Here are my predictions for this year’s iPod event. Mostly based on rumors and intuition.
Certain
New iPod touch and nano
New iPods. iPod touches are guarantied, so are nanos. I believe that the rumors of a touch-based nano is true, but I don’t know if the screen is the only input.
The iPod Touch will be much more like the iPhone 4, certainly on the inside but also partially on the outside. At least one camera should be a given, but I won’t say for certain if it will be front, back or both. My gut feeling is that there will be both, but that the back cam won’t mach the iPhone 4′s.
Likely
iPod classic and shuffle
I don’t know about the iPod classic or the shuffle, but my guess is that the shuffle will be replaced or dropped. The classic is dependant on how much the storage is increased in the touch.
New iTunes
I haven’t read anything to suggest this, but I believe that Apple will launch a streaming service and iTunes X (10) to follow. It will have both music and movie streaming.
iTV
This rumor comes from the almighty Kevin Rose. The Apple TV will be redone based on iOS and renamed to iTV. It will be a part of the grand streaming plan. It will be priced to sell at $99.
The only rumor I won’t buy is the 720p limit. It would be downright stupid to have such a limit. It would put of many buyers, me included.
iOS 4 for iPad
This would be very possible. This hasn’t been mentioned in rumors, but the time is right. Media features may be the excuse for launching it at this event.
Unlikely but possible
- New iPhone with fixed antenna
- iTV is an actual TV
- New Macbook Air (with iOS?)
Edging to impossible
- Steve jobs uses the word “sorry” related to the antenna issue
Yes, I was right (as usual). Apple will give out free cases to all iPhone 4 owners, at least until September 30th. The biggest surprise for me was that they are going to let you choose between their own “bumper” cases and third party cases, mainly because they can’t produce enough bumpers.
They also (as I predicted) unleashed the beast of Jobs With Numbers™, showing how small this issue really was. 0,5% of users have even called Apple about the issue, and only 1,7% have returned their phone (compared to 6% on 3GS, which is also quite low if we are to believe Apple).
Me, I believed all along that this issue was overblown. I am going to get an iPhone 4, now happily with a free case. I use a case for my 3GS at work already, to stop myself from destroying it when I accidentally bump into stuff or scratching it when I get the phone up from my pocket past my keys hanging in the belt, ready to scratch anything in their path.
They also announced release dates for many more countries, including Norway, to be 30. July.
If you haven’t been living under a rock, you probably have heard about the signal issues with iPhone 4.
Well, today Apple will hold a special event, most likely to address this issue. I write “most likely” because they haven’t explicitly said so, just that the event will cover iPhone 4.
Predictions
I have two predictions, each quite likely. I think option 2 has a slightly better chance of being correct, detailed below.
Option 1
Apple will give out free bumpers or gift cards to all iPhone 4 buyers to date. New iPhone 4s will be bundled with a bumper of your choice.
Option 2
Apple will explain that they have discovered two possible issues, one in software and one in hardware. The software issue was partially fixed with today’s 4.0.1 update, but will be fully remedied by 4.1 coming soon. This will fix the problem for most people. The hardware issue will be explained to affect only some of the early adopters. Those who have experienced problems will be eligible for a free exchange at any Apple Store.
Apple will also announce that they’ve perfected the production method such that new iPhones will not experience this issue at all.
The usual stuff
Of course this will come after Apple goes through the usual list of iPhone reviews and numbers, praising the phone as the best smartphone ever. They may even be bold enough to mention that Consumer Reports rated the phone as the best smartphone to date but won’t recommend it, and hope they will change their mind now that the issue is resolved.
What is that plus icon next to the price?
I’ve heard many people ask what the plus icon next to app prices in the app store is.
The explanation is very simple: Apps with a plus symbol are adapted for both iPad and iPhone. Buy once, use native on both.
This is nothing but good news for you, so if you have an iPad or are planning to buy one, you should choose these apps when available.
My new iPhone game Amazing Tic Tac Toe is doing great!
As simple as the game is, it is among the best in it’s category. Amazing Tic Tac Toe is a Tic Tac Toe game with both single and multiplayer, with 3 advanced AI opponents. And the best thing? It’s free!
The game is already a hit, 12 hours into it’s life. Over 5000 rounds have been played so far. And this is only the beginning. Updates will come, and they will come soon.
Can you beat it on hard? It is possible. Good luck!
