MWSF Rumor Tidbits

[MacRumors]

For the rumor hungry, a few morsels to tide you over...

sebimeyer reports that MacWorld posted (http://www.macworld.com/2003/02/macbeat/predictions/) a group of predictions from various writers and editors including one interesting bite from Bruce Fraser regarding software news: "I'm under NDA (but it will have something to do with processing pixels)."

mpeg4rules found that a Friday MPEG-4 in 2003 (http://www.macworldexpo.com/macworld2003/V33/conference/session.cvn?eid=216) conference will demonstrate "several products for authoring MPEG-4 on Mac, including QuickTime Player Pro, Discreet's Cleaner, and hopefully at least one exciting, currently secret tool."

Meanwhile, MacBidouille (http://www.macbidouille.com/niouzcontenu.php?date=2003-01-01#4248) curiously reports that MWSF will reveal eleven (11) announcements.

The only info we can gather is that we will be surprised...

[Phechs]

I dont know about this one.........maybe, but seems far fetched. And what kind of mystery tool(related to MPEG-4) would even be worth hiding other than possibly Final Cut 4(iMovie maybe)....really.

[mgescuro]

> Meanwhile, MacBidouille curiously reports that MWSF will reveal eleven (11) announcements.


-----

How interesting.... 11 announcements.... I wonder what they are!!?!?!

01) iSync Update
02) iCal Update
03) iChat Update
04) iTunes Update
05) iPhoto Update
06) iMac Update (high end at 1GHz)
07) eMac Update (high end at 867GHz)
08) Apple Monitor Updates -- 17, 19, 22, 23
09) iPod Update (??)
10) New Digital Lifestlye Device or other new Technology (??)
11) Bluetooth Standard and new apparati (??)

That list makes sense, right??

[Tiauguinho]

I can't wait to see what Apple has to deliver this time... still 5 days until that magic "one more thing..."!

I think that they will want to surprise with what they do best... their software and their OS. Nobody can make an iApp type of things like they do, because they do it with Magic...

Full speed ahead Apple!

[JW Pepper]

Originally posted by mgescuro
> Meanwhile, MacBidouille curiously reports that MWSF will reveal eleven (11) announcements.


-----

How interesting.... 11 announcements.... I wonder what they are!!?!?!

01) iSync Update
02) iCal Update
03) iChat Update
04) iTunes Update
05) iPhoto Update
06) iMac Update (high end at 1GHz)
07) eMac Update (high end at 867GHz)
08) Apple Monitor Updates -- 17, 19, 22, 23
09) iPod Update (??)
10) New Digital Lifestlye Device or other new Technology (??)
11) Bluetooth Standard and new apparati (??)

That list makes sense, right??

NO!

iDVD is one of the most likely candidates to be updated.

[jholzner]

What about Apple Works? I think it's the only product that hasn't been updated at all in some time...plus not a very good carbon app.

[skunk]

1 Bluetooth throughout
2 iDVD or iMovie upgrade
3 new Powerbooks
4 new G4s due March
5 eMac upgrade
6 iMac upgrade
7 Xserve RAID
8 iCal
9 iPhoto
10 iPod+
11 new display

?????????

[yamadataro]

Originally posted by JW Pepper

NO!
iDVD is one of the most likely candidates to be updated.

What about Steve's black turtle neck???
I think it's about time to be updated :D

[yamadataro]

Mmmmmm, 11 annoucements???

1. Steve's water bottle gets updated to Wild Turkey.
2. Steve's blue jeans finally get washed. He gets a fresh pair!
3. There's a new iPod under the chairs for each one of the keynote attendants!!!!! Woooooooooooow!!!

Uh ... I can think of only three. I need to *update* my brain, I guess :D
Anyone care to add more?

[skunk]

Originally posted by yamadataro


What about Steve's black turtle neck???
I think it's about time to be updated :D
I think they'll have one of those Special Events for that one. It's too major for a mere MWSF thing. :D

[Knox]

How interesting.... 11 announcements.... I wonder what they are!!?!?!

01) iSync Update
02) iCal Update


Going to have to find something to replace those two - updates have just been posted on apple.com. Unless of course it's close enough to next week for them to be counted ;)

[ibjoshua]

Originally posted by Macrumors
The only info we can gather is that we will be surprised...

here's hoping.

i_b_joshua

[jayscheuerle]

Once bitten, twice shy - the adage goes...

