This is it, folks: the last day to get your speculatin' groove on. The Apple Expo Stevenote is tomorrow, so if you've got any last-minute guesswork to squeeze out from between the creases in your grey matter, now's the time to do it. However, we should mention that crystal-gazing for PowerBook info has pretty much been done to death by now; the latest in that particular saga is that MacRumors cites its own sources providing "further confirmation" that there will indeed be some new slingable aluminum come tomorrow, possibly three models priced between $1999 and $2999. (The implication is that, judging by the price points, we're going to be seeing maybe two 15-inch models and a 17-incher, and that the 12-inch refresh might be kept under wraps for a while longer.)

Now, if you're dead set on continuing to ponder the whats and wherefores of potential PowerBookage tomorrow, we're certainly not going to stop you. But it's our duty to inform you that all the cool kids have long since moved on to goofier subjects, such as the rumor du jour over at Think Secret: reportedly one of the goodies that Steve is currently stuffing up his spring-loaded sleeves is a "special edition" iPod, exclusively available via the Apple Store. Capacity? 40 GB-- just like the regular top-of-the-line iPod. Price? 549 Euros-- also just like the regular top-of-the-line iPod, at least according to the Apple Store France.

We know what you're thinking: so far this edition doesn't sound very special. Indeed, Think Secret admits that "it's unclear what the special edition iPod will feature"; the only potential differentiating factor listed is "some sort of new remote control," and unless said remote manages volume, play/pause, and track skip on the iPod and can instantly change traffic lights at busy intersections for hours of crashtastic entertainment, we just can't see that being a very big deal. But whereas vagueness is a serious drawback in the legitimate press, it's a positive boon in the rumors trade, and as we hinted before, guessing what puts the "special" in "special edition" is the hottest new trend to sweep the land since stuffing hula hoops into telephone booths. Go wild.

No, we don't know the answer, although we've got a few ideas. Historically, "special edition" to Apple has meant "available in stunning Graphite," and while we doubt Apple would do the late-'90s retro thing and resurrect the rich steely grey that served it so well for years, we wouldn't be at all surprised if the only real difference between the iPod Special Edition and its less-special siblings turns out to be one of color. C'mon, Apple's been pulling this kind of thing for years; remember the clear Newton 110? The white PowerBook 170? The pink chiffon Color Classic with the matching clutch purse and tiara?

So, given the fact that the alleged iPod Special Edition carries no price premium, we're guessing that (assuming that it exists in the first place) it's just some snazzy color combo-- probably black and silver, or maybe white and gold. Either that, or it includes an integrated stun gun, a portable wet bar, and the ability to flag down passing spaceships for a lift. Your call.