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MacWorld 2008 Rumor Roundup

appletell.com — A roundup of all the rumors regarding MacWorld 2008. Organized by probability.

Who dugg this? Made popular Jan 6, 2008

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  • b8man99, on 01/06/2008, -16/+52Very Likely - A life size cuddly Steve Jobs for the fanboys to cuddle at night.
  • basic0, on 01/06/2008, -1/+30Most Probable: Steve will spend no less than 1/3 of the keynote pimping .Mac services. Live bloggers posting from the conference will show their boredom and frustration:

    12:06 - Steve is talking about .Mac. Audience looks disinterested.
    12:11 - Still talking about .Mac. Some audience members are quietly leaving.
    12:19 - Have you ever really looked at your hands? Like really looked at them? They're so weird...all those fingers...that's a weird word, "fingers"...fin-gers....finnn-gerrrs...

    Fanboys will sit at their computer, refreshing those live blogs, muttering "OMFG, enough with .Mac already, get on with it!" under their breath instead of working.
  • TheWorm, on 01/06/2008, -3/+29Bury this if you don't want it, but since the site is very slow and i couldn't find any working mirrors here is the content.

    Very Likely
    Mac OS X 10.5.2- A list of 75 fixes adorns the latest builds of 10.5.2. The feature we have heard most about is the semi-fixed stacks: users are now able to display a list view, and essentially turn off stacks altogether. Displaying the folder icon instead of contents is also an option.
    via [Mac Rumors, Engadget, Appletell, Macenstien]

    Mac Pro- New Mac Pros may have Intel’s Penryn processors up to 8-core 3.2 GHz with a 32 GB RAM ceiling now official. 4 TB maximum Hard Drive Space isn’t far fetched, and there are rumors of a Build to Order Blu-Ray Option.
    via [Appletell, HardMac, Macworld]

    Cinema Displays- New Cinema Displays may see a case change, and will definitely have LED backlighting. An iSight camera built in is debatable, as users of Mac Pros would most likely not be doing much video conferencing. New display sizes,24”, 27” and 30”, are possible, as is a glossy option. Any of these features are likely, but not all at once.
    via [Appletell, APC Magazine]

    Sub-notebook- Apple’s “MacBook Nano” will have a 12 or 13 inch screen, 32 or 64 GB of NAND-based SSD, and no optical drive. An external optical drive is rumored to be released with the sub-notebook. The rumors are that the MacBook Nano will sport aluminum or black finish.
    via [Mac Rumors:[1] [2], AppleInsider, Gizmodo]

    Apple TV 2.0- Apple TV 2.0 may get DVR capabilities. More likely is iTunes Movie Rentals: Apple has already partnered with FOX and Disney with more studios coming aboard later. A DVD drive to take advantage of iPod sized versions of 20th Century Fox is possible, but not likely.
    via [Appletell, Infinite Loop Paris Lemon]

    iTunes Movie Rentals FOX and Disney have signed on for iTunes rentals, with more studios to come.
    via [World of Apple, Mac Rumors, TUAW]

    Possible

    iMac- Baseline speedbump from 2.0 to 2.2 GHz is all that the iMac will probably get. There has been light chatter about a touchscreen, but that is highly unlikely.
    via [Appletell]

    iPod HiFi- The iPod HiFi rumors started very recently, and indicate HD Radio and iTunes tagging support, which would tag favorite radio songs for later purchase on iTunes.
    via [iLounge]

    3G/16 GB iPhone The iPhone will perhaps see a small price drop in the 8GB version to around $349, if a 16 GB version is introduced. 3G iPhones are possible, but not likely until later in the year.
    via [Appletell, Mac Rumors]

    Improbable

    Mid-Range headless Mac- The Midrange Headless Mac would have similar specs to the iMac, but would be upgradeable. It would be priced around $1500.
    via [MacWorld]

    Full-size Wireless Keyboard- Essentially a wired keyboard without the wires, so that wireless users can have a number pad if they wish. Could come alongside a Mighty Mouse Redesign featuring an aluminum enclosure, and a slightly thinner form.
    via [Appletell]
  • hollywoodphony, on 01/06/2008, -1/+18Here's a rumor: more and more sites going down due to the digg effect in 2008.
  • chicken101, on 01/06/2008, -3/+13I don't know why you're getting dugg down, that's pretty damn funny. +1 for you
  • chad78, on 01/06/2008, -7/+15ok - there comment captcha system is *****... So I'll have to leave my comment here...

    So, no MacBook Touch? Not even in the Improbable column? Come on! A Mac Tablet has been the liquid dream of every Mac fanboy since the Newton was first introduced. And you don't think with all the multitouch hype out there that a iTouch MiMac is a very unlikely possibility? If you need a source of your rumor - point to my blog. I could use the traffic anyway. :)
  • TheWorm, on 01/06/2008, -1/+8"An iSight camera built in is debatable, as users of Mac Pros would most likely not be doing much video conferencing. "

    How do they figure?
  • ramcosca, on 01/06/2008, -1/+8That's a nice idea but it would go for a few hundred dollars. Not cheap!
  • Firehed, on 01/06/2008, -0/+7Go buy a 24" Dell display or something like that then. I've used both the Dell and Apple displays, and while the Apple displays are something you'd be much happier to show off to your clients and customers (which IS important in many industries), Dell's displays are much more flexible in terms of inputs and stand adjustments - not to mention they're half the price.
  • illt, on 01/06/2008, -0/+6yay for no tactile response.
  • sleepwalkers, on 01/06/2008, -0/+6I didn't understand why they'd say that, either. Seeing as they don't sell the stand-alone iSight anymore, it'd make sense for them to toss them into the displays.
    I mean, hell, they're expensive enough, they ought to.
  • lysdexia, on 01/06/2008, -1/+6From the article: "Wireless Keyboard- Essentially a wired keyboard without the wires"

    Hoodathunkit - what next in the brave new mac-world?
  • chad78, on 01/06/2008, -4/+9Damn! Their ***** "Contact Us" page is blank too. What kind of a piece of ***** website is AppleTell anyway? Damn! I hope this craptastic article doesn't make it to the front page.

