Gizmodo
T minus four days and counting. Steve Jobs' Macworld 2008 keynote is next Tuesday and at this point we only know one thing for sure: something big is coming from Apple. Maybe not one single iceberg-sized thing, but this year we believe the Boom Count™ is going to be so high that Apple had to take their new big irons out of the way to clear the launching pad. And if it wasn't enough, there's plenty of evidence that points out the magnitude and importance of next week's announcements:
What we know for sure
• Without naming any specifics, our unofficial conversations with people inside Apple points out at a 2008 full of new products. Not new versions, but actual new products. According to them, as their consumer segment gets stronger by the day, the company can take risks that before were unthinkable.
• The same sources says that, although Apple is going to keep spacing these releases through time, the overload of information for this keynote requires their marketing agenda to be extremely focused, even more than during previous events. Getting the Mac Pro and Xserve lines at the keynote was only going to add clutter, so a decision was made to present them earlier, also knowing that the pro segment is well informed and taken care of by Apple specialists through the world.
• Last keynote served to launch one of the biggest consumer-oriented bets in Apple history: the iPhone.
• Other sources inside Apple confirmed us that, after the introduction of the Intel architecture, the company's strategy was not to update the external design of their hardware for the time being. The idea was to complete the migration, keeping it as invisible as possible. So instead of introducing new designs as an element of disruption, they kept the looks steady to transmit the idea of continuity and stability to an existing user base wary of yet another major architectural change in the platform. Once the transition was solid, the company was going to start changing the looks of each of the product lines, one by one, starting with one of their core products: the iMac.
• Apple is closing deals with studios on movie rentals and pre-ripped iPod/Apple TV movies included on disc.
• This is the year when Apple goes completely green.
• Although this receives no publicity whatsoever and is often overlooked by the press, there's a way to know what kind of products may appear at keynotes: while Apple doesn't communicate what new products are going to be announced to their own marketing and sales forces through the US and the world, the mothership communicates what kind of clients may be interested in the products to both the sales and PR teams, especially overseas. That way, they can plan and invite the adequate clients and media outlets to these events.
What we can reasonably expect
That said and looking at the current product cycles, here's what we can expect almost for certain:
• Apple TV. While the Apple TV never lived to the company's hopes and later was downplayed as a hobby (more like a "let's test the waters and keep a feet in this market," as our sources point out), the fact is that movies and TV series are one of the cornerstones of iTunes' expansion plans.
Apple knows that a solid presence in the living room is a must to make this happen. This is why we will probably see a new Apple TV, worthy of being called the iPod of the living room. Perhaps not in its current form, but yes, an AV product.
• Apple Cinema Displays. Long overdued and surpassed by the competition at this point, the Apple Cinema Displays could be renewed in this Macworld. However, with new Mac Pro systems without any aesthetic change, don't expect a revolutionary change in terms of design. Most probably, it will be an evolution that will match the current professional desktop and in line with the looks of the latest iMac.
However, knowing Apple's obsession with green, their 2008 deadline and, why not, Steve's pal and board member Nobel friend, we think there's a very high probability of seeing state-of-the-art technology in the new displays, with LED backlighting.
• iPhone. It is going to be one year after the announcement of the iPhone. We logically expect time to be devoted to the product, perhaps with announcements to highlight the incoming public release of the iPhone third-party software SDKs. Expect no 3G yet, however: our sources inside Telefonica, the Spanish telecommunications giant, point out that 3G will come later in the year, coinciding with the spanish launch of the iPhone. The AT&T CEO Randall Stephenson pointed out that it will be out in 2008, but didn't say exactly when.
• MacBook Pro. Realistically, the MacBook Pro will probably be the Real Big Bang for next Tuesday morning. With the Intel transition over, and following the iMac revamp, the MacBook Pro has a very high probability of receiving a major facelift. One that will mirror the dramatic changes of the previous grand redesign of an Apple portable—which coincidentally matched a big architectural change—the PowerBook G4 Titanium.
While there are rumors about an specialized ultra-slim MacBook, some are pointing out at the lack of optical drive, the most logical step for Apple is to make all of its portable product line as thin, light and complete as they can. Instead of making a niche product, their best interest is to make all their laptops, which are their most popular computers, more attractive than those of the competition.
