Too many Mac rumors

Managing all the information in all these damned Apple rumors that everyone is so insistent upon proliferating is no small task, but we know that there exists a vast amount of people hungry for any WWDC 2006 launch information they can get (and an equal amount lying in wait to say we're merely Apple fanboys). While we know how much you'd love for us to report on these as we go, we'll give you the short list, and invite you to leave rumors for us to add in comments. Bon appetit!

• A chap named Brian sent us another iPhone picture, this time it's called the iCall. The story goes: it was supposedly found by an insider on the floor in a storage room at the Moscone. Hey stranger things have happened (then again, remember the iHome?).
  
• MacRumors says we'll have Xeon Xserves, the Mac Pro, and new 1:1000 contrast ratio Studio Displays with iSight and Apple Remote support, Core 2 Duo mobile MacBook Pros, and loads of new stuff for Leopard.
• Scoble says Apple is "readying a dizzying amount of new products," but not much else.
• FirstAdopter thinks the Mac Pros will run Xeons, run from $1,800 - $3,200 in base configs, and have pretty much all the usual options. Ars Technica seems to think roughly the same, and pontificated on it for a few thousand words.
  
• Going back a little, Macworld reported that Blu-ray drive support may (or may not) make its way into Steve's presentation.
• Apple joins Kronos, therefore must be developing iPhone. Sure, take it to the bank.
• iPhone software found in iPod updater. Hurrah! Oh, wait, it still doesn't mean anything (yet).
• Someone posted an oh-so-bad iChat Mobile video on YouTube. In case you missed it, that was the iPhone rumor du jour last night. Thanks, Steve.
• Apple Insider is insisting MacBook Pros are going to go Merom (Core 2 Duo). Yeah, and why not? Just about every other laptop manufacturer already has, and they'd be downright foolish not to launch the MeromBooks at WWDC.

[Bill Jobsniack @ Aug 3rd 2006 1:34PM]

hehe...

[thedude @ Aug 3rd 2006 1:34PM]

WOW, another "rumooorrrrrr". Will they ever stop!? I mean, is it gonna be that revolutionary that we need to make stuff up to satisfy?

[Explorer @ Aug 3rd 2006 1:35PM]

Too blury to be real.

[matthew kraus @ Aug 3rd 2006 1:35PM]

iCall is written in the incorrect font. The letters shown here are a rounded sans serif, which is inconsistent with every other piece of Apple marketing.

Fake.

[Travis @ Aug 3rd 2006 1:38PM]

ok, as much as I want there to be some great new iPhone or whatever... what are the chances of this happening? All these rumours... for a Developer Conference? Maybe a new computer, certainly a lot of Leopard goodies. But anyone who is holding out for a phone or ipod is dreaming. I guess it could happen but I wouldn't bank on it... greater chances winning Powerball.

[O.I. @ Aug 3rd 2006 1:39PM]

I remember when there was repeated coverage of the Microsoft Zune and people are complaining about all the Microsoft bias.

How come no one is crying foul over WWDC coverage?

Anyway, keep it up Engadget. I'm sure we're in for a lot more speculation before the convention but I love it.

[Jared C. @ Aug 3rd 2006 1:41PM]

There is a Windows Media Center icon on the screen.
Fake

[O.I. @ Aug 3rd 2006 1:44PM]

Not to mention that "Stay close, from far away." is the stupidest slogan I've ever heard of.

[Shawn @ Aug 3rd 2006 1:45PM]

I think apple would come up with a more sophisticated name and slogan than the "iCall - stay close from far away". Sounds like a high school mock business project.

[Jeff Foster @ Aug 3rd 2006 1:53PM]

that's one of the silliest mock-up rumor pics i've seen.

not to mention that lens blurring (or DOF blurring, or even motion blurring) looks NOTHING like the gaussian blurring this jokester used.

i could make a better fake with my eyes closed, not to mention that thing is fugly.

:P

i still love the silly rumors though!

[Craig @ Aug 3rd 2006 1:54PM]

I just want a (i)phone that is fully compatible with my mac... with widgets, I want widgets on my phone!

[mingistech @ Aug 3rd 2006 1:54PM]

These fake images you guys have been posting are from a UK Mac Mag called MacFormat.

