Final Macworld predictions?
By Peter Rojas 
posted Jan 8th 2007 2:55PM
posted Jan 8th 2007 2:55PM
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I am hoping for a bluetooth packing 120GB Video iPod.
No iPhone.
*possibly* iPod Refresh.
Most of the keynote will be talking about their new Leopard.
Final iTV info will be released.
My iPod is getting full so i'm going to need Jobs to release a new one soon.
A Mac Pro mini, external illuminated keyboard, backlight clickwheel on ipod.
A phone announcement of any kind would send me spinning for joy as would a full screen video iPod but my money is on an iTV release, 802.11n airport extreme upgrade for hardware, and maybe... just maybe a 13" MacBook Pro.
Macs suck.
I predict this:
http://frontback.ro/upload/iFake.jpg
I hope is the last Apple phone fake, before it's launch :D
Any comments ?
Actually, the 100GB video iPod seems like a natural, although that's probably too "expected" to warrant being part of Steve's keynote.
MacPhone (iPhone)
New Cinema Displays with iSight
MacBox (iTV)
iLife 07
iWork 07 with Numbers
...Large Screen iPod
Steve could fart into a microphone for an hour and it would be better than Bill's talk yesterday.
here we go...
iLife '07
significant updates to all
iWeb seeing biggest bumps
included with all new macs
maybe a new app, but no idea what.
iWork '07
significant updates to all
compatible with Office 2007 docs
addition of a spreadsheet app, call it numbers, wicked templates for
budgets etc.
BONUS: included with all new macs
now the mac is complete out of the box
microsoft who?
iTunes Store
More movie studios
addition of HD content
usual update on how amazing they are
macmini and mac pro (quad xeon)
minor updates
Displays
updates
new sizes 17", 20", 24" and 32"
built in isights
New iSights
USB version, for $99
windows compatible.
can you say iChat for windows?
iPod
shuffles in color!
update on how amazing they are
maybe new video ipod
iTV
shipping february
to go with HD content on iTunes store
also, updated firewire 802.11N card for older macs without N
Leopard
demo of all top secret stuff
ship date announced, probably march.
front row part of OS
One more thing...
MacBook Lite, or mini or nano
Intel ULV processor
30-40gb flash-based HD
1gb
combo drive
isight
OSX Lite
And one more thing...
Newton or iPhone thinging.
using OSX Lite
8GB Flash
guest speakers
Intel
Microsoft
Adobe
Disney
Why bother speculating? I'll just wait until tomorrow.
Give me iTV with decent codec support and a refreshed mini and I'm cool.
The iCar, at last!
http://www.chris3d.com/pictures/icar.html
No phone
No iTv
New ipod HiFi
ilife 07
iworks 07
New Partnership with Starbucks/Tmobile
New macmini
802.11N
new Nike product
Apple GPS partenering with Google
Hmmm... iLife '07, iWork '07, iTV preview, 10.5 preview, new Mac Pros (maybe new iMacs and minis?), new iPods (not touchscreen, but maybe a tweaked form factor), definitely a discussion of TiVoToGo and Toast 8, maybe a tweaked HiFi... and no iPhone.
Do I think there could be something up Jobs's sleeve that we aren't aware of? Maybe. Everything above seems a little anti-climatic to me.
The keynote:
1) Review of products (2006)
2) Sales update
3) Leather iPod socks, v2.0
4) New 'Get a Mac' ads
5) Select 'Classic' Disney movies available on iTunes (7 titles to choose from, including "The Computer Wore Tennis Shoes", "The Apple Dumpling Gang", and "The Boy Who Talked to Badgers"). Available TODAY.
One more thing:
6) point upgrade to .Mac
See ya!
- iPod Phone to be mentioned, jokingly, but still not confirmed.
- iPod upgrade (bigger screen, bigger capacity).
- New iSight or total integration of iSight into ALL apple displays.
- iTV, to be launched
- Announcement of Blu-ray or HD-DVD introduction date
- Mac Mini upgrades
- Feature on Adobe CS3
- more... :-)
and let's not forget...
- introduction of big movie studio name(s) to iTunes
- Hi-Def movie downloads given future date
- Airport Upgrade???
isights in all displays is a bad idea. most pro users have 2 displays, so why have two isights? you wouldn't know which one to use, or the other would just be a waste. there should be isight and isight-less versions of all displays, so you could get one isight display and one non, so that you can still have dual displays without the unnecessary other isight that would likely add to the price. i'm also hoping for a cheap 17" ACD display, i'd rather have 2 17" apple displays than 1 20" for the same price.
here is what you will get. iTV with support for nothing but h.264. A bigger iPod maybe some new colors. I doubt anything big.
