The iHome?

Is this the headless $500 Mac we've been hearing about? Every Macworld there's always a bunch of hoaxsters who think they'll get their kicks pranking the Mac community with fake pics of some hot new product that Stevie J. is rumored to be coming out. We can't vouch for the authenticity of these, but a bunch of pics and a video have turned up showing the "iHome Media Center" being removed from its box. If it's legit (and again, we still don't know this for sure), then what we're looking at is a small-form factor Mac with a slot-loading optical drive and a bunch of ports around back.

[Thanks, Sean and Rui]

[Steven Grant @ Dec 19th 2005 12:09AM]

I WANT IT!!!!

[Jeff @ Dec 19th 2005 12:09AM]

Someone did a very nice job on that one. But you can tell from the fit and finish of the box that it's not an Apple job. At least I hope their quality hasn't slipped that much. Not sure how likely it is these things even have boxes yet, let alone ones with UK spellings (Centre).

[icharry @ Dec 19th 2005 12:09AM]

I vote FAKE
1. CENTRE - spelled wrong - for USA.
2. the iHOME would be upsidedown if you hold the box by the handle
3. no RCA or S-Video ports
4. too many other things to list

[dce @ Dec 19th 2005 12:09AM]

Since when does Apple use British spellings? Centre? That just doesn't seem right to me. Still, it might be legit.

Of course, I feel for the Apple PDA video hoax a few years ago, so I'm probably not the best authority on these things.

[xenocrates @ Dec 19th 2005 12:09AM]

is it me or does it remind anyone of the current xbox shape.

[JDB @ Dec 19th 2005 12:09AM]

Looks better than any of the hoaxes I've seen before; it certainly looks like a Mac. Hopefully the production version won't say "iHome" on the top in big letters.

[Bollocks Mate @ Dec 19th 2005 12:09AM]

Well at least they got the spelling of CENTRE correct -

which makes me very suspicious about the origin of this..... did the photos come from the UK???

Hmmmmmm........

[Brian @ Dec 19th 2005 12:09AM]

FAKE - FAKE - FAKE

icharry has it "right on the money" with his 2nd point:

"the iHOME would be upsidedown if you hold the box by the handle"

I woul be the one of the first to place an order for such a deivce (I'm waiting until next week to order the DVD recorder we bought ourselves for Christmas) - but this unfortnately is pure fiction.

[Dolomite @ Dec 19th 2005 12:09AM]

I'm pretty sure Apple gave up support on UK English localisations years ago. As much as I'd love to believe it, I can't see something as closely guarded as this being left alone unattended in some elevator!

[make_shift @ Dec 19th 2005 12:09AM]

I would vote yes on this one, if only for one thing, the instruction manual. Have you ever seen a hoaxer put in an instruction manual before?

As for the lack of standard video ports, iBooks and such come with little ports that let you adapt for vga and composite/svhs.

But why would this machine be left out for this guy's greedy little hands?

[JChan @ Dec 19th 2005 12:09AM]

That's the wrong typeface. Apple uses a version of Myriad for iPod, iTunes, iWhatever. The letter "O" in that face is too wide and round versus the slightly compressed "O" in Myriad. Plus the "M" in Media Centre should angle out a little bit at the end bars, not perfectly vertical as shown. Nice try though! :)

[Lincoln Utah @ Dec 19th 2005 12:09AM]

Ooooooh. Aren't you worried you're going to get sued for posting this?!?!?!

Seriously, I give this hoax a C-. A for effort. D- for believability. You know if Jobs actually came up with a home media center, it would be shaped like a cantaloupe with a pulsating apple logo always in view.

[Aaron @ Dec 19th 2005 12:09AM]

Also aside from spelling and upside-down graphics:

Box does not conform to Apple's style guidelines (i.e. side panels show side profile of product, etc. [eMac excepted, of course])

Also, the padding does not work... there's no protection to keep it from impacting against the 'lid' of the box, and the foam is not of the quality round-cornered shells used by Apple (note also the haphazardly filled-in right side).

[Ollie @ Dec 19th 2005 12:09AM]

Note the tell tale flap of paper hanging down on the left hand side of the lid on the 5th photo - a Prit Stick job I reckon.

Besides, Apple's never going to be coming up with anything looking as boxy and grey as that. Come on!

I'm thinking/hoping it ends up looking like the 'iCenter' design at http://www.applepete.com/concepts/

[RollerMog @ Dec 19th 2005 12:09AM]

I tend towards hoax. The "iHome" font doesn't look like the real Apple Myriad font, and the "iHome" text on the top of the box? Way too big and tacky looking. Only a couple of days to see what's up anyway.

[Ryan Trenhaile @ Dec 19th 2005 12:09AM]

I zoomed these images in Photoshop and I think they are fakes. The iHome logo on the box top is not even centered with the handle! Also some of the prospective looks a little off on a few shots. Where the hell are the RGB/Componet inputs on the back? Still a really good fake. ((Wish it was true))..
I feel that Apple is loosing ground in the home media fight.

[Rick James @ Dec 19th 2005 12:09AM]

Watched the video and it looks like its pretty light (empty!!)

