MacWorld 2008 Predictions

[sigamy]

I didn't see a thread so here goes. Most of these are things I want to see, not sure how many will actually happen.

iMovie:
1. Add back integration with iDVD. Come on Steve, not everyone just uploads videos. We still need to send Gramma a DVD once in a while.
2. Plugin/Effects Packs (similar to JamPacks for GB): some of the biggest complaints about iMovie '08 were the lack of effects, third party plugins and the dropping of themes. Well, they are back and better than ever. And in order to keep iMovie '08 simple, this time they are opt-in. Purchase what you want.

iPhoto:
1. More integration with photo sharing sites including Flickr and SmugBug.
2. Photo mosaic creation (like in the new screen saver)

iTunes: movie rentals. 14 days, transfer to iPod, iPhone or Apple TV. DVDs will start to ship with an H.264 FairPlay DRMed version of the movie on the DVD.

Apple TV: not EOL but enhanced. New models with bigger disks and (maybe) optical drive. All models can use external HD. Direct purchase/rental via iTunes Store running on Apple TV (WiFi Store). Safari included with onscreen keyboard.

iPhone:
1. The first third-party apps show up. Games, and apps like an eWallet for passwords/account numbers, complete with encryption and password protection. Pocket Quicken, To-do list, offline news reader, Outlook support and maybe offline editing via either Google apps directly on the phone or Pocket iWork.
2. Firmware update with all the missing items: cut/copy/paste, video camera, Safari bookmarks on home screen, larger iPod buttons for when driving or running, etc.
3. One Touch purchasing. We've all heard of 1-Click. Now here is 1-Touch. You'll be able to purchase anything from Starbucks, Apple Store or AT&T store via 1-Touch on your iPhone. Once you register, it will know who you are, your credit card, etc. There will be a Bluetooth kiosk like the self-service kiosks in stores now. You just scan the item, then click a single buy button on your phone and walk out.
4. Available now, 16gb iPhone w/ EDGE, $399. 8gb is $349.
5. Available July, 16gb iPhone w/ 3G, $599. 8gb is $499.

One more thing...

Sub notebook. 12" screen, no optical drive, very thin, uses flash memory and same HD as iPod classic. Trackpad has multi-touch interface built in, or a second panel for multi-touch.

Oh and there is just one more thing...

Mac mini is EOL. And replaced by...finally--the mid-sized tower. Finally. An expandable Mac that doesn't take up a room or cost the same as a used Honda Civic. Mini Tower or even pizza box style mac with--upgradeable processor, RAM, HD, Video Card, everything. Starting at just $1200. They'll sell millions.


Sorry for the novel. Can't wait for MacWorld.

 

[yeroen]

No Mac Pro, but maybe Aperture 2.0?

Well, one thing I'll bet won't be making it's debut at MacWorld 2008 is an updated Mac Pro w/Penryn processors and new video cards. That won't come around until the WWDC in June.

That being said, I'm really pulling for Aperture 2.0, though I'm not getting my hopes up.

 

[MBX]

Well, one thing I'll bet won't be making it's debut at MacWorld 2008 is an updated Mac Pro w/Penryn processors and new video cards. That won't come around until the WWDC in June.
.

How so?

While other computer brands update already apple (according to you) would delay half year to do a cpu upgrade?

i don't think so. in fact i believe they'll introduce redesigned mac pro's and maybe even macbook pro's along the 45n penryns.

 

[sushi]

I didn't see a thread so here goes. Most of these are things I want to see, not sure how many will actually happen.
<snip>

Some interesting predictions.

My guess new Mac Pro and Ultra laptop.

Starting to get excited now that there is only a couple of weeks until MWSF.

 

[pianoman]

Sub notebook. 12" screen, no optical drive, very thin, uses flash memory and same HD as iPod classic. Trackpad has multi-touch interface built in, or a second panel for multi-touch.

flash memory and an HD - why both?

if no optical drive, how do you allow for software updates/upgrades that require a CD or DVD? ridding any computer of the optical drive would mean putting software on the Internet or offering it in some other form (perhaps a USB flash stick), neither of which is particularly desirable (i.e., GBs worth of files for an OS upgrade). relying on the user to have another computer is simply unfair as many users only have one machine.

the mid-sized tower.

don't hold your breath.

my guesses: ultraportable laptop, MB and MBP updates, Mac Pro update, maybe some news about a 3G iPhone.

 

[yeroen]

How so?

