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Topic: Storage

Apple sets powwow for Sept. 1; What to expect

Summary: Apple will host its annual "special event" to launch new iPods and potentially a new Apple TV.

Larry Dignan

By for Between the Lines |

Apple will host its annual "special event" to launch new iPods and potentially a new Apple TV.

The event, slated for San Francisco Sept. 1, will be sure to kick the rumor mill into overdrive. So far there are the following items allegedly on deck based on a bevy of reports (mostly with unnamed sources):

  • A new iPod touch with FaceTime (highly likely);
  • A $99 Apple TV with App Store (sounds plausible);
  • Potential TV show rentals for 99 cents a pop (possible, but skeptical);
  • Cloud-based iTunes (likely);
  • An overhaul of the Shuffle (something I want and no one else cares about);
  • New MacBook Air (total wild-card).

The headliner here could be a revamped Apple TV. Why? Piper Jaffray analyst Gene Munster said the new Apple TV would be a precursor to a full-blown move into an Apple television. However, you should note there's a guitar on the invite. That image doesn't scream TV.

The cloud-based iTunes would also be a notable item, given Apple has been building out its data centers. The execution of cloud iTunes would be closely watched. Munster wrote:

Apple is developing a data center in Maiden, NC that we believe could serve as the hub of a cloud-based service for iTunes content streaming to connected devices. The company has indicated that it is on track to be completed by the end of CY10 and it will begin using it then. We believe an announcement at the Sept. event is likely, but the service may not begin until late CY10.

Topics: Storage, Apple, Data Centers, Hardware, Mobility

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Talkback

28 comments
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  • Apple hasn't given up on Apple tv yet?

    Considering that the product is so bad that even Steve Jobs had to admit that it wasn't a "real" product (he calls it a hobby) Apple should just give up on the whole product line. They tried to copy the real market leaders and while I'm sure they sold a million or 2 to the Apple zealots that buy anything with an Apple logo on it (even products as bad as AppleTV) they failed miserably to create anything that rational people would ever get excited about. Also, AppleTV must be a failure because it hasn't killed anything in the market, which is the Apple zealot metric of success (no non Apple product is a success unless it kills an Apple product). Oh, and we have a new metric now that I forgot about: product SKUs per platform. Android is a failure because there are too many.
    NonZealot
    Reply Vote

    • RE: Apple sets powwow for Sept. 1; What to expect

      @NonZealot

      Don't think its the product's fault (its not a bad piece of hardware). I think it is the industry. They are hanging on to a dying business model. I think for them to change would mean the elimination of some fat, balding execs that bring no value. Look at the road blocks that Google is running into. Once they open the door the revolution will quickly push its way through.

      If the new AppleTV can have apps like the iPhone (or better yet Boxee) then Apple can keep their foot in the door and continue try to push their way slowly through. No point of making too much of an investment yet.
      maskman01
      Reply Vote

    • Re:But it's so much fun to watch NZ splatter spittle

      @NonZealot

      And always the first to post, hope this is well paid because it is obviously a full time job. By the way, 250 million iPods sold, are these people also stupid zealots. Insulting people just because they make different choices is not a smart thing either way you look at it. Get A LIFE!!!!
      ∞Dilemma
      Reply Vote

      • RE: Apple sets powwow for Sept. 1; What to expect

        @???Dilemma
        I agree! Some people like ice cream and others like to eat poop. It's all about choice. 90+% use Microsoft products and few don't. Just because there is a small handful of people out there who are slower and less capable doesn't mean you should bag on them, unless they are one of the usual iTards who never STFU about Apple ;)
        audidiablo
        Reply Vote

    • You should seek professional help

      You're not well mentally.
      @NonZealot
      GoPower
      Reply Vote

      • RE: Apple sets powwow for Sept. 1; What to expect

        @GoPower
        I'm assuming you're some sort of doctor?
        audidiablo
        Reply Vote

      • RE: Apple sets powwow for Sept. 1; What to expect

        @audiodiablo

        "I'm assuming you're some sort of doctor?"
        And I am QUITE sure that you are NOT.
        DeusXMachina
        Reply Vote