[todd @ Dec 19th 2005 12:09AM]

im gonna wait for the iHomie

[tnkgrl @ Dec 19th 2005 12:09AM]

It's a hoax:
- "Centre" instead of "Center" (british spelling)
- DC jack instead of AC plug (an external power adapter would be contrary to Apple's design philosophy)
- Looks like someone stretched an iBook G4 12" using Photoshop :)

[holophile @ Dec 19th 2005 12:09AM]

I agree it's a hoax:
1. Centre - spelled wrong - for US market
2. the "iHOME Media Centre" would be upsidedown if you hold the box by the handle
3. no RCA or S-Video ports
4. this box is HUGE for something that's only a G4 w/ a 40GB HDD
....plus it looks like a grey paper band wrapped around the side with holes cut out for ports.

[Aaron @ Dec 19th 2005 12:09AM]

Oh yeah, and "iHome" is currently registered to iHome LLC. of Snoqualmie, WA
http://tess2.uspto.gov/bin/showfield?f=doc&state=108r78.2.2

[Alexander Klopping @ Dec 19th 2005 12:09AM]

If this is authentic, it would mean Apple won't introduce a new version of iTunes Tuesday. With every new version, Apple uses a different color for the circle with the version number (see apple.com/itunes). It's orange with 4.7. On the iHome box, the circle is orange...

[xona @ Dec 19th 2005 12:09AM]

call it a curse - but i can spot bad type from 100 yrds away. i say phoney. apple wouldn't let iHome and Media Centre be slightly off center from one another, or in the wrong font (although, it looks that one is a bastard step child). the dot on the i should be round not square. and i'm pretty sure they only use grey, not black, for type.

[Vexorg @ Dec 19th 2005 12:09AM]

Who in their right mind would be sending out non-released products for display at a tradeshow in fully labelled Hey-everyone-look-at-our-stuff-you're-not-supposed-to-see retail packaging anyway?

You probably already know it, but I call shens.

[P. E. @ Dec 19th 2005 12:09AM]

Isn't it every year the same? Some fake prototypes seem always to show up just in time for some great pre Apple Expo Buzz. I mean, I would love to have an Apple Media Center/Centre device, but doesn't it seem a bit unlikely since some details are just wrong? First, spelling of centre. However, this could be on purpose, since there may have been troubles with trademarks on iCenter or so. Second: Why would Apple make the same mistake again and again and let prototype images leak a few days before announcement? I mean, I work in a Swiss Bank and they manage to keep their annuals results from beeing published in advance as well, even tough they have many many people in their company that could get their hands on these (me, for example ;-) So why would Apple have such a big problem with keeping their employees' mouth shut (soory if that sounds rude)... And third: Why would Apple use a "buzz word" on a product's name? As far as I remember, they never did that before... (new communication strategy?) And if using a tag line, why "media centre/center" which is clearly a Microsoft "buzz word"?

Think about it, think different ;-)

PS: Sorry for my english: I'm Swiss, it's late and I am a little drunk... ;-)

[xona @ Dec 19th 2005 12:09AM]

call it a curse - but i can spot bad type from 100 yrds away. i say phoney. apple wouldn't let iHome and Media Centre be slightly off center from one another, or in the wrong font (although, it looks that one is a bastard step child). the dot on the i should be round not square. and i'm pretty sure they only use grey, not black, for type.

[Lars Groeger @ Dec 19th 2005 12:09AM]

By the way ....did you know there was a website on the web some time ( maybe a year ago ) where a clever craftsman sold selfmade G3 pizza boxes....They looked pretty neat....I dont remember the Price...and sure within short time Apples Lawyer busted the whole thing.....But the boxes looked really nice....much better than this hoax...

[Wuddel @ Dec 19th 2005 12:09AM]

Beside the BE: There is no Power-button! There are no holes for cooling!

Look at the video how this guy balances the thing on the package. Too light. FAKE

[popeye @ Dec 19th 2005 12:09AM]

Xerox uses the spelling of "Centre" for it's Work Centre series of copiers here in the US and elsewhere.

What's caught my eye is the smallish box on top of the Cinema Display, could that be the new breakout box for GarageBand (whatever it's name is and Apple is suing some rumor site over)???

On the next to last pic one can make out the piece of paper the "iHome" logo was printed on (on a Work Centre 35 no doubt...).

[Tedndi @ Dec 19th 2005 12:09AM]

Fake Fake Fake

Apple stuff is locked in boxes before any major event and not left lying about.

sorry all. nothing to see here... move along...

[holophile @ Dec 19th 2005 12:09AM]

Lars, are you talking about this?
http://www.wired.com/news/mac/0,2125,58310,00.html

[Wuddel @ Dec 19th 2005 12:09AM]

The small box has the type of design Apple uses for AirPort-Cards or power bricks. Nothing special.

[Andy in VT @ Dec 19th 2005 12:09AM]

How many Apple fanatics does it take to declare an obvious hoax an obvious hoax? Stay tuned... the night is still young.

(Wow! This entry has more than 27 posts and noone has yet mentioned the iPod! Wow! Oh, darn, I guess I just did!)