"FAREWELL MA BELL, HELLO MAC BELL"
Apple is in THE position to end landlines (phone) and put a working (and desireable Apple type) solution in all our homes to replace our regular phones with 802.11 and internet access!
Service would generate revenue for Apple and make another big step towards making "APPLE" the "G.E." (General Electric) appliance brand equivilent of our homes. I.e. EVERYONE has it.
Just my opinion and prediction.
Adam
I just can't imagine Apple having an "iPhone." It just doesn't sound right, Apple is not a cell phone maker. But, I could be proved wrong, either way though, I think it would not be smart.
A new iPod, I really think it's going to happen. A video-centric iPod? Meh, doubt it. iPods getting into the 100GB region sounds right, maybe a bigger screen some how, zuneish landscape mode?
Hmm, I guess time will only tell. And not much time either! Just one more day.
Here's my crazy idea: a video game console.
Pippin!
I predict all the given stuff. iTV preview, iLife, iWork, leopard preview.
Really holding my breath for: Widescreen video iPod w/ touchscreen, HD movie downloads from iTunes, Leopard available.. Today!
What about that ceramic thing the new york times talks about in today's edition?
You're all way off the mark. This is a leaked marketing rendering of Apple's upcoming first foray into the fashion market. :D
http://img3.freeimagehosting.net/image.php?deb8b31a3b.jpg
This baby takes a reading of your body's unique "signature" of natural oils and pheromones via a sensor in the dock (not shown), and your Mac formulates a fragrance which perfectly complements your natural scent. The perfume/cologne/whatev is then assembled out of ingredients contained in a cartridge in the body of the unit. No other company has yet tried anything like this, and it may turn out to be a shining example of how Apple's spirit of innovation puts them head and shoulders (and armpits) above their competitors.
I'm hoping there will be a 12" Macbook or Macbook Pro.
an oqo model 2 type device.
it will play music, make calls, be your pda and look pretty whilst doing it all.
If Vanzksater wasn't joking, I think a backlight on the clickweel would be overkill. It only has the four compass points which are easily found in the dark if you can feel the orientation of your iPod.
Dan's Keynote Predictions:
Christmas Mac Sales Figures
Christmas iPod Sales Figures
iTunes Popularity Content
iTunes: Opened up to Canada, Europe, Video
iTunes: Add New Studios for Video
Transition from the Digital Hub to the home:
Digital Hub: iTV
Leopard: Preview, Media Center Capabilities, More Features, Media Server.
Digital Hub on the Go:
iPod Mobile Lite: More than a phone, more than music.
Feature Leopard Lite. Mobile Address Book, iCal, based on Safari Web-kit Engine. iChat capable.
Flip out keyboard
iPod Mobile Video: Similar to ipod but thinner, touch screen, fold out keyboard, video chat capable.
Feature Leopard Lite.
As above with built in Video Camera, touch screen, Wireless Ethernet, Bluetooth
I predict nothing innovative will be announced.
iPhone? Sorreh, cellular has been around for, what, 40 years? Putting Apple design and logo on one isn't innovation (need I quote the definition for innovation for you?). iTV? Tivo. Macbook refresh? C'mon...
Apple has the opportunity to innovate with, say, a tablet which, granted, has been around a long time, but is a design paradigm which is so poorly implemented as to be useless. Alas, Apple simply is not an innovation company.
I have to agree. Minor upgrades and mac fans will pay hundreds for them. Leopard? There's nothing major about it but the $125 price tag.
Landscape IPOD with touch screen will be the "one more thing"
A phone or iPod that has a camera and tags the pictures/videos with GPS coordinates. iPhoto/iMovie update supporting this.
You want a crazy prediction? I'll give you a crazy prediction.
Apple + (NASA|SpaceX|etc) collaboration
Your mind has just been blown. :)
iLife & iWork are no-brainers. 8-core Mac Pro 90% definite. iTV will have a new name and it won't be as good as iTV, and it will have a confirmed street date for May or some shit like that.
I don't know why you're saying the "smart money" is on an iPhone when everyone else keeps saying June-Sept, *if* and when. No parts on order, etc.
