WWDC 2010 Predictions

WWDC is just around the corner. Beginning on June 7th, 2010, we all know the Worldwide Developer's Conference is a place most synonymous for Apple releasing new products, but also for the developer's and what they plan on bringing to the marketplace for the consumer. It can be compared to Macworld, having the same purpose behind it, omitting the Apple keynote of course.

As the rumor mill has been flooded, and the "leaks" have been revealed, people are going all out with their predictions this year, and are not expecting anything they haven't already seen. Here, I'd like to try and give an alternative idea of how to look at things. Now, I know some of my ideas might seem a little out there, and I'll probably be criticized, but I love to hear what people think, to improve myself as a writer, and also to get thoughts going. So let's get started!

4th Generation iPhone

The most talked about product is the next-gen iPhone. Ever since the release of the first one, people generally know the next version is released at WWDC the following year. Since the beginning of the year, there have been supposed leaks and hacks and all sorts of things happening having to do with the supposed next iPhone. Now, I'll admit, when I first heard about the leak and Gizmodo picking it up, I was very skeptical. The design, to me, just didn't seem Apple! The fact that it was pretty much a block, first of all, threw me off because the iPhone 3G was designed to be more comfortable in your hand. However, the more I studied it, and the more leaks that came out, I'll tell you, I definitely wanted to get hold of it immediately. 

Now, maybe that's what Apple does to you. Some people love their products no matter what. Others hate the products at first, and then recant once they get hold of it. It's almost like a soul connection between you and the product. But that goes back into the cult of Mac debacle, and we'll move on...

• Redesigned chassis: Combination of plastic and aluminum, as per the leak. Possibly, maybe even the same as the iPad, using the same idea of moving the cell radio into the Apple logo to maintain the same backing.
• Updated camera: Rumors circulating 5 or 8 megapixels, being "the standard" nowadays, especially compared to it's competitors. LED flash potentially, if it suits the design they have for it.
• Front-facing camera: Has been speculated, but I don't know who'll use it. They say it's for video chat, but I don't know who's going to want to be video chatting while they're out and about running errands and things of the like. It might suit a certain audience, but that remains to be seen.
• Higher-res Screen: I think this is definite. After having gone so long with the same screen, people who've bought all 3 iPhones may need an incentive to buy this one, which might be a "new way to look at it." Especially since the iPad has such a gorgeous screen, Apple might need to increase the capability of the screen to keep up with its own technology.
• Smaller Screen: From the leaked reports, it seems plausible that the iPhone might have a smaller screen. I definitely see this as a possibility, in order to make the pixel density even sharper. Comparing the iPod Nano to the Classic, they have the same pixel count, but the density is greater on the Nano, so it looks sharper and brighter. It could be the same here.
• Improved Speakers: Good God, I hope so. This is just a little peccadillo I have with Apple. They say the speakers are for casual listening, but if you want to listen to anything, you need a silent room with a megaphone underneath it. All I ask is that the speakers on the next iPhone be louder, and less fuzzy sounding, at least so others can listen too, if they wanted. I hope it isn't too much to ask. 
• Higher Capacity: In order to keep up with their own technology, again, they're going to increase the capacity. I imagine there being 2 models: 32GB and 64GB, while the 16GB 3GS will replace the 8GB 3G at $99, and the others will be $199 and $299
• Multiple Carriers: Ever since launch, people have wondered where the iPhone will go next. It's possible that it could go to Sprint or Verizon, but that would require another design change to work with CDMA rather than GSM. It will not go to T-Mobile, but if it does, it'll be to shorten the hacks of the iPhone that have been so popular. AT&T I think is a definite carrier, and I'm not just saying that so that I don't have to switch carriers. The iPad with 3G comes with an AT&T SIM card for data usage on 3G. However, some people will say "the iPad is unlocked!" and this is true, which tells me the same idea will be brought to the iPhone. An AT&T SIM, fully unlocked, but I think it's only for global usage, not just in the US.

The new iPhone. What shall it be called: well, names were circulating of the iPhone 4G, the iPhone HD, the iPhone 4, the iPhone 3GS 2 (yes, I have heard that one as well). So what will Apple be going with? Well, it will definitely not be the iPhone 4G. I know, people thinking this are saying because it will be the fourth iteration of the iPhone, it makes sense. However, it might get confusing because 4G is the newest cellular technology that's only on Sprint so far. However, if they do call it the iPhone 4G , it means it probably will go to Sprint, so good news for Sprint customers.

