We've
been following the
Apple rumors for months and weeks
leading up to tomorrow's Macworld SF Jobs keynote, and now that CES is over, everybody and their mama's weighing in on
what they think Jobs has got up his sleeve. Even the biggies had something to say like Reuters, who today vaguely
pontificated that it could be updated laptop, mini, and/or Xserve lines, according to analysts. We've heard it all at
this point --
color iPod shuffles,
Intel iBooks,
widescreen iBooks, a
DVR /
home-entertainment centric Mac mini, even
Apple plasma HDTVs --
but we have a feeling the rumor mill isn't about to stop churning between now and when
His Steveness gets up on stage, so
we'll put it to you guys: what do you think Job's is going to launch tomorrow? Let the (conspiracy) theories begin.
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 3)
TheRealSteve @ Jan 9th 2006 9:09AM
A few software updates and that is it.
SA_Nagle @ Jan 9th 2006 9:12AM
Apple will have to say something about laptops with most PC makers going to Dual-core, but i wanna see an iSight in the laptops, which might come to the ibooks and Powerbooks
wtrix @ Jan 9th 2006 9:17AM
One word that anyone seems to be forgotten: Leopard
wmc @ Jan 9th 2006 9:18AM
an apple smartphone running mac os X smartphone edition, to run on cingular's HSDPA network, with qvga resolution.
Cloudyprison @ Jan 9th 2006 9:19AM
Intel Laptops! *crosses fingers* I've been in need of a n apple laptop.
Stevo @ Jan 9th 2006 9:21AM
I'm hoping it'll be the new Intel based mini mac. Because I want one!!
B2m @ Jan 9th 2006 9:22AM
Well..
either there is something fricking hot nobody thought of or there is nothing that cool at all.
what about intel ibook tablet PC? half height dual head mac mini? new apple 30 inch with better specs than dells 3007? boiled-down shuffle? scratch-resistent ipod nano?
Well, nothing of that is going to happen very likely but I think Apple should better put out some real killer stuff instead of just doing the same things over and over again
CJ @ Jan 9th 2006 9:22AM
Mac tablet platform (to enchance on-the-go video beyond the small screen of the video iPod)
New .Mac updates
Steve Jobs: candidate for US presidency
and
another new iPod. With a camera. And a wireless signal.
B2m @ Jan 9th 2006 9:23AM
Well..
either there is something fricking hot nobody thought of or there is nothing that cool at all.
what about intel ibook tablet PC? half height dual head mac mini? new apple 30 inch with better specs than dells 3007? boiled-down shuffle? scratch-resistent ipod nano?
Well, nothing of that is going to happen very likely but I think Apple should better put out some real killer stuff instead of just doing the same things over and over again
Homer J @ Jan 9th 2006 9:29AM
Home media box / DVR
The video deal with ABC & CBS may have paved the way for Apple to be the leader in on-demand distribution.
Diego @ Jan 9th 2006 9:29AM
An apple phone with itunes and some media center tech like a new front row with hardware features
Dave @ Jan 9th 2006 9:31AM
An Apple game console to blow xbox 360 and ps3 out of the water!
Hector @ Jan 9th 2006 9:31AM
Intel Mac Mini and possibly some Intel laptops. I don't believe that Apple has had enough time to play with Intel's processors (including ViiV or whatever) to come out with anything radically new. Of course, I could be wrong and they could come up with something radically new to launch the new processor line...
Joe Henson @ Jan 9th 2006 9:31AM
They are dropping everything apart from a new Windows version of iWork
Linds @ Jan 9th 2006 9:33AM
A Newton PDA with
2 Gigabytes of internal Nand Flash Memory
Wifi
Blue tooth 1.2
640x480 screen
1.3 mega pixel camera
voice recorder
vibrating alarm
voice to text
User replacable battery
All in a package the size of the new ipods:)
everything my Palm is and wish it would be
Nathan Ziarek @ Jan 9th 2006 9:34AM
They'll show off some hardware like an Intel iBook, but it won't ship until mid-year. No DVR, no FrontRow 2, no Apple Plasma. Maybe a peek at 10.5, but since that is more a developer thing, I can't imagine Apple spoiling it before WWDC. I'd imagine a new iLife and iWork update, but all told, this one is going to be kind of boring.