I want the "vPod" as much as everyone else (my iPod is 2G for God's sakes), but that's looiking June-ish (or never) by most accounts, too.
As pessimistic as all this sounds, I still have high hopes tomorrow. I have no idea why. Probably because my local Wal-Mart finally has PS3's in stock, and that'll be my consolation purchase after lunch tomorrow when I find out there's nothing new to spend my money on at the Apple store.
I am hoping beyond hope that I'll eat all these words for lunch tomorrow!
Best of all, January 9th is my birthday. I'd love something really shiny. I just don't think I'll get it from Apple until my brother's birthday (Memorial Day)...
- iPod Flea (http://gprime.net/video.php/ipodflea)
- Toaster with a built-in iPod dock
- Apple iCar operating system for the car
- New version of iTunes that can actually monitor folders
- MacOS and Vista will merge to form a single OS
- iTunes/iPod support to download YouTube videos
Sorry but innovation is not about technology, it is about value. If Apple makes a new mobile phone that delivers value that others don't, then it is providing innovation. All the phones already out there that attempt to combine phone, photo, music, and web capabilities are incredibly lame. Apple can do it right.
WOW.. I have just confirmed this because the internet is always right.
The Official 'Apple iNeutronParticleDisplacementProcessorGammaRayDuper...
its gunna be rad. Pretty much, you can reach into your Mac Pro and scoop out
whatever it is on screen.. so if you are hungry.. BAM, have a burger or two.
Its true, you just wait.
iLife. iWork. New iTV name and availability (April 07).
iPod with iChat -- VOIP solution with integrated camera. Landline calling available free with .mac; other plans available (similar to skypeout)
I predict a hinting at a macbook tablet and as for the iphone, it could very well be a voip phone. That area could definately use the apple touch.
"The First 30 years were just the beginning. Welcome to 2007."
So, here goes....
How do the iTV and the Apple Phone relate?
well, to start out with, they haven't been released yet, but aside from that..
Once upon a time, Napster To-Go was created and the subscription music service was born..
but, that flopped right?
right, but for the simple reason that it wouldn't work on iPods that people already owned, and the mp3 players on the market still sucked.
a short time later, speculation surfaces that Apple was interested in creating a subscription service
http://www.appleinsider.com/article.php?id=950
Fast Forward
Apple begins selling TV shows and Movies in the newly renamed "iTunes Store"
Fast Forward some more tot Today
Apple has the largest online music library.
Apple has the largest online TV Show library, with over 56 networks.
Apple has the most popular Movie Store, and with the success of the TV Shows, is sure to add more studios.
Apple is now KING of the Content...
but, there is anouther King of Content...
Enter Google
http://www.macrumors.com/pages/2006/...29173747.shtml
So, what does this mean for 2007?
The answer lies in iTV and the Apple Phone.
iTV
well, we already know a ton about the iTV...
but, quite your crying, The iTV has, and will never have, a DVR or TiVo like interface...
why?
TiVo is dead.
The iTV will NOT include now or in the future a DVD or Blu-Ray player..
why?
DVD is dead
Blu-Ray is dead
HD-DVD is dead
(I can hear everyone crying)
I'm sorry, but the simple fact of the matter is, is that the iTV's greatest feature is in Apple's Subscription Service
The service would be similar to Napster To-Go or Rhapsody, but on the iTV everything would be streamed (with the option of saving after download, similar to QuickTime).
For a low price, make one up (i like $24.99), you would get unlimited Music, TV Shows, and Movies streamed to your computer or iTV device.
Of course, the iTV will funcion as a simple media streamer if you opt-out of the service, so in reality, if you want one right now, and you dont want the service, this dosn't change anything...
You would still have the ability to make playlists of streamed content, or you could simply download it and listen/watch it offline or on your iPod.
TV shows would be added immediately after broadcast.
The interface would be similar to Front Row's use of Movie Trailers, but it would be much more powerful and be fully integrated in a spotlight like search.
You would have the option of scheduling shows and movies to download when they become available, you would have a list of shows to watch, just like you do on your TiVo, but you wouldn't have to fast forward through the commercials...
Certain networks such as CNN and ESPN would provide a live feed of their networks with commercials..
the downloaded shows and movies would remain at their current resolution for a while, but over time increase to 480p, then 720p, then 1080p (just like the Apple movie trailers). this makes blu-ray pointless with it's expensive equipment and even more expensive movies.
