Rumors of Apple’s iBox

MacOSX reports that Apple may be working on a unit that will go head to head with TiVo and DVD player/burners. The report states that this unit will be quite stylish, much like the iPod, but the sleek pearl white encasement measures 10 inches long, 6 inches wide and 1 - 1 1/2 inches thick. The features sound impressive and if this report is valid Apple will have another product that they can rely on to be a big money maker.

The iBox plugs into your TV and acts as a hub for your digital devices and computers. Unlike the EyeTV from Elgato, the iBox is a standalone machine, not something to plug into an existing computer. The iBox can be scheduled to record TV, but unlike TiVos it does not serve as a “what’s on and when” service rather a hard drive / media based recording device (new aged VCR). With its built in 802.11b & 802.11g from its AirPort Extreme card, one can access the home folders of any user on any wirelessly networked Mac or PC. The iBox has its own version of the popular iPhoto and iTunes software which is a welcoming plus to Mac OS 10 veterans and easy for Windows users to adopt as well.

The iBox has a built in hard drive meaning it can be used as a network’s hub for homes or offices which would like to share photos, music, or other files. Not only does it act as a hub which can connect wirelessly or by Ethernet, it also calls upon its hard drive to record live TV. The iBox has its own on-screen set up and scheduler, but you also have the option of setting the iBox remotely.

MacOSX has listed a set of current specs for the iBox but claims that they have changed from when they first seen them. Here is the list as it appears now:

Processor: 500 MHz G3 (while the most recent revision/model I’ve seen has the 900 MHz PowerPC 750fx which was the last processor put in the G3 iBooks, with the same 512k L2 and everything).
Ram: 128MB built in, and no empty slot to upgrade.
Storage: 120 gig
Ports:
1 FireWire 400
2 USB 2.0
10/100 Ethernet port… (there is no 56K or similar telephone jack)
Standard RCA in and out for video and audio, and S-Video support. There has been some confusion on who produced the card for this, but there have been multiple sources Apple has looked to including Techno Trend, Elgato, and Heuris, among others.
Optical Drive: SuperDrive
AirPort Extreme
Built in Bluetooth - (something similar to what Jonas Salling has made will be offered as a download soon after the announcement. I haven’t a phone with bluetooth to test it, but other testers have been fiddling around with a phone controlled remote for the iBox.)

Please remember that as of now this Apple product is a strong rumor and that it is also rumored that Apple may announce the iBox as soon as the Jan 6. The pricing for the iBox will be in the range of $400 - $600 based on the configuration. Definitely take a look at the MacOSX article for more info.

Thanks go to Gizmodo