[Update 05.09] Won’t bother to tell you what was correct, most of it was. See for yourself.
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
WWDC 2010 is just around the corner, and that can only mean one thing: Rumors.
Since I follow Appple news (and tech news in general) pretty closely, I believe I’ve got an above average clue about what is likely to show up. So let’s get to it!
State of Apple
This happens every time. Steve Jobs brags about what Apple has accomplished since last time he spoke. They surely have a good reason to do so, they just passed Microsoft in Market Cap value.
iPhone OS 4.0
iPhone OS 4.0 has already been shown, but there is bound to be even more goodies in the bag. Features to match Android, features to match the new hardware, and repeats of features shown before. This will be a main focus, this is a developer conference after all. They will also show iPad specific features of the OS.
iPhone 4G / HD / 4GS /Jesus Phone Edition
The next iPhone will be shown. My guess is it will be called iPhone HD, and will resemble the one Gizmodo got their hands on. This means the following features:
- New design
- Better camera (probably 5Mpx and 720P or 1080P HD movie recording)
- Camera flash (not the Adobe type)
- Front facing camera. Will feature iChat software, APIs for others. Skype will show off software. Crowd will go wild.
- Higher resolution screen. 4 times todays resolution. Highest in the industry. More bragging rights.
- IPS display. Same tech as iPad
- A4 processor. Same as iPad. Might be downclocked somewhat to deal with heat.
- More storage. 32/64 or even 80GB editions.
More uncertain rumors
The above I give an 80% chance of happening more or less exactly as I described it, maybe with a few additional features. But I believe there are more secrets hiding behind the curtain:
- New Mac Mini (50% chance)
- New Apple TV (40% chance, more likely this fall)
- New Mac Pro (40% chance, but about time)
- Bing search options for safari and iPhone OS devices (25% chance)
- Something nobody predicted (60% chance. We know Jobs likes to surprise people)
What do you think? Leave your comment below.
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