MacWorld keynotes have been disappointing as of late. There are lots of rumors going around, most of them exciting, but they're following a typical pattern. 11 updates? You've got 'em:

1) The overwhelming success of .Mac drops the price to $50/yr.
2) The Apple logo at startup is now 60% grey instead of 70%.
3) ID2 now ships with every new Mac.
4) Software Update now charges you $5 for every item you update.
5) OSX 10.3, "Cheetah" will be available in July for $130 ($100 pre-order).
6) New iMac with 19" screen running same resolution as 17" screen, but $700 more.
7) Black mock-turtleneck exchanged for Ebony one.
8) New 80 gig iPod, same height and width, but 3" deep. Renamed iBrick.
9) Finder speed increased from "sluggish" to "hesitant".
10) Trashcan in Dock now sports plastic bag inside to keep smaller files from escaping.
11) Steve follows "And one more thing..." with "I'm not wearing any underwear!"

- j

[lmalave]

Interesting, there actually seems to be some kind of consensus among the experts interviewed by Macworld that there will be at least one new iDevice in 2003. I'm still hoping for the 5GB+ iPodPhoneCam :D

[crassusad44]

Originally posted by jayscheuerle
Once bitten, twice shy - the adage goes...

MacWorld keynotes have been disappointing as of late. There are lots of rumors going around, most of them exciting, but they're following a typical pattern. 11 updates? You've got 'em:

- j

Luckily the rumor scene is not as wild as one year ago. Everybody was expecting 1.2 to 1.5 GHz G5s... We got the iMac G4 though...

[lmalave]

Originally posted by i_b_joshua


here's hoping.

i_b_joshua

Yeah man. I'm hoping for something with as much razzle-dazzle as when Jobs introduced the FP iMac.

[jethroted]

What about itunes 4? We need itunes to have the ability to rip .aac or .mp4. What are they waiting for? That should be top of their list.

[Hawthorne]

it will have something to do with processing pixels

As iPhoto is the only iApp not to have be updated since it's introduction, and Windows Media Version comes out the same day as MacWorld, look for major iPhoto, iMovie, and iDvd announcements, I bet, along with reviews a month later that show how the Apple iApps trounce the Windows versions. ;)

And Steve will wow us all by wearing a black MOCK turtleneck. :D

[Kid Red]

Originally posted by Macrumors
For the rumor hungry, a few morsels to tide you over...

sebimeyer reports that MacWorld posted (http://www.macworld.com/2003/02/macbeat/predictions/) a group of predictions from various writers and editors including one interesting bite from Bruce Fraser regarding software news: "I'm under NDA (but it will have something to do with processing pixels)."


Who cares about software? I'm curious about the fact he's under NDA but yet still lays his claim to the G5 coming out "but not in early 2003". He's obviously in the know on a few things, he says the G5 will come out, but also mentions not in 'early 2033' as if to imply he knows when it will be released. I could be reading too much into it, but I find that more interesting then the software.

[Stike]

Originally posted by Macrumors
For the rumor hungry, a few morsels to tide you over...

sebimeyer reports that MacWorld posted (http://www.macworld.com/2003/02/macbeat/predictions/) a group of predictions from various writers and editors including one interesting bite from Bruce Fraser regarding software news: "I'm under NDA (but it will have something to do with processing pixels)."


Hmmm!! iShake, anyone? Effects-Software for iMovie3?

[jayscheuerle]

Originally posted by Macrumors
Bruce Fraser regarding software news: "I'm under NDA (but it will have something to do with processing pixels)."


I'm glad this guy isn't my lawyer, shrink, priest, etc....

"I'm under NDA (but it will have something to do with first degree murder)."

- which part of NDA is hard to understand & why brag about breaking it?

[lmalave]

Originally posted by jayscheuerle


I'm glad this guy isn't my lawyer, shrink, priest, etc....

"I'm under NDA (but it will have something to do with first degree murder)."

- which part of NDA is hard to understand & why brag about breaking it?

You're assuming he didn't check with Apple Legal dept. first. Keep in mind Apple loves rumor hype - to a point. Apple wants the public and the media to tune in with baited breath to MW - it just doesn't want any leaks that give MS enough ammunition to prepare a response and steal Apple's thunder...

[lmalave]

Originally posted by Hawthorne


As iPhoto is the only iApp not to have be updated since it's introduction, and Windows Media Version comes out the same day as MacWorld, look for major iPhoto, iMovie, and iDvd announcements, I bet, along with reviews a month later that show how the Apple iApps trounce the Windows versions. ;)


Yeah, man. iMovie and iDVD especially have to have major new razzle-dazzle, since MS will really be hyping its new Movie Maker 2 software....