For the price of a blockbuster subscirption (in my hapyy world), I get everything
and of course, viral content would be provided by Google....
Before you shake your head and say "no way"....
consider the fact that the Movie Studios and TV Networks PREFER the subscription model and are only "selling" them in iTunes because it's so popular, but, in the case of the movie studios..that has yet to be seen...
Now, for the main event...
Apple Phone
some people have wondered if Apple will even make a Phone, but the simple answer to the question is...
They have too.
I took a class with this guy who asked the class if there was anyone who wanted to buy his iPod..
I asked him why he was selling it, and he said that he recently got a new phone that plays music, when he got it he thought he would still use his iPod, but after a while, he used it less and less favoring his phone, which he had on him all the time anyway.
most people don't purchase a phone with the intention of ditching their iPod. The ditching happens over time, because people get used to the convince of having their music with them all the time...
I always have my phone in my pocket, I don't have my iPod in my pocket all the time...
iPod is dying....
The phone will be UMTS/HSDPA Only. No GSM. (shock and Aww)
If you don't belive that...why the hell did Apple put ONLY an Express Card/34 slot on the MacBook Pro when you couldn't buy an cards for the slot?
One of my friends works as a Cingular sales rep and Cingular recently sent out a memo that 3G (UMTS/HSDPA) coverage was now in every market with a population over 100,000 people. In another memo shortly after that Cingular instructed sales reps to sell 3G phones, becasue the GSM network will be phased out in the future like the TDMA network.
Cingular is going to shift it's services to a Packet Data voice service....in other words VOIP.
For the simple reason.....it's cheaper.....and that means....more moeny for us!
So....what's Apple to do?
Create an MVNO...but with a little class.....
I recently read about how much phone manufactures hate carriers, because of their specific demands.
Plus, if it were to be on Cingular, like ThinkSecret has suggested, it would break Cingular Music offering, which is based upon Windows Media file format.
MVNO is simply the best option for Apple, because it lets them do whatever they want. Steve & Co. cannot stand being out of control (a la iTunes fixed pricing)
There has been a ton of speculation over whether the MVNO will be though Cingular or Tmobile...
but, sit back for this...
how about both of them?
why not?
The phone would simply use whichever network was availible, and if both were available it would use which ever was cheaper for Apple.
and since this phone is packet data only (UMTS/HSDPA), the prices will actually be a lot cheaper than what people think...
(in my perfect world, and all things apple simple....$59 a mouth, the wireless sweet spot, for Unlimited Voice, Data, and Text)
actually, its not outside of the realm of possibility, considering that Cingular offers unlimited Data on a laptop card for $79 ($59 with a voice plan) and since I can pay a bit extra on skype or vonage and make unlimited calls on my laptop....whats the difference?
Oh yeah...and Apple isn't going to do the silly contract subsidizing thing...if people will pay $299 for an iPod, they will pay $299 for a phone....
You will actually be able to just "buy the damn phone", and nothing is really required...this way you can buy it as a gift or just for yourself...
The phone will be unlocked when purchased, but, you will be encouraged heavily to sign up for Apple's MVNO. If you live in the USA, it's really the best choice, because going with either Tmobile or Cingular, will gain you LESS coverage.
So, why is Apple going to create an MVNO?
to tie it in with their media service that your getting on your iTV...
the service wouldn't even be an extra charge, it would simply be included in the wireless mouthly fee (my perfect world $59 a mouth)....
This phone wouldn't even be similar to an iPod, it'd be so much better....
Imagine having Apple's ENTIRE library of Music, Movie, and TV Shows with you EVERYWHERE.
Anything could be sent Over-The -Air directly to your phone.
of course, if you really wanted to keep the song (or if you weren't using Apple's MVNO), you could purchase it over the Air, just like iTunes.
The Phone would have a limited amount of storage, but it really wouldn't matter, because, you would be getting all of your content immediately over the air. You could even make streaming playlists similar to Rhapsody.
Is this such a streatch? Sprit already offers full length tv show streaming to people's phones. Verizon offers over the air music purchases....whats one more step?
The way this can be accomplished is by making the phone UMTS/HSDPA only, because this will keep the cost very low for Apple.
but, they dont intend to make much moeny off of the service anyway....because the SERVICE (a la iTunes) attracts people to buy THE PHONE!
well, thats all I can think of for now....will it hit at MacWorld? depends on a lot of factors...but, I would say sometime in 2007...
Thanks...talk it up!