MacFormat has a section every month called iCandy.

They post fake pics of apple hardware that doesn't exist.

C'mon guys.... do ur homework! :)

[z @ Aug 3rd 2006 1:55PM]

yes, really, thank you engadget! :D

[dave @ Aug 3rd 2006 2:01PM]

i'm tired of telling you guys, but here's the macphone prototype...
http://www.flickr.com/photos/chouk/205655027/

[js @ Aug 3rd 2006 2:02PM]

Too many mac rumours? How about too many Mac fanboys?

[James @ Aug 3rd 2006 2:04PM]

After watching that youtube video, I would conclude that that "iPhone" is more like a VOIP handset to work with the VOIP capabilities within iChat. The handset looks too large to be a viable player in the cell phone market. I wouldn't want one just based on its size (and I love apple products). Anyway, take that for what it's worth, and wait for Monday ;).

[danj3ris @ Aug 3rd 2006 2:13PM]

Guys, the iCall is DEFINATELY a fraud/fake mock-up, whatever.

Consider it debunked, I do not think Apple would name their device after a Free VOIP service that already exists:

http://www.icall.com/

[GadgetTV @ Aug 3rd 2006 2:17PM]

The other picture was more belevable. This one is way off.

[Vin @ Aug 3rd 2006 2:18PM]

Please, the real iPhone prototype can be found here:

http://www.flickr.com/photos/tensafefrogs/49199489/

[yettah @ Aug 3rd 2006 2:19PM]

Ian,
Perhaps if whatever equipment you used put some excitement into their product line-up, you too would be excited to see what products were coming out of the pipeline. Apple is rewriting the books on how to make a customer, keep a customer, and reinvent the PC.

[CharlieX @ Aug 3rd 2006 2:20PM]

it's funny how some of you get so upset about apple rumors and apple fandom in general. how about you: sit back, take a toke, and r e l a x.

[cv @ Aug 3rd 2006 2:21PM]

Are those "Apple slippers" in the upper right of the YouTube video?

[Joe Alien @ Aug 3rd 2006 2:23PM]

Let me point out, if it's not obvious, that one primary reason there are many Apple rumors is that sites like Engadget keep publishing them for all to see, and for all those automated blog bots to pick up, and further the distribution, hence, rumor mill. If you don't wish to manage the rumors, then don't publish them.

[Jason @ Aug 3rd 2006 2:25PM]

Best idea yet, on all apple products, doubt if its real...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TRiUbZF9yqY&NR

[tf @ Aug 3rd 2006 2:31PM]

O.I., I'll complain and I'm a Mac fan. There haven't been a lot of rumors; there have been a lot of obvious fakes. Engadget is doing a lame job of stoking the fires. There has actually been a LACK of rumors, and those who follow the most credible rumors laugh at most of these engadget "rumors." There are always pathetic fakes and obvious snoozers... usually they don't get much coverage. Because of the lack of quality "rumors", engadget is pathetically pulling together every half-@ss joke of a rumor to make it seem like there is a lot.

It's pathetic and I'm ashamed.

[Arlo @ Aug 3rd 2006 2:45PM]

Interesting post to say the least... given that i own icall :)

[james @ Aug 3rd 2006 2:54PM]

That video from youtube is a conceptual ad. The first part of the vido says that when it says iTalk.

[All Your Lost Socks @ Aug 3rd 2006 2:55PM]

I'm ashamed of how many people call Engadget "the press". If you're looking for real news, I don't know why you are here. There's no point in calling foul on something they aren't trying to be. Take it or leave it, but get the stick out of your... you get the idea.
Anyway, I agree that this thing is ugly. And not only is it the wrong font, but it's formatted incorrectly (Apple uses simple sentences and phrases, but they never put a . after the product name, only the catchphrase). But debunking them is the fun part. :)
And tf, there HAVE been a lot of rumors. This just isn't a very good representation of the ones that are speculating over figures and specs.

[citizen @ Aug 3rd 2006 3:10PM]

what about the "macpod" rumor?...anyone?:

http://therealtruth.info/article/21/apple-secrets-revealed-new-macpod

[Ron @ Aug 3rd 2006 3:12PM]

@danj3ris -

definitely is DEFINITELY spelled definitely and definitely doesn't contain the letter A

Learn to spell!