To do this, technologies like LED backlighting, solid state drives (in line with the flash drive memory news that have been reaching the public through 2007, positioning Apple as one of the biggest clients of various flash memory companies), new processors and tighter reduction of components will most probably make their way through all the product line.
One more thing
While the above could be perfectly real, there's always the dream factor, the "one more thing." A totally new product that will take everyone by surprise. Looking at the rumors, and as we discussed in the past, it may be some kind of magic tablet, so well made, cheap and practical that could overcome all the current limitations of the Tablet PC platform. It could also be an ACME Food Synthesizer or anything we can dream about.
Looking at the patents, the little news about component purchases and the rumors, these can be the possibilities:
• MacBook Ultra-slim. We have seen recently unearthed dock patents that may be connected to a MacBook Ultra-Slim, but like other Apple research work, it may never reach the market or do it at a much-later date. However, we are more inclined to expect a major thickness and weight reduction of all the MacBook and MacBook Pro product line (like happened with the PowerBook G4 Titanium) than a specialized sub-notebook with separate docking station. If that happened, the difference in size and weight need to be huge enough to justify a different product line. Looking at the market size, it may not be justifiable.
• MacBook Touch (Apple Tablet Mac.) Then there is the fabled Apple Tablet, recently revitalized by the Tablet PC's camp renewed activity and the roaring iPhone success. This MacBook Touch is a recurring rumor, but again, it's difficult to believe Apple is chasing this Holy Grail when there is not a clear market for it. We have no doubt that Apple has this kind of hardware working, especially after the experience of the iPhone. But also like the iPhone, which was originally a PDA before it was eliminated in favor of the iPod, the mass market that Apple is seeking may not be ready for it.
And then again, maybe Bill Gates knows something nobody knows when he points out a possibly imminent Apple version of their Tablet PC. With his connections, I won't be surprised. But on the other side, he may just be another looking for a validation of his Tablet PC passion by his biggest nemesis.
• Apple Cinema Displays. Out of gut feeling, I bet Brian $20 that there may be a larger Apple Cinema product for the living room.
However, beyond all these facts, analysis and predictions, at the end of the day the only thing we are sure about is that the announcements will be dense and big. Now, the only thing to discover is if the surprise factor will be as big as the density of the information that will be delivered in the keynote.
Comments
Why is this WHOLE article on the frontpage. You are not doing yourself any good to remove the "Apple Fanboy" stereotype that so many see on this blog.
I was happy to read your insights but perhaps leave most of it to "after the jump"?
Last week I was all excited.
Then this week my excited started to fade.
Monday I will be beside myself again I am sure.
Last year's was great. The year before I think was a little light. I am not sure what to think about this year yet. Seems like quite a few things have been leaked already.
If we've learned anything from CES, Apple will unleash its new 150-inch iMac upon the world.
I'm going out on a limb, and I'm going to say new Macbook pros with blu-ray drives.
Alright, I've done my fanboy speculating for this lifetime
Everything will have Blu-Ray
I don't mean to totally criticize, but regarding your 3G iPhone comment:
"Expect no 3G yet, however: our sources inside a Spanish telecommunications giant point out that 3G will come later in the year."
Didn't the CEO for AT&T already confirm [www.bloomberg.com] it's coming later this year? In fairness, nobody knows when it's being announced officially, but what's this about a Spanish telecommunications giant? Is that AT&T? Do I lose? Heh.
agree with captilonestar..
Also i think once SDK and 1.1.3 gets anounced they will disclose iphone widgets for sale in itunes.. like the games. for 5 bucks each and will inmediatly be available.
stuff like, video recording, better camera, mms, keynote, numbers etc... and some hardcore stuff like image editor or IM. ( theres also a posibility to make that free)
WHY? cuz that will bring jailbrakers and unlockers a REAL reazon to return at&t and the controlled iphone world.
Thats what developers expect. they cant wait for developers to create a reason. apple should atract the most iphone users back. Developers doesnt whant to fight with hackers and FREE software.
that will come with more countries in the iphone compatible map.
