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Japanese Wii event confirmed: September 14
Call in the rumor patrol, 'cause the triumvirate is complete. Nintendo has scheduled press events for Japan and the United States for September 14, and Europe the following day. Three major regions, three events -- there's little doubt that this, finally, will be the information we've been waiting for. In just two weeks, we should finally find out when we'll all be lining up on Wii-volution day. The trio of press events comes a week before the Tokyo Game Show. As anticipated, it seems Nintendo wants their announcement to stand out, rather than have it come as just part of the announcements from another show. So here it is, folks! Last chance to make your predictions. The clock is ticking. [Thanks, DerekJ!]
Apple gathering press at Photokina
In their first Photokina showing, well, ever, Apple is for whatever reason gathering press to make some kind of presentation on September 25th -- the day before the show begins. Before your fanciful self starts dreaming up gorgeous new video iPods or revamped Apple QuickTakes, do keep in mind that something having to do with the floundering Aperture and their software push into professional image production is a little more likely than, say, an iPhone announcement. Don't worry, you'll get your fall / winter Apple lineup soon enough, says we.[Thanks, Jay]
3 Final Fantasy XIII games; 2 just for PS3
Final Fantasy XII won't be out for the PS2 in the States until October, but we now have a glimpse of Final Fantasy XIII thanks to Square Enix's pre-E3 press event -- and this installment in the series won't be coming alone.Like the different titles in the Compilation of FFVII collection of games and movies, the initially announced installments in the FFXIII universe will span multiple platforms which, in this case, include both the PS3 and sufficiently advanced mobile handsets. Not much is known about the mobile-bound Final Fantasy Agito XIII, but the subtitle-less version of FFXIII will concern a gun-and-sword-toting heroine in a futuristic world, while Final Fantasy Versus XIII will focus on "a spiky-haired character," "extreme action elements," and a primary theme of "bonding" (whatever that means). Anybody ready to "resist the world"?The multiple titles might explain the earlier rumor reported in March that FFXIII was "practically close to being finished" (maybe only one of these games was nearing completion). Whatever the case may be, we're just happy that more than one not-so-Final-Fantasy will be hitting the next PlayStation in relatively rapid succession. RPG feasting: on the way.[Via Joystiq]
TUAW poll results: The big announcement
You have spoken: The event was....meh. Of the 3,200 of you who voted in our highly unscientific poll, the majority of you (41%) felt that the new product announcements were "mediocre." A full 25% of you labeled the event a "huge disappointment," 19% said the stuff is "pretty cool," and only 2% of you felt that the event was a home run. To the 13% who said, "Enough with the announcement already," we hear you. This one wraps it up. Probably.
TUAW Poll: Your announcement response
Ok, so we've heard from the TUAW bloggers (both yay and nay), now it's your turn: What did you think of Steve's dog and pony show yesterday? Check back tomorrow for the poll results. Rate Apple's new product announcement Home run Pretty cool Mediocre Huge disappointment Enough with the announcement already
Flickr Find: I Want to Believe
Alternate title: If Agent Mulder were a Mac geek. Sometimes it's necessary to break the wild speculation and rumor mongering with a bit of humor, and jyunderwood's poster does the trick. This is also a good opportunity to address what's inevitably going to happen tomorrow. Legions of Mac users are going to cry foul when the device of their dreams isn't announced. That's the problem with these rumors: They look so good, and we get so excited about "...how cool that would be" that we are disappointed when it doesn't happen. Well, it was a rumor in the first place, but we can lose sight of that in our fervor.So, tomorrow, clear your minds, drink some herbal tea and forget about all that crazy stuff that's been swirling around your head for the past seven days. We're still getting some cool stuff.
