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January 5, 2008

speculation

Macworld’s predictions for the year ahead

Posted Jan. 5, ’08, 10:02 AM PT by Aayush Arya
Category | Apple » Speculation

It has been standard Macworld practice for the past eight years to gather a bunch of well known people from among themselves and the broader Mac community and ask them to predict the course they expect the new year to take and what products they think will be launched. Weighing in with their educated opinion random guesses this year are Macworld senior editor, Dan Frakes; Chicago Sun-Times technology and computer columnist, Andy Ihnatko; CARS (Crazy Apple Rumors Site) editor-in-chief, John Moltz; and our very own co-editor and Macworld associate editor, Dan Moren.

Dan Frakes predicts the introduction of the much hyped Mac sub-notebook, a new headless Mac and an upsurge in the market share and overall reach of Macs. Andy Ihnatko expects Apple to release an entirely new platform with a product falling somewhere between the iPhone and the MacBook and also predicts that “whatever it is [that Apple launches], people will complain that it costs way too much money, and they’ll happily stand in line for a minimum of 18 hours to get one”. Dan Moren, ever the conservative person, plays it safe and predicts the fairly obvious introduction of rentals at the iTunes Store and expects to see some more iPhone developments. He does, however, go out on a limb and predicts that Apple will probably introduce a multi-touch based portable Mac this year.

John Moltz had accurately predicted that the iPhone would have only one button last year and he’s back with some more predictions this time too. He expects Apple to launch an ultra-portable notebook that will inspire “nerdgasm” enough to shatter the glass exterior of Moscone West and a tablet that will be the death of Axiotron’s ModBook. Apple will launch iPhone v2.0 and more content owners will pull an NBC on Apple, forcing Jobs to form his own hip new boy band. Last but not the least, he signs off by saying that Apple will launch a range of dental care products, unlike any we’ve ever seen!

So that was them. Let us hear what our readers have to say. Who according to you has the best chance of holding up his head with pride and saying, “I told you so”? Is there anything that they missed but you’re sure will obviously happen? Let us know in the comment strings.


4 Comments

fletcher Author Profile Page said:

My iPhone has four buttons. The back button on the front, the sleep button on the top, and volume up/down.

Given the switch to Intel and the iPhone, both of which were rumored for years, and then actually happened, I dare to hope that Apple will release some more long rumored products this year.

iPhone v2 is a no-brainer. Though I'm not sure it will come out at MacWorld. I'm sure there will be new iPods this year as well. They'll be smaller, with bigger screens, and more capacity. The iPhone will eventually support faster wireless networking. And of course I'd be surprised if he didn't have some iPhone SDK news.

I could care less about a mini tower. Given that desktops are declining in sales, adding another machine between the mini and the pro doesn't seem essential.

I would like to see a sub-notebook. The connectivity of the iPhone combined with a reasonable sized keyboard and screen. I find the iPhone allows me to leave my MacBook at home a lot of time. A sub-notebook would allow me to leave it at home all the time.

Movie rentals seems essential if the Apple TV is ever going to be more than a hobby. I also hold out hope that Jobs will be able to announce additional DRM-free music on iTunes.

January 5, 2008 11:09 AM
chadi said:

5. You forgot the Ring/ Vibrate toggle switch button...

January 5, 2008 6:53 PM
Dan said:

Lots o' rumors

iTunes rentals, no brainer

The Beatles, another no brainer

AppleTV gets a disc drive, maybe a burner, doubtful Bluray, TV tuner...Hmmm

iPhone news, 16GB and software $449, 8GB Price Drop

No new pods, iMacs or MacPros

New Displays, I wish! but doubtful, a quiet price drop will probably hit the Apple store after the Keynote while everyone is busy looking at the new books.

Ah...New MacBooks and MacBook Pros most definitely faster chips, Larger HDD, LED, programmable smart keys, multi-touch touch pad, Micro Ram Drive and more...

And One More Thing....

Say hello to the iPhone's Big Brother, who knows what they'll call it, for now call it the Newton for the 21st century.

Cross your fingers and hope for a live broadcast, ha (less likely than a G5 PowerBook.

January 5, 2008 7:59 PM
Aayush Arya Author Profile Page said:

@fletcher,

Given the switch to Intel and the iPhone, both of which were rumored for years, and then actually happened, I dare to hope that Apple will release some more long rumored products this year.

I think that's less to do with Apple paying heed to predictions and more with people predicting almost every single thing the company can possibly release. In all probability, some people at the keynote will always be shouting "Bingo!" irrespective of what Steve Jobs announces.

I'd be surprised if he didn't have some iPhone SDK news.

The guy spent an entire Macworld keynote not talking about Macs. I don't think "I'd be surprised" by anything at all.

I would like to see a sub-notebook.

Who wouldn't!

I also hold out hope that Jobs will be able to announce additional DRM-free music on iTunes.

I hope he'll be able to bring it to the Indian shores. :)

January 6, 2008 11:31 PM

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