Predictions for MacWorld Expo 2008

Macworld Conference and Expo begins 14 January 2008. The Steve Jobs Keynote will be on that day.

So here are some of my predictions for what Steve Jobs / Apple may be announcing on keynote day...


1. Mac Tablet Reader AKA MacBook mini [the tablet]
It's out there. the rumours are everywhere. to quote Nike: Just Do It.
These things will have multi-touch 10" screens,
run on 32GB and 64GB SSD / 80GB to 160GB HDD [think iPod Classic].
it'll NOT have a slot for DVDs / CDs.
Est. Price: S$949

2. Refreshed MacBooks + MacBook Pros
Intel is releasing new processors in January. Apple normally follows suit with new laptops notebooks.
Oh, Apple purhased new 13.3" LED-backlit screens. Think LED-backlit MBs. Bright!
And also, Intel GMA X3100. upgraded Graphics!
Same prices as present.

3. iPhone w/ HSDPA: Preview ONLY
This will come out at the end of next year, but Apple must get FCC approvals first. So why not announce it here and now first?
HSDPA, 2nd camera, but maybe some features they can preview now...
[think iPhone firmware 1.1.3 or 1.1.4: video recording, voice memo, voice commands]
Est. Price when iPhone is out in SG much later next year: S$699

4. iTunes 8
Rip your DVDs @ US$3.99 per DVD.

5. Mac Mini + Apple TV fusion
both products were dying anyways, so why not fuse them? Mac nano! [SSD, no CD/DVD again]

6. Partnership with Activision-Vivendi for new Mac Games
they did it with EA. Now move along! Activision is merging with one of the most popular developer for the Mac, Vivendi. [they do WoW, the "only" game on a Mac]

7. Return of the NBC
Maybe on iTunes.

8. Mac Pro update.
New Intel Xeon Hi-K Metal Gate processors, new CTO for the Graphics [think ATi HD2600 PRO], new Hard Drive option [1TB x 4 = 4TB!], new CTO option for BD-R/BD-RW!

9. BD-R
Available as a CTO option on Mac Pro [ref. no. 8], on MacBook Pros, on iMacs. Screw Mac nanos and MacBooks.
est. price difference for upgrade from SuperDrive to BD-R: S$500

10. Apple TV: literally
a 50" 30" iMac. Comes with wireless keyboard + mouse and Front Row remote. oh, built in TV tuner. and yes, it has Blu-Ray.
Est. Price: S$6,600.00

11. Cinema Displays
still up to 30", new prices, no more 20", iSight intergrated.

12. Revenge of the QuickTake
A camera! duh. a video camera. iPhone-like design. or maybe a new iPod Touch with camera. [bummer.]



You know what, that number 12 was retarded. I'm changing it to this number 12 below...



12. One More Thing: Steve Jobs: CEO no more...
Bill Gates' final CES keynote is in 2008, Steve has beated Bill already. now, rest, retire, let someone else take over!
Steve has helmed Apple as CEO since 1998 [the iCEO thing doesn't count. Neither does the pre-1990s thing] 10 years is a long time. let someone else take over! Phill Schiller or Tim Cook could take over. EDIT: Rumours has it Jony Ive is the next in line.