The one more thing ... how about an Airport express-like device that allows video streaming? Jobs has said repeatedly that he doesn't believe in the "computer in the living room" type of media center. That would fulfill his vision of content being stored on the computer while being enjoyed in the living room...
dotcomlarry @ Jan 9th 2006 9:36AM
I gotta say, this is one MacWorld that I really haven't heard anything about, nor am I particularly interested in it. I'll still keep up with the announcements and stuff, but... meh.
rich @ Jan 9th 2006 9:37AM
iphone
ori @ Jan 9th 2006 9:37AM
I hope we will se:
An Apple made mobile phone...
New Cinema LCD Displays
anonymous @ Jan 9th 2006 9:38AM
this would be cool if it included video and stills: http://ipodcamera.com
J.T. Mill @ Jan 9th 2006 9:39AM
There will definately be an update to the .mac service. It's going to be down durring his keynote so it'll probably come back up with better features.
Micha @ Jan 9th 2006 9:40AM
iLife 06, iPod speaker system, Shuffle w/ some small display, Intel-iBook (with iSight integrated) and Intel Mini w/ Front Row for the TV/living room with streaming connection to the Mac.
bowlhed @ Jan 9th 2006 9:42AM
id love to see something to rival windows media centre edition...i.e. frontrow with TV function
BRAM @ Jan 9th 2006 9:42AM
all i want is a friggin BLUETOOTH MIGHTY MOUSE.......
David Anthony @ Jan 9th 2006 9:43AM
I wrote a suggestion to apple when the news of MTV and Microsoft broke;
The Suggestion was:
An all apple TV/Cable network channel that caters to all type of music and not one genre of music over the other; like the old MTV used to be (lots of Rock, Pop Hip hop; a fair blend of each etc...)
Apple commercials with all of the apple products. Live broadcast Keynotes, Apple TV where they'll do in depth instruction on each of the applications.
In the end I felt they'd save more money doing that than spending so much money on advertising.
Tie all that together with a download service right to your television (ipod docked in for the music and video) and Hard drive built in to television set to Dload your Final Cut pro and Logic and get to work on a massive screen.
Hey; nobody said I couldn't be a mad scientist with my feedback suggestions........
Hey' I'd sign up for the channel in a heartbeat and sell the house and the car for the magic TV with the Ipod Dock and Hard drive!
The Imac G5 wasn't so far off (just make the screen 50 - 60 inches and you have one hell of a PC)
Until tomorrow............
(Shameless plug below)
Check out my new insane Audio Edit Mayhem Cut up of System of a downs hypnotize.
www.cluburbandance.com (streaming music player)
Music for the open minded
Carvalhinho @ Jan 9th 2006 9:44AM
A black Ibook... to go with my Black ipod
John Stracke @ Jan 9th 2006 9:46AM
I expect they'll show the first x86-based Macs. If it's true that they've had OS X running on x86 for years, then they don't have a lot of engineering to do here; the only trick is locking it down so that we can't put OS X on a whitebox.
At least one of the x86 boxen will be dual-core, maybe even with two CPUs.
Even if they aren't ready to ship Mac86, I'm sure they'll have a demo, with applications compiled for x86 to show off how much of a speed boost they're getting. They'll probably cherry-pick an application or two that actually outperforms the corresponding app on Windows.
aparrish @ Jan 9th 2006 9:47AM
#12 - you're such a buzz killer. :(
onebluehaze @ Jan 9th 2006 9:54AM
how soon we forget the ipod nano... it's very possible that Apple could have something up it's sleves... then again, they may not. :)
I'm hoping for an update for my powerbook that will make it run faster on its 1ghz processor, but holding my breath is out of the question! :)
Jason Deraleau @ Jan 9th 2006 9:57AM
In keeping with the spirit of many other reasonable and likely predictions, I foresee Apple CEO Steve Jobs taking the stage and announcing the release of their latest consumer gadget: the iTime. Though it will be Apple's first foray into this market, the iTime will run a custom build of Mac OS X 10.4 and sport the newest in Intel technology. Using the iTime, users will be able to accelerate their Macs to 88 miles per hour (approx. 142 km/h), frying its PRAM and sending the Mac user back to January 1, 1970. A new compatibility layer, TARDIS, allows the Mac user to defy Chronology Protection Agencies and otherwise engage in wacky hijinks. The iTime is expected to ship starting in early March and at a price of $199.
JTB @ Jan 9th 2006 9:58AM
i don't care anymore, let's sleep until tomorrow and it will finally be over... until june.
