Fun Stuff: First Impressions of Today's Apple Special Event

First off, Apple introduced the new Intel-based Mac mini with Front Row software and an IR remote. What's disappointing is that there's no "TiVO Killer" DVR functionality involved. The new mini does feature VGA/DVI video out and both analog and digital (S/PDIF) audio out, but it's not quite a full-fledged media center.

What's interesting is that the new mini is available today in both Intel Core Solo ($599) and Intel Core Duo ($799) processor configurations. The new iTunes "Share Music" feature is also nifty - built-in Bonjour technology allows devices to find themselves and share music over a network (as in iTunes sharing). The technology also allows for shared video content streamed from another computer (mac or windows) on your network. Hence the gigabit Ethernet port newly introduced to the mini.

So it's sort of like a media center -- or, at least, the beginnings of a home entertainment network, Apple-style. Front Row with Bonjour will also be available as an update to current Front Row users.

The new minis are cool, but they've also raised the price of entry to joining the Mac club. What was a sub-$500 computer is now $599, minimum. The education price is $579, which has got to be a blow to school Tech Directors who've been waiting to make purchasing plans for next year.

The $799 dual-core version is basically a headless iMac. Not a bad upgrade path to an Intel Mac, but somehow not quite the revelation that the original mini was. That being said, let's wait and see how fast these new boxes really are once the applications you rely on each day start shipping in Intel-native versions.

iPod HiFi. Seriously?

I don't know about this one. On the one hand, it's made by Apple and has "iPod" in the name, so it'll probably sell. On the other hand, it's a $349 audio system made by a computer company and it does nothing to solve the "I can't see my iPod's menu from across the room!" problem. Plus, you know, a million and one other companies already make iPod speaker systems that cost less. Some of them are pretty good sounding, and some of them are even made by, you know, speaker companies.

Then there's the XtremeMac Tango (pictured above) which, while not actually shipping yet, did debut at MacWorld and so is entitled to scream, "Hey, no fair, I was here first!" It's only $199.

That being said, I should reserve final judgement until I actually hear (and see) one for myself. But still, this seems less like a cool new product and more like a warning shot fired by Apple across the bows of every iPod accessory maker out there. Don't look know, but Apple might be looking to take back that cottage industry they helped you to build.

iPod Leather Case. Seriously?
It's a ninety-nine dollar leather case for your iPod that doesn't let you access the screen, click wheel, or (so far as I can tell) bottom panel.

I'm just kind of scratching my head on this one.

Overall Impressions? Yawn.
Today didn't quite live up to the hype for me, but the debut of another Intel-based Mac is notable -- even if it seems more and more like Apple planned all along to create an aura of "the transition will take awhile" only to "wow" us with how "quickly" the Intel Macs have appeared. I'm a little dismayed that they raised the price of the entry-level Mac mini, but like that it's being offered in single and dual-core versions. The new media networking technology is interesting, and I'm hoping that it's paving the way for a video Airport Express type device.

But, honestly? Not much to see here. The iPod accessories seem overpriced and uninspired to me. iPod HiFi had better sound good for $350 -- but I'd rather have my stereo and bluetooth iPod transmitter home and a Tivoli iPal or iSongBook for everywhere else. Of course with Apple seeing (and touching) is always believing, so ask me again once I've seen one of these guys in person.

As for that leather case thing? I'm still scratching my head on that one.

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Noah Kravitz is the Reviews Editor for PowerBook Central. A writer, educator, and musician, he lives in Oakland, CA and is the author of Teaching and Learning with Technology.