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A new Apple Cube on the horizon?
Every Apple fan knows that his Steveness is into cubes, even more than Picasso was. The original NeXTcube (1988-1993) was, you guessed it, a cube -- as were the G4 Cube (2000-2001), and the new Apple cubealicious store in New York City (2006-?). Earlier this year we wrote about the possibility of the new Apple Media Cube, the ultimate Mac Mini meets truely awesome DVR/media center box which hasn't (yet) come to fruition. Well, here's another one to add to the flurry of rumors and speculations about what Stevie J. will unveil at next week's special event: a new Apple Cube? A US Patent filed today by our friends in Cupertino explains: "A cubical computer housing assembly comprises first and second ends and four sides, which define an interior compartment for housing the various computer components." Of course, we're still waiting on those thousands of embedded cameras in an LCD and an iPod dock in a PowerBook MacBook Pro. [Via Unwired View, thanks Staska]
MobiBlu releases DAH-2200 1GB DAP
Usually when MobiBlu breaks us off with a new DAP, it's got at least one feature to set it apart from the pack -- see the super-small Cube and Cube 2 or seemingly perpetual motion-powered B153 as examples. But if you were looking for the company's new DAH-2200 to hit the scene as the "world's biggest/smallest/best something or other," then you're in for a disappointment, as this flash-based player's got nothing that we haven't seen before. Specifically, its 1GB capacity, 27.5 gram weight, and 13-hour battery life make it neither the smallest, longest-running, nor most capacious model out there, and the tiny 2-color OLED screen isn't all that impressive either. No word on pricing here, but since it's likely that the 2200 will never be sold outside of Korea -- and it's not really hot enough to import -- you're probably not all that concerned with such details anyway.[Via DAPreview]
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TDK's Xa-40 2.1-channel speaker cube
Just like Kensington, Logitech and countless others before them, it's TDK's turn to roll-out some NXT-based flat panel speakers. The Xa-40 cuboid brings a 3.5-mm mini-jack for connecting your portable DAP and features 2 x 5W NXT panels and a 10W sub to get your wee-man thump on. Measuring in at 165 × 180 × 175-mm (6.5 x 7.1 x 6.9-inches) and 3.3-pounds, the Xa-40 is expected to pull about ¥6,000 on the open, Japanese market or right around $52 Stateside. So if you've got a thing for cubes, you'd best start saving for the August 21 drop date.[Via Impress]
Incase releases exclusive New York commemorative case line
iLounge is reporting that Incase has pulled out all their case-making stops and introduced a complete lineup of cases for Apple products that commemorate New York and some of its major landmarks. To top things off, these cases are exclusive to the new 24/7 5th Avenue Apple Store that opened last weekend.The lineup consists of white and black cases for the 5G iPod, iPod nano and MacBook Pro. No word yet on whether Incase has been chosen to create the leather case for the giant glass cube that Dave mentioned yesterday.[image via iLounge]
5th Ave cube scratched, leather case in the works
Ok, so maybe it's just a joke, but it's still funny. Macenstein has written an amusing parody post, stating that the NYC cube (which is made of the same material as the iPod's screen) will don a protective case designed by Incase, after receiving a 30-foot scratch over the weekend. Nice one, Macenstein.
Looks like someone is proud of their new Apple store
As featured on Apple.com. I think Steve is really in love with that cube (I know I am), though I do wonder how they are going to keep it clean.
Apple Store 5th Ave: Your reports
Hooray, it's opening day! You cannot deny the lure of the cube, New Yorkers. Resistance is futile. While Apple Store Fifth Avenue in New York City doesn't officially open its doors until 6:00 PM, we'll be taking your reports all day. Use the comments of this post to share your experiences: When did you get in line? What's the atmosphere like? Have you seen any celebrities (from the Mac community or otherwise)? Will you be moblogging photos with your phone? Is your credit card literally burning a hole in your pocket? Does your boss think you're home sick? Check back throughout the day for updates. Have fun, New Yorkers! Here's hoping you score a T-shirt.Updates:Steve writes: "I'm standing out in front of the Apple location right now. The extreme cold and rain has scared off most of the mac faithful. Right now there are only about 20 soaking wet fans waiting outside. We haven't seen any celebs yet, although ABC news dropped by and interviewed some of us..."More updates from Steve:"...Steve Jobs has just showed up. He and some of the other Apple bigwigs are currently looking over the outside of the premises. It's getting better by the minute."TUAW reader Ben took some great photos of Steve Jobs at the 5th Avenue store! He writes:"So I'm outside the new Apple store but [I'm] not near the crowd and Steve Jobs comes from behind me, I think a lot of people were surprised...here are some photos." Very cool! Thanks, Ben!
5th Avenue cube revealed!
TUAW reader Dave Thorup lives in NYC, and decided to wander down to the 5th Avenue Apple Store that's scheduled to open this Friday. He was lucky enough to witness the unveiling of the huge glass cube that marks the store's entrance, and he took these photos. Thanks so much for sending these in! That place is going to be incredible (and the Apple logo looks really cool lit up at night).Photo courtesy Dave Thorup.Update: Dave's bandwidth limit was used up, however, he posted the entire set to Flickr. Have a look.
5th Avenue Apple store to be open 365 days a year?
The Apple Store on Fifth Avenue has been rumored to be open 24 hours a day. ifoAppleStore now reports that not only will Apple's new flagship store be open 24 hours a day, but also 365 days a year (366 on leap year).If this is true I imagine that some Mac geeks will be ringing in the New Year at the Apple Store.Who is going to be attending the grand opening? I am pondering taking the trip into NYC to see the mystical cube with my own two eyes.
Apple to host press at NYC store next Thursday
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.
