Apple Confidante: WWDC Roundup and Recap
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. (ED. jk, we love these guys)
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’s the 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.