Scott @ Jan 9th 2006 9:58AM
A new line of notebooks, to replace both the iBook and Powerbook ranges, that'll come in both black and white, have moderatly good intel chips and have the same feel as the iPod nano along with some revolutionary feature, like flash boot drives.
Either that or you'll see a new iLife suite, that will have a new unified or iTunes appearance.
Mack Swift @ Jan 9th 2006 9:59AM
Apple really, and I mean REALLY, needs to breath new life into their laptop line. They've created a sleeker iMac, a nuclear powered Quad G5, a reworked mac mini. They need to do something with the laptops. Whether they're Intel powered or not, they have to do it.
Ed Balaban @ Jan 9th 2006 10:03AM
A UFO! Or something similar thats gonna max out everyones Credit Cards :)
GREENLIGHTGUY @ Jan 9th 2006 10:05AM
I'm guessing an apple pda.
andres @ Jan 9th 2006 10:06AM
The Intel Mac mini with multimedia capabilities (not so sure of the DVR)
Intel iBook, slimmer and different screen sizes
minor updates to iPod shuffle (maybe color)
not more 1Gb shuffle, instead 1 Gb nano
iWork'06 and iLive'06 (with iWeb)
AirPort Express with video and IR (for apple's remote)
TV with integrated digital multimedia functions (like HP's) and connectivity to the new media features to be revealed
Movie downloads, and probably PPV (or something like IPTV)
"iPod companion" consumer electronics like a boom box or other stuff
Apple will buy Reality Distortion Fields Inc. (from Jobs himself) and new apple products will include a Portable RDF.
Some features will be revealed about Mac OS 10.5, and 10.4.4 will be released
Mitch @ Jan 9th 2006 10:09AM
.mac is 100% getting an upgrade...I will bet anything on it!
2 reasons:
1) .mac is going to be down during the keynote
2) Amazon.com is selling .mac 3.5 already(new version!)
Axman3 @ Jan 9th 2006 10:11AM
1. Plasma Inteligent HDTV
*************************
A large Plasma HDTV set with the ability to play and burn DVDs, import and play audio CDs, import and display digital photos and movies, analogue and digital TV tuner all from a Front Row-esque interface.
OS X will not be installed on this unit, just the media elements, although media will be available wirelessly on OS X or Windows XP machines.
Big new feature will be the ability to stream real-time DVD-quality movies directly to the screen via the upgraded .Mac service. Various movies will be avalialbe straight away, inc. all of Pixars!
Will be priced roughly the same as an average Plasma HDTV and will be sold with a catch line, something like, "Same price as an HDTV, but with all this extra lovely stuff"
Will be US only, initially
Price - ~$3,500
2. Intelligent HDTV Set-top Box
*******************************
Will sport the same features as above, but will be in a set-top box, for pluggin in to HDTVs or standard TVs.
Will not have full OS X on it either.
US only initially.
Price - ~$499
3. iBook Intel
**************
Will sport a new form-factor that will mimick the current generation iPods and the iMac. Its top will be set in a layer of see-through plastic and a lower layer of white plastic and the lower halve will be set in stainless steel and white plastic.
Will be capable of using the new video .Mac services via its built-in wireless networking.
There will be some virtualisation software which allows Windows to run natively in OS X.
Will sport much nicer screens than current iBooks. Widescreen.
Price - New low price for base model: $799, then $1,299 for the top-end model.
4. iLife '06
************
Garageband 3.0
iPhoto 6.0
iTunes 6.0 (already released)
iMovie HD 2.0
iDVD 6.0
iWeb (?) - A new easy to use web-design application with lovely looking templates.
Will support blogging, various standard php-based forms and some kind of database functionality.
Will tie into an upgraded .Mac service that will offer mySQL and PHP, although this will be invisible to the user from iWeb. It will just work.
Price - Free with Macs or $79 to buy separately, .Mac price will be reduced ~20%
5. iWork '06
************
Pages 2.0
Keynote 3.0
Calc (?) 1.0 - A new speadsheet program with a nice selection of good-looking templates, useful for home-users / small businesses
Price - $79
That's all folks! Here's hoping this comes true!
RobERT @ Jan 9th 2006 10:15AM
I think most people are going to be a bit underwhelmed:
Software updates,
bigger Nano,
Shuffle gone or reworked,
maybe a bigger screen "VideoPod",
promise of low-end Mactel powerbooks and macmini that wont be available until spring time (All the hype of the new Yonah chips is already been chewed up from CES last week.),
tweaking of processor speed on PowerMacs & iMacs,
new pricing on monitors,
the big emphasis will be on better video-on-demand; but that is old news, too, now with Google, Yahoo and Microsoft throwing a new "whos knows whats going to happen" wrench in there.