Manhattan Apple Store to open May 19
You now it's going to be a big deal when Apple creates a webpage dedicated to counting down the minutes until a single retail location opens. Apple Store Fifth Avenue in NYC (yes, the one with the huge cube) will open on Friday, May 19. This store is located at 767 Fifth Avenue at 59th Street. Get there very early for a free T-shirt and an amazing experience.We're eager to receive all of your reports, so let us know what the scene is like it you attend. It should be great.Thanks to everyone who sent this in.
MobiBlu squared: crystalized 1500i and new pics of Cube 2
Given MobiBlu's efforts to convince consumers that the company's tiny 1500i audio player can be worn as jewelry, it seems only fitting that someone has taken them literally, and produced a customized version of the player encrusted with shiny crystals. The DAH 1500i Crystal is a 2GB version of the player, and is available in the UK for £169 ($307). Of course, if you care more about music than about showing off your zirconium collection, you'd probably prefer to skip this one and wait for MobiBlu's upcoming Cube 2, which DAPreview reports will boast a 0.67-inch, 64x48 JPEG-capable OLED display (though we tend to think actually checking out pics on such a small screen probably isn't the best idea), SRS WOW HD, FM tuner and some sort of docking station. Still no word on pricing, availability and whether MobiBlu will try to convince 1500i owners to pick up a Cube 2 so they'll have a set to use as earrings.Read - 1500i CrystalRead - Cube 2, official page (via DAPreview)
Prediction: NYC Apple Store to open May 13th
Ok, we admit it. We're just as crazy about Steve's Manhattan cube as he is (maybe more). There's no doubt that when this location finally opens, it will be a very big event indeed. ifoAppleStore has made a prediction: The massive cube will open wide is gleaming doors on Saturday, May 13th. You may remember that ifoAppleStore released a chart earlier this year that identifies their guesses for all of the 2006 retail openings. They've also produced a great overview of what is know about the 5th Avenue store thus far, which we appreciate, because it makes us look a little less obsessed.
More fun with Steve's NYC cube
The saga of the NYC cube continues. For the uninitiated, the cube in question is the huge, 5 story glass cube that will adorn the upcoming Manhattan Apple Store. Steve Jobs designed the cube, and is very much in love with it. According to a report at ifoAppleStore, the titanium pieces that hold the massive glass panels in place were recently replaced with a different material, at the request of Mr. Jobs who felt that the titanium pieces were ruining the aesthetic of the cube. Who knows how much of an extra expense this last-minute adjustment was.Steve really, really likes his cube.
Rig of the Day: Cube
Are Cubes "vintage" yet? We're not sure, but we do like them. Flickr user techcast-oni posts a shot of his well-maintained Cube and 15" Apple Cinema Display. I've got to get one of those eventually.Untitled posted by techcast-oni.For the month of April, the theme for our Rig of the Day will be "Vintage Macs" in honor of Apple's anniversary. If you'd like to see your own rig featured here, simply upload photos into our group Flickr pool. Let's see your vintage Macs (Apples and Newtons, too)! We'll select an image every day to highlight.
Apple store pr0n: a peek at the 5-story Manhattan glass cube
At least one Flickr user, bhaggs, has posted some images that offer a peek at Apple's new commercial monument to itself - the much-anticipated 5-story, all glass, Fifth Avenue Apple Store in Manhattan. As Dave Caolo noted before, construction is still slated to finish in time for the holiday season, so I only have one question: when is Denver going to get their own glass cube, Apple? C'mon, we have like... 1/100th of NY's population![via digg]
30 years in Apple products: the good, the bad, and the ugly
Has it really been 30 years since two buddies named Steve sold off their prized possessions (Woz's HP calculator and Jobs' VW van) to raise money and launch a company? Has it really been 30 years since the two Steves, tired of selling blue boxes, built the Apple I and began selling it for $666.66? Yes, it has, and if you don't believe it, just compare Jobs' hairlines from '76 and today. And while the company has become known for many things, from its groundbreaking GUI to the iTunes Music Store, we know Apple has always been a hardware company at heart. So here's to you, Apple: the good, the bad and, yes, the ugly from the past 30 years. Happy Birthday.
Rig of the Day: Cube server farm
Today's rig demonstrates a great usage of discontinued Cubes. Flickr user and TUAW reader charlieabbotuk tell us that these Cubes are a Filemaker Pro server farm where he works. He writes:"...We are constantly looking to recycle our older Mac kit and couldn't bear to throw our cubes away so we set up this Cube farm to run our FileMaker systems. We have 4 FileMaker servers with a FileMaker Unlimited databases that are web enabled." So they're not exactly 1U, but they work."Untitled" posted by charlieabbottukIf you'd like to see your own rig featured here, simply upload photos into our group Flickr pool. We'll select an image every day to highlight.
Rig of the Day: Your cube is naked
Today's rig features a Cube with a case that has been modded to be clear. Nice Cinema Display, turntable and an original iPod (cool). It's pretty hardcore geek to want to stare at a computer’s interior parts, but I like it."My Desk!" posted by scottdog1515.If you'd like to see your own rig featured here, simply upload photos into our group Flickr pool. We'll select an image every day to highlight.
Rig of the Day: Rockin' the Cube
I'd very much like to own a Cube some day. Apple's Tissue Box may have lived a short life, but I think it's a very desirable machine, with its sweet design and upgrade options. Flickr user mrgaskell notes that he recently swapped his Cube for a Mac mini, which is ok, as that seems like a logical progression. This shot also features a Powerbook on a stand, an iWork '05 installer CD, a cool OS X mousepad and an (empty?) bag of fruit snacks. It would seem that a number of TUAW readers like to snack while they're at their Macs."My now old set-up with fruit snack goodness" by mrgaskell.If you'd like to see your own rig featured here, simply upload photos into our group Flickr pool. We'll select an image every day to highlight.
