Apple is set to take the wraps off of its New York flagship store next Friday, and is hosting an invitation-only event on Thursday to show off the shop to journos and analysts. Of course, we don't normally care a whole lot about new Apple stores, even ones with five-story, $9 million glass cubes as a centerpiece. Still, we're at least a little intrigued by this one, given that the
rumors continue to fly that Apple will introduce the Core Duo-powered MacBook next week, and may even refresh some iPod models. And it certainly wouldn't be unprecedented for Steve Jobs to use the store opening to show off some of that new gear. We can be sure of one thing, though: despite the new store's shape (just what is it with Jobs and cubes, anyhow?), we're unlikely to see any new Macs that
mirror its design any time soon.
posted May 12th 2006 3:23PM
(just what is it with Jobs and cubes, anyhow?)
Remember NeXT? A cube shaped computer was their first product and the company was run by Steve Jobs. Duh!
cool. wish I was there.
Has anyone noticed that all other companies that sell computers (HP, Lenovo, Alienware, etc) are not so deluded and self-absorbed as to think that each model they introduce warrants a special "ceremony"? It such a turn-off, for me at least. And what is up with that massive store? Every Apple store I go into is too big already, what with the ten products they sell.
I see Engadget is back to its old sarcastic self again.
This should be a very cool (big) store indeed, and I could use me a MacBook ;)
I beg to differ. I think another cube shaped object of some sort may be in the making. I think the press event, coinciding with the cube on top of the store, and something definitely going to be release, why not make the cube symbolic. Apple said "think inside the box" - maybe this is a completion of intel inside "their boxes" IDK - its all speculation from here. BTW, what type of apple should I get for college a desktop or a laptop?
just what is it with Jobs and cubes, anyhow?
He's stuck in 1980, wishing the good old days of the Rubicks Cube, company sponsered keggers, frisbee golf and a larger market share were still around.
You can buy old Next cubes on ebay for $20 plus shipping if you need a really cool looking door stop.
http://www.macmothership.com/gallery/newads2/NextCover.jpg
when the F*@$K are they going to update the desktop line for crying out loud?!?!?!?!??!
what was so great about NEXT systems anyway? What did they provide that Sun and other unix station makers didn't?
Bigger stores, no more products. MAKES. NO. SENSE!
"when the F*@$K are they going to update the desktop line for crying out loud?!?!?!?!??!"
The monumental effort required to redesign hardware, test, code the OS, test, etc. -- for Apple's entire computer line -- seems to be out of your grasp.
Patience.
Travis,
Buy a laptop. Some profs still let you bring them into class, and if you can type fast enough they are so much better for note taking than hand writing. Also, many profs now utilize the web for their lectures, so you could follow along right on the lappie even all the way at the back of the lecture hall.
laptop for college - most of your campus probably has wifi, and all the coffee shops and hangouts near campus will definitely have it, so you can work outside of your dormroom. even without wifi, getting out of your room helps studying.
"Of course, we don't normally care a whole lot about new Apple stores"
I guess engadget wasn't invited. haha
But apple doesn't consider web log hacks to be journalists anyway.
@ #7
The next systems had what became (with an apple skin on it) OSX on them...
So if you concider that they had the world's most advanced operating system on them (BACK THEN!!!) , then I think they were sporting something that sun and others weren't :-)
It's about time they set up a B&M store in NY...
#4 > I see Engadget is back to its old sarcastic self again.
Back? I only come here for the snark!
It's like Slashdot without the need for a college degree. And has more ponies.
What happens if someone (namely, an anti-Apple activist) decided to chuck a rock or two at the glass cubes?
Sure, they might get knocked down by security and get arrested, but it'll be too late, $9 million down the drain.
P.S. Is every Apple store different??
It could be bullet proof glass. 9 mil will buy you a lot.
The cube could be the new powermac form factor maybe the size of the shuttle cases, but squared. I doubt it, but who knows. It's probably the new apple Rubiks Cube that holds 50,000 songs and serves as a apple media center if you can solve the puzzle.
Personally, I don't think there will be any product introductions. This is strictly on the new design of the store.
I can imagine that SJ is proud of the store's cube design and wants to show it off. He probably has a couple new things in place from a retailing experience standpoint that's unique to that location (i.e. Genius bar at all Apple stores, etc) and thinks there's a good story to be told to the press about it.
Don't get me wrong, I'd be thrilled if something new was released, but I don't want to get my expectations up.
It's probably made up of that very resistant 3M unbreakable glass material.
I've got my fingers crossed on the MacTablet...
"What happens if someone (namely, an anti-Apple activist) decided to chuck a rock or two at the glass cubes?"
The thought of someone caring enough about Corporate Sports to call themselves an anti-Apple "activist" makes me very sad.
What apple needs now is an ultraportable. Screw the internal drives, give us something ultra thin, under 3 pounds, 12" widescreen, wireless connectivity and I'll be bringing out the credit card
How about a PDA? Since they made the 1st one :)
I wish I can be there to get a new macbook (wishful thinking!)
plus, travis, you can use your laptop to play games (like bejewled) in class if the lecture's boring.
Do you think Apple will mention anything about their new AJAX based email hosting service at the event? If you're there, let them know that they are free to make me an offer on my company emailhosting.com and get a headstart to their email hosting operations.
How's that new MacBook superior to every other Mac? They're all awesome!
-Vikash
http://www.emailhosting.com