Apple Finally Coming “Back To The Mac”
Its been quite some time since we’ve seen anything new from Apple in terms of the Mac platform. Â The last big announcements regarding the platform (read: announcements that required events) were the unibody MacBook, the new iMac and Snow Leopard. Â Those have all been around for quite some time now. Â Most of Apple’s attention has been focused on iOS, leaving many to think that mac was on its way out, but it seems that’s not the case.
On October 20 Apple will be holding an event entitled “Back To The Mac.” Â The invitation shows an Apple logo tilting back to reveal a lion. Â It wouldn’t be unreasonable to assume that Mac OS 10.7 will be unveiled at the event, and it will be called Lion. Â We likely won’t hear anything about a release date for the next Mac OS X version as those releases are typically about 18 months apart. Â If Apple continues with that pattern, we can expect Lion by February 2011, though we’ll have to wait and see how far along the project is next week. {Gizmodo}
Other possible announcements include a hybrid iMac with iOS and Mac OS X. Â If not a hybrid, then an iMac with multitouch built into the next OS 10.7. Â Apple knows what it’s doing when it comes to touch, and seems to think it is the future of computing. Â That paired with the patent it was granted for what looks like an iMac that can bend to a more touch-friendly position. Â Seems like a natural thing for the iMac form factor, and one that artists, gamers, developers and those who just like touchscreens would enjoy. {CrunchGear}
The other strong rumor is a new MacBook Air. Â It seems stock is dwindling on the current MacBook Air. Â Not to mention the fact that the model feels a bit long in the tooth, it still has a mouse button that has been missing from other MacBooks for a while now. Â There are also new processors that could fit in the MacBook Air to make it a logical choice as an ultraportable again. {CrunchGear}
Other possibilites include adding in Nvidia Optimus and/or the new GeForce 400 series GPUs. Â Without getting too technical, that would mean much better and faster graphics, and better battery life through graphics handling.
What should we not expect? A new iPad or a Verizon iPhone. Â For the former, wait until early 2011, likely March or April. Â For the latter, all rumors point to a January 2011 release, and a mid-2011 refresh that will see the iPhone work on both CDMA (Verizon, Sprint) and GSM (AT&T, T-Mobile) networks – taking away any international roaming advantage that AT&T currently has. {TechCrunch} Strong as the rumors may be, don’t believe it until Steve Jobs gets on stage and announces it.