[somethingsnotrighthere @ Dec 19th 2005 12:09AM]

If you ask me, the most obvious thing was that, all along, they've said it was going to be an **iMac** thus denoting that it would actually *say* iMac, not iHome. What a dumba#@.

Besides, Apple's case wouldn't have battered corners, they have rounded corners! If you look at the third picture from the top, the conrner is obviously dented, lol!

[j.b. cuzz @ Dec 19th 2005 12:09AM]

I hope this isn't the headless! If it is put me down for a ibook. and who wants to look at that big iHome logo on the front. also that box looks kind of fishy with the photos of people.

I sure hope this is sketchy

[me @ Dec 19th 2005 12:09AM]

Centre can be spelled both ways same meaning and it supports TiVo aswell.

[dawggpie @ Dec 19th 2005 12:09AM]

iwho ithinks ithat ithis iwhole "i"thing iis iplayed iout inow? i do

[Bo Yu @ Dec 19th 2005 12:09AM]

It's probably a fake because the size of the optical drive slot is WAY too large. See the third pic from the bottom (with the hand holding the unit), the width of the drive slot compared to the hand next to it gives away the clue. By my estimate, based on the pic, that slot is at least one and a half times longer than it should be. Of course, my judgement is valid only if that slot is indeed for regular cds/dvds.

[me @ Dec 19th 2005 12:09AM]

ok i took another look that shit looks like a box looke at corners that shit is fake.

[Andy in VT @ Dec 19th 2005 12:09AM]

Whoops, stand corrected. JChan mentioned the iPod in #12...

"That's the wrong typeface. Apple uses a version of Myriad for >>>>>> iPod <<<<<<< iTunes, iWhatever... Plus the "M" in Media Centre should angle out a little bit at the end bars, not perfectly vertical as shown. Nice try though! :)"

Dude, its not the M, its the UK spelling of center! That was cleared up in posts #2 and #3. I'm betting this examination of minutiae goes on all night.

Sorry about my earlier observation. I guess I was so hopeful for a new record that I missed it while contemplating the use of Myriad in other Apple products. My bad.

[Kent Pribbernow @ Dec 19th 2005 12:09AM]

Uh..guys, this is a fake. This hoax was obviously created by the same person that made up the G5 iMac hoax; a poster from AppleInsider forums named Philbot (I think that was his nickname). He took those photos in the VERY SAME elevator.

[Faf @ Dec 19th 2005 12:09AM]

i know who posted them, they arent fake and they're being developed in the UK research labs of apple hence the spellings, that might all change though according to my mate, because as someone pointed out, someone owns the name iHome.

[bebopredux @ Dec 19th 2005 12:09AM]

One more thing:

The slot opening is way too big. Look at it.

[Kevin Fox @ Dec 19th 2005 12:09AM]

Fake. If it was a mini-PC box it would have at least one USB port on the front and a 'normal' VGA or DVI port in the back, instead of the apparent mini-DVI port.

If it's a media box then, as others have said, it's missing a lot of requisite ports like RCA in/out, S-Video, etc.

And the styrofoam is wrong. Apple always uses clamshells. Open the box, see the manual and mouse, then take off the styro to see the nested product.

[MacMAN FAN @ Dec 19th 2005 12:09AM]

doesn't elgato systems already make something called EyeHome already? I doubt Apple would copy them...

[Rick James @ Dec 19th 2005 12:09AM]

Someone's gone to a hell of a lot of trouble to produce this if its not authentic. Usually its just a bunch of photoshop pics, but it looks like that first one is a real machine.It does look as though someones stuck a piece of paper onto the fron of it though!

[.ddma @ Dec 19th 2005 12:09AM]

Absolutely fake. First, Apple is an American company. I have never seen them spelt Media "Centre" in the British English way.

Plus, if you look carefully, the "iHome" thing is actually a print out. It's so flat and the Apple logo and the "iHome" wording were a sheet sticked on the box.

I would give a credit to the creator because he know how to make the whole thing looked realistic by using a low quality camera. SO it's not so easy to crack.

[ItsFake @ Dec 19th 2005 12:09AM]

Def. fake. The font on "media centre" doesnt look right. Apple wouldnt say "centre" either. The front panel wouldnt be that simple, there would be some inputs for headphones or a USB interface, the disk drive looks too wide. The reason it is piled with other apple hardware is to make it look like it belongs... "One of these things is not like the others, one of these things just doesnt belong"... The person taking photos wouldnt just happen on a magical stash of apple stuff sitting in a corner like that, nor would they have the time to take those photos.... lame.

[Gregory Pierce @ Dec 19th 2005 12:09AM]

Look at this image http://www.weblogsinc.com/common/images/1141583260425672.JPG

It looks pretty much like its just a box. The right side of the unit looks a bit crumpled up - hidden by the apparent low resolution of the photo.

[OctaneZ @ Dec 19th 2005 12:09AM]

What would be interesting is if this were an ACTUAL early/rejected/unrefined apple prototype/mockup. Maybe there is some "pre-XXXX leak department" that gets us all reved up right before an announcement.