Thursday October 18, 2007

- New Mac Pro Ready? - Lionel - 22:24:57

According to Apple Insider, Apple is ready to launch the new version of the Mac Pro, and would only be waiting for the green light from Intel. This new revision of Apple workstation models will be powered by Xeon Penryn as we reported it on October 8th.
It remains unclear if Apple will also cannibalize all 3.0-3.2GHz Xeon Penryn for the next 3 or 4 months, as it already did it with the current 3.0GHz Xeon when this CPU was launched (the 3.0GHz Xeon was not officially available when the Mac Pro model based on it was released).
So, the question remaining is the following: Will Apple launch its new Mac Pro powered by Xeon Penryn before their official availability on November 12th as announced by Intel.

[translation by Linathael]

- iPhone in UK: For O2 "Unlimited" Means 200MB of Data! [updated] - Lionel - 22:15:53

As reported by Macworld, O2 unveiled details regarding the "unlimited data option" for the UK iPhone. If originally, O2 announced to allow for up to 1,400 web pages per day to be viewed, the final version of the subscription plan allows for just 200MB of data per month, in addition owners will be able to use the O2 Cloud WiFi network for only 60-hours per month.
With such limitations, the owners will not be able to use the iPhone as a true mobile terminal, except of paying additional cost for WiFi usage. Apple will also indirectly lose money, as users will most likely not use their monthly 60 hours to surf on iTunes WiFi Store and then potentially purchase less music tracks.

One of our UK readers sent us some additional information and comments:

An UK iPhone-dedicated website http://www.iphoneuklaunch.com/ is following the story. It appears there is some confusion about O2's unlimited data allowance for the iPhone: 22GB per month is far better but doesn't sound too realistic. Is it even possible to get through that much data on an Edge network?

Some photos are published of an O2 store preparing for the iPhone launch: here



[translation by Linathael]

- Disney to Run for the Blu-ray - Lionel - 14:31:16

While BD movies are now selling better than their HD-DVD versions, Disney decided to promote the BD alliance by launching a competitive offer: for every purchase of a Disney BD movie, you will get a second one for free. The offer is already on via Amazon. The cost for two HD movies is at the end US$24.45. This is another example of the consequence of the current business war between BD and HD-DVD, sure consumers are benefiting with low prices for HD movies, however they are also not really willing to choose one format or the other as at the end it could be the wrong choice...

[translation by Linathael]

- Intel to Release a Powerfull Integrated Graphic Chipset with Montevina? - Lionel - 14:25:24

According to a report published by Digitimes, the Integrated Graphic Processor developed by Intel for its future mobile platform known as Montevina could be the first true competitive IGP. Montevina is expected to be launched Q2 2008, and could well be directly used by Apple for the MacBook. This future mobile platform known as Intel 45 Express chipset (GM45) and its IGP as GMA X4500 is reported to be three times faster than GM965 IPG the successor of the GMA950 IGP currently found in MacBook. The GMA X4500 will support DirectX 10 and Shader Model 4.0, but also bring hardware decoding capability for HD video (HDMI output too).
As we reported earlier, Intel has seriously started to work on its IGP drivers in order to strengthen performance of this graphic chipset, as the overall performance of such integrated solution is a balanced mix between hardware and drivers.


[translation by Linathael]

- Leopard: Where are Top Secret Features? - Lionel - 13:50:04

Source : http://www.applematters.com

When Steve jobs unveiled Leopard in August 2006; he was demonstrating time machine, piles, new finder, etc... But he was ending his presentation by mentioning top secrets features which should be unveiled later on.
Fourteen months later, and couple of days before the official launch of Leopard, those top secrets features remain unknown. In addition, nothing new has been unveiled from the different beta versions of Leopard distributed to developers. So, are there any secret features? Do they really exist?
One can imagine that their development would have required additional time and resources, and with the iPod Touch and the iPhone, Apple could not devote more to the Leopard task force, making at the end the decision to drop such secret features for timing reason. On the other side, they might have never existed and simply be mentioned for creating some pressure on Windows Vista which was released later on in 2006.


[translation by Linathael]

- iPhone in France: SFR and Nokia Strike Back - Lionel - 13:31:09

Source : http://www.revioo.com

While the iPhone will be launched in France on November 29th by Orange and Apple, the second largest French carrier SFR (a Vodafone partner) strikes back with the launch of the Nokia N95 on November 14th. Featuring 8GB of storage space, as well as 3G support, integrated GPS, FM turner or a 5MP camera, this new high-end model from Nokia is well designed to face competition from the iPhone:



The Nokia N95 will be bundled to subscription plans, but will also be available as SIM unlocked model for geek, however it will cost 899€. This gives an indication of the potential price of a legally SIM unlocked iPhone in France.
So, its seems that after carriers have selected their respective leading mobile phone models, the war will start around Christmas shopping period; consumers should benefit at the end with cheaper subscription plan or richer offers.


[translation by Linathael]