Tag Archives: rumors

Bay wants to kill Fox off in Transformers 3 [Don’t do it!]

October 16, 2009Movies, NewsMegan Fox, Michael Bay, rumors, Transformers, Transformers 3Scott Meisner

So we are all aware that Transformers 3 has started production, director Michael Bay is at the helm again, and Shia LeBeof and co-star Megan Fox will play the lead roles. According to the latest rumors, a major character from the series will be killed off. It has been reported that Bay wants Mikaela Banes, Fox’s character, “out of the series in a gory death scene in the first few frames of Transformers 3 and (replaced) with another gorgeous young actress.” The source of this rumor also claims that “Michael’s pretty much discovered Megan and now he’s very quietly looking for her replacement. … He hasn’t decided if he’s going to kill her off in the next movie, but he just wants to be prepared.”

I know it’s only a rumor but I’ll say it anyway: Mr. Michael Bay, please do not kill off the sole character that sells your movie. Megan Fox’s appearence was the reason I went to theatres to watch the sequel. It would be a disservice to all parties involved if you were to make such a grave mistake. Thank you.

[Via IGN]

Microsoft Courier: UI tour, additional details in the rumor mill

October 2, 2009News, Technology, Videobooklet, Mary Jo-Fo, Microsoft, Microsoft Courier, rumor mill, rumors, speculation, tabletScott Meisner

In addition to this revealing video picked up at Gizmodo, ZDNet’s Mary Jo-Foley reported on new speculation from a “more verifiable source” that sheds some more light on the still unannounced Microsoft Courier booklet device. Her source claims that the Courier is currently running on top of the Windows 7 operating system. However, the consumer will not be able to install Windows 7 apps on the device: Microsoft tablets of the past “failed because the applications were not tailored to a tablet form factor – that is, Word still had toolbars and menus and scollbars. So, a tablet needs to be like an iPhone – a UX that is specific for the form factor.” The source mentions that the development team at Microsoft is creating this device like they did the Xbox video game console; Microsoft will handle the hardware and software so as to speed up the development process. The source also says that the Courier is on track for a “mid-2010” release.

Very interesting tidbits of information, yes. As Apple is currently in the process of manufacturing their own tablet, I am excited to see how all of this will play out. Will it be the MS Courier vs. the Apple tablet in the near future? Only time (and potential surfacing FCC filings) will tell.

[Via Gizmodo; ZDNet]

Apple rumor roundup, predictions

September 8, 2009News, Roundup, TechnologyApple, Apple TV, iPod, iTunes, rumor mill, rumor roundup, rumors, Steve Jobs, The BeatlesScott Meisner

Let’s do this, bullet-point style.

New iPods: It is very likely that new iPod touches and nanos will be announced. This is a “music event,” afterall. Both the touch and the nano will have 3.2MP cameras, and the touch will receive a built-in mic. Also, both devices will receive a storage upgrade, possibly to 64GB or higher. Overall design should remain the same. Due to the recent rumor that claims Apple is having technical difficultieswith the camera mechanisms with the iPod touch there is a chance the product release may not be instantaneous with the announcement. Also, the death of the iPod classic may be imminent.
iTunes 9: Last we heard about iTunes 9 was a BGR source stirring up the rumor mill with these claims: Blu-Ray support; Facebook, Twitter, last.fm integration; and the ability to organize purchases apps. Blu-Ray support only makes sense if Apple plans on releasing iMacs and Macbooks with Blu-Ray drives. Also on the table is “Project Cocktail.” Sources say that albums sold in the iTunes Store will not only come with digital PDF booklets; they will also come with “interactive album material.” The point of this is to entice customers to purchase entire albums instead of only the 99 cent singles.
THE BEATLES: According to Yoko Ono herself the entire Beatles collection will finally be digitally distributed on the iTunes Store. EMI, the record company, told The Financial Times that this will not be announced tomorrow, though. [Via Engadget]
Apple TV: Ah yes, the “hobby” that is the Apple TV. Jobs announced this product three years ago, and not much has changed since its release (besides a UI upgrade via a software upgrade). The latest rumors predict a new Apple TV device that supports DVR and CableCARD functionality. Today, though, these exact rumors were shot down by Apple CFO Peter Oppenheimer. He said such capability does not match Apple’s service scheme. And this makes sense; why would Apple allow its customers to freely record TV shows or movies when they have the iTunes Store for those needs. I do not see an upgrade to the aging Apple TV at this event. [Via Engadget]
Apple tablet: The tablet will not be announced at this event. The most recent rumors point to a 2010 (or beyond) release.
Steve Jobs appearance: It has been way too long since we’ve seen Jobs appear on stage at the helm of an Apple event. Now that his health has rebounded and he is back at work on the Apple campus in Cupertino, I expect him to at least make an appearence if not host the event.

