Rumor Roundup: The boy who cried Apple HDTV
It's a brief Rumor Roundup this week, partly because there weren't many rumors out there, partly because motorcycle accident + four broken ribs + codeine = very difficult to write coherently. Remember, kids, the rubber parts of the motorcycle are the ones that go on the ground. The goal is to keep them there!
Early builds of Apple's upcoming OS X 10.9 include Siri and Maps integration (AppleInsider)
OS X 10.9 is already in testing within Apple's labs, and it seems that Siri and Apple Maps may be making their way "Back to the Mac" from iOS devices. I, for one, am looking forward to the day when I can ask my Mac, "Book an appointment with the optometrist," only to have my Mac book an appointment with "the atomic tryst" instead. (The Atomic Tryst is the name of my Arcade Fire cover band.)
Apple reportedly prepping next-generation iPhone for mid-2013 launch (BGR)
"New claims have emerged from the Far East that further support a summertime launch for Apple's next iPhone," BGR writes. Sounds juicy. "Digitimes cites unnamed market observers" -- BZZZZT, WRONG. Next.
Apple television predicted to headline three core product launches in 2013 (AppleInsider)
Gene Munster is pounding the Apple HDTV drum yet again. Even though the device didn't show up on shelves in 2012, 2011, 2010 or any other year that Munster claimed it would, Munster essentially says, "2013 is totally going to be different, guys. It's seriously coming this time. Guys? Guys, where are you going?"
Microsoft rumored to take on Apple TV with Xbox-branded set-top box in 2013 (AppleInsider)
In addition to the "sequel" to its videogame console, the Xbox 360, Microsoft reportedly plans to release a smaller version intended to compete with the US$99 Apple TV. Like that device, the "Xbox mini" (my name for it, no one else's) the box will be used primarily for streaming media. It may also be used for "casual gaming," which almost certainly means yet another version of Angry Birds for you to buy.
The device will run Windows 8 as well, so... well, good luck with that.
