WWDC 2008 Rumor Wrapup: Winners and Losers

[JeffDM]

What do you mean "tethering"? Like a chain, or string to the iPhone?

As I understand it, Bluetooth Tethering is paring a phone to a computer to use it as an internet link for the computer. It's an interesting idea, but the telcos want more money for that kind of service, and I do agree in a way because notebooks make it easier to use a lot more data than you would if you just used the phone.

 

[alphaod]

What do you mean "tethering"? Like a chain, or string to the iPhone?

Usage of the phone as a dial-up internet connection; can be done with almost every other phone whose data plans are $20 a month for 3G; you can't do this on an iPhone 3G whose data plan is $30 a month. I don't think the plans are worth it.

 

[Slip]

I grew up watching them, and I don't remember that being in any cartoon.

Ah... Just me then.
I heard it mentioned all the time thinking back, but anyways, back on topic.

 

[Elven]

Not a bad WWDC but not the best, I do feel sorry for all those who was waiting for new revisions coming out, who ignored the warnings this was a developers convention and in all I feel lucky the iPhone 3G was annoucned.

 

[llkennethll]

if i NEED to get a macbook this summer (before the end of aug) should i get it now? or wait for abit longer?

will there be a chance that they will update it between now and end of aug?

 

[Elven]

Depends on needs I have only recently bought the Macbook in my signature, because I require something for me on the move, an the standard White Macbook suited what I required, if a newer model is due out then fine I am happy with my purchase.

 

[batchtaster]

So, with the iPhone rumors well and truly behind us, who's hungry for some nice, delicious, crunchy new Mac rumors?

EDIT: Yes, they apparently do still make Macs. I checked.

 

[batchtaster]

I guess your not a Trekkie...Touch Screen computers are the wave of the future. Keyboards and mice are last century. One day we will have touchscreens where everything we need to input into the computer will be right there on the screen. I wouldnt knock it if I were you. It only shows lack of understanding.

And we'll all be driving flying cars and wearing shiny silver clothing with hoops on them, and eating food in pill form.

Expecting that touch screen will replace everything shows its own lack of understanding. There is a reason desktop computer screens and keyboards and mice are not attached to each other. Likewise, there's a reason so many people with laptop computers plug in an external keyboard and mouse when sitting at a desk, rather than using the built-in units. And the same is true of working all day long on a touch-screen computer. Can you spell R.S.I.? You'll need to solve that first before you herald in the "wave of the future".

Captain Picard never had to sit down and touch screen-type his reports to Starfleet; the more significant part of the equation that you're forgetting is the advanced voice command system on the Star Trek ships, which is where the bulk of the work was actually done. But, if you want to get your little pointer-finger doing your day's work, then go right ahead.

 

[HFU]

iPhone Software

The software capabilities for iPhone showcased in WWDC08 are just amazing. The potential will greatly reflect in automobile, enterprise, medical, financial, and gaming industry. Without these software development efforts on iPhone platform, iPhone will just be as boring as other phone.

As for other Apple hardware update, it's trickling in. It would be wise not to announce hardware update to overshadow the importance of iPhone platform as it was the main theme for the entire iPhone SDK development effort.

SJ emphasized the three-part relationship to Apple - Mac, Music and iPhone. The first two are fairly mature, only the iPhone is the weakest link among the three. It makes sense for Apple to focus on it as much as it can to pave its strength in the intended market segment.

 

[_iCeb0x_]

good point. but, well, I guess they wanted to list it somewhere and as they left out Africa and Western Asia in their tables the might have felt like it's rather Europe than Eastern Asia. Anyways.

I don't want to say that Jobs is any better than he really is, but he's not the one that makes those presentations.

Also, maybe they included Qatar as part of Europe because, for most companies, the world is divided into three main regions:

1. Americas - North, Central and South;
2. EMEA - Europe, Middle East and Africa
3. APAC - Asia and Pacific (Oceania included)

So, Qatar is EMEA...

 

[wonderkid]

For Apple to make a thing over 3.5mm jack is pathetic...