[meta-ghost]

Anyone notice that the same (limited number of) phones are able to work with iSync 1.0 as before. Couldn't this be "evidence" of the possibility of an Apple phone? Mac users need a "digital hub" and a phone is integral to it. The few Ericsson phones that work with my Mac are not enough choice for me....

[lmalave]

Originally posted by meta-ghost
Anyone notice that the same (limited number of) phones are able to work with iSync 1.0 as before. Couldn't this be "evidence" of the possibility of an Apple phone? Mac users need a "digital hub" and a phone is integral to it. The few Ericsson phones that work with my Mac are not enough choice for me....

Well, there aren't that many Bluetooth enabled phones! The new Bluetooth-enabled phones that I'm aware of are the SonyEricsson P800 and Nokia 3650, but they haven't actually been released yet...

[Juventuz]

It doesn't need to be Bluetooth in order for it to sync with a mac. All you'd need is a usb cable.

[Capt. Obvious]

Originally posted by mgescuro
> Meanwhile, MacBidouille curiously reports that MWSF will reveal eleven (11) announcements.

How interesting.... 11 announcements.... I wonder what they are!!?!?!

01) iSync Update
02) iCal Update
03) iChat Update
04) iTunes Update
05) iPhoto Update
06) iMac Update (high end at 1GHz)
07) eMac Update (high end at 867GHz)
08) Apple Monitor Updates -- 17, 19, 22, 23
09) iPod Update (??)
10) New Digital Lifestlye Device or other new Technology (??)
11) Bluetooth Standard and new apparati (??)

That list makes sense, right??
What's really funny about this is, it's virtually identical to a post I made yesterday (clockspeed diffs on #6 & #7, & my wild hair re: Appleworks could arguably fit under #10.

I, however, was MUCH more explicit; THIS is just vague enough to not count.

I'm counting today's releases of iSync & iCal as hits, BTW (for me, not for MacBidet)

[yamadataro]

Originally posted by jayscheuerle

11) Steve follows "And one more thing..." with "I'm not wearing any underwear!"


Wow, that no-underware would be the biggest announcement ever! :D

[Hawthorne]

No mention of the first releases of 802.11g hardware on these board yet. It wouldn't surprise me to see Steve announce Airport2 (Airport '03:the Concorde? :) ) using 802.11g as being available in, say, February.

[vniow]

Originally posted by Macrumors
Meanwhile, MacBidouille (http://www.macbidouille.com/niouzcontenu.php?date=2003-01-01#4248) curiously reports that MWSF will reveal eleven (11) announcements.




Hee hee hee, MacBoudille may not always be accurate, but they do know how to word things to get your attention.http://img.ranchoweb.com/images/veronica/that5c27scool.gif

[rdas7]

Whatever the new device is, it won't be just another cellphone (even with an Apple logo on it). Companies out there have been making phones for decades, Apple isn't going to jump in to add to the selection just with added Mac integration. Think about it: if there is a minority of Mac users compared to PC/whatever and a minority of Mac users would buy the phone (for said Mac integration) then they're looking at (at best) a tiny worldwide market.

The reason more phones aren't supported by iSync is that iSync uses the SyncML protocol to talk (over bluetooth, or USB or whatever). So far, not enough phone manufacturers are building phones that talk SyncML. The Sony/Ericssons in the iSync list (and the unmentioned Nokia 7650 camera phone) are the only phones that support BOTH bluetooth and SyncML.

This is a major bummer, however I suspect one of the main reasons that Nokia isn't supporting SyncML in more of it's phones is that they also have their own proprietary Sync software (PC only) that I suppose would be threatened.

SyncML is an open standard, so I think it's only a matter of time. Until then, however, I personally think the Sony-Ericsson T68i is just about as close to an Apple phone as we're ever going to see.

"If you build it, they will come."

[Wry Cooter]

Originally posted by rdas7

SyncML is an open standard, so I think it's only a matter of time. Until then, however, I personally think the Sony-Ericsson T68i is just about as close to an Apple phone as we're ever going to see.


Most people aren't going to see a Sony-Ericsson T68i, because of cell carriers in their area deciding to offer other models instead. This is the worst aspect of trying to push technology in the cell market... the carriers only want to support a limited number of models.

Right now, the only opportunities I see to get a T68i are if I buy one with a T-Mobile contract, and in this market, T-Mobile doesn't support that model.

