No Revamped Apple TV or iWatch Expected at WWDC

[elgrecomac]

I wonder if Apple can / will do this

What about iPhone? With all of these iPhone 6 leaks, maybe we'll see the 4.7 inch iPhone 6 announced at WWDC. Then the September event can focus on the iWatch, Apple TV, and the 5.5 or 5.7 inch iPhone 6.

Historically, Apple has announced upgrades to desktop computers, or iphones and pads but I wonder if Apple is planning to announce and deliver all of the following items this year? For any company, this would be a massive undertaking if you consider what is needed from an engineering, manufacturing, marketing, sales and support perspective.

1. Two upgrades to the iphone (4.7 and 5.5)
2. One or two upgrades to the ipad
3. One (much needed) upgrade to the Apple TV and, of course
4. Introduce a brand new platform and device: the iWatch
5. Plus major upgrades to not 1, but 2 OS'.

If this all comes to pass THIS YEAR, it will be the stuff of legends. I wish them good luck.

 

[coolguy337]

Lets look at past Apple events for a moment. Apple holds two types of events. The first is WWDC, their yearly developer conference. The second are the smaller scale 'Special Events'. Examples of these are the unveiling of the first ipod, or more recently, the unveil of the iPhone 5c/5s. They are basically events geared toward specific product lines/services. Additionally, Apple's 'Special Events' often include updates on existing products/products soon to release.

Alright so these are announcements bound to happen:
-iPhone 6 (4.7 inch)
-iPhone 6 (5.5 inch)
-'iWatch'
-iOS8
-HealthBook
-OSX 10.10
-Macbook Air Update
-iPad Update
-Apple TV Update

Looking exclusively at WWDC (early June) it's pretty obvious that the focus will be on software, which includes new APIs that take advantage of hardware that is announced AT the event or that is already available. Since this WWDC will likely be focused on OSX based on recent rumours, I expect mac hardware to inevitably be announced as well as OSX 10.10 at the event. This would include:
-OSX 10.10
-Macbook Air Update (macbook air update was shown at last wwdc) EDIT: Not happening.
-Other Mac updates (more incremental).

WWDC will also have iOS8, which is fairly obvious. To complement this, a new iPhone announcement would be attractive, but I don't think it will happen. Mac will take up too much time. I expect:
-iOS8
-POSSIBLY Healthbook.

Alright so we know the rest of the stuff is coming/being announced before year end. This makes it fairly obvious that the 'Special Events' will be for major announcements, and likely specific product lines.

Last year there were 2 'Special Events, one in September and one in October. Notice how these are very close in time, Apple likes to open the treat bag alittle quickly before year end. Keep in mind that conferences were also held in 2012 at the same times (month-wise). I think this is a trend that will likely stick in-place this year, so we can expect 2 major conferences after WWDC before year-end.

A Special Event will inevitably be held for the 'iWatch' or whatever it is since that is a going to be major (obviously.) Whether this would be September or October is hard to tell, based on previous years usually September is the 'iPhone' month and October is alittle more assorted, but usually focuses on the iPad.

September: iPhone 4.7/5.5 inch sizes
October: -iPad Update
-Apple TV Update

So that leaves iWatch. I am guessing this product will either:

Be announced in September alongside new iPhones so that it can come in time for the holidays.

OR

Since iPad received major updates last year, the September conference might wrap the iPad updates in it, and October will be the 'iWatch' month.

I am thinking the later is more likely. The thought of a November conference came to mind as well, but I believe that is far less likely.

Thoughts?

 

[Rogifan]

If Apple's not ready to show off a wearables device yet then I hope they don't announce a health related app at WWDC. IMO Healthbook (or whatever Apple calls it) is DOA if it requires a bunch of 3rd party hardware to be useful.

 

[MacLC]

Curves in the wrong places

Those concept Apple TVs look awesome which begs the question. If Apple's hardware team realizes that curves are appealing, why does the software team (iOS 7 specifically) work so hard to iron them out?

 

[DTphonehome]

...I expect mac hardware to inevitably be announced as well as OSX 10.10 at the event. This would include:
-OSX 10.10
-Macbook Air Update (macbook air update was shown at last wwdc)
-Other Mac updates (more incremental).

Macbook Air was bumped this week. They wouldn't have bothered with that bump if there was a new model coming at WWDC. So no MBA.

I could see an iMac and mini spec bump, but doubt it.

Maybe a Mac Pro speed bump? I have no idea what Intel's release schedule is like, and if there's any new chips worth putting in there.

Really, my biggest expectation for new hardware was just an Apple TV. Perhaps they'll still show a software update that includes an app store.

 

[Yvan256]

WWDC was always meant to about software, not hardware. Nothing surprising here.

But software requires hardware to run.

