One of the many things I enjoy about being a Mac user is getting together with other Mac users. There’s a great opportunity to do just that each month right here in the Bath-Brunswick metroplex. It’s called MMOOS (Maine Macintosh Owners and Operators Society). MMOOS meets once a month, almost always on the third Tuesday. Next Tuesday, June 20th, will be no exception. We’ll gather at 7:00 PM in the Multi-Purpose Room on the second floor around back in Brunswick High School. See ‘ya there!

In other Mac news, here’s something from the “I wouldn’t want to be him if he just spilled the beans” department. In 2000, ATI Technologies, makers of computer video processor cards, made the mistake of stating that their video processors were going to be used in upcoming new Macs. Problem was, Apple had not themselves announced the new Macs, and Apple CEO Steve Jobs kinda likes to do that himself. Apple promptly announced that the new Macs would instead use video processors from ATI competitor nVidia. It took ATI a few years to mend the rift.

This week, Terry Gou, Chairman of Hon Hai Precision Industry Co., Taiwan’s largest electronics company and an assembler of iPods, may have taken the first step to provoking Jobs’ wrath again while speaking at the company’s annual meeting. The China Post Online reports that “Gou announced that Apple is about to unveil the next generation of iPod…using a “none-touch” concept, Gou said without elaborating.”

Ouch. Apple recently filed a patent for a “virtual click wheel” that would appear on the rumored “full screen” iPod’s screen, do its click wheel thing, and then disappear. This would allow for a larger screen on the same form factor. With iPod sales flattening a bit, it’s presumed that Apple will have a new and improved iPod ready to roll out for “back-to-school” or the holiday season.

On the other hand, the “none-touch” concept could be a Bluetooth-enabled wireless version of the iPod that doesn’t have to physically “dock” with a computer to transfer music and other data. A wireless iPod would also free the user from those cables dangling from headphones and earbuds. Just what we need – more wireless doo-dads hanging from our heads.

If Mr. Gou did spill the beans, maybe he can talk Creative into making their players. Oh, I forgot. Noone’s buying them.

© 2006 Peter F. Zimowski