This Week's #AppleChat: Let's Talk MacBook 2012

While the public patiently awaits an announcement from Apple about the MacBook 2012, rumors have begun to circulate regarding potential features and the direction of the MacBook line as a whole. While rumors can be nothing more than hot air and creativity, Gizmodo tells us that "multiple Apple resellers are reporting some of the current (MacBook) models as out of stock" which may indicate that the next generation is just around the corner. In order to fully embrace the chaos, for the latest edition of #AppleChat we’ve decided to talk about the future of the MacBook! Here is some of what we are seeing:

“A new patent Apple has been awarded seems to hint that the company is considering bringing 4G connectivity to its MacBook line”. (CNET, Reisinger)

Gizmodo’s MacBook 2012 projections include: Faster guts, no hard drives, removal of legacy technology (firewire/optical drives), and more. (Gizmodo, Diaz)

“According to the latest rumors, Apple is trying to bridge the gap between its MacBook Pros and lightweight MacBook Airs to a significant level with the new upgrade” (MacDailyNews)

“There was a talk that the gap between MacBook Pro and MacBook Air will be blurred with the new version of MacBook Pro. The case seems to be different and Apple is working to launch the Pros with the same size and features of its predecessor.” (Northern Voices Online)

“Apple evidently works to add a more gigantic battery, an SSD boot drive and HD drive to the new MacBook Pro so as to increase its usability.” (Northern Voices Online)

“The U.S. Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) today published a patent Apple won related to the way in which a 4G antenna is housed in a laptop. The invention describes how a 4G antenna can be hidden in a "conductive cavity" located behind the upper bezel around the computer's screen.” (CNET, Reisinger)

Just like the rumors surrounding the next iPhone, there are a variety of differing opinion of Apple’s vision for the Macbook 2012. Does Apple plan to merge the MacBook Pro and MacBook Air lines together? Or will they continue forward with separate lines. Also, how would built in MacBook 4G connectivity affect the ultrabook market? Join us to share your thoughts about Apple and the future of the MacBook line, Wednesday May 9th at 11 am PT!

Will this be the last MacBook with an optical drive? Come tells us what you think during #AppleChat! 

Here are a few questions we will discuss in this week’s #AppleChat: 

1.     Which features would you like to see integrated into the next generation of the MacBook?

2.     How often do you use your Optical Drive? Would removing it prevent you from upgrading?

3.     Will the next MacBook will be more like the current Macbook Air or stay true to its roots?

4.     How do you think a MacBook design focused on mobility would affect the ultrabook market?

WHEN: Every Other Wednesday from 11am-12pm PST.

HOW IT WORKS: Looking to join? Using the hashtag, #APPLECHAT, feel free to share your thoughts or simply follow along! All you have to do is search the hashtag (#AppleChat) on Twitter and you'll be looped into the discussion! Make sure to use the same hashtag when commenting so that others who follow it will see your response! Too much? Follow along using the TwebEvent page instead: http://twebevent.com/applechat

This Week's #AppleChat: Apple Officially Invading the Enterprise

It’s no secret that Apple has been making a hard push towards capturing a larger portion of the enterprise market. However, the push for Apple in the workplace has been more of a user generated movement, as opposed to a campaign from Apple…until now. With Apple’s new business centered pages having gone live recently, the Cupertino tech-heavyweight has officially thrown their name into the ring as an enterprise competitor.

In addition to B2B focused marketing, Apple’s CEO, Tim Cook took the time to highlight an enterprise focus for the iPad during Apples 4/24 earnings call, “’we’re shifting our focus here to penetration in enterprise,’ adding that the device is ‘the most broad-based product I've seen in my entire career in terms of enterprise adoption’” (engadget). Here are just some of Apple’s other highlighted enterprise features:

The iPhone in Business - “Integrate, secure and deploy iPhone into your company. iPhone connects seamlessly to Microsoft Exchange and standards-based servers for access to corporate email, calendar, and contacts. Data is protected with hardware encryption and enhanced Data Protection. Users can securely access corporate networks with support for leading VPN and Wi-Fi protocols including SSL VPN. And it's easy to scale your iPhone deployment with Mobile Device Management and Wireless App Distribution for in-house apps.”

The iPad in Business - “iPad allows you to continue working on important projects even when you’re away from your desk. With powerful apps on iPad, it’s simple to edit and create Word documents, Excel spreadsheets, and PowerPoint presentations anywhere.”

Mac in Business - “With the Mac App Store built into OS X Lion, it’s simple to discover, install, and update the apps you need to do business. No more boxes, no more disks, no more time‑consuming installation. Click once to download and install any app on your Mac. The Mac App Store features paid and free apps in categories such as Business, Graphics & Design, Productivity, Utilities, and more.”

App Store Volume Purchasing - “Whether you’re providing apps to ten employees or ten thousand, the Volume Purchase Program makes it simple to find, buy, and distribute the apps your business needs.”

Will the beginning of a potential Apple push for enterprise dominance signal the end of a PC run workplace, or will the PC reign supreme? Join us to share your thoughts about Apple and its future within the enterprise, Wednesday April 25th at 11 am PT!