The iShredder ... in order to facilitate the destruction of all the wrong predictions.
Steve Jobs is going to announce a stock option date picker, complete with false board member meeting notes. Also going to announce how to remain smug about your computers despite 3% market share (is it that high?), finally he is going to announce how a "music player" company is now going to work on a releasing a real computer based on the superior PowerPC...I mean Superior Intel processor and how much security is improved when market share is so low that no one actually attacks it. Finally he is then going to mention the 6 month OS support lifecycle since they are comming out with OS X.198327 to replace OS X.198326 which was released only 3 months ago and then he is going to hint at plans for OS X.198328 which will feature more incompatabilities with existing software as well as the new "I-Suck" suite of bundled software (didn't MS get in trouble for bundling) that simply suck money out of your wallet on a monthly basis in exchange for free internet radio and an Apple Proprietary photo editor and printer that allows you to give up all the rights to your existing photos and transferring the copyrights to Apple Corp.
Now Intel Macs can run Windows and OS X, I'm after a MacBook. I've been waiting until tomorrow in the hope of a 12" MacBook Pro, but I'm not sure my credit card will be able to take the excitment if one is released...
For some reason I'm going to predict that they're going to release Leopard early this year - I'm assuming that they're going to take everyone by surprise and release it tomorrow along with iLife '07 and iWork 07.
Of course this releasing of Leopard early will completely overshadow the imminent release of Vista and gain more media attention...
If they release anything as big as Leopard tomorrow then they wont have to bother with the iPhone or the real Video iPod - but they'll instead revamp the iMac line and the MacMini line.
Hey that's just a guess though, but you never know, I might be right...
Jake's keynote predictions: An ipod with 100gb hard drive with "phone" capabilities and a larger touch screen with a slideout keyboard
@ Baldwin
Great post, that actually gets me excited about having a device that could be my phone/TV/music player.
It's going to be an iTablet thingy.
Jobs will announce that he is stepping down as CEO and The Woz will be taking over...
Let the REAL innovation start!!!!!
Man all this talk of new stuff gets me excited but I would like to see a new ipod I own all of the previous ones minus the video...which I have refused to buy until the bigger screen and I want a mac mini but waiting for Core 2 Duo version. But if the Iphone appears my money theirs wheres my credit card.
Steve Jobs resigns, replaced by Ballmer who bounds on stage, licks jobs face and stares at the camera. Then three large vexed sheep come onstage and play Table Tennis with a perplexed horse. That or a new Mac line, updated iPod, details on the top secret bits of Leopard and "woooo... Watch this space.....2007...Apple....wooooooooo" kinda comment. I get the sinking feeling that in 24 hours I'll be disapointed, and not just because of my girlfriends frigidness....
This is completely out of left field, but I think that iTV will be announced and have the Virtual Console from Nintendo's Wii built in, it will also ship with a modified Wiimote.
From my blog at http://blog.stewtopia.com
Twas the Night Before Macworld
Twas the night before Macworld when all through the town
No MacBook was mooing nor turning brown
At Moscone, nerds were queuing with care
in hopes that Saint Steve would soon be there.
The new products and banners were nestled from view
while the Engadget and Gizmodo speculation grew.
And with Dvorak grumbling and Laporte poetically waxing,
Both were in town for credit card maxing.
When out from Las Vegas there arose such a clatter,
Macworld and CES at the same time? Too much data’r!
Off to the blogs, people covered the bash,
With videos and podcasts, served up by Flash.
Bloggers insight and intuition on the oft-wrong rumors,
Give analysts and traders new found tumors.
More at http://blog.stewtopia.com/2007/01/08/twas-the-night-before-macworld/
I think they'll pair with microsoft, dissolve all of their assetts and go into the Leiderhosen market. Naturally.
No phone
Some sort of home server
I predict that all the Apple fanboys, teenage girls and bored housewives will expect Apple to deliver "x", "y" and "z": e.g. amazingly innovative products that will blow your mind!
Apple will then launch some rather uninspired, generic products still made of cheap, crappy white plastic and all of the above will either post about how Apple have 'invented' something that is years old and already available elsewhere* or will claim "what I predicted IS coming...soon!!".
* see internet and news talk after the Apple iPod Video was launched, for example.
My previous comment was a reply. This is not.