 

[MacFather]

Deleted.

 

[Alumeenium]

another 5 months with no new products ?

incremental updates =/= innovation

stock price (after split) target $55.00

 

[Mattsasa]

I was hoping to see the Apple TV software release so developers would be able to get on board for a fall release, but that's out the door.

Wasn't expecting the iWatch at all. Showing off the Healthbook app would be odd with no companion device, not sure how that would work.

WWDC predicitons:

(1) iMac: Spec update and dropped prices, similar to recent Macbook Air update

(2) Mac Mini: Redesign, thinner and smaller, possibly flash storage

(3) OSX: 10.10 preview, focused on visual redesign (some main feature will be crippled), Siri, Game Center dropped, the focus is largely on iOS integration and consistently across various devices (think Back to the Mac Event).

(4) iOS8: Preview, Textedit, Maps (transit may get shown off, not coming immediately), Tips, Siri gains Shazam, Healthbook (without iWatch...still weird)...sadly probably no quick reply or fixed music app which was gutted with iOS7, and still a static home screen with just icons

(5) iCloud: Preview, textedit, possible iDisk replacement but I doubt it

* Don't expect much more than this. Apple is on a "Fall Only" release schedule for the foreseeable future.

* Aperture update please?

I hope the iMac gets a little update, KUO predicted a new low cost iMac at WWDC. Hopefully they will have a model that starts at $999.

Even more hoping for a Mac mini update, I bet they will go all flash storage, making a smaller Mac mini. And they could use the same CPUs they just put in the airs, or Similar ones. Also hopping Mac mini will start at $499 again

I feel OSX is going to be the highlight of WWDC 2014, and I am very much looking forward to it.

Yea... I am a little baffled about the timing of iOS 8, Healthbook, iWatch. .... I feel the iWatch Is essential for Healthbook to look like a cool feature. So releasing Healthbook without iWatch is a little odd. I suppose Apple could demo iOS 8 without Healthbook... But I feel Healthbook is one of the main new features of iOS8, and if they did that the announcement of iOS 8 would look underwhelming. Which isn't ideal.

I think the iWatch would be released Septemberish along side the 8th gen iPhone. I think it is almost certain that Apple will want to demo the iWatch and it's SDK in head of time, so developers can make apps to be ready at launch. Unless apple isn't planning on having third party apps included in the first iWatch???

So I thought the iWatch SDK would have been demoed at WWDC, and we have the same issue with the new Apple TV.

Perhaps Apple will have a July/August event to demo but not release the iWatch and new Apple TV, and show developers the SDK. Then finally a September/October event to release hardware, new iPhone, new iPads? More details on iWatch availability/Pricing/etc. iPhone and iWatch launch together. Then Apple TV gets released in like late October or November.

^^^all just speculation

 

[Icaras]

This may be the most boring WWDC ever then.

Speak for yourself. I'm absolutely stoked to see the new redesigned OS X 10.10.

 

[Mattsasa]

iOS 8 and OSX 10.10.

This is a developer conference. They haven't announced hardware there beyond Macs in 3 years, I believe. Also, they're probably going to announce the retina 12" Airs.

No 12" retina airs in 2014

----------

If the iWatch is coming out this year, it will be demoed at WWDC so that developers can have an opportunity to optimise their software for the new hardware. As Nike pulled out of their tech wearable hardware business very recently, the timing would suggest that Apple would demo their iWatch in a month's time.

If they don't then it's almost certain the iWatch will be demoed and released in 2015, though I'm keeping my fingers crossed and still half-suspect it'll be shown very soon.

I am pretty certain iWatch is coming 2014... Wishful thinking

----------

Updated MacBook Pros and iMacs is what I am concerned with!!

I am holding off on my purchase until WWDC for this specific reason.

There is no MacBook Pro update coming soon.
If anything a tiny price drop, but I doubt it

 

[Sharkey311]

As a developer, I honestly could not care less about a health-spying app that comes bundled (and presumably will be as undeletable as Apple's stock, weather and passbook apps) with the iPhone. I consider such built-in apps as little more than bloatware, so I truly hope Cook & Co. don't really plan to pretend this will be of interest to the general population of developers.

I of course want to know what's new in iOS and OS X, but in all honestly, it's the possibility of an Apple TV App Store that would make my blood warm again. I'm beginning to think Apple is much further behind in the ATV process than they'd like anyone to believe (and losing ground every day as Comcast vies for Time-Warner and Amazon enters the fray).

The great thing about Apple has always been that "everything works" within its ecosystem, but lately, that feels far from true, as my Apple TV feels like the forgotten bastard son of my Mac and iPhone. With Amazon planning to enter the phone frenzy soon (now that they have their tablet and TV products talking to one another), Apple REALLY needs to step up its game in the living room.

