Outlandish MacWorld 2007 Prediction Thread
 

...emphasis on Outlandish, of course. :)

My prediction:

The recently-pulled iSight will become the focal point (pun not intended) of Apple's digital hub strategy in 2007.

The new iSight will continue to integrate with Macs (and upcoming "iTV") as web cam but will also act as a standalone unit (i.e. Apple's entry into the digital photography/video market, much like iPod was their entry into digital music player).

Now for the truly outlandish part: the iSight will allow sharing to online sites (probably YouTube, given Apple's Google connection) and other iSights via an integrated telephone. Hyok hyok!

I think the new version of BootCamp will run Windows apps without Windows (like CrossOver, but will run almost every app)

The iPhone will be launched. (will look like the old Nano)

Leopard will be launched early.

Dual 4 core 3 ghz MacPro's will launch.

MS Office will be launched by Bill Gates and Steve Jobs :D (pigs might fly)

MacBook 'thin' will be launched..... 12" versions too.

Ooooo and a Mighty Mouse thats not a piece of crap, and that doesn't get bocked with dirt and stop working....!

iPhone with video capabilities? It would have a feature where you connect it to your Mac and it becomes the web cam/microphone. It will function as a VOIP phone when within BlueTooth range, and convert to cellular out of BT range.

iTV? That reminds me of the Apple Pippin

If the iTV is anything like the Pippin, it will likely suceed. Look at the G4 Cube and the Mac Mini. Quite identical machines, thought the mini has a lower price, and was done right.

So Apple will probably price the iTV at a reasonable price, and get everything right (hopefully).

Outlandish?
 

C'mon folks, outlandish means to take a leap. Most of those posted sound pretty close in probability. Try this...

Imagine Apple taking a broad leap in technology. What is release is what appears to be a large sheet of plexiglass, black on one side, clear on the other. What it is, is a completely sealed tablet with everything WIFI or Bluetooth enabled, no connectors whatsoever. Even the drives communicate via IR or fiber optic technology. The entire plastic sheet is a monitor with all solid state components. Of course, technology is not there yet, but I believe that Apple is going to head that direction and MacWorld 2007 will start the ball rolling.

how about an iCar? :D

It would only come in white, black, or brushed aluminum. Hopefully, the windshield would be made out of something other than the iPod screen material though...

There ya go! And no steering wheel. Instead, you have a touch-wheel! :)

full compatibility for the client to authenticate and receive policy from AD:D

Steve Jobs will take a leave of absence from Apple Computer Inc.

iRobot will be announced and it will compare favorably with I, Robot.

Hopefully some kind of Mac tablet WILL be introduced, so we can all visit this guy and give him a nice kick in the nuts.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_MC6aC_VmqU

Horrible form when trying to prove something is inferior.

That's quite a list, Photek ;)

I read about that today; hope it's just a rumor.

If Steve Jobs did leave, I'd have to say Phil Schiller (I think that's his name) should take his place.

Steve Jobs – keynote summary
 

.
All right, here goes:

IPHONE
-- The iPhone’s primary winning trait is elegant on-the-go functionality far beyond what anyone has ever come up with. A design fitting for the 21st century. First and foremost a phone/PDA – not overshadowed by being a music player. A great business phone! Light years beyond Blackberry. Doubles as cordless for landline when in range, programmable for which numbers. Carrier-independent, based on SIM cards like European cell phones.
-- Enhancement of .Mac, which now finally gains true value. Cell phone sync and backup, and much more.

MUSIC and FILM
-- True video iPod.
-- Option of pre-loaded classic film packages. “A thousand movies in your pocket”. (Just kidding)
-- Greatly expanded film offerings on iTMS.
-- iTV in two models – one with a harddisk. Surprise! iTV is far more than previously indicated.
-- Apple SoftScreen to be introduced within Q3, 12"-120". Take it with you and stick it on the wall or other surface. Anywhere!
-- Steve underscores how it all ties beautifully together!
-- iTV and the iPhone are the final elements of Apple’s Digital Hub strategy!!

PLAYERS
-- iTMS continues to hold market share. Introduced in 10 more countries this January. Rumours of downturn is merely wishful thinking from competitors.
-- iPod market share shows not even a dent after failed Zune challenge. Almost every single iPod model sells more in itself.

