WWDC Prediction Thread

[Mykbibby]

WWDC is coming up in a couple months, and I think many, like myself, are eager to predict, and see what others have to say, about just what Jobs will unveil. Therefore, I give you the WWDC prediction thread! I'll start with my predictions...

3G iPhone:

- 3G (duh)
- OLED, higher resolution, screen
- Slightly thinner enclosure (maybe)
- I do think they may change the color of the back to black to make it look different (maybe not that glossy black, but Black aluminum? That would be awesome.)
- GPS will be included. I am positive. The triangulation was a "replacement" until battery gets better (3.0? 4.0?)
- Speaking of battery, it will boast a better battery life for sure. That announcement would be great to hear!
- Video Conferencing camera on the front! (edit: better photo cam for sure. Photo booth effects?)
- Finally, 32 GB iPhone offered with 64 GB iPod Touch.

This will be available at WWDC based on Mossberg's comments. By the way Mossberg said 60 days, its obvious it won't just be an announcement at WWDC, but rather availability.

2.0:
Expect further talk on the next software update, with more Apple added features (iChat for video...) and some more developer announcements. I would think they would demo games such as Trism (not that I know anything about that in particular ). Immediate availability.

Macbook/ Macbook Pro:
I predict a full redesign of one or both of these, with thinner enclosures, aluminum for the mb, and all the stuff you've already heard. (edit: mb/MVP updates expected in June via Macrumors)

Mac Enterprise:
- I expect a mac-like version of the iPhone Enterprise solution. Apple will want to seize the opportunity in which Vista is being avoided to take some marketshare. We may hear an announcement regarding this.

And finally, for old times sakes.. (edit: I don't expect Any of this to come).

- New Cinema Displays! With an iChat Camera!
- Powerbook G5!
- Beatles on iTunes!
- Two button mouse!
- Mac mini discontinued!
- Tablet Mac!

So that's what I got... What do you have? Thoughts? Disagreements? Predictions of your own? Apple Employee who wants to confirm any of this?

 

[yoyo5280]

3G iPhone:

- 3G (duh)
- OLED, higher resolution, screen
- Slightly thinner enclosure (maybe)
- I do think they may change the color of the back to black to make it look different (maybe not that glossy black, but Black aluminum? That would be awesome.)
- Knowing Jobs' obsession with battery, GPS will not be included. I am positive. The triangulation was a "replacement" until battery gets better (3.0? 4.0?)
- Speaking of battery, it will boast a better battery life for sure. That announcement would be great to hear!
- Video Conferencing camera on the front!
- Finally, 32 GB iPhone offered with 64 GB iPod Touch.

This will be available at WWDC based on Mossberg's comments. By the way Mossberg said 60 days, its obvious it won't just be an announcement at WWDC, but rather availability.

2.0:
Expect further talk on the next software update, with more Apple added features (iChat for video...) and some more developer announcements. I would think they would demo games such as Trism (not that I know anything about that in particular ). Immediate availability.

Macbook/ Macbook Pro:
I predict a full redesign of one or both of these, with thinner enclosures, aluminum for the mb, and all the stuff you've already heard.

I think the same ^ just not the aluminum part

 

[Santa Rosa]

Very much doubt the OLED screen on it, would put good money on that.

 

[Zwhaler]

I agree about the iPhone (although we probably won't see OLED), but I disagree about the MacBooks. They will never be aluminum. That is one of the attractive features of the MBA and MBP, and Apple would rather have you buy those. And about the ACDs... I don't really expect anything at WWDC. But it would be nice, of course.

edit: I say the Macbooks will never be silver aluminum (like MBP and MBA) colored maybe.

 

[Mykbibby]

I take back the OLED... but it may be an option for a higher priced phone. We'll see...

The reason I say 64 GB Touch is because Jobs said that the touch will always be ahead of the iPhone in space.

