WastedTimes

[hbgator]

Apple Computer unveiled a new mini-computer designed as a hub for digital entertainment, and a home stereo system linked with its popular iPod music player.

Apple chief executive Steve Jobs showed off the new-generation "Mac Mini" and the "iPod Hi-Fi" at a press conference at the company's headquarters in Cupertino, California.

As expected, the new Mac mini PC will run on microprocessors made by Intel Corp. Apple is switching all of its PCs over to Intel chips, a process that Jobs has said will be completed this year.

The mini PC is Apple's answer to the so-called digital media hubs that run on micros0ft's Windows Media Center platform.

Apple, micros0ft and makers of consumer electronics are all seeking a share of the nascent market for devices that can run entertainment applications that are either downloaded from the Internet or transferred from other digital media.

"Now, the performance just goes into the stratosphere," Jobs said before showing how the new computer can be linked to a television to play shows and music.

Jobs also demonstrated how it could be linked up to another computer in the room with a remote control and wireless connection software called "Bonjour."

Using "Front Row" software, the Mac Mini can be linked to other Macintosh computers to play any movie or music stored in one of the devices, Jobs said.

The Mac Mini Solo was priced at 599 dollars and the dual-core Mac Mini Duo at 799 dollars, Jobs said.

Jobs then turned to a second black-cloth draped pedestal and uncovered a "audiophile" quality home stereo base for Apple's internationally top-selling iPod music players.

"This thing is a lot more under the hood than it seems like," Jobs said with a with a wave toward the compact iPod Hi-Fi, which was priced in the "iPod economy space" at 399 dollars.

"I'm an audiophile," Jobs said. "I've had stereos costing, well I won't say because you'll think I'm crazy. But, costing a lot more. And, I'm thinking of getting rid of mine for this."