OSX and KEY NEW SOFTWARE
-- Leopard presentation, increasing the technology gap over Microsoft – but I don’t think it will be released yet.
-- Apple underscores its still-successful security strategy. Leopard to incorporate Little Snitch. Great spam control. “Macs have been the most secure personal computers ever, and now we have made them even more secure.”
-- Adobe Creative Suite goes Universal, with great improvements! Takes advantage of 64-bit technology to achieve vast performance improvements. Presentation by Adobe’s CEO.
-- Specialised professional software solutions presented by another third party developer – for dentists, physicians, opticians and a host of other professions.
-- Still waiting for MS Office (apparently all the programmers had to work on Vista).
-- But in the meantime, considerable enhancements to iWorks. Great new spreadsheet! And perhaps an unbloated word processor (perhaps that’s just my wishful thinking).

MACS and Market Share
-- Enhanced MacPro, perfect for Adobe CS and an exciting new range of professional software to be introduced this year.
-- No MacTablet – except for the one being launched by Axiotron/Other World Computing.
-- Macs gain considerable increase in market share. The best kept secret. “We didn’t want to scare our competitors into doing something sensible.”

APPLE and EDUCATION
-- Apple introduces new suite of educational software, tiered for different age groups, even for toddlers. Proving once again that the Mac is the most user-friendly computer on the planet.
-- Apple blowing away the competition in educational markets, especially universities. These are tomorrow’s professional users!
-- Education sector high priority for Apple.
-- New content portal introduced with strategic partner, giving teachers (and students) a great overview of available digital content, not just from publishing houses, but that which has been developed by education colleagues. Described as key step for eLearning sector. “Think of it as iTMS for education.”
-- Establishment of Apple Foundation.
-- Close cooperation with OLPC (One Laptop per Child project). Apple makes initial contribution of $100m to finance showcase pilot projects in three countries, all to be realized before year’s end. “The future, and the present, belong to all children, all of humanity!”


Later this year: Great new stuff is coming! New form factor for the iMac. Dictation software in cooperation with market-leader Dragon (perhaps purchasing the company). Not just dictation, but sophisticated voice control…


Steve to take one year’s sabbatical, travelling the world, overseeing Apple Foundation projects, visiting iPod users in 169 countries, teaching world leaders how to implement improved digital infrastructure and how to use Keynote, and entering a monastery.
.

It’s gonna be a great year for Apple! And for us!! And for all kids (age 2-92) everywhere!!! :D “The first 30 years were just the beginning.”
.
.

I hope not. He always seems so nervous and awkward. I think the guy that did the Time Machine demo at WWDC was pretty good, however.

I liked Phil's attitude, but I'm torn between the two now that you mention that.

"Has anyone wished they could just, go back in time? Yeah, you in the back there!"

.
Here is perhaps the most radical suggestion:
How about Steve and Bill trading jobs for three years?

:eek:

my co-worker is at mac world right now, that lucky bastard

Is he attending the keynote?
Would be great to be there this time around!

I visited MacWorld 2 years ago, but saw no opportunity to catch the keynote. I have a strong feeling that this one is going to be a milestone. I predict Wow Factor 9.4 (out of 10). I thinkt there’s going to be loads of exciting new stuff -- and impressive statistics on Apple’s growth in market share. :)

outlandish?
apple will launch a Fuel Cell powered Car

Yup since I work for a school system he is there to learn everything going to be there all week and has full access pass. They made him sign a 1 yr employment agreement to pay for his trip lol.

I told him to grab all the SWAG he can get and bring it back!

Here's something outlandish: When MacWorld 2007 starts, the first true Mac OS X virus begins to spread.

Maybe he'll reveal technology where you simply think about something and the computer responds. That would be cool. I've actually read about research into technology such as this. They have been able to get the mouse to move on the screen simply by thinking about it, but I think the hardware necessary is probably pretty expensive...

Or the screen thing that Tom Cruise used in "Minority Report" where you use your hands to grab stuff of the screen. I would like that too.

MacBook with flip screen to become a tablet.
iPod Video with 16x9 screen on the back.

And my old favorites...
http://www.mediamax.com/schneb/Hoste...Apple/crs.html
http://www.mediamax.com/schneb/Hoste.../ijukebox.html
http://www.mediamax.com/schneb/Hoste...e/iMac_LT.html

20" MacBook
30" iMac

Bigger is still better in my little world :). Oh, and since we are being outlandish, let's make the 30" iMac a touch screen a la a WACOM Tablet. Oh, and I'd also like 802.11g syncing with my iPod, that would also be cool.

this is what I hope for:

better networking compatability across the board across every platform

better blue tooth support

more support for open source projects and the like

multiple desktops (that wish is already granted)

more third party support (listening to crickets chirp on that one)

new improved office suites with complete compatability

lower prices!

