One More Thing

September 9th Predictions

With the September 9th “Let’s Rock” event confirmed at Yerba Buena, Apple@CooOne readers seem confident that we’re about to see a new iPod debut. 70% of you agreed on that point.

Rumors point to a revamped nano, with a longer silhouette. This new shape makes the nano easier to hold onto without dropping, especially when running..

An updated Nike kit appears likely. Nike support is long overdue for the iPod touch and, especially, the iPhone 3G with its built-in GPS system. Rumors suggest that the update will include more biometric logging and feedback for the stats-obsessed athlete in you.

Since Nike makes their money from the shoe sales, I doubt that the kit will rely entirely on iPod-based sensors though. Any update needs to retain Nike’s sales interests. Maybe we’ll see heart rate monitoring as well as pace feedback.

If rumors hold true, Apple may also respond to Nokia’s “Come With Music” promotion by introducing iTunes Unlimited.

“Comes with Music” offers unlimited access to a large library of music — plus you get to keep any music you download after the year is done. I suspect that you’re limited to the music that fits onto the device at any one time, otherwise — woo! — people will be downloading music for 365 days straight.

The iTunes Unlimited rumor refers to a standard subscription model, like the Microsoft/Zune deal. Full access to the iTunes library (except for stuff that you *really* want like Album-only extras) plus you can buy tracks to keep.

We were tipped about this possibility several weeks back. The thought still appeals to me and others who prefer to sample lots of music rather than to commit to specific albums.
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10.5.3 and Beta 6 SDK, Oh my!

Something interesting is hiding in 10.5.3. I don’t know what it is. I don’t know what it does. But if it’s necessary to upgrade if you want to use the new SDK release, that means that there’s a something that ties 10.5.3 to new iPhone features.

So intrepid TUAW readers-slash-detectives, what can you find lurking in that new 10.5.3 firmware release that provides new and exciting iPhone functionality? Let us know in the comments.My completely wild pulling-it-from-the-posterior guess is something to do with AppStore support — or maybe the iNewton — or maybe “back to my iPhone” support — or… No really, I have no clue. Hopefully Uncle Steve will give us something nice for Keynotemas. Until then, see if you can figure it out.

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256GB Samsung SSD Heading for MacBook Air?

Yesterday was Memorial Day in the US, a Bank Holiday in the UK, and apparently big honkin’ solid-state drive (SSD) day in South Korea.

Samsung, which provides the 64GB SSD drive that is available in a pricey configure-to-order version of the MacBook Air, announced a 256GB 2.5-inch SSD drive. While the 64GB model in the MacBook Air has been criticized for having leisurely performance, the new MLC (Multi-Level Cell) flash SATA II drive boasts 200MBps read and 160MBps sequential write speeds. Those are double the speeds of the 64GB drive.

The new model features power consumption that is slightly less than that of the 64GB drive (.9 watt in active mode, compared to 1.0 watt), as well as sophisticated data encryption.

There’s no word on whether or not the new drive will show up in future MacBook Air models. The monster SSD will be widely available in September, with a 1.8-inch version expected in the 4th quarter of 2008. Does a faster, bigger, and hopefully cheaper SSD-based MacBook Air sound like something we can expect to hear Steve mention as “one more thing” at Macworld Expo 2009?[Read]

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