for more than the G5 iMac on that sign

Now I'm thinking that there will be more than one product announced. Aghhh - there goes my sleep for the next few days.

What would a Keynote be without at least one sign covered in black cloth!

Close Name:technoguy100 Posts: 47 Joined: 12 Aug 2004
Subject: More iTMS

My guess is that Phil will announce the opening of iTunes Music Stores in a few more countries (such as Canada) prior to the big European launch later this year.

Close Name:Guest
Subject:

I think the new iMac will be the center of attraction in hardware as far as new products. There may be a revision of the Powerbook, but that's all. Look for Phil to turn over the proceedings to SJ via iSight to introduce the new iMac from Cupertino. Don't see any Quicktime stream listed for the Expo, but that could be announced by the end of the day. If not, there will probably be a rebroadcast by mid day EDT.

Close Name:Guest
Subject: actually ...

"Apple announced in July that it would introduce the iMac G5 in September." Actually, Apple announced in July that it would introduce an all-new iMac in September. They didn't specify that it would be a G5 although it surely will be.

nesty

View Name:RealityCheck -   Troll Posts: 392 Joined: 06 May 2004
Subject: Big Surprise - Previously Announced G5 iMac
Close Name:Kircle Posts: 271 Joined: 06 May 2004
Subject:

Quote
Guest wrote:
Actually, Apple announced in July that it would introduce an all-new iMac in September. They didn't specify that it would be a G5 although it surely will be.
Nope, in the last Apple quarterly earnings call they state the next iMac will be a G5.

Close Name:Guest
Subject: Headless iMacs

Quote
RealityCheck wrote:
Get ready for a big let down iLemmings, another overpriced all-in-one iMac. Any bets the new iMacs will be even more expensive than current iMac models.

Sorry, no reasonably priced headless Mac. You're required to buy an expensive flat panel display that you can't use on your next machine.

And for the G5, IBM G5 processor production has almost come to halt due to production problems. The promised ship date for your G5 iMac will be rescheduled for weeks later in an email from Apple that you'll get the day before its due, just like Apple always does.


I'm not a big fan of all in ones at current prices. And I think the low end PowerMacs are too expensive. But if the pictures going around abound the new iMac are accurate, and it looks just like a thicker cinema display, then all they have to do is put a DVI in port on it, and in the future when the iMac part is old and crappy, you would still be able to plug it into a machine as a seperate monitor. That would be a nice design touch.

But personally, I was hoping for a headless iMac myself. Basically making the cube with a G5 and a better price point.

Close Name:RealityCheckup Posts: 29 Joined: 15 Jul 2004
Subject: RC

Okay RC why don't you go out and buy your 64 bit Longhorn computer while I wait SO patiently for the ever so delayed imac G5 with tiger in the beginning of next year. Maybe you could wait years until Microsoft never fixes its virus problems. The only innovative solution to virus problems on the Windows platform is for Microsoft to make all of your programs stop working.

And the truth is many home users buying home computers now have a CRT and would love upgrading to a sleek LCD. my dad only bought an iMac over other Mac modelsl because he REQUIRED a flat panel monitor in his purchase and I'm sure many others feel the same way. Bleeding edge people already have LCDs but so many people don't.

And seriously, it's not going to be any more expensive.

Close Name:Guest
Subject: And the Big Surprise is...

Steve wasn't actually sick - he was cloned.

No more sharing time between Pixar and Apple.

More cloning will proceed and eventually Steve(s) will run all major corporations in the U.S.

That's why the announcement is being made in Europe - cloning is illegal in the U.S.

Happy Steve Day!

Close Name:Guest
Subject:

Quote
Guest wrote:
Steve wasn't actually sick - he was cloned.

No more sharing time between Pixar and Apple.

More cloning will proceed and eventually Steve(s) will run all major corporations in the U.S.

That's why the announcement is being made in Europe - cloning is illegal in the U.S.

Happy Steve Day!






woah

who knew?

Close Name:hulugu Posts: 24 Joined: 26 Sep 2003
Subject: Longhorn?

I'm sorry when is Longhorn coming out?

Oh right, same day as Duke Nukem Forever.

Maybe I want an all-in-one and not a headless machine. Maybe I like the iMac and don't mind paying a premium for the number-one company in customer satisfaction.
And maybe you're giggling your ass off every time you get one of us fired up.