Tomorrow's press event: TUAW predictions
With just about 24 hours to go before the press event takes place, we here at TUAW got together in our secret offices in Bates City, Missouri to make our final predictions. Here's what we had to say.C.K.: Most likely: Intel Mac mini MacBook (Intel iBook) Intel Mac mini Media center Media Center Least likely: video iTablet that works with the Intel Mac mini Dave Chartier: AirPort Express with Video MacBook, hopefully wide screen That crazy new full-screen video iPod, since a lot of other companies-including Microsoft-seem poised to introduce their own soon Just to throw off the curve: a new line of Apple products for the home, such as an iFridge and iSuck (vacuum) Fabienne: An iPod 6g (even if it isn't the touch screen gorgeousness that is rumored), possibly with better battery consumption and wireless capabilities An Intel-based iBook called the MacBook Some software, probably a pro app that has been updated for Intel-based machines with new features Damien: iPod jukebox Asteroid Victor: Intel Mac mini (w/Front Row & remote, naturally) iTunes Movie Store Airport Express video streaming Scott: I'm thinking Intel Mac minis, and some sort of iPod related thing. Idon't think we'll see Intel iBooks unless we also see Intel across theboard on the pro laptop side (since an Intel iBook, or MacBook, wouldbe faster than the existing 12 and 17 inch powerbooks). Jan: High-end expectation: widescreen iPod video More likely: Intel Mac mini Dave Caolo: iPod boom box Various Apple-branded iPod accessory goodies Flying Jetsons car (It's 2006, for crying out loud. Why don't we have these?!?) Dan: iPod Hi-Def Boombox Intel Mac mini Be sure and come back tomorrow and tell us how brilliant we all are. Or not.
Apple has halted bulk orders of Mac minis
With next week's press event looming, Apple has halted bulk orders of Mac minis, according to FreeMacBlog. Blogger Brian writes:"Well, today we called to place our order for our next big batch of minis and we were told 'We’re not able to take large orders for Mac minis right now,' and that was it."Is a change in the air for the mini? We'll have to wait and see, but when it does happen, we're pretty sure it won't look like this.Thanks, Brian!
Time to pick apart another blurry image
Ok, folks, here we go again. Another blurry, nondescript photo of a supposed Apple product has made its way to the web (and what a coincidence, just a day after Apple announces a press event). This time, MacDailyNews is playing host. An anonymous tipster writes:"I was only able to snap one quick shot of this as I was only in there for about 30 seconds. I sort of stumbled upon it - can't say more about how or why...there are a bunch of ports (and maybe a button or two) neatly arranged on the back (?) of the cube in a line along the bottom edge. It's about 8-inches square and 8-inches tall - a perfect cube. It seems to be made out of a similar material as a Power Mac - aluminum perforated with a round hole pattern, but they're smaller holes than found on a Power Mac. The top is the same material as the sides with the addition of the Apple logo, even though it doesn't look like it in the photo - I had to snap it quick, sorry." First of all, thirty seconds is a long time to spend taking a single picture. When was the last time you spent a full thirty seconds on a single photo? Plus, if you've got all that time and this killer exclusive, why not get a shot of the ports on the back? And why must all of these things be blurry? Are we the only ones who think this looks like a doctored Apple Design Award? Finally, the Apple logo seems to be missing its leaf. Have at it, Photoshop pros.And if you think we're going to launch a "Create Your Own Blurry Photo of a Secret Apple Product" contest, you've got another thing coming.Update: I think Kevin's comment nailed it: You will be assimilated. Resistance is futile! Apple is in league with the Borg!
Last call for contest entries
As of this posting, you've got just over 24 hours to get your entry in for our "Create a Feb. 22 Apple Invite" contest. You may remember the barrage of "invitations" to a fictitious Apple press event (supposedly scheduled for February 22nd) that were making the rounds earlier this month. They were mediocre at best, and we know that you folks could do better. The winner (announced on Feb. 23rd) will receive a cool Apple travel mug, which our own Scott purchased at the Apple Campus in Cupertino during his trip to Macworld in January. Good luck!
Don't forget about our Apple Invite contest
Just a quick reminder: There's still plenty of time to enter our latest contest, "Create a Feb. 22 Apple Invite." You know you've got the mad Photoshop skillz, so show off a little. Simply design an invitation to a fictitious Apple press event scheduled for February 22, and leave a link to your entry in the comments of this post. All entries must be received by 11:59 PM EST on February 22nd. Be creative, be clever, be amusing. We've received some really great entries so far, so get cracking.The winner (announced on Feb. 23rd) will receive the swanky Apple travel mug pictured here, which our own Scott purchased at the Apple Campus in Cupertino during his trip to Macworld in January. Good luck!