The iPhone HD will make good sense, considering it rolls off the tongue, and it will make sense for the potential updated camera and screen. It's also the one of three preferences I have for its name.

The iPhone 4...could be. I think it also rolls off the tongue, and also gives the fans of the "iPhone 4G" title to get what they want, unless you're on Sprint. This is also my second preference of three.

The iPhone 3GS 2 will not happen. Trust me. It won't. 

I don't know if anyone publicly circulated this, but maybe they might once again just call it...The iPhone, since it will be new. Especially if they run out of potentially suffixes for the name, they may revert back to this. I think this is probably my favorite name because it's simple, classy, elegant. It suits the design Apple create for it. Besides, people don't call their phones "the iPhone 3GS" every time. They just call it what it is: an iPhone.

MacBook Air:

It has definitely been awhile since the MacBook Air was updated. However, I imagine it to be their least popular model, due to it's lack of capabilities compare to other Macs of the same price. Therefore, it's safe to conclude the MacBook Air will be updated to suit its $1499 price tag. Now these updates will probably not be in the external realm, but rather the internal.

• Glass Trackpad: Ok, I lied. That is the only external change I see happening in the MacBook Air (except maybe another USB port). Glass trackpad, one giant button, just like the rest of the MacBooks. Especially after using the new MacBooks, it's hard to go back to that one button.
• Faster Processor: The standard should be at least 2GHz for a single processor in a computer. I think the 2.13GHz processor will move down to the base model, and maybe a 2.26 or 2.4GHz for the higher range model. Definitely an Intel Core 2 Duo processor, not i3, because the 13-inch MacBook Pro would be left out to dry if the Air had a newer processor like that.
• Increased RAM Capacity: I think the MacBook Air will have 4GB standard, upgradeable to 8GB by the consumer. Could definitely influence people into buying it.
• Larger SSD: Solid state drives are becoming more prevalent, so 128GB isn't gonna cut it, considering the iPod Classic has more memory! I think if they do have a 128GB SSD, it'll be in the base model, with a 256GB in the higher model.
• Optical Drive: Now, the MacBook Air doesn't have an optical drive because "people won't miss it," according to Steve Jobs at Macworld 2008. If that were true, why do plenty of people complain that it doesn't have one? If it costs $99 to buy one separately, increase the price $99 and include it in. You shouldn't even have to increase the price, but that might help...although I understand it may be too thin to handle one, but we'll see.
• Price: I think we'll see a price drop, which could influence people into considering purchasing this product with these specs. $1199 and $1499, respectively. I picture this being unrealistic, depending on the prices of the hardware, but they can make it happen.

Mac Pro:

It's been over a year since this poor boy has been updated. He wants something new. He's old and tired and needs a refresh. C'mon Apple, help the poor kid out!

• New Processor: 6-cores (low likelihood of 12 cores, but possible), i7 chips, at 2.8GHz standard. That's something a prosumer will be needing when purchasing this machine. Remember, there's a "pro" in "processor". 

Actually, that's about all I can think it needs! Maybe some new I/O, but all the rest of the specs are upgradeable easily, I don't know what else to see...maybe a new graphics card standard, but probably no design changes. Price stays the same.

iLife & iWork '10 or '11:

Not much can be said about these two, but if they do update, it'll be in order to make the experience of using your new Mac more enjoyable. I guarantee it. 

iPhone OS 4.0:

Much of iPhone OS 4.0 will be covered, this time, of course, to show how a consumer will be able to utilize it, rather than a developer. Also, a definite release concordant with the potential new iPhone.

Whew! Lots to get out there. These are just my thoughts on what might come from Apple's keynote on June 7th. Please, give me some feedback, what you thought about what I said, your personal predictions, anything. I'd love to hear from you, and I can't wait to see what Apple has to offer.

Thank you, 

-Mike

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Comments

[jonathan]

why would the iphone have a smaller screen?
Welcome to 2010, they don't have to make screens smaller in order for it to have a higher resolution. If anything, it's going to have a bigger screen! With at least 720p.

And the new mac pro is most likely to have a 6 core chip or a 12 core chip. intel doesn't make any 8 core chips, there new i7's are 6 cores. and there xeons.

[Patrick Fassler]

Why would Apple put a smaller screen on the iPod Touch and iPhone? Also, why do you think it would be called iLife 11' if the last version was iLife 09'? But all-in-all, great blog post.