Here are a few questions we will discuss in this week’s #AppleChat:

1.      What is your workplace policy on tech? (BYOD, PC only, etc.)

2.      What applications do you use on a regular basis within the workplace?

3.      What impact will Win 8/Windows tablets have on the adoption of Apple in the enterprise?

4.      How do you believe the IT landscape within the enterprise will look in 5 years?

WHEN: Every Other Wednesday from 11am-12pm PST.

HOW IT WORKS: Looking to join? Using the hashtag, #APPLECHAT, feel free to share your thoughts or simply follow along! All you have to do is search the hashtag (#AppleChat) on Twitter and you'll be looped into the discussion! Make sure to use the same hashtag when commenting so that others who follow it will see your response! Too much? Follow along using the TwebEvent page instead: http://twebevent.com/applechat

This Week's #AppleChat: iPhone 5 Rumors and Speculation

Now that the new iPad has been released, attention has turned drastically to the next generation of iPhone, potentially called the "iPhone 5". A variety of rumors are currently floating around about the next iPhone's features such as:

A new dock plug - “iPhone 5 rumors are surmising that the upcoming device will come with a new dock plug. This time, it may be smaller to make room for the device's other components" (iMore)

A 4.6-in Retina Display - “the new iPhone may get a bigger display, as a South Korean media outlet says Apple is putting in orders with suppliers for a 4.6-inch Retina Display.” (Reuters)

Or maybe Apple is sticking with a 3.5 inch screen - “as of last month, plans for the new iPhone called for the same 3.5-inch screen as previous generations.” (iMore)

LTE Compatibility - “the new iPhone will be 4G LTE compatible. That shouldn’t come as a surprise to anyone, considering the new iPad supports LTE and it’s hard to imagine Apple giving the iPad a feature like that and not passing it on to the iPhone.” (iMore)

A potential June release - “recent reports from China challenge the fall release date buzz. Foxconn - Apple's No.1 manufacturing partner - is hiring 20,000 more workers for a plant that reportedly will assemble iPhone 5” (International Business Times)

With the Apple rumor mill alive and well, we thought it best to chat about the array of possibilities a new iPhone would bring to market. Will the iPhone live up to the hype, or are we setting ourselves up for disappointment again? We want to hear from you! Join us to share your thoughts about the next iPhone, Wednesday March 28th at 11 am PT!

An iPhone 5 "concept features" video by Aatma Studio to prepare your imagination for #AppleChat!

Here are a few questions we will discuss in this week’s #AppleChat:

1. What features do you expect to be included in the newest iPhone?

2  How do you think these new features will impact your use of the iPhone, business or otherwise?

3. Which feature would you most like to see integrated into the new iPhone?

4. When do you think the new iPhone will release, and will you buy it?

WHEN: Every Other Wednesday from 11am-12pm PST.

HOW IT WORKS: Looking to join? Using the hashtag, #APPLECHAT, feel free to share your thoughts or simply follow along! All you have to do is search the hashtag (#AppleChat) on Twitter and you'll be looped into the discussion! Make sure to use the same hashtag when commenting so that others who follow it will see your response! Too much? Follow along using the TwebEvent page instead: http://twebevent.com/applechat

#AppleChat, The New iPad! (Recap 3/14/12)

We had another great #AppleChat this past Wednesday, this time discussing the hits and misses of the new iPad. We discussed everything from favorite features, to where Apple failed to address the consumer's needs. Needless to say, it was a great time! Want to add your voice to the conversation? We'll be back at it again on Wednesday 3/28/12 at 11am PT. Here is a quick sample of our latest chat:

WHEN: Every Other Wednesday from 11am-12pm PST.

HOW IT WORKS: Looking to join? Using the hashtag, #APPLECHAT, feel free to share your thoughts or simply follow along! All you have to do is search the hashtag (#AppleChat) on Twitter and you'll be looped into the discussion! Make sure to use the same hashtag when commenting so that others who follow it will see your response! Too much? Follow along using the TwebEvent page instead: http://twebevent.com/applechat

#AppleChat, Taking a "Leap" Into the Future of Apple! (Recap 2/29/12)

This past Wednesday we held a very special Leap Day #AppleChat on Twitter with some wonderfully funny and insightful individuals. During this edition of our hour long bi-weekly gathering we discussed the wonderful world of Apps from multiple angles. Everything from, your favorite Apps, to how Apple's forthcoming technological upgrades will affect the future of Apps. As if that wasn't enough of a good time, after our chat we were happy to award two randomly selected #AppleChat-ters with copies of both Parallels Desktop 7 and the Parallels Mobile App to help them make the "Leap" from PC to Mac. Congratulations to @Bismanapps and @Brysboo on winning our #AppleChat Leap Day Giveaway! Want to add your voice to the conversation? We'll be back at it again on Wednesday 3/14/12 at 11am PT. Here is just a sample of the discussion:

WHEN: Every Other Wednesday from 11am-12pm PST.

HOW IT WORKS: Looking to join? Using the hashtag, #APPLECHAT, feel free to share your thoughts or simply follow along! All you have to do is search the hashtag (#AppleChat) on Twitter and you'll be looped into the discussion! Make sure to use the same hashtag when commenting so that others who follow it will see your response! Too much? Follow along using the TwebEvent page instead: http://twebevent.com/applechat