The day that Mac geeks wait for every year has arrived, and instead of doing the usual “what’s going to be said” blog entry, I’m going the opposite route and predicting what won’t be announced. Let’s do it!
- No iPhone. I say this one more because I hope I’m proved wrong, but to be honest, I don’t think it’s coming on Monday. New cellphones have to be approved by the FCC prior to getting the right to use certain radio frequencies, and nearly all phones that are highly anticipated are “found” on the FCC website prior to launch and leaked to major gadget blogs. Just like totally random Apple patent filings are found on the USPTO website, I’m sure that some Apple fan sleuths would have found an iPhone FCC approval by now if it were going to be publicly released this week.
- No crazy video iPod with WiFi, kitchen sink. One of the major problems with the current iPod (and iPod nano) is that Apple took a ton of flack for people scratching the hell out of their iPods just be putting them in their pockets and walking around (or something like that) so I don’t see Apple putting a screen on the entire length and width of an iPod anytime soon without a completely adjusted form-factor or hardcase sleeve. I do believe that an updated iPod nano with an increased storage capacity and possibly a new coating (scratch-resistant aluminum?) is coming though, so look for that.
- No gigantic displays/TVs. I don’t see Apple releasing a display greater than 30″ just because it doesn’t really fit into their lineup at this current point. I would like to see Apple Cinema Displays with greater contrast ratios (1000:1 has been mentioned in the rumor mill) and iSight cameras built-in, but we’ll have to wait and see.
- No Windows applications launching directly into 10.5 Leopard. This rumor has probably been the most far-fetched I’ve seen in the past few months, but I can’t see it happening. Too many wheels would need engineering and turning before this could happen, so I honestly can’t see it.
- No Google Maps competitor. I think that GPS capabilities will be built into Apple laptops at some point, but not right now. My guess is that if Apple were to include some type of real-time mapping application ala Google Earth, they’d simply partner with Google and release a sleeker version of that application rather than designing a brand new one.
- No iChat VoIP/Skype integration. “Calling” from iChat to somebody’s telephone would be pretty slick, but I can’t see it happening right now.
As for what I think is going to be released? I think we’ll see the Mac Pro’s introduction with only slight case changes, MacBook Pro speed bumps, and Leopard preview with some slick Mail and Safari enhancements among other things.