I must preface by saying I'm not a Mac fan. But that doesn't mean I don;t give them a fair chance. I use them on occasion with an open mind. The OS I have some problems with, but it's no worse than Windows. The hardware is excellent. My real problem is their methods. Making a big deal of very little, misconstruing things, and generally being huge snobs (but often you need that for success), especially when it comes to Linux. Why?
-Steve Jobs says Linux is "not a threat", and "can't survive", yet Apple provides NO support for Linux. No quicktime, no fairplay, not even an iPod client. And Linux with boot camp can't be done. (I know you can with other unsupported bootloaders.)
-Steve Jobs tried to abduct Linux. Read Just For Fun by Linux Torvalds. Steve was SO convinced that OS X was so great, that Linux could never survive (WRONG!) and the only thing they could do is convert Linux users to mac developers. Also, much of OS X is open source, and their proud of it! But the OS is not open at all, and charging for a product developed open is STEALING in my opinion. There's no open version of OS X for developers, like there is for Red Hat or SuSe.
On to the predictions.
-iTV will not have been finished. It may be on display, however.
-Minor upgrades to the iMac, MacBook, and maybe Mac Pro. Not expecting much for the mini, as the focus is on iTV.
Lots of Vista/MS bashing, but no acknowledgment of the fact that plenty of OS X is a rip-off. (The freaking kernel! And spaces too.)
-Much ado about Leopard that means nothing. Leopard should have been a free upgrade, not a $125 chunk of polyurethane (DVD).
-Maybe an iPod 6, or perhaps 5.9 . No significant upgrades, just hard drive storage increases, and a form change, but not touchscreen. Of course there'll be NO support for OGG vorbis/speex, or FLAC, because open standards are "not popular". (Read: not profitable for Apple).
-The phone will make the "one more thing". It won't be anything special, especially since they don't want a phone to replace the iPod.
-The Mac lovers will buy all the bullshit hype.
My insane predictions:
http://thedreamersjournal.blogspot.com/2007/01/macworld-wild-guesses.html
I'm surprised no one (or not many) predicted for wifi dongle for iPod to counter Zune (without releasing new iPod because of the holiday season sales). It's totally possible just like Nike+ dongle and FM transmitters. Milking some more money from new iPod owners.
My finger crossed for Bono appearance (even via satellite). New PRODUCT (RED) stuff could be anticipated. I'm not a big fan of him, but that's just some educated guess.
Wireless will be the theme: Wireless iPod docks, wireless headphones, wireless iPod HiFi etc.
Additionally, iWork and iLife updates are givens.
Please god let it be a 13" mbpro. I WILL NOT buy an integrated gpu!!!
apple introduces the 13" GrannySmithBook, the iCortland, the GoldenDeliciousPro, and the product (Red)Delicious vPod.
MacBook Nano or something - an apple PDA
leopard available today, coming on all new apple computers starting (looks at watch)....now.
itv
fone
--neg
no iTV
iPhone released or officially announced
new iPod Accessory, possibly firmware upgrade
upgrade to macbooks and MBP and mini
iLife upgraded, of course, new app?
OSX 10.5 info
sales figures blah blah
that said, i can hardly wait :)
****
UMPC, Mac style: mix the "fake" iPod Video with the news Engadget has been spreading about a Mac tablet... put a chicklet keyboard, support for EDGE and WiFi - and of course, a phone. Call it the "Treo Killer"
I've got a bunch on my site:
http://homepage.mac.com/ikim1213/macority/files/pre-stevenote-macworld-2007.html
My crazy prediction? Apple makes a tunnel that goes through the center of the earth from NYC to Tokyo.
I think it would be appropo is the SEC police came to the big roll0ut tomorrow and handcuffed CEO Jobs while he was on stage. it seems to me CEO J0bs has earned the perp walk this time w/ the options games he has been playing...treating apple like it was his personal fiefdom.
$1/yr salary doesn't sound so "cheap" anymore, eh ? Jobs and crew pulled the wool over the boards eyes this time by getting them to gift him a Gulfstream jet worth 8 figures...allthewhile playing games w/ options...allthewhile claiming to take $1 per yr salary and laughing all the waqy to the bank. Unimpressed this shareholder.
