TV-PGSeptember 26, 1997: (Sorry—this was before we started writing intro text for each episode!)
But First, A Word From Our Sponsors
 

Mash-ups and original music by AtAT's former Intern and Goddess-in-Training

Prim M at YouTube

 
Interpretive Dance (9/26/97)
SceneLink
 

Get ready for some potential sparks to fly, because Webintosh is reporting that clonemaker POWERtools is ready to ship their new PPC 750-based X-Factor systems. (There's a POWERtools early press release here.)

"But AtAT," you ask, "I thought Apple announced it wouldn't certify any 750-based systems until the licensing issue was resolved?" Well, uh, yeah, they did. So did Apple certify these systems or not? According to POWERtools CEO Victor Wong, "[their] current Mac OS license does not prevent [them] from shipping these systems."

Way to dodge the question, Victor! He goes on to say that if POWERtools doesn't ship the X-Factor systems to fill the gap left by Apple's strained supply of 8600's and 9600's, then would-be customers would have no choice but to buy Wintel systems. So it's basically a humanitarian effort. Yup.

We can't wait to hear what Apple will have to say about this. You may recall that both Motorola and Power Computing expressed their intention to ship non-Apple-certified 750 machines, but neither actually went ahead and did it. In the meantime, rumors abound that Apple-branded 750-based Macs will be available within 90 days, just in time for Christmas (but not in time for the Christmas buying season). With luck, Apple can crank up the schedule a little and get some kick-ass PowerMacs out the door in time for Santa to load up his sleigh. And yes, Santa, the AtAT staff's been good this year. We'll take the 400MHz model.


 
SceneLink (24)
Shopping for a Star (9/26/97)
SceneLink
 

The Wall Street Journal is reporting that Apple has narrowed its CEO search to four candidates, including guys from Sun and IBM.

Do we sound underwhelmed? Sorry. It's just that we don't know who any of these guys are. After a star like Steve Jobs in the role of CEO, how the network could consider casting relative unknowns is beyond us. It could make for a very dull season, and if one of them joins the cast soon, Apple may have a sleeper right during Winter Sweeps.

AtAT welcomes any juicy info on front-runners Samuel Palmisano, Ed Zander, David Dorfman, and Joe Costello submitted via our Feedback page. We'd love to be able to get a sense of personality from these guys before one of them becomes the new star. And a MacOS Rumors source claims that there's still hope for an outsider, so we haven't given up on the possibility of a cool dark-horse candidate. Hey, is Quentin Tarantino between projects right now? Now THAT would be interesting. If Samuel L. Jackson tells you to buy a Mac, you don't ask questions.


 
SceneLink (25)
TV Ads? Joy Story! (9/26/97)
SceneLink
 

While it's currently not in an obvious place on their web site, Apple has issued a press release confirming recent joyous rumors that they would be showing new TV commercials during this Sunday's broadcast of Disney's Toy Story on ABC. Prior to this press release, AtAT was cautiously optimistic about a Sunday rollout, but rumors circulating earlier this week hinted that the commercials might not be finished in time for Sunday's broadcast.

This new campaign is the first fruit of Apple's realliance with TBWA Chiat-Day, who created the Clio-award-winning 1984 commercial that introduced the original Macintosh. The campaign's hook is the intriguing (if ungrammatical) phrase, "Think Different," which AtAT staff recalls from Jobs' keynote speech at last month's MacWorld Expo. There are supposed to be two 60-second spots during this Sunday's broadcast, which will focus on the Apple brand name and its core values.

We at AtAT are thrilled! All faithful AtAT viewers are strongly encouraged to change channels over to your local ABC affiliate this Sunday night to witness what we hope is the beginning of a new era in Apple marketing. (One in which they actually market something.) Tape The Simpsons and King of the Hill (or Men Behaving Badly and Jenny if your tastes lie in that direction).

By the way, does anyone out there think that the airing of the new Apple commercials during a Pixar movie is anything other than a pure coincidence? We didn't think so.


 
SceneLink (26)
← Previous Episode
Next Episode →
Vote Early, Vote Often!
Why did you tune in to this '90s relic of a soap opera?
Nostalgia is the next best thing to feeling alive
My name is Rip Van Winkle and I just woke up; what did I miss?
I'm trying to pretend the last 20 years never happened
I mean, if it worked for Friends, why not?
I came here looking for a receptacle in which to place the cremated remains of my deceased Java applets (think about it)

(1233 votes)

Like K-pop, but only know the popular stuff? Expand your horizons! Prim M recommends underrated K-pop tunes based on YOUR taste!

Prim M's Playlist

DISCLAIMER: AtAT was not a news site any more than Inside Edition was a "real" news show. We made Dawson's Creek look like 60 Minutes. We engaged in rampant guesswork, wild speculation, and pure fabrication for the entertainment of our viewers. Sure, everything here was "inspired by actual events," but so was Amityville II: The Possession. So lighten up.

Site best viewed with a sense of humor. AtAT is not responsible for lost or stolen articles. Keep hands inside car at all times. The drinking of beverages while watching AtAT is strongly discouraged; AtAT is not responsible for damage, discomfort, or staining caused by spit-takes or "nosers."

Everything you see here that isn't attributed to other parties is copyright ©,1997-2024 J. Miller and may not be reproduced or rebroadcast without his explicit consent (or possibly the express written consent of Major League Baseball, but we doubt it).