Be sure to check back here for all the Apple news once it is announced. It takes place tomorrow at 10AM PDT (1PM ET). Get pumped!

iTunes 9 rumors, Blu-Ray support on the way?

August 9, 2009News, TechnologyApple, BD, Blu-Ray, disc drive, iMac, iPhone, iPod, iTunes, iTunes 9, rumorsScott Meisner

Boy Genius Report has received information from “a pretty reliable source” spilling the beans on some of the upcoming iTunes 9 capabilities. First up is Blu-Ray support. Rumors spreading from Apple Insider are pointing to the next lineup of iMacs packing Blu-Ray disc drives, making this lastest tidbit of news all the more convincing. However, we cannot forget Apple CEO Steve Jobs’ “bag of hurt” comment from the notebook event in 2008: “Blu-ray is just a bag of hurt. It’s great to watch the movies, but the licensing of the tech is so complex, we’re waiting till things settle down and Blu-ray takes off in the marketplace.”

According to the same source, there were mentions of some sort of Facebook/Twitter/Last.fm integration with iTunes. No details about this were shared. Perhaps “…broadcasting what song you’re playing to your friends” is in the pipes. The last grain of news states that iTunes users will gain the ability to “visually orgainize and arrange” their purchased apps. It is likely we won’t have to wait long to find out if all of this is fact or fiction; Apple’s September iPod+iTunes event is right around the corner.

[Via BGR; Engadget, here & here]

Analyst fondles new Apple tablet

August 2, 2009Article, News, Technologyanalyst, Apple, Apple tablet, rumor mill, rumors, tabletScott Meisner

macbooktouch5

Today Barrons is reporting that one lucky analyst has actually seen and handled the hyped and rumored forthcoming Apple tablet device. From the article…

One veteran analyst who has seen first-hand a prototype slate-style computer from Apple says the device could be announced in September for release in November.

Whatever the exact dates, the computer industry is so anxious to see what Apple introduces that it has held off on competing designs until Apple CEO Steve Jobs gives the device his final blessing. “It’s close enough now to a final design that in Asia, there’s no other product in the waiting room or in the bullpen,” said the analyst. “There are dozens of ODMs [original device makers] making products for Lenovo and other PC makers that are all waiting to see what the Apple product is.”

The new device, which may retail for $699 to $799, could fulfill a variety of multimedia functions currently taken up by a gaggle of individual consumer electronics devices. It could be a home media center, somewhat like the current Apple TV, and it could be a gaming machine, opines Jon Peddie, head of Jon Peddie Research in Tiburon, Calif. “Gaming will be a big part of what this is about,” he adds.

The machine impresses with its display of hi-def video content, says the veteran analyst, who asked not to be identified. “It’s better than the average movie experience, when you hold this thing in your hands.”

…

A second source confirmed to me that news of the new device “is all over the supply chain in Asia.” The biggest question at this point, and the least understood by anyone outside Apple, is whether the company’s App Store will be the exclusive distribution point for software for this device.

As Steve Jobs says, it’s the software that defines these things.

So, what do we gather from this? A September announcement, a November release, a $699-$799 price point, media center and gaming capabilities, and computer manufacturers have put production on hold until official specs and other information is released. More rumors added to the spinning, gigantic rumor mill. What do you have up your sleeve, Mr. Jobs? September cannot come any sooner.

[Via 9to5Mac; Barrons]

Star Trek 2 & 3 already being formulated?

July 30, 2009Movies, Newsfilm, J.J. Abrams, Orci & Kurtzman, rumors, sequels, Star TrekScott Meisner

At Comic Con, website io9 sat down with screenwriters Roberto Orci and Alex Kurtzman (Star Trek, Transformers) and asked them about the future of the rejuvenated J.J. Abrams’ Star Trek film series.

Q: I know there was a meeting about Star Trek a little while a go, have there been any more additional meetings at all? Any little update you can give us about the next film?

