Breaking: Inside Apple on Blu-ray, MacPro and Apple’s media center strategy. What to expect, and not to expect, at WWDC
August 4, 2006
Alexander here. We’re not in the Apple rumor mill business here at DVD Newsroom. Frankly, I don’t care about the next gen iPods. I’m quite happy with my G3 iPod, thank you very much. Do I wanna squint and watch Lord of the Rings on a tiny iPod screen – while I have a Sony 50” Grand Wega?
But when it comes to all things Blu-ray, we’re interested. From content delivery to a media center, we gotta keep an eye on Apple’s approach. Look what they did to MP3 players, having joined late in the game. If they change the delivery system of entertainment, how does this affect DVD and the future of hi-def? I mean, in looking at quality, Apple’s music store successfully offers a far inferior product compared to music CDs. The trade off is instant gratification – choosing to download right now or driving over to Best Buy to pick up a CD, if they even have it in stock. When rumors of the iChat Mobile surfaced, our spy contacted his Apple Confidante to talk about that and Blu-ray rumors. The transcript of our spy’s phone call, including talk of Powermacs and WWDC news, is below…
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Updated: Aug 7, 2006
Senor here. There’s a new post on this — a recap of WWDC, but I thought I’d also add it here. My original post is below.
What an f-in stir I created. I promise, this is our first and last visit to the Mac rumor mill. This is not our area of expertise – and we’ll get back to reporting on ‘Lilo and Stitch – the Deluxe Double Dip Edition’ or some nonsense. My Apple Confidante spoke about general products and strategies with Blu-ray, not just related to WWDC. Even though she is not in the hardware product development arena, my Apple Confidante was able to nail, confirm or deny many of today’s highlights. So take that, you queens at TUAW and MacRumors.
As I was casually speaking with a friend, I wasn’t being all Woodward and Bernstein. Next time the phone conversation will be recorded so I can take better notes. Of the biggies, here were our Confidante’s answers to our questions. The following were dead on:
New Mac Pro shown at WWDC with old enclosure: Yes
Blu-ray with new Mac Pro: No
New Enclosure of Mac Pro: No
New Enclosure for MacBook or iMac: No
iPhone: No
Apple TV or iTablet: No
New features with Mail: Yes
Mail tied with iCal: Yes
New features with iChat: Yes (iChat Theater)
Video iPod or Movie Store announced: No
A Skype-type feature demoed: No comment, no demo
New Sizes in MacBook Pro of MacBook: No
Mark our words, Blu-ray will ship in January. As we’re a DVD site, Blu-ray is what got us into this whole mess. The major confusion was with the following: “Built-in iChat. In general, expect to hear a lot about iChat this next year.”
This is more due to my sloppy and amateurish reporting style. The way we were talking, I think she meant it more like “support of iChat built in – lots going on with iChat etc etc.” Regardless, no, this is wrong.
Again, my contact isn’t in this area. These are things “she’s heard.” This again sums it up:
Q. Anything you can divulge on the new Mac Pro?
A. (Long pause) We’re a silo. Apple employees find out about new products when they’re being announced. Or online. Nobody knows anything.
Q. So will there be a new enclosure?
A. You’ll find out when Steve takes the stage. If anyone states otherwise, they’re delusional. It goes down to the wire.
Here’s our highlights reel:
A: We’re very focused on our current product line up; less is more, thus no 12” MacBook Pro or 14” MacBook.
Q. When will a Mac ship with a Blu-ray drive installed?
A. Some are hopeful with Oct/Nov. Doubt it. 100% Blu-ray will be built-to-order in January 07.
Q. Will new Powermacs, or Mac Pro’s, ship with Blu-ray?
A. Mac Pro? Not right away. January, like I said.
A. In general, expect to hear a lot about iChat this next year.
Q. Apple’s version of Skype?
A. No comment. (Laughs) This is a big deal for Apple.
Q. Why wasn’t the Macbook Pro launched with a new design?
A. Transition. And the consumer perspective. “It’s the same Mac product, only better.” New enclosures and Intel inside would’ve been too unsettling.
Q. Any cool features expected in Leopard?
A. General unification. Good-bye brushed metal. Mail and iCal integration. Stronger Front Row features. And as I said, more iChat.
Here’s my original report:
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Greetings and Salutations! The world is a funny place, muchahcos. It’s about connections. “In the know.” I knew my Apple Confidante before she obtained that Apple badge of honor. Even in college she was my sweet, sweet confidante. Her polite ear listened patiently to my girl problems. I was never brave enough to be romantic. A confidante is a confidante. With phrases like Blu-ray and iPhone buzzing in my brain, I couldn’t resist calling my confidante’s hotline
Q. Before we talk about Blu-ray. One word: iPhone?
A. No. Of course, Apple is exploring wireless options, integrating cell and iPod technology. Don’t expect anything soon.
Q. Why would Apple enter this arena?
A. Competition, really. As Motorola and Sony Ericsson continue to marry phones with music, it could make the iPod obsolete. Also, the ringtone business is massive. That’s why the carriers can’t stand us and iTunes songs at 99 cents. Everyone is working on their own music store with higher costs or subscriptions.