While other computer brands update already apple (according to you) would delay half year to do a cpu upgrade?

i don't think so. in fact i believe they'll introduce redesigned mac pro's and maybe even macbook pro's along the 45n penryns.

In a word, yes. MacWorld is more a showcase for their consumer line iGadgets, multimedia offerings, and whatnot; so you may be right about a successor to the mac mini.

But I still predict we'll have to wait until June to see a MP upgrade. Case-design tweaks and perhaps new cinema displays will also be part of the package.

 

[sigamy]

flash memory and an HD - why both?

if no optical drive, how do you allow for software updates/upgrades that require a CD or DVD? ridding any computer of the optical drive would mean putting software on the Internet or offering it in some other form (perhaps a USB flash stick), neither of which is particularly desirable (i.e., GBs worth of files for an OS upgrade). relying on the user to have another computer is simply unfair as many users only have one machine.

flash memory for instant on and caching of apps and data and HD for additional storage.

External combo drive will be available. USB 2.0. Carry it along if you want, leave it at home 85% of the time. Sony and others have been doing this for about 10 years. Works fine.

 

[barijazz]

If apple makes an ultra portable laptop with no optical drive they will probably offer an external drive to keep at home that attaches via firewire, and allow mac owners to connect their ultra portables to their other mac and use that optical drive. The reason for flash memory instead of an HD is that apple has been making their computers not only more powerful but more efficient (more power per watt) and the moving parts of a HD and an optical drive would lose efficiency per watt. I wouldn't be surprised if apple integrated multi touch into this ultra portable laptop, but am certain that if they did the keyboard and mouse would stay. And finally I wish apple would throw some bass speakers into their computers, but don't expect it in the near future.

 

[barijazz]

But I still predict we'll have to wait until June to see a MP upgrade. Case-design tweaks and perhaps new cinema displays will also be part of the package.

Apple will change the casing on the mac pro and add new cinema displays. But I also predict that blu ray will be added soon. Apple is on the blu ray board and I've heard a few people who work at apple talking about blu ray being the next dvd. But apple will wait to unveil all of their computers with blu ray, and a problem with that is all the macs (beside the mac pro) have no ejectable disk tray and compacting a blu ray player to mbp size hasn't been done yet.

 

[bc008]

hope to see some iphone updates

 

[Digital Skunk]

- iPhone 2.0 or iPhone Pro: Works on Sprint and Verizon network. Has slide out keyboard or clamshell like the LG Voyager. Phone as modem and other professional features. Apple's real smartphone. iWork Mobile... come on Apple...!

- Aperture 2.0: Flash web galleries, works smoother for the whiners out there. Adds the ability to edit offline images via the previews. Leopard works to backup referenced images and Aperture library simultaneously.

- Mail, iCal, Address Book integrated into ONE single powerful application called iConnect and give users a simple financial application and database application... screw Bento.

- Leopard update to fix ALL the bugs.

- MacBook Pro redesigned to be a real laptop with professional features. 17" now can be fitted with two HDDs or SSDs and 512 MB GFX card. Redesign helps dissipate heat. 15" is just like the 17" but has single HDD or SSD option and 256MB GFX card. Keyboard stays the same. Added FW400 ports NO extra USBs.

- Mac Pro redesign to compete with HP Blackbird with Penryn. 5 internal HDDs 150GB Raptor standard config with 1GB to start (buy RAM 3rd party folks) and optional blu-ray. New GFX cards, and RAID controller price drop. Option of new aluminum keyboard or professional classic one.

- NO NEW MAC TOWER get over it... Apple will slash the Mac Pro specs in the BTO option for you though. Give you the MOBO and case and parts and you supply your own GFX card, RAM, HDDs, etc. Comes with Penryn Server class and desktop class chips for gamers. Base gamer config $1200, base Pro config with Server chips $2400.

- Mac Ultra-portable, 11.1" widescreen, webcam, OPTICAL DRIVE since Sony has it and it's smaller and lighter than the MBP even with a tray loading optical drive, two USB ports, Mini DVI/HDMI port, SSD or HDD, 1GB of RAM standard up to 4GB, backlit keyboard, NO TOUCH get over it! The machine will be everything the Sony Vaio is now because it's not hard to do. Up to 8 HOURS battery life.... FOR REAL battery life.

- New Cinema Displays with optional built-in speakers for the consumer with a Mac Mini or gamer with base Mac Pro. New external webcam maybe but not needed, NO BUILT IN WEBCAM! 20" 24" 27" 30" priced at $400, $650, $1000, $1300 respectively, and don't forget 4 USB ports and 4 FW400 ports.

