It's looking likely that the big Apple iPod/iTunes-related event is to happen on September 9, which is in line with previous years' rollouts of new iPods. But September 9 is an interesting choice for an Apple event this year as it also coincides with a product rollout that could easily eclipse anything even remotely insanely great that Apple could pull out of the hat. September 9 is the day that The Beatles release its Rock Band video game as well as remastered CDs of its catalog (check out the Amazon Beatles store for all the goodies; also, if you've not been hit with the hype yet, check out this story from last weekend's NYTimes Magazine about how the Beatles are entering the 21st century via a video game). And thus begins the resurgence of hopeful rumors that the Apple event will also tie in with the Beatles event and finally bring digital distribution of the band's catalog to the iTunes store. This Beatles-to-iTunes rumors has been one of the longest running bits of wishful thinking in the Apple wing of the gadgetosphere--I can even date it back to an early post I did for this blog (when it was named Current and before I formalized the weekly news roundup into Bites) back on November 27, 2006. (Additionally, that post also includes the other white whale of Apple watchers--the Mac tablet PC.)
Some of the more sure-footed rumors surrounding the Apple event include new iPod touch and iPod nano models with cameras, a new version of iTunes that looks to include integration with Facebook, and the new code-named Cocktail digital album format that will include lyrics, videos and more. Another item that's almost a sure thing is non-appearance of the iTablet/iTouch tablet-ized Mac, as it's expected to be announced/released in 2010.
- Speaking of the iPod, Joachim Bean at TUAW found that Apple's online store was selling the first-generation, click-wheel, 5 GB iPod from 2001 (I still have mine in mothballs somewhere). Bean ordered the model, but was disappointed to learn that Apple wasn't going to fulfill that order (not unexpected, as this was probably just an online glitch). Instead, it was sending him a 2nd generation 10 GB model (wholly unexpected--who knew that Apple still had these around???).
- And should The Beatles finally get released in iTunes (or once you digitize the new remastered CDs for your iPod/iPhone), you can recapture some of the glory of ye olde LP with the Vinyl DJ iPhone app (link opens iTunes), which can add crackle, scratch and hum noises to your tunes.
- Pocket-lint pulls together over 50 concept designs for the long-gestating iTablet that have been done over the years. Add a new one to the list (currently my favorite mock-up) from Mario Amaya based on the musings of Rainer Brockerhoff.
- Piper Jaffray analyst Gene Munster believes that Apple will release a new Apple TV in the next several months with TV-input and DVR capabilities and an actual Apple HDTV within the next two years (via The Apple Blog). And CNet's Crave blog salivates over the potential for using one of Apple's currently shipping products in conjunction with such an iHDTV:
Even with a built-in Apple TV box and a big, shiny Apple logo, the iHDTV would barely rate a "ho-hum" from jaded tech reviewers like myself. Nope, the real coolness and opportunity for innovation would be the seamless integration of a high-powered, Web-enabled touch-screen remote control--especially one 48 million people already own. Like, say, an iPhone.
- If you're ready to break your Apple TV out of its monogamous relationship with iTunes, The Apple Blog posts a rather simple procedure for XBMC (aka, XBox Media Center) and Boxee to reach maximum streaming video potential.
- TomTom's GPS navigation iPhone app was officially released this week (via Consumer Reports), with versions for the U.S. and Canada, Western Europe, Australia, and New Zealand.
- Some other iPhone apps on the horizon via The Apple Core--Facebook 3.0 with a new interface (but no push notifications till v3.1) and an official Wikipedia app (though the free Wiki Tap does just fine for me).
- Back on August 15, 1998, the original iMac with the rounded translucent case (and a 4 GB hard drive) started shipping (via Apple Matters)
- And finally... a DIY project for this weekend via Lifehacker--making a dock for my iPhone 3GS from its box contents (rather than spending $49 for Apple's universal dock)
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