2011 MacBook Pro Refresh Highlights.

We all knew it was coming — the MacBook Pro refresh. And when the “We’ll Be Right Back” Sticky note started popping up on our browsers when going to Apple’s online store, we knew the weeks of waiting were about to pay off. So what exactly can you, the consumer, get from these new Sandy Bridge-powered laptops? Hop inside for the full rundown…

MacBook Pro Details Continue Leaking Ahead Of Official Launch.

While the official unveiling is but mere minutes to hours away, there’s something special about leaked information. A 9to5Mac source has leaked 5 new MBP SKUs spanning from 13.3″ all the way up to 17″. We’ve already seen the 13 incher’s specs break cover over the last day. And until Apple’s store comes back online, the current “rumors” are all about the 15″ and 17″ laptops — 2.2GHz/2.7GHz dual-core processor, 4GB of DDR3 RAM @1,333, and choices of 500GB or 750GB hard drives. Graphics power is handled by an 1GB AMD 6750 and the much hyped mini-Display Port/Thunderbolt combo port comes along for the ride too. The 17″ MBP gains the 1920 x 1080 display as standard while also gaining a 2.2GHz quad-core i7 processor. Both the 15″ and 17″ models have a matte display as an available option.

In total, there are 5 new MBP SKUs. Currently, ship time is said to be less than 24 hours. While this isn’t “confirmed” just quite yet, it shouldn’t be much longer until Apple makes all of the above public knowledge. F5 button getting worn out yet?

Spotify Continues Inching Closer To U.S. Launch As They Woo Universal.

The U.S. launch of popular European music streaming service, Spotify, continues to inch closer as new reports from Reuters claim a deal with Universal is “close”. A release is said to be only “weeks away”, though we’ve heard such time frames numerous times before only to be let down time and time again.

If Spotify can woo Universal, it will leave Warner Music Group — the last and 4th major music label in the U.S. — as the sole outside. Speaking of which, it is rumored that Spotify could and would launch without WMG’s library of music if needed.

We have to cut Spotify some slack. Launching a music startup in the digital age is a tough gig to pursue. Thus far, Spotify is claimed to have scored $100 million in funding valued at ~$1 billion. While it doesn’t guarantee success here in the States, it’s certainly a much needed boost for the European startup.

The only topic that keeps coming back, however, is just how important is Spotify now that other competitors such as Last.fm, Pandora, iheart radio, Slacker, and others have had time to mature? If Spotify can finally stick to a timely launch schedule, we may just be able to answer that question ourselves very soon.

Motorola XOOM LTE Update Process Leaks.

If you’re one of the LTE-crazed Motorola XOOM groupies that will be staking out store lines across the country tomorrow, we’re proud to say you can go to bed tonight a more relaxed being. The LTE upgrade process for the Motorola XOOM has been leaked in its entirety, giving us a look at the organized chaos that will ensue 90 days after the XOOM’s launch.

90 days? Yes, that is when customers will need to send their XOOM back to Motorola in order to get the LTE hardware and software upgrade performed. After a 6-7 day window, you’re revamped, faster XOOM will arrive back into your lovingly out-stretched arms. Of course, the beauty of it all is the upgrade price — free. Motorola is eating the cost of shipping, hardware, and software upgrades for all XOOM owners. +1 Motorola.

So who’s getting one?

Apple Confirms March 2nd Media Event. iPad 2 Here We Come!

Looks like rumors of an impending iPad 2 announcement/release were true. Apple has begun sending out media invites. Check back with GS on March 2nd as we keep you up to date on Apple’s latest tablet venture.

With that checked off the list, now all we’re waiting for is Apple to come clean about all of those MacBook Pro rumors we’ve been hearing about…

[Update] MBP Rumor Recap: SSDs, Faster Processors, ThunderBolt, And 12hr Battery Life!

We haven’t said much about the various MacBook Pro refresh rumors thus far, but with this morning’s more legitimate claims from an ever growing list of sources we can’t hold off any longer. First up, the 16GB SSD OS/boot drive rumors are all but confirmed. This dual-mode solution gives you a super fast boot/shutdown times and over OS responsiveness while the second HDD will allow you to store heaps of files. We’re hearing that Apple will also allow customers to swap out the Superdrive for a second SSD.

Display options include a new, higher resolution 1440 x 900 option for the 13″ MBPs along with a matte-screen choice for the higher end MBP baby. The 15″ MBP will gain a 1680 x 1050 resolution panel (1920 x 1080 still available as an upgrade). Finally, the 13″ and 15″ MBPs will ship with 4GB of RAM standard with the 17″ getting a nice boost to 8GB out the door.

Even better than the above goodies comes by way of a claimed 12 hour battery life for the 13″ MBP and still plenty respectable 11-hour battery life for the 15 incher.

But the one rumor that has most people in an uproar currently is that these latest MBPs will feature Intel’s new LightPeak technology (rebranded “ThunderBolt”), which offers 10Gb/s transfers rates — double that of USB 3.0. Further adding fuel to the fire, an image leaked showing a new mysterious port on a MBP. Whether it is Light Peak (or even a MBP) are still unconfirmed.

Of course, it will take a bit of time for hardware manufacturers to build peripherals and accessories for the new technology. But having it standard on Apple hardware moving forward could provide very fruitful for adoption. Intel is holding a Light Peak even on Thursday, with Apple’s unveiling supposedly happening later the same day.

Stay tuned as we’ll be all over it!

Update

German Apple site fscklog has what they claim to be a snapshot of the 13″ MBP spec sheet. Looks like these “rumors” are getting more real as the morning goes on.

In other news, I have a MBP for sale…

3rd Party Resellers Dropping AT&T Services And Hardware.

Fancy a good deal from Wirefly.com (and perhaps in the future Amazon’s wireless storefront)? Better get on that train while it’s still in town. According to a recent letter sent out by Wirefly CEO, Andy Zeinfeld, giving customers choices and cheap prices will no longer be possible with AT&T. Further adding to the pot is online retailer LetsTalk’s email to affiliates:

Effective March 8th, 2011, LetsTalk as well as other web indirect agents [...], will no longer be able to offer AT&T Wireless as a carrier option to our customers. The primary reasons given for this change in AT&T’s business strategy were centered around AT&T cost savings and retrenchment.

For now, Amazon hasn’t announced any discontinuation of AT&T services and hardware, though things could certainly change. On that note, it would certainly be sad to see all of the 3rd party resellers dry up. There have been some awesome deals over the last few years, netting AT&T two-years worth of montly payments. Apparently greedy company is greedy and needs and endless supply of more. We’ll see how that goes…