- New Wireless and wired mouse to go with new keyboard that actually works and doesn't get gunked up.

- Minor toy updates to iPod and iPhone ver 1.0, iLife possibly. iTunes rentals maybe, and maybe some update of some kind to the dying Apple TV. Silent update of Mac Mini.

- "One more thing!" A new 19" or 20" Mac Book Pro. Dual 2.8GHz, up to 4GB of RAM, SLI and Crossfire, 1 and a half inches thin. New cooling system and battery for up to 4 hours of real battery life... okay I am just dreaming.

 

[iDAG]

iTunes 8 - Movie rentals (can be watched for up to 7 days from purchase)
iPhone - new 16 GB model for $499
MacBook Pro - full redesign, new processors, new 13 inch model priced at $1799
"Mac Touch" - new Mac will be introduced
 tv - redesign and priced at $249
(Quiet update of Mac Pro)

 

[Digital Skunk]

Forgot to add another important feature to the MacBook Pro. BTO option for mobile Sprint or Verizon broadband. It's a very practical solution for the phone as mobile limitations on the iPhone.

 

[pianoman]

External combo drive will be available. USB 2.0. Carry it along if you want, leave it at home 85% of the time. Sony and others have been doing this for about 10 years. Works fine.

this idea just seems not entirely thought out to me. it seems unfair to require users to purchase an external optical drive. Sony and others may have been doing it for years now, but i've never (never!) seen anything like this. still, it's an interesting idea; i don't know if i would be for it in practice.

as for iTunes movie rentals: i would guess 48 hours. why do users need to rent a movie for a week? you go to the iTS when you want to watch, rent the movie, watch it, and that's it.

 

[Digital Skunk]

this idea just seems not entirely thought out to me. it seems unfair to require users to purchase an external optical drive. Sony and others may have been doing it for years now, but i've never (never!) seen anything like this. still, it's an interesting idea; i don't know if i would be for it in practice.

as for iTunes movie rentals: i would guess 48 hours. why do users need to rent a movie for a week? you go to the iTS when you want to watch, rent the movie, watch it, and that's it.

I don't know why some users think that an external drive is the way to go and that Sony has been doing it for years on their larger laptops. They have been doing it on their SUPER ULTRA portable machines that have 7" screens, but not anything with an 11.1" screen or larger. The Sony laptops in that size weight less than 3 lbs. have FULL built in DVD burning optical drives, hard drives, ports, etc. and an 8 hour battery. They have had them for years and they are still the smallest, lightest, full featured machines in the market. Don't handicap the Mac ultra mobile computer, GIVE ME THE FULL package!

As for rentals I can see giving it to someone for a week, but since it's the web and everything is digital it negates the purpose of keeping it that long. With Blockbuster you had to rent it before the crowd, then you could watch it within the week when you had free time. With iTS you can download it when you want to watch it and it will be available no matter what. Two day rentals is more than enough.

 

[mduser63]

iLife won't see updates at MacWorld as iLife '08 is already out (after skipping '07). Same thing with iWork.

The only things I'm personally hoping for are movie rentals (updated Apple TV would be cool too, though I like mine just fine already) and a new Mighty Mouse to match the new keyboards. 24 hour rentals are fine with me, as the way I'd see myself using it would be to rent right before watching it. In fact even 12 hours would be OK for me personally. I love the Mighty Mouse but I sure wish it were easy to clean the scrollball without voiding the warranty.

 

[barijazz]

this idea just seems not entirely thought out to me. it seems unfair to require users to purchase an external optical drive. Sony and others may have been doing it for years now, but i've never (never!) seen anything like this. still, it's an interesting idea; i don't know if i would be for it in practice.

as for iTunes movie rentals: i would guess 48 hours. why do users need to rent a movie for a week? you go to the iTS when you want to watch, rent the movie, watch it, and that's it.

I'm sure this ultra portable w/o optical drive will cost less not only to make but in apple retail stores. Not everyone needs an optical drive so this is intended for that market.

 

[ghall]

-New MacBook and MacBook Pros
-16 GB iPhone + Major Software update
-A significant update to Leopard which included iTunes style scroll bars, lots of stability fixes, and a bunch more cool stuff I can't even imagine....
-And some sweet surprises up Steve's sleeve.

 

[Digital Skunk]

-New MacBook and MacBook Pros
-16 GB iPhone + Major Software update
-A significant update to Leopard which included iTunes style scroll bars, lots of stability fixes, and a bunch more cool stuff I can't even imagine....
-And some sweet surprises up Steve's sleeve.