Close Name:Guest
Subject:

Quote
RealityCheck wrote:
Get ready for a big let down iLemmings, .


He RC, get an RC of your own. We're iLemmings, fer chrissake. We're NEVER let down by ANYTHING coming out of Cupertino. Heck, I've stil got my rare, collectible, Leroy Neiman print of a nude Michael Spindler! In my Living Room, where all my fellow iLemmings can come and admire and reminisce about all things Apple.

Close Name:Guest
Subject:

no microsoft has guarenteed that Longhorn will in fact be out this millenium.

Close Name:kenaustus Posts: 602 Joined: 27 Jun 2003
Subject: I'm buying one on Day 1

Actually within an hour or so of it becoming available at the Apple Store. And a BTO at that.

A couple of things that are sure to confuse RC.

First I do WANT an AIO because I'm tired of all the PC crap that I have at home. Boxes, wires and everything else. Happens when you have a life outside of computers.

Next I want it to be a Mac. Used PCs since the 80's and I'm bloody tired of all the crap associated with WIndows. My PB and OS X are actually designed like all computers SHOULD be. And, yes, I have used DOS and every Windows since 3.1 so I am able to make a fairly decent comparison. I'll leave it to RC to play packet billiards with SP2, thank you very much.

Headless might eventually be available as a PM mini. It won't happen, however, until there is an abundance of G5 chips and Apple can have the luxury of considering one for release. Look for something next spring if the demand for the iMac is going to be as strong as I think it will be. Everyone but RC is gonna want one.

Close Name:Guest
Subject: Longhorn Release

Microsoft to Release Next Windows in '06


Email this Story

Aug 27, 5:55 PM (ET)

By ALLISON LINN

SEATTLE (AP) - Microsoft Corp. (MSFT) will drop a much-touted new technology for organizing and storing data when it releases the next version of its Windows operating system as expected in 2006.

Tom Button, corporate vice president for Windows product management, said the company hopes to release the new Windows version, code-named Longhorn, in the second half of 2006, about five years after the release of the current version, Windows XP.

Close Name:Guest
Subject: The attack of the free headless Wintel PCs !

The other day I had a revelation!

While I was drinking kool-aid it occured to me that there could be a hidden reason behind the fact that Apple doesn't introduce a cheap headless Mac.

Wintels users keep their monitors when they upgrade their computer or so they say? What do they do with their old box? They become free or very cheap headless Wintels PCs in search of a display!

Let's say Apple released a cheap headless iMac in 2000, due to it's low specs it would start to show "relative" age in 2004. Since 4 years old PC are worth just about nothing and tons of wintels users have headless boxes to give up. Many older headless iMac users would be tempted to switch to the free wintel they are offered --because they would already have a monitor to use with the headless wintel PCs-- Worse, many people would have opted for ugly beige CRTs with their headless iMac that would fit just right with a free generic clone.

So let's resume this crazy idea, if any lowend headless computer can ease the pain and lower the investment costs of switching to another computer because you can keep your monitor, then it means it can open the door to a massive switcheroo to windows from the low-end Mac market just because of this simple fact.

"Introducing the new headless iMac G5, now you can keep your monitor when you switch back to a free healess Windows PCs!"

Remember I'm talking about a long term effect, sure brand new cheap headless G5 Macs would be better than a free or very cheap 3 year old pc
for any Mac lover or recent switchers. But in 4 years, your headless iMac will be attacked by free headless pc offers and if you have a monitor ready to do the switch...

Close Name:Guest
Subject: Spotlight will shine! *NM*

*NM*

Close Name:Guest
Subject: Get a load of this

This will really rile ya.

http://www-edlab.cs.umass.edu/~ahelblin/misc/mac.html

Close Name:Fliedermaus Posts: 98 Joined: 06 Nov 2002
Subject: Re: get a load of this

That *might* rile me... except that the guy in the movie is clearly talking about OS 9. And if people want to make fun of OS 9, that's fine with me. Just makes OS X look better in comparison (the comparison with almost any OS makes OS X look better).

Close Name:Guest
Subject: Anti-Mac video..

is totally hilarious. Totally misinformed and misguided.. but hilarious none the less. I love Macs, but I laughed my arse off at that one..

Close Name:Guest
Subject: nope, it was OS X

He was clearly talking about OS X. He mentioned the dock a couple of times and clearly dissed the 'blue apple' at the top of the screen.

i_b_joshua

Close Name:slinky259 Posts: 91 Joined: 24 Jun 2004
Subject:

lol.