I want to keep my existing cell phone number over all.. all other bells and whistles are secondary.

[mgescuro]

Earlier I said.....

01) iSync Update
02) iCal Update
03) iChat Update
04) iTunes Update
05) iPhoto Update
06) iMac Update (high end at 1GHz)
07) eMac Update (high end at 867GHz)
08) Apple Monitor Updates -- 17, 19, 22, 23
09) iPod Update (??)
10) New Digital Lifestlye Device or other new Technology (??)
11) Bluetooth Standard and new apparati (??)

Now, I say......

All same except....
01) iMovie/iDVD Update
02) .Mac enhancements (??)

[Wry Cooter]

Originally posted by mgescuro
Earlier I said.....

01) iSync Update
02) iCal Update
03) iChat Update
04) iTunes Update
05) iPhoto Update
06) iMac Update (high end at 1GHz)
07) eMac Update (high end at 867GHz)
08) Apple Monitor Updates -- 17, 19, 22, 23
09) iPod Update (??)
10) New Digital Lifestlye Device or other new Technology (??)
11) Bluetooth Standard and new apparati (??)

Now, I say......

All same except....
01) iMovie/iDVD Update
02) .Mac enhancements (??)

because iSync and iCal updates are done deals, for the time being.. although not a lot seems changed to me.

These are all potentially fairly minor and realistic expectations, the big if being the lifestyle device (an iTablet, iWalk, iPodPhone, or hooking to your TiVo whatever wirelessly). I think we are all fairly sober about not seeing any big jumps in silicon performance too soon. I would like to see Motherboard enhancements across the board.. including firewire 2 and USB 2.

I think any dotmac enhancement, other than just getting the damn thing working again for sharing photos on a web page for example, might possibly be linked to any teleconferencing video stuff that might be added to a souped up iChat.

[koolcolors]

A brand new notebook - the SUPERBOOK - with a 17" screen (the same screen used in the widescreen iMac). Just about 1" thick. It's going to be as revolutionary in design and execution as the Ti Powerbook was when it was originally released. This'll be the biggest surprise at the 2003 MWSF [ I hope :-) ]

[trebblekicked]

i know it's not apple's style, but i could do without major hardware or software releases if Steve personally elaborates on where processor development will go from here. A few words from Steve that solidifies all the 970 talk could help stop the bleeding in the pro market, and since wintel often talk far ahead of where they actually are, why not throw us a bone? Give us some hope that in a few years we'll be able recycle those "toasting the pentium" commercials.

[lmalave]

Originally posted by trebblekicked
i know it's not apple's style, but i could do without major hardware or software releases if Steve personally elaborates on where processor development will go from here. A few words from Steve that solidifies all the 970 talk could help stop the bleeding in the pro market, and since wintel often talk far ahead of where they actually are, why not throw us a bone? Give us some hope that in a few years we'll be able recycle those "toasting the pentium" commercials.

I hope you're right. Apple really needs to demo a 970 prototype at MWSF. My vote is for 1GHz G4s in the iBooks and iMacs, and dual 1.4 GHz G4s in the PowerBooks and PowerMacs. The combination of the 970 announcement and such a small speed bump would kill PowerMac sales, but they were going down the toilet anyway, and this way maybe Apple will sell enough iBooks, and PowerBooks to still make a profit...

[Wry Cooter]

Originally posted by lmalave


I hope you're right. Apple really needs to demo a 970 prototype at MWSF. My vote is for 1GHz G4s in the iBooks and iMacs, and dual 1.4 GHz G4s in the PowerBooks and PowerMacs. The combination of the 970 announcement and such a small speed bump would kill PowerMac sales, but they were going down the toilet anyway, and this way maybe Apple will sell enough iBooks, and PowerBooks to still make a profit...

The biggest problem with expos is that their timing is horrible in relation to their big market pushes... right after the holidays, and right after educational
purchase order bids. This cannibalizes sales if those that would buy are tempted with the possibility of new hardware around the corner, creating a lot of waiting from people that otherwise might buy now.

But if you preannounce a hot item before it is ready, you have other problems. Your competition gets too much information, or there is a manufacturing problem and deliveries are late or flawed.

Apple is in deep doo doo regarding their high end... a lot of people are going to want to switch to the dark side, if they can't let the faithful know that the processor problem IS being addressed. An announcement of a fast 970 with Velocity Engine instructions coming from a reliable source such as IBM is going to be vital.

