Filed under: Analysis / Opinion, Hardware, iPod Family, iTS, Rumors, Other Events
TUAW "It's Showtime!" predictions
It's that time ladies and gentlemen: the pre-event post where the TUAW team put it all on the line and offer up their predictions on what we'll be throwing down our credit cards for after tomorrow's It's Showtime special event. In all actuality, there isn't much on the line for us, but it's still fun to see how close we can come to predicting Apple's product roadmap. Without further adieu, here are our predictions, in no particular order:Scott McNulty plays it safe with predictions that echo the rest of the Apple-anxious internets:
- New iPod
- Movies in the iTunes Music Store
- iTunes 7
- Movie download service
- Video streaming device (and possibly TVs to go with it)
- Some kind of new iPod (leaning towards metal nano)
- Movies in iTunes
- Updated iPod
I'll also take the liberty to throw down some non-predictions: I don't think tomorrow will have anything to do with Macs whatsoever, including these new rumors of a sub-Mac Pro tower and new chips in MacBook Pros. I think tomorrow is all about the entertainment, iPods and any related gadgets, baby!
But don't take our word for it - we'll find out in about 16 hours whether we're one step closer to gaining 'magic 8-ball' status. Stay tuned!
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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
Query said 8:13PM on 9-11-2006
That MacTower was a fake. Don't take my word for it though, take the image creator's: http://the-ish.com/blog/?p=6
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Todd Plants said 8:52PM on 9-11-2006
I think the "video ipod" is out for tomorrow. Look at these banners:
http://www.engadget.com/2006/09/11/steve-jobs-dishes-tomorrow-at-10-00am-pst-1-00pm-est-be-there/
Regulation 5G ipod there with the silhouette.
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hesse said 8:55PM on 9-11-2006
im going to pull the dark horse and say that leopard is going to be shipped early. but i think we might see iphone or possible the video express
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Steve said 8:58PM on 9-11-2006
I also think we'll see iTunes 7 and a revamped iTunes Media Store (saving the iTMS, but replacing it with the catchall Media). Perhaps a subscription-based service for all content within iTMS. Definitely a hardware device to go along with it, either a video streaming device to connect to your TV and/or a new iPod.
I guess I haven't said anything new here yet, but I'd just like to see Apple decentralize iTMS. It would be great to have a subscription-based service that you could access on any computer w/ iTunes (via login to iTMS) or your wifi iPod, and have the ability to stream it to your TV (or your iPod, as mentioned). We may never see a subscription based iTMS, but I think the decentralization of media is in the near future.
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Pathumx said 9:05PM on 9-11-2006
If they change the name, maybe it would be something like iTunes Media Store. It would still have the same initials. While the Mac Tower was a fake. I like the idea of having an iSight in a cinema display.
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Esben said 9:21PM on 9-11-2006
I'm gonna jump on the wagon too and have a wild guess.
While I do strongly believe that the only thing tomorrow will be an updated iTMS with full length videos and maybe an updated iPod (though not new in the sense of 6th generation), I do hope that Steve will wow us all by first praising the iTMS and it's success then say it's time for a revamp . He'll then show everyone the "new" iTMS which is a dramatic change from what we know today. He'll then go on telling about how they have deals with all major studios (including sony) and that they'll be available in all countries (not just the US). He'll then tell everyone that they now need to see all this on their HDTV, so he introduces the tv-dock. A connection between your macbook, mac mini or waht not and your tv so that you'll be able to use both computer while showing movies on your tv. After a demo he'll hold his breath and say (wait for it)... "We do have one more thing". He'll then introduce the new powerpod (a mixture of a full fledged mac, an ipod and a phone but meant as a competitor to tablets, palms and smart phones).
I know that this last scenario is most unlikely... but now that all other guesses seem so alike I'm gonna make this seemingly "crazy" device appear!
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James Whited said 9:23PM on 9-11-2006
I predict:
iTunes 7
iTMS to become iTunes Media Store or iTunes Multimedia Store
Possibly a bump in iPod storage, but I hope not because I just got a 30 GB iPod for graduation
Maybe Video express
Maybe updated Front Row/Roll out of 10.4.8
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Bud said 9:39PM on 9-11-2006
Todd, they wouldnt post a giant picture, of a new product before it is actually announced, that would just be silly! So I am jumping on the bandwagon with updated iPod.
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Jacob Varghese said 9:39PM on 9-11-2006
Everyone will be able to use Front Row now as it will be incorporated into iTunes.
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WickEd said 10:04PM on 9-11-2006
iTunes:
Major upgrade to the software to usher in full-length movie downloading from the store. Movie downloading service will have just a handful of companies signed up to distribute their movies through the store. Better movie playback capabilities from within iTunes.
iPod:
6 and 8GB iPod nanos including an updated, choice-of-colours casing. Nanos will playback video. 80GB and 120GB iPod fifth generation iPods with incredibly high pricing for the latter model.
MacBook:
MacBook Pros will see updated processors (Core 2 Duo) and significantly upgraded casings, discernable from the PowerBook/existing MacBook Pro line) but won't stray too much from the tried and true aluminium look. FireWire 800 on the 15.4" model. 3GB RAM max. MacBooks will see small processor speed bumps and for the higher end models, reduced prices.
Misc.:
Product of the show: Apple Wireless Base Station that can support streaming movies of even high-definition movies with an amazingly Apple-way of streaming and storing information on the fly. Apple Remote compatible. Video-out port-mania. Works with a new iLife app for video management and playback, or, the next major revision of iTunes.
That's it! Stop! :P
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Jordan said 10:57PM on 9-11-2006
Dear Steve Jobs,
Please release a real Apple mobile phone. I will buy it and cancel my T-Mobile contract immediately.
Thank you,
Jordan
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Ken said 11:19PM on 9-11-2006
Quicktime will have its own video library manager. iTunes and Quicktime will be able to see each other's library (as with other iLife apps). Both will be able to sync with an iPod.
New accessories add mobile or wireless phone functionality to the iPod. All functions are accessible through iPod's current interface. New earbuds with built-in microphone.
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Andy S. said 11:32PM on 9-11-2006
TUAW already has Magic 8-ball status. In fact, that's a very proper description.
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rda52 said 2:08AM on 9-12-2006
im hoping for Merom Macbook pro's i have the money ready to just buy :D
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Jonathan Baldwin said 3:12AM on 9-12-2006
BBC content on iTunes, possibly ITV and Channel 4 content too. US TV shows possibly available in UK in advance of terrestrial or satellite rights.
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Gandhi said 7:55AM on 9-12-2006
I predict this shindig will be all related to iPod/iTunes/media stuff, and not at all with anything related to the Mac.
I see down the road Apple holding four major events, two for the Mac and two for the media stuff, alternating one after the other. Macworld in Jan, iTunes media event in Spring, WWDC in late summer, and another media event in Fall.
Of course we are not there yet, but this is where I see Apple shows/events going.
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