"the mac kills my inner child."

methinks he's just an idiot O

Close Name:Fliedermaus Posts: 98 Joined: 06 Nov 2002
Subject: Re: nope it was OS X

Quote
Guest wrote:
He was clearly talking about OS X. He mentioned the dock a couple of times and clearly dissed the 'blue apple' at the top of the screen.

i_b_joshua
Good point. I missed that.

Note, though, that he also mentioned dragging and dropping from a CD to the desktop not working, because the files you put on the desktop would disappear when you ejected the CD. That's a "feature" of OS 9 that's gone in OS X.

I also suspect that when he talks about crashing he's referring to experience mainly with OS 9 (because he talks about everything freezing, which I haven't had happen in Os X; even when one program goes down and won't move, I can still do things with other programs), although I can't be as certain about that.

All of which is to say, as a few other people have mentioned, this guy isn't overly worried about being accurate.

Close Name:Ubermoose Posts: 2 Joined: 28 Aug 2004
Subject:

Quote
Guest wrote:
Microsoft to Release Next Windows in '06


Email this Story

Aug 27, 5:55 PM (ET)

By ALLISON LINN

SEATTLE (AP) - Microsoft Corp. (MSFT) will drop a much-touted new technology for organizing and storing data when it releases the next version of its Windows operating system as expected in 2006.

Tom Button, corporate vice president for Windows product management, said the company hopes to release the new Windows version, code-named Longhorn, in the second half of 2006, about five years after the release of the current version, Windows XP.


I have no idea where you got this outdated piece of ignorant crap. However, according to several key players at Microswift there is to be no release of Longhorn in '06. In fact, according to quarterly reports filed by MS Longhorn will not be in public hands as a "finished product" until well into '07 and more than likely, '08.
I used to work for Microsoft as a Vendor Trainer and still have many contacts within the company (including a cousin who is a consultant for them). Of those contacts that have seen internal builds of Longhorn they tell me there is nothing to get excited over. I quote one Microsoft Partner Tech Lead for OS support: "by the time we get this piece out the door we'll be at least 5 years behind Apple and Linux".
Now if the MS employees who support all flavors of Windows aren't excited or convinced that Longhorn will be anything more than just another half a$$ed attempt at a productive OS then they certainly aren't getting my business.
I do still keep around a PC for some games that haven't yet come to Mac... so effectively it's just a really expensive PlayStation. But, when I want to get something done... I use Mac.

With Microsoft's latest failures it's no wonder that many computer users are looking elsewhere for thier needs. People who still think Windows is a better OS are the same people that think the Pinto and Yugo were super sweet rides.

For all you Apple fans and Mac users... keep it up. If you know someone that uses Windows and likes it then you need to begin the 12 steps to recovery.

Close Name:Guest
Subject: hahahahahaha

just saw that movie with the guy dissing the mac. man he is clueless. he goes on talking about dos commands (like anyone appart from experts still remember them and wasn't 95 meant to get rid of that?) to get back files, he totally doesn't get that mac os x is unix under the hood and if you want you can do command line there too. i just love the un informed.

I wish spastics would leave macs alone, i am a pc and mac user. i run both and know how to use both better than 99% of the people out there and its the dumbest agruement in histor. macs are better even though PCs are more customizable which is not what 95% of computer users want.

Close Name:Guest
Subject: dutch Macosx.nl zealots &thiefs are also there

yep...those mac zealots from the dutch fansite macosx.nl are also heading to the expo in paris.

Close Name:Guest
Subject: More pictures on iPodFrance

You can find more pictures of the exhibit floor on iPodFrance at http://www.ipodfrance.com

Close Name:jdearr Posts: 341 Joined: 30 Dec 2003
Subject:

Quote
Ubermoose wrote:
I have no idea where you got this outdated piece of ignorant crap.


your ms contacts notwithstanding, the poster can't be blamed if this story is outdated. this story and the countless others on the google news site reference a press release from the horse's mouth.

their own words

Close Name:usvwro Posts: 26 Joined: 06 May 2004
Subject: Paris "Big Surprise"

Looking at the rest of the signage you have to wonder is "Tiger" ready for prime time? Is the "Big Surprise" the release of of a retail 10.4? A tremendous amount of signage for something that is currently reported as "sometime in 2005".