Experiments in Thought Control. I was so impressed that I've saved the accompanying videos to my iPod.

co-worker just emailed me

they announced the iphone

they announced the Apple TV

HOW?!

I thought the iPhone was trademarked by Cisco!

Can we award me the prize for being the closest? My description below was very close, if you shrink the size down from a tablet to a PDA...

Not only that, Schneb. You have until June to introduce a new version of your great product – "Tour Israel and Jordan via Apple iPhone". Coupled with GoogleMaps, of course. :)

Lol - I Wish!! ;) :)

Speaking of new versions. I was working on going this March to gather Hi Def video footage for a Hi Def version of the tour to put on HD DVD. However, not having a distributor for the product has caused me to pull back until I gain one. My virtual tour guide partner will be over tonight for dinner to talk it over.

Why not distribute it through iTMS?
I find it strange that Apple isn’t vacuuming the market to offer independent films, indy music and indy multimedia. Now that would be doing the world a service. I’ve voiced that opinion elsewere as well...

That is an interesting notion. I will bring it up over our pasta dinner tonight. :)

I agree, giving audience to Indies would be a fantastic direction for iTMS!

http://www.vnunet.com/vnunet/news/21...l-apple-iphone
http://www.rojo.com/story/UG9mCf53Yk6lAoVu

I don't like "iPhone". I think "MacPhone" or "xPhone" would be better anyway.

So do I, but somehow I think the studios would be less than pleased with Apple for adding indies. That would put mom & pop shops on equal footing with multi-billion dollar recording labels. I can't see them not making a stink.

What a wonderful American ideal, putting everyone on an equal footing! I believe it is called the Free Market. Is that too radical?

Not for me, but I don't own a big record label. ;)

A Word of Caution
 

I think it's absolutely awesome that Apple is giving the bloated monster that is Microsoft a run for it's money (and they have a LOT!). I do fear that in the coming years Apple may become the same monster. I think to stave this result as much as possible the goal should never become to outrun their competitors, but to put forth the best products continually bettering previous releases. Unless this remains their mindset, I see Apple becoming lazy and taking a slide downhill.

I also think it's important for consumers to understand that Apple is not (and most likely will never be) the best at everything. Just because a product as a half-eaten apple on it doesn't mean that there isn't a product that performs a similar function more efficiently with no loss to form.

All that said, I think Apple has taken the correct approach to entering new markets. Where Microsoft sees a concept, buys the company out-right that invented it, and rewrites all of the code so that it can 'fit' with the rest of the MS realm (effectively destroying the product it purchased in the first place), Apple invests in research and development of it's own solutions to a need (or want). If a particular product doesn't sell very well, Microsoft assumes there is something wrong with the idea. Apple on the other hand puts the product on life support and works harder to make it better (the G4 Cube to the Mac Mini is a great example of this).

My point is that we shouldn't buy any product based on the brand, but rather its function. If Microsoft were to develop and release a product that actually worked better than a similar product of Apple's, I would go with the MS version. But that simply doesn't happen...

I agree with that sentiment, except as it applies to Microsoft. I don't believe it has ever (at least in the last 23 years) been in the best interest of any customer outside of IT departments to buy from Microsoft. That's because even if they do happen to have the best solution for a particular purpose, the purchase helps them use their monopoly to squash real innovators. That slows down the growth of technology, on which our economy depends.

The only exception I can think of is their Optical Mouse. I still like the Microsoft version over many others out there.

Seconded. Plus I'm really starting to enjoy my new XBox 360. :)

If I were going to get a gaming console, I think it would be a Wii. That's partly because I think the controllers are cool and any additional exercise they provide is sorely needed. Another good reason is that it doesn't come from MS. ;)

I have a Wii and it rules the earth, all of it! M$ does do some things right their enterprise level solutions are actually way better than OS X enterprise solutions. However, their OS needs a huge overhaul.

Have any of you seen vista yet, and actually played with it? I had it installed on few machines to mess around with it, and it really looks kind of mac-ish.

I hate apple networking hardware (ie base stations) and I do not like their mice. I haven't used either for a long time, and I advise all my clients against buying apple networking hardware. They need to make their base stations have telnet capability that acts like every other control panel and possibly third party firmware support. If I could load DD-WRT firmware on the new base station that has usb ports on it, I could set up SMB shares via router control panel, now that would be pimp!

And they can call it AirPimp?

Yeah but Nike may already hold copyright on that one LOL

LOL. Forget it Apple, they own iPimp as well. :)