So, return to the dark side!! its pritier here :)
ps. 1.1.3 will be imposible to hack.. this time is serious. Developing will be 100% diferent... not backwards compatible. you wanna have a hacked iphone... stick with 1.1.2 cuz nothink will be evaer the same
I think Apple might do a partial solid state drive. That is, have both a small solid state drive to hold all of the O/S and perhaps a few programs like the iLife. And also have a regular hard drive to holder everything else. You get the best of both worlds then. You'll be able to reduce boot time considerably and have good storage capacity for a great price.
I think it's too soon to have an all solid state drive machine. They will be too expensive with too little capacity.
@Kastef: If anything was getting Blu-ray I'd assume the Mac Pro would get a Blu-ray drive. Especially in academia there's legitimate uses for 50gb rewriteable discs, and I think a lot of places would be pretty upset about buying Mac Pros and having them update the line a week later.
Sure they could return them, but that seems like a needless risk, unless Apple just included BR drives in all the Mac Pros and noone has received their Mac Pro yet to notice.
* A Robotic teddybear...
..20ft tall, with lasers and a Satin Black (tm) heart set on human domination for our supreme overlord "Steve"
I for one welcome our new Apple Scarred (tm) robotic overlords!
for my fanboy speculating i will guess upon a quad core mobile processor introduced into the new macbook pros along with OLED screen, solid state hard drives starting at 80 gigs with options for larger.. 2 gigs ram shipped minimum and a for sure a GPU upgrade.... perhaps apple will announce displayport support as well it would do them well to ensure ease of use... be the pioneers of the new standard out on the frontline... plus they are realeasing new displays...
as for blu-ray support... dont hold your breath... until one format is TRUELY adopted by the general public dont expect to see major players like MS or Apple making a commitment to one side or the other.
Early iPhone SDK release, with a long shot of Xcode for Windows on the side.
@Canadian Impostor: Good point fellow Canadian... Perhaps on the apple TV then?
I agree on the iTV. Does anyone remember the iPod BEFORE the ITMS?
"MacBook Touch (Apple Tablet Mac.)"
I predict they will call it the Apple Slice. For those of us who need a little apple everyday.
-Slapboxmaster
@Noobs-R-Us:
I agree. This is the direction they'll go across the macbook product line. I also think they'll add a multi-touch mousepad and LED backlight across the macbook product line.
I dont see anything being revolutionary like the iphone. TV;s margins are slim, and even APPLE marketing wont get people to pay 3k for a 32" TV.
I dont see tablet macs taking off. Or anything like a umpc variant. I just dont.
ATT doesnt have 3g so i dont expect a 3G iphone.
You could see slimmer macbook pro's but thats not earth shattering either.
Anyway my take is, if you own apple stock, sell today. Buy back lower. The keynote next week will be like hifi keynot a few years ago, all hype.
No one cares about movie rentals on itunes. You can get latest movies in HIGH DEF now with OnDemand from your cable provider. You will never stream a high def movie from your mac to appletv. Not enuff bandwidth. The whole keynote will be appletv and movie rentals and how you rent watch and rip to ipods etc. Going to be a huge dissapointment.
@JustEaton: Before the AT&T CEO said that, we published info about this from Telefonica. Apparently, the 3G iPhone debut may coincide with the Spanish launch. We will see.
i want a new fkin macbook pro
i gta get rid of this g4 ibook
Boom... the presentation went dead because of a TV-b-Gone
Go Jesus, make the stock price go up faster!
It will be interesting how Apple price the new Cinema Display since the current ones are way overpriced: $600 USD for a 20" incher is ridiculous. I have a gut feeling they will release a 42" display this time.
Really looking forward to the ultra-slim macbooks.What I heard is that they won't be coming with optical drives so I doubt any of these installments of macbooks would have blu-ray support.
Thirty inch iMac.
I think the real news here is that DEVO is playing at the MacWorld Expo Party. Unfortunatly the gig is sponsored by Microsoft for the launch of Office2008 for Mac.
maybe a 16gig iphone? a minor upgrade to hold us over until the summer 3G?
How about a redesigned iMac incorporating newer display tech whose guts can be removed as a subnotebook?