Makes you wonder.

Close Name:Guest
Subject: Outdated? Article in todays NYT states 2006 release

Quote
Ubermoose wrote:
Quote
Guest wrote:
Microsoft to Release Next Windows in '06


Email this Story

Aug 27, 5:55 PM (ET)

By ALLISON LINN

SEATTLE (AP) - Microsoft Corp. (MSFT) will drop a much-touted new technology for organizing and storing data when it releases the next version of its Windows operating system as expected in 2006.

Tom Button, corporate vice president for Windows product management, said the company hopes to release the new Windows version, code-named Longhorn, in the second half of 2006, about five years after the release of the current version, Windows XP.


I have no idea where you got this outdated piece of ignorant crap. However, according to several key players at Microswift there is to be no release of Longhorn in '06. In fact, according to quarterly reports filed by MS Longhorn will not be in public hands as a "finished product" until well into '07 and more than likely, '08.
I used to work for Microsoft as a Vendor Trainer and still have many contacts within the company (including a cousin who is a consultant for them). Of those contacts that have seen internal builds of Longhorn they tell me there is nothing to get excited over. I quote one Microsoft Partner Tech Lead for OS support: "by the time we get this piece out the door we'll be at least 5 years behind Apple and Linux".
Now if the MS employees who support all flavors of Windows aren't excited or convinced that Longhorn will be anything more than just another half a$$ed attempt at a productive OS then they certainly aren't getting my business.
I do still keep around a PC for some games that haven't yet come to Mac... so effectively it's just a really expensive PlayStation. But, when I want to get something done... I use Mac.

With Microsoft's latest failures it's no wonder that many computer users are looking elsewhere for thier needs. People who still think Windows is a better OS are the same people that think the Pinto and Yugo were super sweet rides.

For all you Apple fans and Mac users... keep it up. If you know someone that uses Windows and likes it then you need to begin the 12 steps to recovery.


No PC fan am I (I cheerfully drank the kool-aid in 19850 - but I just wanted to bring your attention to an article in the NYT [registration required] that notes that Microspooge will be releasing (infecting the world?) with Longhorn in 2006, but without one of the premier technologies - the WinFS.

Check it out: http://www.nytimes.com/2004/08/28/technology/28soft.html

Close Name:Ubermoose Posts: 2 Joined: 28 Aug 2004
Subject: Corrected but Not Excited

I read some new articles from MS... it appears that they are going to strip some features from longhorn to get it out the door sooner... so again they will push another half finished product on unsuspecting and unknowing computer users. Anyone remember Windows ME.

Close Name:Guest
Subject: Windows ME?

From Ubermoose :

I read some new articles from MS... it appears that they are going to strip some features from longhorn to get it out the door sooner... so again they will push another half finished product on unsuspecting and unknowing computer users. Anyone remember Windows ME.

My response:

Windows ME? Never heard of it, that must've been after I bought a PBG3 in 98/99 and dropped windows like a bad prom date.

Close Name:Guest
Subject: Big sign

Quote
usvwro wrote:
Looking at the rest of the signage you have to wonder is "Tiger" ready for prime time? Is the "Big Surprise" the release of of a retail 10.4? A tremendous amount of signage for something that is currently reported as "sometime in 2005".

Makes you wonder.


Yes, the black cloth covered sign is very long. Must be more than one version of the iMac, good-better-best, good being entry priced under $1000.
-Zato

Close Name:Guest
Subject: New iMac G5

The previous poster that said that Apple announced that a new iMac would come in September is correct. What made the announcement more unusual was that they specifically did say it would be G5 based. That's what all the excitement (other then the form factor) is all about!

Close Name:Guest
Subject:

Tiger is not ready for prime time. Apple is still seeding updates. They said next year and next year it will be. The long sign covered up probably does show several iMacs plus appropriate ad copy...... I seriously doubt any other new hardware (other then some updates to excisting products) will appear.

Close Name:Guest
Subject:

And you still have to deal with Window XP and its viruses and blue screen of death and downtime, etc. until at least 2006. And then Longhorn won't even have all the "innovations" that M$ promised according to them. Yes, us Lemmings march along with a superior OS, ease of use, innovative software and machines that last twice as long as Windoz boxes. Who's the real Lemming her?