Aluminum Macbooks will come, because of Jobs' design obsession. The plastic is getting old. However, I could expect the new MBPs to be Black aluminum.

The ACD and all the end stuff was just a joke...

 

[JBaker122586]

I predict no new iPhone will be released or announced.
And there's absolutely no way that a 64 GB touch will be coming out. Unless it cost $1000.

 

[basesloaded190]

yeah i don't see anything happening to the touch except the 2.0 release. a 3g iphone of course and possibly upgrades to the imac and mini

 

[cjmal]

Most of the stuff that you mentioned seems pretty reasonable. I don't think we'll see a higher resolution screen though. Just an opinion. I'd love to see them start using better quality screens though.

 

[benmrii]

MacBooks will never be aluminum. It is the most prominent distinguishing characteristic and has been for many years. It won't change as long as there are both MacBooks and MacBook Pros.

 

[72930]

MacBooks will never be aluminum. It is the most prominent distinguishing characteristic and has been for many years. It won't change as long as there are both MacBooks and MacBook Pros.

I think the Air will phase out to be the Macbook once powerful enough, and like with the iPod, the plastic will be gone.

 

[UltimateSyn]

WWDC is coming up in a couple months, and I think many, like myself, are eager to predict, and see what others have to say, about just what Jobs will unveil. Therefore, I give you the WWDC prediction thread! I'll start with my predictions...

3G iPhone:

- 3G (duh)
- OLED, higher resolution, screen
- Slightly thinner enclosure (maybe)
- I do think they may change the color of the back to black to make it look different (maybe not that glossy black, but Black aluminum? That would be awesome.)
- Knowing Jobs' obsession with battery, GPS will not be included. I am positive. The triangulation was a "replacement" until battery gets better (3.0? 4.0?)
- Speaking of battery, it will boast a better battery life for sure. That announcement would be great to hear!
- Video Conferencing camera on the front!
- Finally, 32 GB iPhone offered with 64 GB iPod Touch.

This will be available at WWDC based on Mossberg's comments. By the way Mossberg said 60 days, its obvious it won't just be an announcement at WWDC, but rather availability.

2.0:
Expect further talk on the next software update, with more Apple added features (iChat for video...) and some more developer announcements. I would think they would demo games such as Trism (not that I know anything about that in particular ). Immediate availability.

Macbook/ Macbook Pro:
I predict a full redesign of one or both of these, with thinner enclosures, aluminum for the mb, and all the stuff you've already heard.

Mac Enterprise:
- I expect a mac-like version of the iPhone Enterprise solution. Apple will want to seize the opportunity in which Vista is being avoided to take some marketshare. We may hear an announcement regarding this.

And finally, for old times sakes...

- New Cinema Displays! With an iChat Camera!
- Powerbook G5!
- Beatles on iTunes!
- Two button mouse!
- Mac mini discontinued!
- Tablet Mac!

So that's what I got... What do you have? Thoughts? Disagreements? Predictions of your own? Apple Employee who wants to confirm any of this?

Wow, I frigging love that someone made a thread with WWDC predictions, I've been searching and waiting, yet too lazy to make my own.

I completely agree with the 3G iPhone/No GPS till 3.0/iPhone 32Gb.

And the review of additional 2.0 features and final review of applications being made by 3rd parties and Apple themselves, I love how someone finally said/agrees with me on this.

The MacBook redesigns however, won't happen. We just saw updates! The Mac Mini and iMac will be updated before WWDC, and I don't think they'll discontinue their consumer tower. Probably no tablet or any other additional hardware until Macworld 09.

As a side note, I hope to god that they release the 2.0 firmware on the day of the WWDC conference (June 9th or 10th, however it hasn't been confirmed if Jobs will even appear ). AND iChat

All the best
~Austin~

 

[JBaker122586]

64 GB iPod touch will NOT happen unless there is some gigantic technological leap in the next month.
32 GB flash chips run hundreds of dollars each.