Q. Where do you stand on Blu-ray?
A. We’re exceptionally committed to Blu-ray. A battleground issue in 07.
Q. Why Blu-ray?
A. Superior storage. Costs less.
Q. When will a Mac ship with a Blu-ray drive installed?
A. Some are hopeful with Oct/Nov. Doubt it. 100% Blu-ray will be built-to-order in January 07.
Q. Why the delay?
A. Consumers are very nervous and confused about these formats. Why do they need it? What are the benefits? Originally, Blu-ray was a slam-dunk. But HD-DVD gained traction. After the launch of the PS3, the general consensus is Blu-ray will be named the winner. The brand name ‘Blu-ray’ will be stronger. Better awareness for consumers. Currently, HD-DVD has the edge by name alone.
Q. Who will win, Blu-ray or HD-DVD?
A. (laughs) Blu-ray, of course. Reasons? Apple, Sony, Dell, HP, Disney, Fox. Better content and the PS3. If your computer and PS3 support Blu-ray, you’re obviously going to buy Blu-ray movies.
Q. Will new Powermacs, or Mac Pro’s, ship with Blu-ray?
A. Mac Pro? Not right away. January, like I said. Next week, Blu-ray support will be announced, all the features, and so on.
Q. Anything you can divulge on the new Mac Pro?
A. (Long pause) We’re a silo. Apple employees find out about new products when they’re being announced. Or online. Nobody knows anything.
Q. So will there be a new enclosure?
A. You’ll find out when Steve takes the stage. If anyone states otherwise, they’re delusional. It goes down to the wire.
Q. Will the new Mac Pro ship immediately?
A. October/November.
Q. New monitors?
A. Built-in iChat. In general, expect to hear a lot about iChat this next year. (From Senor: she meant it more like Built-in ichat support.)
Q. Apple’s version of Skype?
A. No comment. (Laughs) This is a big deal for Apple.
Q. Why wasn’t the Macbook Pro launched with a new design?
A. Transition. And the consumer perspective. “It’s the same Mac product, only better.” New enclosures and Intel inside would’ve been too unsettling. With its current design, the Powerbook’s revenue was strong. The Powermac enclosure is a quandary. No one likes the design and sales have been less than dynamic. It’s a struggle internally, to fit with the Intel transition yet be a relaunch.
Q. Any changes to the iMac?
A. Externally, the iMac is a homerun. No.
Q. What Apple products will ship with the Intel Core 2 Duo chips?
A. Only Intel and Steve know.
Q. Any cool features expected in Leopard?
A. General unification. Good-bye brushed metal. Mail and iCal integration. Stronger Front Row features. And as I said, more iChat.
Q. Shifting gears, why did Jobs sell Pixar to Disney. What was gained?
A. Beyond financially? (Laughing) That’s more of a Pixar question. From Apple’s perspective, we had tons to gain by playing nice with Disney. Content. People follow the leader. Without Lost and Desperate Housewives, other media partners wouldn’t have fallen in line. Iger (Robert Iger CEO of Disney – Ed.) gets it. Distribution of their icons across all mediums, TV, DVD, computers, iPod, cell, iTunes, etc. Michael Eisner was a roadblock to all that.
Q. Any plans for an Apple TV?
A. No, not needed. The options are to connect to a Apple Cinema Display or to the consumer’s existing TV.
Q. In this direction, with a possible Apple movie store, what’s in the works, an Apple Media Center or a new video iPod?
A. iPods and movies are just a distraction. Movies to download to a media center, connected directly or streamed via Airport, that’s the direction. Front Row goes TiVo.
Q. Would this be a new device?
A. No, the Mac mini will grow in this direction. I’ve seen a prototype box that would fit among your electronics with Airport, Ethernet, DVD, Front Row, TiVo-ish support. I doubt this will ever see the light of day. We’re very focused on our current product line up; less is more, thus no 12” MacBook Pro or 14” MacBook.
Q. What have been the roadblocks with an Apple movie store?
A. We’ll win both; consistent price per movie, burning to DVD. Other internal factors include bandwidth and the evolution of Airport. This is all bigger than the iPod.
Q. Zune?
A. Interesting. We’re encouraging them to bundle Wi-fi and Bluetooth. Everyone will love a product with a ½ hour battery life (laughing).
Q. Any news on future iPods?
A. The iPod roadmap changes daily. A year ago, I would’ve bet my life on an iPod with satellite radio. But expect a true video iPod with Airport support.
Q. Any truth to an Apple Tablet?
A. Prototyped of course. Price is the issue, without cannibalizing the MacBook. The ideal price is $599. But it’d cost too much to make. Take an average guy visiting an Apple Store at his local mall. If he had to choose between a $1099 MacBook or tablet, the MacBook would win. A tablet is too niche at that price – only the Apple elite would buy. We’re becoming generalists and the Apple Store supports that strategy. Generalists with superior products.
At that point my Apple Confidante’s phone went dead. Shaking, I heard the dial tone. Fearing for her life, I called back, only to hear a busy signal. Damn you, Jobs, damn you!!! — Senor Spielbergo
Previously on DVD Newsroom…
- Universal Studios officially confirm Hell Boy 2
- Point: Interview with Andy Parsons, Senior Vice President for Pioneer and the Blu-ray Disc Association Chair
- Counter Point: Senior VP of Universal Pictures Jerry Pierce chats about all things HD-DVD
- Pixar’s Cars on DVD confirmed
- Playstation 4 to Nix Dix?
- Interview with Garth Franklin of Dark Horizons
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