Hardware News

Apple confirms product launch

Ina Fried CNET News.com

Published: 22 Feb 2006 14:40 GMT

Apple confirmed on Tuesday that it plans to introduce some "fun, new products" next week, but declined to say more about what those products might be.

In an email sent to journalists, the company merely said the invited scribes should come to Apple's Cupertino, California, headquarters next Tuesday to learn more.

"Come see some fun, new products from Apple," the company said in its invitation.

Unlike past invitations, which hinted at which product Apple was targeting, the current invitation includes just a picture of a calendar with only the date Feb. 28 on it.

At January's Macworld Expo, Apple introduced the first of its Intel-based Macs, including a revamped iMac and the MacBook Pro laptop. The company also updated its iLife and iWork software products, but announced little in its music business, which now makes up more than half of the company's overall sales.

Sam Bhavnani, an analyst at market researcher Current Analysis, said he thinks Apple may introduce a 17-inch MacBook Pro as well as a redesigned iBook with a 13-inch widescreen display.

"The reason to expect an iBook announcement is so that Apple is able to have sufficient quantities shipping in time for back to school," Bhavnani said in an email interview. "The fact that Apple started shipping Intel products ahead of schedule means it is serious about winning 'switchers,' and key to getting Windows customers will be to have systems that cost significantly less than $2,000."

Bhavnani said that an ideal iBook would arrive in time for the education buying season, cost $999, and include Intel's Core Duo chip.