 

[lamina]

MacBooks will never be aluminum. It is the most prominent distinguishing characteristic and has been for many years. It won't change as long as there are both MacBooks and MacBook Pros.

Look what happened to the iMacs. They got the same aluminum enclosure as the Mac Pro...

 

[benmrii]

Look what happened to the iMacs. They got the same aluminum enclosure as the Mac Pro...

That's a completely different scenario. The iMacs are a desktop that have no close brother that they need to distinguish themselves from.

I think the Air will phase out to be the Macbook once powerful enough, and like with the iPod, the plastic will be gone.

Aside from "wow, I sure hope not," this is very unlikely as well. The MacBook Air is designed for a very specific kind of consumer, both in features (those available and those not) and price point. I sincerely doubt that will ever happen.

 

[UltimateSyn]

64 GB iPod touch will NOT happen unless there is some gigantic technological leap in the next month.
32 GB flash chips run hundreds of dollars each.

Actually, after I logically think about it, I kinda agree with this guy, cause the MSRP would be 700 bucks. I do however, predict a $50 price drop on the iPod touch's.

 

[kdarling]

- Knowing Jobs' obsession with battery, GPS will not be included. I am positive.

That's not how CEOs think. I consult to big corporation top execs. Jobs' obsession is with making dollars.

It simply made Apple more money to go with EDGE at first, coasting along until they hit a sales speed bump in Europe, before being forced into 3G.

They have no choice now. At this point, it's either go 3G or give up overseas, especially in the Far East. Doesn't matter if there are new chips or not, poor battery life or not. The decision is not about those things.

 

[UltimateSyn]

That's not how CEOs think. I consult to phone company top execs. Jobs' obsession is with making dollars.

It simply made Apple more money to go with EDGE at first, coasting along until they hit a sales speed bump in Europe, before being forced into 3G.

They have no choice now. At this point, it's either go 3G or give up overseas, especially in the Far East. Doesn't matter if there are new chips or not, poor battery life or not. The decision is not about those things.

I disagree, because with adding 3G/ maybe a front camera/new software features in 2.0, he still needs to draw out sales to keep people interested. If he adds this in 3.0 instead of with 2.0 with the other features he can attract new buyers, and get 1st generation and 2nd generation users to buy a new one. As he went with 2.5G first and will add 3G to attract new buyers, he'll make the same transition with GPS, but not in this version.

All in my opinion of course, all the best.
~Austin~

 

[kdarling]

Oh sure, you're right, they might, or might not, add GPS and front camera at this time.

All I'm saying, is that in real life, battery life is not the deciding factor, no matter what he says publicly to appease the masses.

It'll always be the same pattern. Anything that's left out, will be "power hungry" or "not cool enough" yet. In the meantime, other smartphones somehow manage.

 

[benmrii]

Personally I don't think we'll see GPS for a few reasons:

1) I don't think it is something that many people are really looking for in a phone. I mean, a good portion of us on these boards would love it, but is it really something the average iPhone consumer cares about?
2) Battery consumption. With the other things being added, 3G at the very least, they'll be overly concerned with the battery consumption aspect. Adding GPS will take a backseat for now.
3) Apple and Steve Jobs tend to be a little elitist on their choices between two possible directions. GPS was one option, Skyhook (the current Wi-Fi location finder) was the other. They went with Skyhook. I won't be surprised if we hear something like, "We feel that, as Wi-Fi is more and more available to consumers in public locations, Skyhook is the future of personal locator devices."

 

[benmrii]

Oh sure, you're right, they might or might not add GPS and front camera at this time.

All I'm saying, is that in real life, battery life is not the deciding factor, no matter what he says publicly to appease the masses.

Battery life is very much a deciding factor. Think about the broad consumer base and take 3G vs. EDGE as an example. There were only three possible reasons to choose EDGE over 3G at the time of iPhone's release: size of the iPhone (thickness), price of the iPhone, and battery consumption.