[Maggie @ Aug 3rd 2006 3:52PM]

I can't believe no one commented on the period at the end of the 'product name'

Tell me when you've ever seen that in an Apple ad? It just ruins the line of the image...

(I don't mean that they never use periods - they do, at the end of sentences. Not at the end of a 'bare' product name though. Too clunky)

[Dave Zatz @ Aug 3rd 2006 3:55PM]

Wow, that iCall is the worst Photoshop mockup I've seen today. Not because the graphics suck, but because the display is on the right and the keyboard is on the left. Not gonna happen!

[Rob @ Aug 3rd 2006 4:03PM]

Nothin like taking a 10 universal remote and turning it into one of the worst fakes ever then posting it on youtube.

[Squee @ Aug 3rd 2006 4:07PM]

I, for one, welcome our fake blurry overlords.

[Matt @ Aug 3rd 2006 4:26PM]

This is the longest Mr. Jobs and Co. have taken to release any product, that actually released. Tied with the "real" video iPod. I believe all the peices are in place for Apple to finally release a product that blows everyone's minds, and makes the iPod revolutionary again. Think about this: video ipod, phone technology, no touch ipod technology, ichat mobile...how about a No touch (no smudge) video conferencing iPod phone - iPod, now with "MobileMe". THAT would actually revolutionize the industry and would explain why he has waited on BOTH products for so freaking long. With the way the no touch interface is set up, the screen on the video iPod can be a typewriter, a phone pad, an iPod wheel, or anything. I don't think the tablet as everyone is speculating is even planned - I see the "tablet" patents as the key to showing what Apple plans to do with the iPod next, which is EVERYTHING.

[Elfred Pagan @ Aug 3rd 2006 4:48PM]

The OpenGL Spec has been handed to Kronos recently, which could explain why Apple joined the group.

[Mike @ Aug 3rd 2006 5:30PM]

Obv. fake. Look at the logos next to a few of the names, it's an AIM logo. As if Mac would put an AIM logo on their box. Besides, as much as I want to believe Apple would come out with a phone with a qwert keyboard. It's not going to happen, the phone's audience is going ot be too mainstream to appreciate the qwerty keyboard.

[Dave @ Aug 3rd 2006 5:53PM]

All this talk about the phone and I hope it shows up for several carriers. Not just one like Verizon or Tmobile.

[Russell @ Aug 3rd 2006 6:18PM]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=v520U3vS2iI&NR

[Brad @ Aug 3rd 2006 6:24PM]

To all who 'hate' Mac rumors: What you don't understand is that it's fun for those who believe, amusing for those who disbelieve, challenging for those who fake the photos, and just plain funny for those of us who don't care. You're the only ones who aren't having a good time... and if you really had something better to do, you'd probably be doing it.

[mastershake916 @ Aug 3rd 2006 6:38PM]

I don't care if it's a fake, it's cooler than what apple's gonna come out with.

[Nick Fox @ Aug 3rd 2006 7:18PM]

Here is a video I was sent, revealing the original video as a fake. I kinda hoped that this was real, for no other reason so that we could stop speculating already.

Nick Fox

Link:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BYF3BpbFI9c

[Bob @ Aug 4th 2006 1:13AM]

@poster comparing Zune coverage to WWDC coverage:

Microsoft keeps doing these big vision announcements and it's months to years before the product materializes. More often than not, when Apple does an announcement at a Macworld or a WWDC, it's along the lines of "here it is, it goes on sale today, hope you like it". Not every single time, but frequently.

"Roadmaps" vs "Unveilings". Big difference. Next week might provide some relevant examples.

[tom @ Aug 4th 2006 4:56AM]

re Mike and AIM logos - that's the worst argumentation I've ever heard.

[ik @ Aug 4th 2006 5:50AM]

1. I find it unrealistic that Apple would make a cellular phone. It is better for them to make a mobile version of iTunes, which can be used on all current cellular phones. This way, you don't have to buy an "iPhone" to be an iTunes music store customer.

2. It was discussed a while ago that the new "powermac" will looks similar to the original, but with 2 drive slots.