It is sad that 1 year after the launch of the original iPhone, that was a revolution in technology for them to hype up such minor 'advances' that were in fact fixes for unacceptable errors in the design process and playing catchup with other manufacturers. a) The 3.5mm recess was simply Apple doing what they do best, be greedy. They wanted to flog their own headsets and adapters. b) Adding a not very fast version of '3G', while here in Europe on my Nokia N95 I have 3.5G and it powers the included SatNav very nicely. c) The lack of Stereo Bluetooth renders use of the iPhone as a jogging iPod useless, as I'm forced to use wires - not sensible when it is raining. d) The camera is useless yet Apple spent time discussing the photo upload feature of Mobile Me. The truth is, and this is obvious from the comments on Exchange, Apple have created a the ultimate keyboardless business phone - totally confusing the market. It is effectively, a touch screen BlackBerry for execs. Think about it. If it's for the young, there is the flash for the camera? If it's for execs, why no mechanical keyboard option at all? All said, it will in droves in the US and probably be a flop here in the UK. As someone who likes Apple and gets excited before product launches, I just hope they have something way more useful lined up for iPhone 3. (With a removable battery too.)

 

[busterbluth]

Macbook Pro?

From what Ive gathered, the case design is close to 5 years old, any idea when a completely new design might be coming? I've heard either a separate event in September, or it will be at macworld in January (please no, I can't wait that long) I dont just want an updated processor and memory, I want something fresh and it seams that a case redesign has to be coming soon, any thoughts?...

 

[ImageWrangler]

It is sad that 1 year after the launch of the original iPhone, that was a revolution in technology for them to hype up such minor 'advances' that were in fact fixes for unacceptable blah blah blah you're a windoze peecee user clearly blah blah...

You almost had some okay points outside the "should have a keyboard as an option" as winning perhaps winning the ultimate "wow, what the eff, you clearly don't get it" award for all of the over a million Macrumors posts.

Probably don't need to reiterate so many of the other excellent posts by people that cramming more megapixels in a camera does NOT make it a better camera (though too many n00bs simply just don't get this/believe the hype) and the fact that the networks in the US are, wait for it, NOT like the ones elsewhere on the planet. That said points on not letting it act like a modem are valid and the lack of bluetooth stereo is a totally thinker there.

 

[hazmatzak]

EMEA - Europe, Middle East and Africa

I thought the same thing, but another country on the list is Jordan, and it's not included under "Europe", so it's not "EME" (and definitely no "A").

How come that they removed the sound from the keynote broadcast during the part where they red-dye half of the world (political? )? When first watching it on June 09th there was still music added to it.

Probably just music rights to broadcast "It's A Small World" in perpetuity. Ironically a Disney song. (And as I was sitting there, I thought, "This is just like the ride too -- it goes on and on and on....")

 

[CWallace]

The 3.5mm recess was simply Apple doing what they do best, be greedy. They wanted to flog their own headsets and adapters.

Except Apple included the headset in the package and the only adapter they offered shipped with the old Shuffle (the extension cable) and that was no longer offered by the time the iPhone shipped.

The reason Apple went with a recessed headphone jack is because it was necessary to allow the top to taper at the back like the rest of the iPhone's edges. Otherwise the top would have had to be squared-off to prevent part of the connector from being exposed.

Don't get me wrong. It annoyed me, as well, but it was done for aesthetics and part of the reason most of us buy Apple products is for their aesthetics.

 

[wonderkid]

I'm a Mac user....

...and have been inventing, designing and following gadgets since 1970s, and the reason I take the iPhone so seriously is because it is the first device ever devised by man (and woman) that could bring an end to the clunky manner in which we interact with 'computers'. So, I am very picky because if Apple do not get it right then other more mediocre devices (HTC Diamond is an example, because it still lacks the fluidity of the iPhone, but it has more features and options) will take the market - and we'll never get there. You are right about megapixels, however, even with the top lens, the minimum you need for anything larger than a postcard is 5MP - and autofocus and a lamp are paramount - I have been using cameras phones and digicams for ages (am a photographer) and the K800i and N95 I have or do own produce stunning images thanks to their auto focus and flashes in good light. In my opinion, the 3G iPhone is a stop gap device and two more will follow, one an iPhone nano and the other a true all in one device with WiMAX or similar - and we'll see these at Christmas or early 2009. I waited a year for the 3G iPhone and the features it is missing mean I would not get one if it was free on contract with Vodafone, my preferred network here in the UK. (And that brings me onto another issue, Apple should NOT have gone exclusive with O2. I chose Voda because their coverage here is excellent - and their 3G and 3.G is great too.) My N85 8G is doing great really and if Nokia introduce multitouch on a future version, that would be great. BTW, I sync my N95 with iTunes and iPhoto - and unlike the iPhone, it can sync over Bluetooth with my MacBook, so I don't even need to dock it. Again: The iPhone is light years ahead from a usability and wow factor angle, but lack of features DOES matter, because I want less to carry around. Oh, and an FM radio would be great too, but of course, that would stop people paying Apple for music... (Sorry!)