Found the fatty

 

[kidaje]

Hmmm....

Something does not add up.

This year Apple supposed to release

iPhone 6 (4,7)
iPhone 6 (5,5)
New Apple tv 4
iWatch
Updated iPad
Updated MacBook Pro
MacBook air Retina
iOS 8
OSX 10.10

But when..?
Apple won't release a iPhone 6, iWatch & Apple tv at the same event.
So if Apple does not release some hardware at WWDC (Apple tv, iPhone, iWatch), they sadly won't release these new products (ATV4 & iWatch) in 2014.

 

[Mattsasa]

Found the fatty

This comment is totally unacceptable.

I personally am very looking forward to Healthbook, but I was very happy to read his clearly explained opinion of why health book isn't something that needs to be shared at WWDC

 

[guzhogi]

I hope Mac OS X 10.10 ships before July. As I've stated in other threads, I work in a school district and we upgrade all the computers over the summer. If it ships in July or after, we won't get it until next summer, and I have to hear "When are we getting 10.10?" from all the teachers.

 

[chrisbru]

Macbook Air was bumped this week. They wouldn't have bothered with that bump if there was a new model coming at WWDC. So no MBA.

You mean like how MacBook Pros were spec bumped before the rMBP was debuted? Ok.

Don't write off a retina MBA yet.

 

[Mattsasa]

Something does not add up.

This year Apple supposed to release

iPhone 6 (4,7)
iPhone 6 (5,5)
New Apple tv 4
iWatch
Updated iPad
Updated MacBook Pro
MacBook air Retina
iOS 8
OSX 10.10

But when..?
Apple won't release a iPhone 6, iWatch & Apple tv at the same event.
So if Apple does not release some hardware at WWDC (Apple tv, iPhone, iWatch), they sadly won't release these new products (ATV4 & iWatch) in 2014.

They can have multiple events in 2014 post WWDC?

 

[cmChimera]

As a developer, I honestly could not care less about a health-spying app that comes bundled (and presumably will be as undeletable as Apple's stock, weather and passbook apps) with the iPhone. I consider such built-in apps as little more than bloatware, so I truly hope Cook & Co. don't really plan to pretend this will be of interest to the general population of developers.

I of course want to know what's new in iOS and OS X, but in all honestly, it's the possibility of an Apple TV App Store that would make my blood warm again. I'm beginning to think Apple is much further behind in the ATV process than they'd like anyone to believe (and losing ground every day as Comcast vies for Time-Warner and Amazon enters the fray).

The great thing about Apple has always been that "everything works" within its ecosystem, but lately, that feels far from true, as my Apple TV feels like the forgotten bastard son of my Mac and iPhone. With Amazon planning to enter the phone frenzy soon (now that they have their tablet and TV products talking to one another), Apple REALLY needs to step up its game in the living room.

Yeah there are only 2200 health and fitness apps that show up when using search. I'm not even sure why Apple would think that this was an area of interest.

 

[DTphonehome]

You mean like how MacBook Pros were spec bumped before the rMBP was debuted? Ok.

Don't write off a retina MBA yet.

He didn't say retina.

 

[iMcLovin]

I wouldnt and didnt expect any iwatch or apple tv at wwdc, nor any ipads, that wouldnt fit in very well imo. But I do hope apple will release some hardware, they havent released anything this year (the macbook air update doesnt count), and it would be nice to have some treat to their customers that has been waiting for some wow stuff for half a year, at least a macbook pro and imac speedbump or something. I look forward to OSX getting some love, thats really cool. But we all know it wont be out at least 4-5 months after wwdc anyway, so its just a glimpse anyway.

 

[Moonlight]

That black apple TV with chamfered edges is SEEEEXXXAAAYYY

 

[Sharkey311]

This comment is totally unacceptable.

I personally am very looking forward to Healthbook, but I was very happy to read his clearly explained opinion of why health book isn't something that needs to be shared at WWDC

Internetz iz srs bsns

He said that the general population of devs wouldn't find it useful. Hate to pop his bubble, but there are people out in the real world that exercise and go outside every once in awhile. I for one am looking forward to using it to have a better way to stay healthy.

 

[topmounter]

i watch no watch.

lol

 

[Sharkey311]

yeah there are only 2200 health and fitness apps that show up when using search. I'm not even sure why apple would think that this was an area of interest.

but its useless in the living room!!

 

[brendu]

I really expected Apple to allow a few months between the announcement and the release, like they did with the iPhone. And here it would make even more since to allow developers to write apps for it... that is unless the watch won't have third party apps at launch.

I'm fairly certain the watch won't ever have 3rd party apps. It will likely be able to transmit info to third party apps on iPhone/iPad/Mac though. So developers will need to know how to tap into the data.