Microsoft News Tracker

Ryan Katz has the buzz at Think Secret:

Apple’s Mac mini will be reborn as the digital hub centerpiece it was originally conceived to be, Think Secret sources have disclosed. The new Mac mini project, code-named Kaleidoscope, will feature an Intel processor and include both Front Row 2.0 and TiVo-like DVR functionality.

While the specific model and speed of the Intel processor in the new Mac mini is unknown, sources are confident the system will be ready for roll-out at Macworld Expo San Francisco, in line with other reports Think Secret has received that Intel-based Macs will be ready some six months sooner than originally expected.

Macworld Expo is scheduled for January 9-13. The new mini is supposed to have an iPod dock as well as the enhanced FrontRow 2.0 media control and the “TiVo-killer” DVR application. That would seem to answer the complaints about the new iMac G5 and FrontRow 1.0 announced in October.

Michael Gartenberg:

While I won’t comment on how likely this rumor is, I will comment that if Apple does introduce this machine in January, it will be a huge success.

and he wonders if the press would promptly forget Media Center PC’s.

Update: Gartenberg has some further thoughts.