A: Roberto Orci: “Nothing was decided [at the last meeting]. It was really about, hmmm. You know what, I’ll give you a tidbit. [They said to us] ‘We thought maybe you could do that as like 2 and 3.”

Hmm, this is interesting. Something can be taken from this rather vague answer. Will the sequel to the new Star Trek end on a major cliffhanger that will bleed into the third Trek film? If so, will the third Trek be released soon after the sequel in order to keep the plot alive and relevant? While Orci’s response raises only more questions and no concrete answers, it is more fuel being added to the fire that is the new Star Trek film series! Abrams, Orci, Kurtzman, bring it on.

[Via io9; IGN]

Apple tablet rumors, and “Project Cocktail” (music-related)

July 29, 2009Music, News, TechnologyApple, Apple iTunes, Apple tablet, iTunes, Project Cocktail, rumor, rumor mill, rumorsScott Meisner

macbooktouch5

The Financial Times has joined the gang of rumors pointing to an Apple tablet device coming out in the near future. The FT is adding credibility to these rumors with the following information: the screen size “may be up to 10 inches diagonally;” it will run the iPhone OS; it will connect to the Interner via WiFi; it will have a book marketplace (think Amazon’s Kindle service). Here are some direct quotes taken from the article: “[The] tablet-sized computer [will ship] in time for the Christmas shopping season, in what the entertainment industry hopes will be a new revolution.” “[The] touch-sensitive device… will have a screen that may be up to ten inches diagonally,” and while it will “connect to the internet like the iPod touch, it’ll probably [do so] without phone capabilities.” Apple is known is release updated iPods and Mac desktop/laptop revisions in September, after the back-to-school season. This tablet device could very well slip into the launch window between this time and the holiday season. According to the FT, Apple is apparently rushing to complete this device and have it on store shelves by Christmas.

In other Apple-related news, Apple has decided to join forces with major music label companies (namely EMI, Sony Music, Warner Music and Universal Music Group) to come up with a plan to make consumers want to buy entire albums rather than single tracks when shopping at the iTunes Music Store. In order to stimulate consumers to go beyond the single track and dive into the entire album of a particular artist, Apple and said music labels will soon include “interactive booklets, sleeve notes and other interactive features with music downloads.” Up to this point, users have only received PDF files with their album downloads that includes only album liner notes. According to an insider, “…it’s not just a bunch of PDFs; there’s real engagement with the ancillary stuff.” Executives commented on this new initiative code-named “Project Cocktail:” Apple wants to make bigger purchases more compelling by creating a new type of interactive album material, including photos, lyric sheets and liner notes that allow users to click through to items that they find most interesting. Consumers would be able to play songs directly from the interactive book without clicking back into Apple’s iTunes software. Would you be enticed to pay for entire albums instead of single tracks if these kinds of additions were tagged with your purchase of the album? Both the Apple tablet device and Project Cocktail are rumored to be released side-by-side as soon as this September. Let’s cross our fingers and hope these rumors come to fruition; sounds like really cool stuff is on the way.

[Via Mashable; Gizmodo; Engadget; mock-up by Edwin Tofslie]

The iPhone 3G '09 Rumor Mill Keeps Spinning [Updated]

June 7, 2009TechnologyApple, iPhone, iPhone 3G, rumors, WWDCScott Meisner

Monday cannot come soon enough. On June 8th, Apple’s WWDC (World Wide Developer’s Conference) will bring news on the iPhone and “Snow Leopard” (Apple’s next OS version) fronts. The lastest rumors for the new iPhone hardware include a change from a glossy back and metallic sides to a matte back with no silver lining; the second rumor is far more interesting, and oh-so-exciting–a front-facing camera, which would allow VIDEO CHAT functionality. Although this specific rumor has been around since last year, there are some leaked images that may prove this new addition is on the way. Photoshopping is rapant these days, but I will take what I can get. Check out the newest photos after the break that show off new screenshots of the front-facing camera in action. Monday, Monday Monday… [UPDATE: After further investigation, the video-chat images have been debunked as photoshopped fakes. If you look closely, the bottom bar is from the the Skype app. Here’s hoping we still get this funcionality, even though these specific images were false.]

[Images via Nouveau here and here] Continue reading The iPhone 3G '09 Rumor Mill Keeps Spinning [Updated] →

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