@G_MONEY
AT&T does have 3G you wally, in fact 3.5G (HSDPA). I'm using it right now.
3G and gps and I'll be in line.
@jos: Down .64 since this was posted... Wall Street apparently <3's optical drives.
not a new macbook pro! i just ordered one online...i guess i still have time to cancel it just in case.
AHHH very very excited, i think i pooped a little
I predict microsoft will release a Zune 3 filled with Yandel & Wisin content to combat the big news of apple products being released! Not only that folks, I also predict a dull hued brown color, slightly lighter than the previous brown and with a little more of that double shot.
@thistle.john: hahahaha
@MacGyver:
MS invented HD-DVD. I'm pretty sure that they are committed.
Apple is in the Blu-Ray consortium, they jsut have not started shipping hardware. Now that Blu has won the war - they crossed the Rhine when Warner Bros dropped HD DVD, even if they did not yet make it to Berlin - I expect to see BluRay drives in computers in the next 6 months.
No slim, SSDs arent big enough, and cost too much... next year... People still can't do w/o their disk drives... It's just not possible yet... A year or two down the line the idea of the slim is perfect... Although who am I to say...
what about the iphone nano?
@Hiphopopotamus: You're gonna make me cry man! I'm projecting it will be up over 225 by the end of next week. But I'm not a financial anything.
I'm gonna go out on a limb and dream big. I'm still waiting for the day they announce their own gaming console to compete with the xbox. And i still hold true to my statement that if they come out with one that i'll burn my 360 and videotape it and send it in to you giz!!
@Noobs-R-Us:
Wouldn't it be interesting if the solid state drive was easily removable. Maybe we would get to the point that the next OS would simply be delivered on a solid state drive that you would plug into your Mac. It would ease many of the installation problems that many have and truly be a "clean" install. This would obviously also limit piracy and further reduce the need for optical media readers. Although, it would make it much more difficult to upload your CD's and DVD's to iTunes (which would make even more sense).
Really...at least at engadget they try to hide it a bit. You're pathetic. None of above. I expect an updated macbook line. That's it. Keep dreaming, fanboys.
[en.wikipedia.org]
This popped online earlier:
[en.wikipedia.org]
I'd love to see a 15.4" MacBook with a SSD or hybrid. The hybrid drives for this and the pro would be great ... it's an option for many of the Sony laptops and doesn't cost much more.
The Apple TV is a compelling idea ... rather than a slew of components ... I think there's an integrated solution that plays to Apple's strengths and philosophy. I don't see it at this event though.
@CaptLonestar:
One of the reasons I like the Giz is the quality of Apple related posts. Why are you complaining? Did your Vista laptop just spontaniously reboot? Again?
A smaller, cheaper iPhone. They gotta do it if they want that 10% marketshare. I'd buy one today.
Other than that I see dropping optical drives from most portables, making them thinner and lighter. Everything else pretty minor. Maybe something with AppleTV, but I don't even understand it at all, so I don't know how it would improve.
There is one thing that no one seems to have mentioned in a while... and something that ought to be a much bigger cash cow for Apple.
What about an iPhone "nano". They've already revolutionized smartphones, I am sure they can do the same for the regular handset market. Being Apple, I would expect they'd have some tie-in to big brother so it would have to be "touch" or run OSX or something. In essence it would have to be the piece everyone can afford, is cooler than anything else out there yet if you can really spend more money you'd rather have an iPhone.
People that don't want to/can't spend more will buy that, fall in love with it and buy "big brother" when ready. Apple gets 2 sales instead of one and creates a whole new revenue stream.
Anyone?
@Hiphopopotamus: You made water come out of my nose.
@rexplex: Technically Microsoft just developed the interactivity format used in HD-DVD, but same difference since it's the difference in interactivity formats that's causing the split.
BTW, Alienware is already offering Blu-Ray drives. Not sure if they're shipping yet, but definitely sooner than six months.
The username Hiphopopotamus made water come out of my nose.
iPhone nano would just be stupid, might as well make an iBeeper
@sg11: You posted that as I was posting mine... glad I am not the only that sees this as an obvious market for Apple! Hope Cupertino is reading! :)