SJ announces run for 2008 Presidential race ;-)
I believe that in addition to announcing the iTV, Apple will announce a new advertising supported model for television shows. Here's the kicker: Google will monetize the service by serving targeted video advertisements. Due to the targeted nature of the ads only a few ads will be required to watch before the video begins.
macPhone & macPhone Pro (that's right, I'm daring to venture a name)
each sporting both WiFi and Bluetooth, 2MP camera, macChat videoconferencing, macSync software to keep everything organized and macFlow to push media back and forth between devices. Both will come with the full raft of macLife mobile apps -iCal, Address Book, Mail. The macPhone Pro will feature GPS, more sophisticated email and filesharing options, tighter encryption and security, and a supremely
innovative new means of inputting information on the fly.
MacTV with a larger hard drive than predicted and a wholly Apple derived
interface (no Tivo or el gato partnerships)
macLife A streamlining of the separate iLife components (along with Mail and the iTunes store) into a single sleek interface with user-defined automatic syncing and
one button streaming of non-copy protected files between Windows and Mac devices, plus a plethora of devices to come. One program to rulethem all, there will be some version of it on virtually every device Apple sells.
Hand in hand along with macLife will be Flow which willrefer to both the wireless flow of information via Bluetooth and WiFi, and the 1 or 2 click process to send everything back and forth between devices, depending on whether or not the exchange is between public devices or devices within a users self-defined network. WiFi will be used for larger files like movies and music, Bluetooth for
everything else. Flow will decide which protocol to use automatically
then shut it off automatically to conserve battery life.
The death of the i (as in iTunes,iMovie, iDVD, iCal, iPod, iLife) and the
ascension of the mac (as in macTunes, macPod, macLife.) That's right,
I said they're renaming the iPod macPod. Both to reiterate that there's more to the phenomenon than marketing and buzz and give Windows users one more tiny push toward the rest of the product line. But mostly because they can. I don't think they'll bother renaming all the components because like I said I think they'll be folding those into the simplified macLife interface. Plus macMovie and MacContacts don't exactly trip off the tongue in a way that suits my theory.
The iTunes Store will become the macMedia Store and will reside smack in the middle of macLife along with the new improved .mac. The Apple Store will stay in the mall, hopefully to sell all those unlocked macPhones. I'm not really sure about the iMac. It could either windkeeping it's i out of respect for the fact that it was the first, or it could simply become the mac, which is what it's always seemed like
it wanted to be anyway.
The big surprise will be the announcement of a new standard of DRM that will enable/require every content producer, from major media studio mogul down to first time computer users, to assign their own specific level of protection for any shareable content, ranging from unrestricted freeware to single user within a
finite time period, and everything in between.
It will be different than current DRM only in the sense that it will be inserted in media
to define it's use, rather than curtail it's misuse. Devices using the protocol will look for it automatically and if they don't detect it, will refuse to accept the stream. Studios will like it because it makes them less easy for them to be pigeonholed as bad guys if everybody has to do it, it will eventually be more secure than existing DRM, and because of the likelihood that consumers, by the mere act of having to choose a level of protection for their own media will be more likely to respect that of others, ie. theirs. Google and a bunch of studios heads will be on hand to offer their
support for it. Microsoft will not.
All the other stuff- flat screen TV's, flash-memory macBooks, OLED backlit screens, touchscreen video iPods (I mean macPods) just isn't that interesting to me. The nano won't change much other than the macLife software. The iPod will finally get the full-sized touchscreen that's been rumored for over year.
A limited partnership with Google to enable youTube content into macLife and
possibly GoogleMaps into a GPS device makes sense, but anything beyond
that, not so much.
It wouldn't surprise me to see a closer relationship develop between Apple and Nintendo over the next year for obvious reasons but nothing special tomorrow.Any partnerships that require Apple to relinquish control of sizeable portions of the user
experience to another company is highly unlikely. I was hoping that they'd choose to sell only unlocked macPhones in the Apple Store for that very reason, but the recent story in the WSJ makes that seem unlikely. I'll try to have a more in-depth on my webpage but only if I can manage to get it up prior to macworld. I'll drop a link if it happens.
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I'm hoping for a new macbook, hopefully a little smaller than the current one.
What we're waiting for at my institution is a single-socket Mac Pro that the rest of us can afford.
and I'd also love to hear that they're abandoning the fully buffered RAM, but that will probably have to wait another year for Intel to give up on it's latest propriatary memory grab and revert to DDR3, etc.
The talk about ZFS is exciting, I hope it's more than just talk.
And, as always, Fix the F'n Finder.... The Windows Explorer is one item that Jobs should just go ahead and copy.
Oh, and hey! How about a RAID chip on the Mac Pro motherboard, just like the rest of the known universe...
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