MAC PRO w/ PENRYN!

 

[iJawn108]

That being said, I'm really pulling for Aperture 2.0, though I'm not getting my hopes up.

same

 

[CashGap]

Ultra portable, definitely include the optical drive but don't sabotage the vision... make it external. Don't make us carry it 365 days just to use it twice per year.

It's not 1998 Apple!!! We have broadband. And if not, plug the durn external (included) optical drive in.

 

[barijazz]

It'd be cool if the optical drive on the ultra portable mac could connect wirelessly so you could burn a disk from anywhere in your house.

 

[alchemistmuffin]

I didn't see a thread so here goes. Most of these are things I want to see, not sure how many will actually happen.

iMovie:
1. Add back integration with iDVD. Come on Steve, not everyone just uploads videos. We still need to send Gramma a DVD once in a while.
2. Plugin/Effects Packs (similar to JamPacks for GB): some of the biggest complaints about iMovie '08 were the lack of effects, third party plugins and the dropping of themes. Well, they are back and better than ever. And in order to keep iMovie '08 simple, this time they are opt-in. Purchase what you want.

iPhoto:
1. More integration with photo sharing sites including Flickr and SmugBug.
2. Photo mosaic creation (like in the new screen saver)

iTunes: movie rentals. 14 days, transfer to iPod, iPhone or Apple TV. DVDs will start to ship with an H.264 FairPlay DRMed version of the movie on the DVD.

Apple TV: not EOL but enhanced. New models with bigger disks and (maybe) optical drive. All models can use external HD. Direct purchase/rental via iTunes Store running on Apple TV (WiFi Store). Safari included with onscreen keyboard.

iPhone:
1. The first third-party apps show up. Games, and apps like an eWallet for passwords/account numbers, complete with encryption and password protection. Pocket Quicken, To-do list, offline news reader, Outlook support and maybe offline editing via either Google apps directly on the phone or Pocket iWork.
2. Firmware update with all the missing items: cut/copy/paste, video camera, Safari bookmarks on home screen, larger iPod buttons for when driving or running, etc.
3. One Touch purchasing. We've all heard of 1-Click. Now here is 1-Touch. You'll be able to purchase anything from Starbucks, Apple Store or AT&T store via 1-Touch on your iPhone. Once you register, it will know who you are, your credit card, etc. There will be a Bluetooth kiosk like the self-service kiosks in stores now. You just scan the item, then click a single buy button on your phone and walk out.
4. Available now, 16gb iPhone w/ EDGE, $399. 8gb is $349.
5. Available July, 16gb iPhone w/ 3G, $599. 8gb is $499.

One more thing...

Sub notebook. 12" screen, no optical drive, very thin, uses flash memory and same HD as iPod classic. Trackpad has multi-touch interface built in, or a second panel for multi-touch.

Oh and there is just one more thing...

Mac mini is EOL. And replaced by...finally--the mid-sized tower. Finally. An expandable Mac that doesn't take up a room or cost the same as a used Honda Civic. Mini Tower or even pizza box style mac with--upgradeable processor, RAM, HD, Video Card, everything. Starting at just $1200. They'll sell millions.


Sorry for the novel. Can't wait for MacWorld.

Well, most of is what I thought also.....

although for the iPhone, it might be IMMEDIET AVALIBILITY, and will combine both EDGE and 3G, with exisiting user have an option to upgrade to new phone for minimal fee....

and also now avalible in 16GB as well....

Mac mini, I think it's going to stay, but now with COLOURS!

as for iTunes content, definteley movies, with rental service, but what's more, Apple will bring the end to BOTH BLU-RAY AND HD-DVD BY OFFERING MOVIE DOWNLOADS IN HD FORMAT.... (along with lightning speed download)

Also, Apple TV will be completley re-designed to be in pure HD format when movies are streamed to your Apple TV, and hard drive will now be 200 gb so HD content can fit into the hard disk....

As for notebooks, the touch trackback mac will be the new Macbook Pro, along with the new Macbooks (which also feature touch trackback), now featuring flash hard drives option for low cost users......

All the macs will now feature BOTH BLU-RAY AND HD-DVD DRIVE, and iMacs will now have HD RESOLUTION MONITERS.....

Cinema display will feature HD as well....

One More thing: Macbook touch Pro, a new multi-touch based Macbook tablet, also with flash hard drive, avalible at $1599....

One Last Thing: Musical performace.....

I know some are skeptical, but let's face it, it's Macworld, anything can happen....