Close Name:scottk Posts: 994 Joined: 25 Jun 2001
Subject:

Quote
slinky259 wrote:
lol.

"the mac kills my inner child."

methinks he's just an idiot O




I didn't catch his name at the end, but I think it's safe to say he's the biggest idiot ever born on Planet Earth. That's a big pair of shoes to fill. I wish I had his email and phone number. I'd call him and tell him just that.

Close Name:Guest
Subject: Lead Pipes

If their's a live feed of the keynote, I'll be watching it.
And I really don't see why anyone cares about Longhorn at all. I feel XP is a huge improvement over any previous Windows operating system- and I hate XP. I've just spent the entire week trying to create a website for a client using FrontPage and Dreamweaver on a high-end Sony VAIO. The damn thing is lucky I don't carry a lead pipe.
Lead Pipes should be promoted as repair kits for Windows. Put a big sticker on it that says 'Windows Repair Kit' and sell it for $20. I bet people would buy it.

Close Name:Guest
Subject: I'll Buy It!

Even if the next iMac was a painted rock with a G5 inside, I would buy it because I am a good iLemming. All worship Steve!

Close Name:Guest
Subject: still a damn funny vid

for everyone who's seen this video, whether it's fully factual or not, we all experience frustration at times with our 'puters--even our macs! (c'mon, admit it)... I think he deserves credit for putting together a skilled spoof of apple's commercials. regardless of the content, could you have executed any better? if so, then do it, and post it here. talk's cheap! I'm a big fan, but humor's gotta be appreciated even when it's skewering my sacred cows. after all, didn't monty python make fun of killer rabbits, and rude frenchmen, and all the other things near and dear to me?
td

Close Name:Guest
Subject: corrected and uber-embarrassed?

we all learn periodically not to be TOO confident in our opinions! I tell my kids all the time, "I'm not absolutely sure of anything." I think that's a reasonable...no, uber-reasonable....pov.
peace!
terry

Close Name:jdearr Posts: 341 Joined: 30 Dec 2003
Subject:

i wonder if it's all just tongue in cheek, since he finishes by saying it was produced on a mac.

Close Name:Guest
Subject:

hmmmm... that stage looks a bit big for a 60gig iPod. Oh well.

Close Name:algr Posts: 296 Joined: 07 Aug 2003
Subject: Surprise means surprise

Tiger or the iMac G5 can hardly be called a "Big Surprise" since official announcements about them have already been made. This gets me to dreaming...

I've been itching for an Apple camcorder because:

1) Sony's prosumer line-up has gone to pot, and other companies products in the $1200 -$3000 range are problematic too.
2) It seems to fit Apple's lineup with Final cut pro and iDVD.
3) I need a new camcorder.

Possibilities include:

1) A prosumer model in the price range I mentioned above. Something for Moviemakers and event videographers.

2) A vPod. Many of us have said that a video-iPod doesn't make sense because it isn't fun to watch movies on a tiny screen. However TAKING movies makes perfect sense, and would have the advantage that its music function would give you a reason to have it when you aren't expecting to need a camcorder. Several flash-ram based camcorders exist, but the cost and short run time of ram makes them problematic. An iPod camcorder's hard drive would solve this, and the higher data rate would improve picture quality.

==================
Or I could be wrong. Maybe they will replace the keyboard and mouse with a 105 button game-pad!

Close Name:Guest
Subject: The "Mac" movie posted earlier

I'm having trouble understanding why you guys fail to find this movie funny. I krapped my pants watching this guy talk. He's brilliant. It's a shame your Mac fanaticism (which I share completely) blurs your sense of humor in such a manner that the most funny piece of footage I've seen in years, doesn't crack you up as much as it did to me.

Sure he's talking a mix of OS 9 and OS X stuff that isn't half accurate, but he clearly knows what he's talking about if you listen to the specific nuisances of both operating systems. He's not even serious, though. He's hilarious.

Close Name:Biff Posts: 1479 Joined: 08 Apr 2004
Subject: How about this one?

http://www.sprinklesthemoose.com/multimedia/videos/mac.mov

Close Name:Guest
Subject: The spoof movie earlier

I saw this a loong time ago. it came out with 10.0 and, to be fair, when you think of it in those terms, he's right. This guy is a part of an Alabama Improv group. He is a Mac user, as are most of the others in the group. If you can't tell this is tongue-in-cheek, you seriously need to back off from the Mac zealotry.

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