You almost had some okay points outside the "should have a keyboard as an option" as winning perhaps winning the ultimate "wow, what the eff, you clearly don't get it" award for all of the over a million Macrumors posts.

Probably don't need to reiterate so many of the other excellent posts by people that cramming more megapixels in a camera does NOT make it a better camera (though too many n00bs simply just don't get this/believe the hype) and the fact that the networks in the US are, wait for it, NOT like the ones elsewhere on the planet. That said points on not letting it act like a modem are valid and the lack of bluetooth stereo is a totally thinker there.

 

[TwinCities Dan]

As I understand it, Bluetooth Tethering is paring a phone to a computer to use it as an internet link for the computer. It's an interesting idea, but the telcos want more money for that kind of service, and I do agree in a way because notebooks make it easier to use a lot more data than you would if you just used the phone.

HAHA, I guess I showed some ignorance on that question. Oh well, I learned something new. Thanks!

 

[ncbill]

Now that it supports 3G you can bet your sweet bippy someone will figure out how to tether the iPhone to a computer for unlimited broadband access.

The big question is will $30/month "unlimited" iPhone data be subject to *lower* caps than the 5GB/month that is standard for $60/month "unlimited" data plans for cellular modems.

Usage of the phone as a dial-up internet connection; can be done with almost every other phone whose data plans are $20 a month for 3G; you can't do this on an iPhone 3G whose data plan is $30 a month. I don't think the plans are worth it.

 

[currentinterest]

if i NEED to get a macbook this summer (before the end of aug) should i get it now? or wait for abit longer?

will there be a chance that they will update it between now and end of aug?

Since the back-to-school iPod promotion runs until September 15, there will likely not be an update until after that date.

 

[Stately]

DUHHH like I've said: touch devices bigger than the iPhone are FREAKING USELESS! Why do some people continue on this quest of proving that touch screen computers are useful? I'm not sure. Logic=0%. Clumsy, cumbersome, and down-right stupid is what they are. I was right once again. Thank you very much. HAR HAR HAR HAR ah yuk yuk yuk here I go touching my MacBook screen yuk yuk yuk har har har.

you were right about what might I ask? There were literally thousands laughing at the thought of a touch phone, when they saw all the smart people who got laughed at waiting on line for one days later, they wanted one and went out to buy one or more. Go figure.

 

[llkennethll]

Depends on needs I have only recently bought the Macbook in my signature, because I require something for me on the move, an the standard White Macbook suited what I required, if a newer model is due out then fine I am happy with my purchase.

Since the back-to-school iPod promotion runs until September 15, there will likely not be an update until after that date.

many thx! haha...then i will purchase it this week then:]

 

[majordude]

Although it was a lame WWDC...

Ditto.

Steve looking sick? Me.com? No iTouch price drop? iPhone now G3, which is the standard in Europe circa 2006?

Why wasn't this a 15 minute press conference?

 

[metz123]

It was a lame WWDC even if you were a developer. Other than Grand Central and some new attempts to bring threading to the masses there was very little for developers at WWDC.

Every session I attended was XCode, Interface builder, Instruments, Shark....lather, rinse, repeat....

 

[milo]

regarding the mini, maybe apple will do as they did this winter with an announce every tuesday for a month or 2 around macworld, we'll see tuesday i guess

Yeah, unless they were going to completely redesign it, there's no way they'd announce at WWDC. It's a tuesday announcement, probably not even an event. Who knows when they'll update it, they obviously don't give a crap about that model.

 

[Bubba Satori]

Yeah, unless they were going to completely redesign it, there's no way they'd announce at WWDC. It's a tuesday announcement, probably not even an event. Who knows when they'll update it, they obviously don't give a crap about that model.

I just don't understand why Apple has let a great idea like the mini wither on the vine due to a lack of a few simple updates and price adjustments. What a great little computer. Just a little expandability, latest components and some energized marketing with a price of $600 and Apple's marketshare might be around 20% What a diasppointing, missed opportunity.