January 7, 2008

The Obligatory Macworld Predictions List, 2008 Edition

Quite simply, I'm throwing in my bets for this year's MSWF. I've listed all of the big rumors I could pick out, and done the always-fun analyzing of each one individually (all are in order of significance).


Ultra-portable MacBook

Short answer: yes.

Long answer: OS X- which encompasses both "Mac OS X" and "iPhone OS X"- has been optimized for usage with devices other than your mouse and keyboard. Leopard's larger icon sizes, Stacks, Spaces, and resolution independence supplement these instruments, and the iPhone's UI replaces them; either way, both are set up for touch input. But then that leads to another question: which OS, if a MacBook Touch was in production, would said device take advantage of?

I think it would be Mac OS X. The problem with using the iPhone OS is that an SDK doesn't exist for the iPhone yet, and Macworld is not the kind of venue for Apple to announce developer-level tools and technologies. Software that is announced is typically on a consumer scale (eg: iLife or major feature demonstrations of Mac OS X). Plus, if you consider the size of today's tablet PC (10-14 inches), the way the UI is constructed woud look awfully funky. For such a young product, it wouldn't make sense to rehaul iPhone UI resources to be resolution-independent.

Improved Cinema Displays

Short answer: yes.

Long answer: I don't expect a new form factor; the last stretch between totally new aesthetics was 5 years (1999-2004), and the updates made to the displays were everything but cosmetic. However, the aluminum displays came out four years ago, which isn't too far off from the last revision- so it's not out of the question, I suppose.

Design aside, however, I do hope for an iSight and better quality; a 20" iMac has only 10 cd/m2 lower brightness (grand total of 290 cd/m2), and 800:1 contrast vs. 700:1 on the ACDs.

Native Mac Blu-Ray Support

See below.

Apple TV Update

Short answer: yes.

Long answer: With the Apple TV interface being built-in to Leopard and overall lukewarm reception, it would be foolish to leave it be in its current state. A revised Apple TV would serve as a fine time to announce support for Blu-ray, a format Apple supports.

Regarding DVR support: I don't think this will come to light, but if it does, it would be a subscription-based model- $20/mo. or something competitive to TiVo; but I doubt it.

iTunes Movie Rentals

I don't really see the loss of adding them. Hell, I'd go for movie rentals if the iTunes store had a somewhat-broader selection, and that could even change at the keynote.

Refreshed MacBooks/MacBook Pros

Small performance increases or mentions of sales success? Possible. But a radical change to form factor doesn't seem like the right move; given the relatively-recent announcement of the aluminum iMac and iPod classics, I don't believe Apple is going to stray from that aesthetic. (unlike iPods, Macs tend to keep their industrial designs put for many years: the MacBook Pro, for example, is going on its fifth year ever since the 12- and 17-inch PowerBooks were announced in 2003.)

Updates to existing desktop Macs

I don't think so. Mac Pros mentions are generally reserved for the WWDC, and the iMac and Mac mini were updated just four months ago (that does not include the Apple TV: though by definition it's a "Mac", it's not in the traditional sense).

Improved iPhone/iPod Touch

Short answer: Yes and no.

Long answer: I don't think the iPhone is suited right now for a price drop or new hardware features, given it's such a young product. However, either device receiving a simple capacity update sounds perfectly reasonable.

In terms of software updates, I would be surprised if an iPhone software update was announced or mentioned. Software-wise, my senses say things are going to be quiet until the SDK announcement.

Steve Jobs, Bertrand Serlet, Scott Forstall, or Phil Schiller Coming on Stage To Bash Microsoft and/or Windows Vista

Count on it.