News for Tuesday, 2 August 2005

Whereas most of the Apple Store are closed worldwide, we have received a PR informing us of the official release from Apple of a product that most of the Macusers have been dreaming/waiting for: a multi-button mouse. Its name : the Mighty Mouse.

This mouse features 4 fully programmable buttons as well as a scrolling ball allowing not only vertical and horizantal scrolling, but also diagonal scrolling. Its price 55 Euros.
The mouse is conmpatible with USB1.1 and USB2.0.
It should be available in a couple of minutes on the AppleStores.

To our big surprise, none of the usual Mac rumors sites have recently speculated or reported on any forthcoming update, all European Apple Store are closed.
Except if it is linked to a planned maintenance operation, Apple might release a REAL surprise.
a new product is coming!! the Mighty Mouse... more in a minute

Many of us would like to visit the manufacturing lines/plants where Apple's computer models are produced. There is not much hope to visit one of them, and even less hope to be able to talk about it afterwards...
However, stef01 has found something interesting in the carton box of his new iMacG5:

On the left side is the list of components and devices required to assemble an iMacG5, whereas on the right side is the items necessary to pack the freshly assembled iMacG5.
Everything is described from the number and the type of screws, till the different steps corresponding to the station number. In total, an imacG5 requires to go through 10 steps to be assembled and packed.
This checklist does not include the hardware and software tests.

Whereas Motorola and Apple are still delaying the official launch date of the iPhone, other manufacturers keep preparing their weapons for the future battle to come.
One example is the company Hop-On which should release a new model in October (photo below)

Except Bluetooth, this model is packed with features. There is even a “click-wheel” coming directly from the iPod.
Knowing that Apple has covered the iPod with patents, Apple's lawyers will for sure not like it and knock at Hop-on's door.
But it is also possible that Hop-on is simply trying to repeat the huge "marketing coup" achieved by Luxpro and its Super Shuffle.

Apple is planning to generate as much enthusiasm as possible for the official launch of its second AppleStore in Japan. To do so, Apple has sent the following email to its Japanese customers.

Let's see on Saturday if Japanese are getting even more Apple addicted.

Apple seems to have problems again with the high-end PMG5 model.
Whereas the PMG5 was available within a couple of days, it is now avaiable only with 3 to 4 weeks on the Apple store.
Several explainations:
- Apple is selling so much of the high-end model that the production is simply not high enough; but it is unlikely.
- IBM is firing back to Steve Jobs/Apple
- the PPC970MP being officially announced, and with the current sales of the PMG5 dual 2.7GHz being rather low, Apple has decided to update the PMG5 models in a couple of weeks. Maybe for the AppleExpo in Paris.
Make your choice, or find another reason ;)