The first two weeks of January are a “Winter Wonderland” for techie types. This week the annual Consumer Electronics Show (CES) in Las Vegas kicked off with a keynote address from Microsoft Chairman and Chief Software Architect Bill Gates. Chairman Gates (better known as, when he takes the stage for one of these shindigs, “Citizen Sominex”) took the opportunity to take some of the wraps off the next version of Windows, called “Vista”. Next week (Tuesday, January 10th, to be exact) Apple CEO Steve Jobs will open MacWorld in San Francisco (MWSF) with a keynote address as well. While there is usually little secrecy surrounding the unveilings at CES, Apple tightly guards its MWSF surprises.

Apple’s tight-lipped attitude serves to promote two reactions from the press and fans alike. One is great for the platform, the other can be a detriment. The first is a veritable feeding frenzy of rumors, spanning the spectrum from the obvious to the ludicrous. For example, Apple announced last summer their intention to transition the platform to Intel processors, beginning the summer of 2006. So, the prevalent rumor for MWSF is that Apple will debut a “Macintel” computer (speculated to be either a Mac mini or iBook or both). With the advent of the video-capable iPod, some speculate that the Intel Mac mini will also gain media center capabilities, including a TiVo-like digital video recorder. The thing about rumors is, well, they’re called rumors because they’re not facts.

And no one’s talking. Back in 2001 graphics processor manufacturer ATI ruffled Apple’s (meaning Jobs’) feathers by announcing that their graphics cards would be part of iMacs and PowerMacs that Apple themselves had not yet announced. Oops. Hell hath no fury like a mercurial rock-star-like CEO scorned. Out with ATI, in with Nvidia. It took ATI a few years to get back in Jobs’ good graces.

Detrimentally, sometimes the rumor mill creates expectations that no human enterprise can possibly meet. One rumor feeds on another, and the next thing you know we’re all expecting an iPod that holds 5 million songs, the entire Turner Classic Movies library, every photograph ever taken, can fit on the head of a pin, and floats in the air if dropped (thanks, SNL!).

When the rumored gadget doesn’t appear, we’re all disappointed. What will appear on the Moscone Center stage next week? Tune in here to find out!

© 2006 Peter F. Zimowski