The first two are, at worst, negligible. The reality is that most consumers that were willing to shell out the money right from the start, prior to those of us who have used 3G for years on smart phones and prior to having any of the business capabilities that the iPhone will finally have come the new software, are/were very likely to complain about battery life more than anything else.

 

[kdarling]

Interestingly, the trend seems to be the other direction:

Fewer public WiFi hotspots, and more dependency on highspeed cell comms.

As for GPS, the main reason they'd be pressed into adding it, would be their Google connection. Google is hot for LBS apps.

 

[butterfly0fdoom]

MacBooks will never be aluminum. It is the most prominent distinguishing characteristic and has been for many years. It won't change as long as there are both MacBooks and MacBook Pros.

There is an easy solution that exists in the iPod line. Offer the MB in various colored aluminum shells and the MBP in silver (and possibly black). The MacBook is only a 2 year old product, too. There was once a time when both the PowerBook and the iBook were made from plastic. The distinguishing factor then was the iBook was available in colors and the PowerBook was black.

 

[kdarling]

There were only three possible reasons to choose EDGE over 3G at the time of iPhone's release: size of the iPhone (thickness), price of the iPhone, and battery consumption.

I did a little analysis.

Going 3G instead of EDGE would've almost doubled the chip cost from around $13 to $25. In real life, that's huge. The extra time / effort involved in getting 3G running would've been significant as well. (I also don't buy the idea that ATT would've offered a $20 data plan for 3G, but ignore that for now.)

Altogether, companies like Piper Jaffray have estimated that a 3G phone would've raised the original price by $100. At launch, that would've been too much.

As anyone who kept up from the beginning recalls, the original iPhone specs had HALF the battery life as now. Remember? So probably they dropped the cpu speed to raise the life. They could've done that a little more if needed for 3G, or slightly thickened the body for more battery.

 

[benmrii]

The MacBook is only a 2 year old product, too. There was once a time when both the PowerBook and the iBook were made from plastic. The distinguishing factor then was the iBook was available in colors and the PowerBook was black.

The MacBook is only two years old but it is little more than a renamed iBook from when Apple made the decision to have "Mac" as a part of the name of all their computer products. For much longer than 2 years you've had the iBook/MacBook as plastic while its portable compatriot, the PowerBook/MacBook Pro, has been aluminum. It's just my opinion, but I still very seriously doubt that as long as there is both MacBook and MacBook Pro that the MacBook won't be aluminum.

 

[benmrii]

Going 3G instead of EDGE would've almost doubled the chip cost from around $13 to $25. In real life, that's huge. The extra time / effort involved in getting 3G running would've been significant as well. (I also don't buy the idea that ATT would've offered a $20 data plan for 3G, but ignore that for now.)

Altogether, companies like Piper Jaffray have estimated that a 3G phone would've raised the original price by $100. At launch, that would've been too much.

As anyone who kept up from the beginning recalls, the original iPhone specs had HALF the battery life as now. Remember? So probably they dropped the cpu speed to raise the life. They could've done that a little more if needed for 3G, or slightly thickened the body for more battery.

AT&T already offers unlimited data plans on 3G for $20 so that point is moot.

As for the $100 price increase, I think that is moot as well. "As anyone who kept up from the beginning recalls," the price point of the original iPhone was already reduced once by $200. Clearly Apple could afford to sell the iPhones from the very beginning for a lot less than they were up front. So while adding $12 more to the cost of putting together the iPhone is, I'll agree, not completely insignificant, it isn't near as daunting as a $100 price increase sounds out of context.

Lastly, the increase in battery life over time makes my point quite well. They released an iPhone with a years out of date technology at its foundation (considering the vast majority of the iPhone's features and what makes it unique require wireless connectivity), and the only upgrades they have made since its inception is to increase storage capacity and increase the battery life. Sounds to me it is very much an important aspect.