[lmalave]

Originally posted by Wry Cooter


The biggest problem with expos is that their timing is horrible in relation to their big market pushes... right after the holidays, and right after educational
purchase order bids. This cannibalizes sales if those that would buy are tempted with the possibility of new hardware around the corner, creating a lot of waiting from people that otherwise might buy now.

But if you preannounce a hot item before it is ready, you have other problems. Your competition gets too much information, or there is a manufacturing problem and deliveries are late or flawed.

Apple is in deep doo doo regarding their high end... a lot of people are going to want to switch to the dark side, if they can't let the faithful know that the processor problem IS being addressed. An announcement of a fast 970 with Velocity Engine instructions coming from a reliable source such as IBM is going to be vital.

Yeah, MWSF is already the last one left - and the one with the worst timing, coming right after the holidays. Maybe this will even be the last MW. Apple has indicated they'd rather do smaller regional events and not be tied to an annual cycle of product announcements as they are now.

[Durandal7]

How about these:

1)iMovie 3
2)iDVD update
3)Airport 2
4)iMac update
5)iPhoto 2
6)Big splashy Apple Store Pasadena opening
7)New .mac features
8)eMac update
9)New Digital Device
10)New iPods
11)iChat update

[pyrotoaster]

Originally posted by Durandal7
4)iMac update
and
8)eMac update
and
10)New iPods

I don't think we'll see any of these. That new iPod is more like "9)New Digital Device."

[blogo]

iTunes will get that rendevous update so you can share libraries over network.

[pyrotoaster]

Originally posted by Eple

iTunes will get that rendevous update so you can share libraries over network.

I could see that as an addition to the current iTunes, but I think it's too soon for a release of iTunes 4.
iTunes 3 is only six months old, and besides, I think the show's big software announcement will be an Apple-based web browser.

[rdas7]

I think iTunes 4 is pretty much a definite. MPEG-4/AAC support was pending MPEG-LA Licensing issues, which have since been resolved.

The Rendezvous technology everyone is talking about (shared music libraries) will most likey be accompanied by some networking announcement. The latest rumor is Airport 2.

Only two more days to go.

[cubist]

One thing Steve will definitely not do is say anything about the 970 or the 7457. One whisper about that and all sales of existing machines (which are already slow) will go to zero. As Think Secret points out, they may have speed bumps in store, but they aren't going to mention them now because of inventory.

Remember last August when the PowerMac inventories dropped to near-zero? That sure isn't the case right now. Apple's sitting on a mammoth stack of machines. Steve's gotta find some way to make that stack disappear.

[pyrotoaster]

Originally posted by rdas7

I think iTunes 4 is pretty much a definite.

I disagree. As I said before, iTunes 3 is too young to be replaced.
Also, we're already looking at three other major iApp upgrades and the possibility of a new iApp (web browser). I don't think SJ is going to spend the entire keynote talking about software.
I have nothing against a minor iTunes update, however. Although I think chances of that are pretty slim, too.

[rdas7]

Originally posted by pyrotoaster

I disagree. As I said before, iTunes 3 is too young to be replaced.

Well, we saw him demo a version of iTunes last July in Paris with these Rendezvous features. Unless he was using OS 10.3 (before 10.2 was even released), I would expect iTunes 4 - or some version of iTunes with shared library functionality, call it iTunes 3.5 - before Panther is released later this summer.

Also, we're already looking at three other major iApp upgrades and the possibility of a new iApp (web browser). I don't think SJ is going to spend the entire keynote talking about software.

Unless it's something that we will be charged for, in which case I'm sure SJ will talk about it as long as he wants! :P

I wouldn't be surprised if every iApp got an upgrade, and then we're told we have to pay a package fee in order to benefit from them all. This is, after all, what it sounds like will happen.

I for one, don't really mind the new charges (for OS upgrades, or for iApps, etc.) because in a way I think it puts more pressure on Apple to ensure that these products are worth that money. For instance, a lot of work went into 10.2, and I think that it is a good, polished, finished product, as is the .Mac package.

[Wry Cooter]

Originally posted by rdas7


I wouldn't be surprised if every iApp got an upgrade, and then we're told we have to pay a package fee in order to benefit from them all. This is, after all, what it sounds like will happen.



And, I think it bears repeating, this isn't exactly a new idea. Some iApp upgrades have already been pay to play, some have seemed free, but actually been promotional items to sell an OS or a new Mac. Or you would have to upgade your o$ to use them. And some have been free. I think it will continue to ride this grey area of promotion... some would not be used if they were not practically freeware to the people using them.