Its going to be a ho-hum event with the biggest news regarding hardware months away before anyone can own it.
---------
I would like to see an iPod that has iTunes built (and wi-fi) in and hooks directly to the internet so one would not even need a computer to download things.
IV @ Jan 9th 2006 10:15AM
iBrator...use your imagination. It's the one area Apple hasn't yet proprietaopolized, and with the safe 'round corners' look to everything it'll be inviting too!
But honestly, probably a spank-nasty, newer, smaller, faster, iPod in a phone.
Matt @ Jan 9th 2006 10:18AM
Downloadable content to the Mac Mini DVR.
http://www.macrumors.com/pages/2006/01/20060105114200.shtml
Armie @ Jan 9th 2006 10:19AM
#27 - Something that will max out everyone's credits cards is the only dead-on accurate prediction that I have seen on this feedback. LOL indeed.
Aigarius @ Jan 9th 2006 10:22AM
Is there a webcast or at least some guy with a crappy videocamera, so that we can see this "Oscar of the product presentation" at least after the show?
Doug @ Jan 9th 2006 10:24AM
new wifi remote iSight, a new bluetooth watch phone, bluetooth ipod, a new movie download service called iVideo, intel macs, pirates of silicon valley part 2, New Blue-Ray update, Stock split, apple free internet service around the world! and the retirement of Mr. Jobs.
Freeskihp @ Jan 9th 2006 10:25AM
what about a real 16:9 aspect ratio video ipod seeing as video downloads have been through the roof and that is exactly what sir steevie wanted to see. this kind of goes along with the dvr/media center mac mini. An intel powerbook would be fantastic though
JereLabs @ Jan 9th 2006 10:27AM
If Apple doesn't have a major out of the park a announcement will their be negative fall-out? CES set the stage for numerous companies to be basically in line with where Apple is now -- what is apple going to do to retain the lead?
New intel laptops? So last year. *Yawn*
iPod ready boom-box? How 80's. *Yawn*
iPod Shuffle replacement? Does the world need another same-old iPod? *Yawn*
More content providers? Yes, please, I want to watch Golden Girls on my iPod video while I'm at work. *Yawn*
To retain the lead in terms of vision, Apple needs to just overwhelm the industry, especially coming on the heals of CES.
I have this sinking feeling that Apple is going to underwhelm -- I hope I'm wrong. Real convergence of TV's and computers is getting oh so close and Apple has the ability to bring it together. Not just let me hook my computer up to the TV, but make it the content hub. Give me a real reason to buy a computer for the sole purpose of sitting it next to the computer.
Will they? Depends on what kind of company they are going to be? Are they really going to be a media company? Then lets see some real audio and video convergence products -- not just a AirPort Express Video.
While they can ride the iPod / iTMS craze for a few more years, it just can't last without another big inovation (in the area of video) -- to many other companies are trying to bring them down.
Matt @ Jan 9th 2006 10:29AM
the only thing we can be sure of is some intel macs. whether portable or desktop - there will be intel macs there, and there may even be announcements as to launch dates...
1frozencanuck @ Jan 9th 2006 10:29AM
I think personally they're going to play with the Nano....remember the memory for the nano is on a card. hehe. I'm thinking that the Shuffle is gone. Poof, dead. Only shuffle available will be the 512. And the Nano...i know its new..i know i know! will be available as 1 gig, 4 gig and 8 gig. Or some form of memory configuration that makes more sense..... but no more 2 and 4. I'm thinking MORE.
The mini will be demo'd as the intel mini....available in "spring"
and the 1 more thing? intel powerbook....shipping same day as the new mini.
Dave Zatz @ Jan 9th 2006 10:33AM
.Mac will be refreshed and the iTablet will arrive. ;)
Tim @ Jan 9th 2006 10:35AM
Easiest prediction and I'm surprised nobody's made it:
iTunes Music Store changes name to iTunes Store or iStore, given that it's no longer just music.
Hoping for:
Apple TV with upgradable Mac mini "pod," so that we're not locked into 2006 computer on a TV that'll look good for 7-10 years.
Apple phone, so I can win a $50 bet that's coming due in February.
Aperture Express, at $99, or better cataloging inside iPhoto for the cost of the upgrade.