Final Macworld predictions?
Tomorrow morning the tech world will tune in as Steve gets on stage to kick off another Macworld expo -- an event Apple usually uses for only its biggest product announcements. There are all kind of crazy rumors going around, but this year there are a few picks that have seem to stuck: an ultraportable MacBook (Pro) of some kind, iTunes movie rentals, and, of course, the iPhone SDK. But what rabbit will El Jobso pull out of his hat marked one-more-thing? Find out tomorrow when we bring you our live coverage at 9AM PT (and check out other local times here).























iPeen!
Larger than ever before!
I cannot out my source, but I am so happy I could die.
The new Apple Newton- full featured phone, UMPC, and digital studio with broadcast video receiver capabilities from iTunes direct.
3.5" x 6.4" x 0.5"
Mac iPod-Leopard OS with multi-touch user interface
New Newton (they scrapped InkWell) handwriting recognition software
NAND flash- 60GB
I predict that within the next 24 hours, iTunes will stop displaying an error message when I try to view my shopping cart and check out.
Engadget is full of apple fanatics!
Apple/Google wireless would be great. i've been buying their stocks in anticipation of this news.
i wonder if the new macbook will be a nintendo DS concept... it will have a screen, but instead of a traditional keyboard, you have a glass multitouch led panel, for keyboarding. think of cool core animation effects you can do. LCARs, startrek style. and this would keep the low profile of the device.
I predict Steve Jobs is still going to be a pompous ass on stage.
I also predict that anything really, honestly, and truely revolutionary suggested by all these rumors won't be released by Apple. Apple isn't into revolutionary designs. they are into makeing the same boring as hell Powerbook shell...just smaller. Or a touch phone with virtually no software expansion....oooooo. Or the same damn iPod for the past 6 years with minor tweaks. Check that they have the touch....with virtually no space. Wow impressive.
Honestly Apple in the mid 90's may not have been doing well but at least they pushed things. They tried new products. everyone remember Apple's digital Camera? The Newton? The LaserWriter? Now all apple makes is basic consumer garbage who's major claim to fame is a feature lacking device in a pretty shell. Now don't get me wrong. I like pretty. I have an iPod Photo because I like the overall design but most of Apple's products are like a blond bimbo. Pretty on the outside, easy user interface...but shallow as a puddle after a summer shower.
Apple has always been pushing technology. First systems with firewire built-in, now nearly all computers have firewire. First portables with built-in cameras, now you're seeing a lot more of them. First desktop computers to come standard with PCI-X, SATA, laptops with onboard wireless, bluetooth, the list goes on...
And not just hardware, software too. Zeroconf, iMovie, ITMS, all revolutionary. And where they haven't revolutionized software, they have revolutionized UIs.
The only unfortunate aspect is that technology often comes with a price tag.
http://blog.wired.com/gadgets/2008/01/breaking-macboo.html
Macbook Air.
Look, Look, Look! the Apple store is down....
it says:
"There's something in the Air."
Let's all whip ourselves into a frenzy over yet more clever circuitry designed in California and made by underpaid Chinese workers.
Forget phones, computers and monitors. They are so starting up an airline company.
Sorry, they did that in 1999 :-)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=d0q2H6fa9FI
WIMAX?????
I predict that STEVE IS A ROBOT!
I predict that the slogan "There's something in the air" refers to the uber-mythical product called iCarbondioxide. It'll eat all excess CO2 in the atmosphere and only returns clean power instead.
As a result hell breaks loose in the automotive industry who have invested gazillions in clean car development, the economy will grind to a halt and WW-III is started by The Doomsday Device.
Thanks a bunch Steve!
My money is on an ultra-portable Macbook (Pro), in tandem with the iMac style docking station described the patent that recently hit the news. (http://www.tuaw.com/2008/01/03/apple-patent-suggests-notebook-docking-station/)
Bonus points if they throw 3G into the ultra-portable, and multi-touch screens on both pieces of kit.
I can tell you!
Since ASUS manufacturs Apple, Apple will anounce laptops with WiMax, wich announced ASUS already at CES 2008!
Prediction: More soon to be over-priced and over-hyped products that are almost exactly the same as non-apple products that lack the "cuteness" factor that is apple's only real selling point.
Does anybody remember AirTunes? Finally, iPod streaming via the airport express.
Given the "There's something in the air" banner, here are some of my predictions for MacWorld '08. Obviously not all of these will actually happen, but I'm pretty sure some of them will.
1) Wireless Sync for iPhone and iPod Touch
2) News regarding the next iPhone (More specific timeline for 3G iPhone?)
3) The new compact/sub-compact MacBook, as rumored. It will have flash storage and a 12 or 13 inch screen. However, I also think that it's going to be a tablet. Yes, Apple's first tablet. Kind of out there, I know.
4) Wireless movie downloads for Apple TV. This one's iffy.
5) AT&T data cards for some Apple laptops. Especially the new MacBook.
I think it's going to be a whop ass TV, not a Apple box, but a super slim LCD TV with a docking touch/iphone controller thing, streaming movies from iTunes, OSX built in.
They will definitely be releasing the movie rentals and the MacBookAir, but I predict the biggest surprises will be with software additions to the iPhone along with possibly some minor hardware upgrades. I am thinking about GPS driving directions, video games, video chat, etc. The iPhone just has so much potential, who knows what the dev kit has already produced.
So will apple finally stream the keynote live, they've never posted a "watch the keynote" banner on apple.com frontpage before the event..
I sure hope it will be live this time!
If I don't see a Thunderclap Newman special edition iPod this afternoon, I'm going to be awfully disappointed. It will include their one and only album, "Hollywood Dream".
"Call out the instigators
Because there's something in the air
We've got to get together sooner or later
Because the revolution's here, and you know it's right
And you know that it's right"
What is with the unbearable kidding of geeks? Slashdot even encourages with the fake "departments" and +"funny". Just really curious about this. I think geeks want to know everything. When this obviously doesn't work out, they resort to jokes to cover up their ignorance. Not that it's bad to be ignorant. Here's one:
Jack @ Jan 15th 2008 6:26AM
I predict that STEVE IS A ROBOT!
----
Why bother?
@frankmu
I like the keyboard idea. Could be. Essentially a keyboard just like the one on the iPhone with a sensor that can detect your keypresses, i.e. like something in the air;). It'd reduce the profile of the machine, that's for sure, although it'll take quite a bit of getting used to for most people.
Flash HD Macbook w/ 13" screen
HDD based Macbook with 13" screen, updated with new iMac look and new internals
HDD based Macbook Pro with 15 & 17" screens updated with new internals
"One more thing..." Updated Apple TV with access to movie subscriptions in iTunes + 1080P + TV tuner
It's going to be WiMax built into a MacBook and SSD options will now be availabe. I also agree with Apple becoming more and more mainstream, their downfall is imminent.
Here's my only prediction (I haven't seen this anywhere yet):
- Updated iPhone supporting HSDPA, and the addition of 2-way video chat with other iPhone users AND iChat/AIM users.
Not sure if anyone's noted this, but in case there was any doubt there's definitely going to be a "thin" something released, look at the font they're using for "something in the air..." It's much thinner than the usual Apple corporate font they use. If that's not proof I don't know what is!
Ok, I'll go back into my hole now.
Steve blows everyones mind and reveals that Leopard can be installed on PC hardware. In response Bill Gates' head explodes.
Something WiMAX