    • RE: Apple sets powwow for Sept. 1; What to expect

      @NonZealot You sound very bitter
      The Star King
      Reply Vote

    • RE: Apple sets powwow for Sept. 1; What to expect

      Hey @NonZealot, who says AppleTV is a bad product. I use mine all the time... background dinner music, slideshows, YouTube, Movie trailer, etc., all looking great and sounding awesome through my home theatre system, plus it just works... Do you own one? Have you used one? Whenever we demo AppleTV to our customers we sell 'em. It's a niche market, but still, it's a growing market... Let's hope Apple adds some new features that make it even better value.
      cwmedia
      Reply Vote

  • RE: Apple sets powwow for Sept. 1; What to expect

    The only thing that would be of interest out of all of this (not to me because I think Apple products are over priced garbage) would be cloud based iTunes. I'm hoping that the Zune software will allow something like this with the release of WinPhone 7, but to be able to store all your music in the cloud and stream it to any device would be pretty cool!

    Pat
    omdguy
    Reply Vote

    • RE: Apple sets powwow for Sept. 1; What to expect

      @omdguy Compared to Windows under priced, but poorly designed garbage. I'll stick with the well designed Apple garbage every time.
      spikedstrider
      Reply Vote

      • RE: Apple sets powwow for Sept. 1; What to expect

        @spikedstrider

        Yeah, you are right, that 90+ % market share is just a fluke because Windows is garbage. All those multi billion dollar enterprises that run their business on Windows must all be idiots as well.
        omdguy
        Reply Vote

      • RE: Apple sets powwow for Sept. 1; What to expect

        @omdguy

        Nope, that's not a fluke. Wal*mart has the marketshare they have because they sell junk. I don't see how that is any different. Many people buy the cheapest piece of crap just to get by. That's why in a time of recession, people tend to buy higher quality like Apple because they think they might want something to keep around for a while. Although in reality, that's not the case with Apple either.
        nucrash
        Reply Vote

      • RE: Apple sets powwow for Sept. 1; What to expect

        @spikedstrider

        I sure hope you stick with it... Apple products are good for one thing... It serves as a good iDiot barometer. As I recall Windows has the market, has the applications, has the functionality and more for 1/3 the price of Apple products. So what really is it that you want? Productivity and cost savings or a logo? Just like designer jeans, fancy logo and falls apart within weeks or something that lasts and you get what you wanted? Hmm yeah... I'm a PC.
        audidiablo
        Reply Vote

      • RE: Apple sets powwow for Sept. 1; What to expect

        @ audidiablo<br><br>I would LOVE to hear your explanation for why the OSX platform is so popular with theoretical and experimental physicists, geneticists, biologists, and pharmacologists, not to mention security researchers, video editors, audio production professionals, and others.<br><br>Condescending troll.
        DeusXMachina
        Reply Vote

  • Stop it

    There are plenty of Apple-focused sites that write about this silliness.
    Just stop it.
    davebarnes
    Reply Vote

    • RE: Apple sets powwow for Sept. 1; What to expect

      @davebarnes

      Or you could take your SSRIs and just stop reading articles that aren't directed at you.
      DeusXMachina
      Reply Vote

  • More way overpriced goods

    Case solved :)
    The one and only, Cylon Centurion
    Reply Vote

    • RE: Apple sets powwow for Sept. 1; What to expect

      @NStalnecker iPod touch is $199. Games with dozens of hours of play cost $0-3. Is this really "way overpriced"
      The Star King
      Reply Vote

  • The fan CHILDREN are out in force

    I just took the time to read the Talkbacks. Basically all fan CHILDREN spouting their usual nonsense. Not a single comment on what Apple might announce.<br><br>Given Apple's history as a leader in the development of new and somewhat groundbreaking product categories, you would think a bit more open-mindedness might be appropriate, but unfortunately, that does not seem to be the case.<br><br>A lot of people complain about the quality of the ZDNet blogs, at times with justification. Maybe a good place to start woulds be the Talkbacks, if this blog is any indication.
    Economister
    Reply Vote
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