Theocacao: What if April 1st Isn't a Big Deal?

What if April 1st Isn't a Big Deal?

There's a lot of speculation bouncing around about what Apple might do for its 30th anniversary on April 1. I don't think it's a sure thing that we'll see something big happen. The Mac's 20th anniversary came and went without any special events.

In particular, I'm not sure we'll see anything in the way of big product announcements. April 1 actually falls on a Saturday, so getting media folks out of bed and into a auditorium might be a bit of a challenge. Plus there's just the simple fact that the whole thing just seems too predictable.

Of course it would be nice to launch a revolutionary piece of hardware or software, but I'm not betting on it. The one thing that would be a nice gesture, though, is a legitimate apple.com site redesign. The existing design is, what, five years old? We still see Mac OS X 10.0 tabs in control of primary navigation.

We've seen localized redesigns, such as the QuickTime site, but the overall site just feels dated. The anniversary would be a good time to launch a revamped, refreshed look for Apple's face to the world.

All that said, if Apple is planning on doing something significant on April 1, it might explain the relatively low-key nature of Tuesday's media event. A cleansing of the palate, so to speak.

What if April 1st Isn't a Big Deal?
Posted Mar 2, 2006 — 10 comments below

Erik Price — Mar 02, 06 894

If the number of PPC iBooks in stores has dropped enough by then, they should be ready to unleash the Intel iBooks. But it doesn't seem cool enough to be the only thing to talk about on your 30th anniversary... a site redesign is a good call.

Gavin — Mar 02, 06 896

Sounds like Apple is almost ready to release a new Intel-based Power Mac, or should I say Mac Pro. Why not, who expected a new Mac mini this past week?

Preston — Mar 02, 06 897

Those aren't actually 10.0 tabs; they're the same style of tabs that exist in today's OS X (even if nobody uses them anymore). I recall 10.0 tabs--and all its other controls--being softer with lots of pinstripes. Apple.com's tabs have the two-tone glass thing.

Scott Stevenson — Mar 02, 06 900

Sounds like Apple is almost ready to release a new Intel-based Power Mac, or should I say Mac Pro.

I think something like that is more likely to show up around WWDC or maybe even fall. The current quad G5s are about 3.5 months old and very fast.

Scott Stevenson — Mar 02, 06 901

Those aren't actually 10.0 tabs; they're the same style of tabs that exist in today's OS X (even if nobody uses them anymore).

No, that's not true at all. Just pop open IB and see for yourself.

Ben — Mar 02, 06 902

Perhaps part of the problem is that Apple appears to be concentrating on moving from the PPC to Intel CPU. This would take a massive amount of the engineers resources and time. This (one would assume) will slow the production of new technology and innovation. Especially with a CEO, that I imagine will be daily wanting progress reports and scheduling rollout dates.

So with Apple busy on the move to Intel, I doubt that we will see a new product, or a major overhaul of an existing one. We've already seen the iMac, MacBook Pro and now the Mac Mini remain static with design and new features. Don't get me wrong, these products are great. But what is really different between the iMac range? or Mini? or even the MacBook Pro.

I know that I am generalising, but my point is. Perhaps everyone should take a breathe, relax and just allow Apple to rollout their Intel CPU computers. And we should be happy.

Scott Stevenson — Mar 02, 06 903

Don't get me wrong, these products are great. But what is really different between the iMac range? or Mini? or even the MacBook Pro.

I remember reading somewhere (maybe DaringFireball?) that it's possible the similarity between the pre- and post-Intel designs was intentional so as not to scare/confuse consumers about the switch. Makes some sense.

Phil — Mar 03, 06 904

That's right, those aren't the 10.0 tabs, but they are the 10.2 tabs.

For camparison these were the 10.0 tabs.

Phil — Mar 03, 06 905

http://www.flickr.com/photos/kernelpanic/sets/283374/

Scott Stevenson — Mar 03, 06 906

http://www.flickr.com/photos/kernelpanic/sets/283374/

Excellent.

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