Gizmo Blog

There is ferment in the market for memories SSD, the forms of data storage solid state that already equipped all iPods (except Classic), iPhone and the MacBook Air. Toshiba, Apple’s historical supplier, announced new modules from 32Gb, consisting of 8 from 4Gb chips that communicate with each other by a new type of connection to high-efficiency: prices are still high (30% more than the current models) But the high volumes of Apple could quickly get quotes.

Micron, another well-known producer of semiconductors, is more oriented toward hard drives are based on solid memories: the past days is the announcement of discs NAND SLC performance really high. We talk about speed in 250Mb/sec, both in reading and in writing, cuts between 16Gb and 128Gb. As in the previous case, here too the greater obstacle is the price: discs with solid technology SLC cost over 50% more models with technology MLC, as the disc which already equips the MacBook Air.

The NAND technology, which now all see as the future of, is still very young and its evolution in constant acceleration: in many will see yet another application of the famous Moore’s Law, or at least his daughter.

Continue the cycle of software updates dedicated to printer drivers and this time it is up to Lexmark,. The update has a “weight” of 71 MB and is available at Software Update only if the printer is attached and turned on, otherwise you can download it manually on the page dedicated site Support Apple.

As always, the update is strongly recommended for all users. The system requirements are Mac OS X 10.5.3 and later.

The next 16 September declare obsolete Apple Power Mac G4 Cube. For the controversial Power Mac will end then and technical support will no longer be available spare parts. The Power Mac Cube was one of the Mac with less success in the history of Apple for the number of sales. After the withdrawal from the market but has turned into a sought after collectors’ item for fans. Together with the Cube will be declared obsolete even Apple Studio Display and the first iMac with the LCD screen.

At the presentation of the results fiscal Q3-2008, Apple has suggested that introduce a new product in the near term. During the conference (available as audio webcast), Steve Jobs announced that in the coming months will be issued

innovative products based on technologies and innovations that can not be divulged

Behind this statement sibillina could hide any surprise. Whether the time of both desired Tablet Mac?

In another point of the presentation Peter Oppenheimer also spoke of a transition of existing products during Q4. Coming then the announced updates for the line laptop and iPod.

Filed the launch of 3G iPhone, Cupertino not remain with its hands and, according to the indiscretions circulating in these hours, starebbero preparing to give a substantial cooled to the historical family jewels, namely the range of laptops.

By the end of the summer, in fact, expects the restyling of all models, albeit with a new variable rate for each of the 3, depending on the age of the project.

Vediamoli then one by one, to clarify what we expect.

We have already had occasion to point out that the price “real” iPhone 3G, without signing contracts and subscriptions, will 499/569 €. For many it appeared a figure disproportionate, especially because putting in comparison with what was said by Steve Jobs on stage, WWDC: $ 199 promised are matched to a contract with the carrier telephone, and a subsequent payment of a monthly fee. In practice the operator anticipates the difference to Apple, while the score periodically pay an instalment.

The savings is purely virtual: to end the price paid will be exactly the same.

Before you scream scandal, however, it is good to look a little ‘beyond our little world of Mac User, and see what is the situation in the great business of advanced smartphones. The Italian carrier Tim and Vodafone have a broad catalog of devices tileable by nature, with 3G iPhone: HTC, Samsung, Toshiba and Blackberry are the names with which Apple has to compare and to which 3G iPhone has to compete.

If we look at the Mac in the catalog Apple, we see that most are located in the price range that starts at $ 1,000 (or just under € 1000, in the case of marked Italian). This “choice of field” has for years been at the centre of debate among Mac users, among PC users (who pose as the main handicap of apple) and even on the board of Cupertino, precisely because of the desire to have catalogue a product low cost commissioned to Steve Jobs Mac mini.

In any case, setting aside any controversy, it is incontestable that the core business of the Mac platform is just that. It is therefore interesting to see as if the quarry Apple in this area. eWeek, quoting NPD data, shows how the market share of Cupertino in the market for high-end PC is almost 5 times higher than the total market share. Among the PC over $ 1000 sold at retail in the U.S. (they are therefore excluded from research and educational online sales, historical horses battagli Apple) 66% have an apple morsicata above.

Ragionando on these data, you may notice some very interesting curiosity. If one considers the desktop sector, for example, the share of Apple is even higher (70%), but Apple has only two products in this segment of the market, iMac and Mac Pro. Considering the numbers of the latter necessarily limited by its price, is almost incredible, but likely, to think that the only iMac venda as all other desktop PC put together: we are in front of numbers from iPod…

The slice of the market wider, that under $ 1000, remains the prerogative of competition: in this area Apple has in the catalogue just above the Mac mini, probably the product less updated and publicized the whole gamut.
According to the analysis, Apple could say its in this area too, although they should accept some compromise necessarily lower margins and competition without the district could curb the ambitions of any apple. If you add the uncertainty reigns, mainly due to landing mass of low-cost PC (type eeePC Asus, for instance), here is that the chances of a revival in grand style Mac mini (or rather, its progeny) or a MacBook cheap appear very distant, indeed, far-flung…

After so many indiscretions on the date of issue, are beginning to filter the first rumors about the characteristics and design of the new version of iPhone.

Keep reading: New iPhone: return to white?