    BTW, speaking of ***** up sites - I tried to edit my above comment to fix the grammar-nazi-bait "there/their" mistake - and my "session expired" and when I "refresh[ed] the page" my edit time was gone.
  • chad78, on 01/06/2008, -0/+5Here's to you, Mister. You make us laugh with your truth, but make us cry at the fact that the only reason we think its funny is because we have frantically refreshed the page saying "Enough with .Mac" while trying to hide the screen from co-workers/bosses... Of course, that means you have too..... hmmmm.....
  • DavisCollins, on 01/06/2008, -2/+7I hope more than anything that they do update the Cinema Display's with LED and iSight built-in. Please Apple! It is all I ask of you!
  • PhoenixAvatar2, on 01/06/2008, -0/+5When you type fast you're going to hit the keys hard. Reason why it doesn't hurt on a keyboard is there's give that slows down your fingers as you push the key all the way down. There's none of that when you type on a touchscreen. On top of that, for me at least, I touch-type by feeling where the other keys are. You can 't do that when all you have is a plain surface.
  • InSeverance, on 01/06/2008, -1/+6Question:
    If Apple does decide to release a 3G iteration of the iPhone, does it still have to go through the FCC, given that the original iPhone passed such tests/requirements?

    If so, then an iPhone announcement will come sooner rather later as lost sales are going to have to be accounted for eventually. I can't imagine the adoption rate increasing until Christmas next year which is a long time in a phones life-cycle.

    If not - this will likely be a surprise annoucement, and not at Macworld08
  • LukeBeaumont, on 01/06/2008, -0/+5There should be an updated MacBook Pro.
    They haven't been updated in 215 days (average is 186) according to http://buyersguide.macrumors.com/#MacBook_Pro.
    And Intels Mobile Penryn processors come out any day soon.

    So I believe an update is very likely. I hope there is one, I have been waiting for months to buy a MBP.
  • dcronin90, on 01/06/2008, -1/+6No updated Macbook Pro?
  • norcalscan, on 01/06/2008, -0/+5I would love an I Touch Me Mac.
  • themij, on 01/06/2008, -1/+5Site is down...
  • antitab, on 01/06/2008, -0/+3Has everyone forgotten about the Mac Mini? Poor thing is sitting neglected. It's the only product still using GMA950. If not a Mac Nano, I'd expect they might at least bump up the Mini specs.
  • adamfishercox, on 01/06/2008, -0/+3The Cinemas are in dire need of an update. They will get one and they will get LED backlighting. Probably they will get an iSight, too. If they don't I can't imagine why not.
  • MacParrot, on 01/06/2008, -0/+3Agreed. Dell Monitors are great and much less than Apple's. Unless you're getting a Mac to just show it off, go with a third-party monitor that's in the same quality range.
  • inactive, on 01/06/2008, -0/+3"An iSight camera built in is debatable, as users of Mac Pros would most likely not be doing much video conferencing"
    ahhh...where do these people work, again, the reviewers? Conferencing can save a lot of time, especially in a city where it takes an hour to get a few blocks across town (ex: Sao Paulo)
  • MacParrot, on 01/06/2008, -0/+3Sorry about the Bud light Troller thing. Chad's comment made me think of it and it was one of those moments where you either get it out or it's lost forever. Maybe that would have been a good thing. Anyway I agree. I've sat there on sites myself hitting refresh and just seeing more about .mac or some guy who's a ceo of a company that Apple just partnered with who is incapable of holding anyone's attention.
  • chad78, on 01/06/2008, -1/+4Ever seen / heard of a Table PC? Ever used one? Ever wondered what it would be like to run Mac OS X on that machine? There you go... Just because the screen in multitouch, doesn't mean it won't have a physical keyboard. It might, or it might not. As of this moment, it's Schrodinger's Mac, simultaniously having and not having a keyboard. Until we see it, both realities exist. And, if it does ship without a keyboard - if it's anything like every other Mac portable currently being made - it will have Bluetooth, so you can get a keyboard for it.

    It's not just about typing on the screen. You're right - if that's all it was about, that would be stupid. A keyboard is designed for typing - a screen isn't. The point is all the other stuff you can do with a touch screen. no need for a mouse - draw directly on the screen - use handwriting instead of typing - zooming with your fingers, put the "point" back into "point and click". It's a different (read:additional as well as new) interface *on top* of mousing and typing. Tablet PCs - UMPCs - iPhones - NSeries Tablets - Microsoft Surface - Nintendo DS Lite - all these point to the fact that people want to touch the screen. Heck, even the Wii shows you that people want something other than a bunch of buttons to push. Do buttons work? Yes. Do they have their place? absolutely. Are they the only way to interact with computers? No. Are they the best way? Not necessarily. Plus, if they keep the keyboard, why should you complain? Heck, why complain anyway? No one is forcing you to buy / use one.
  • ronmexico, on 01/06/2008, -0/+3The Mac Mini hasn't been updated in at least a year. I would put money on an announcement either about a major update or replacement. I don't see any iPhone changes except 1.1.3 released.
  • mistergosh, on 01/06/2008, -0/+3Hm... Am I the only one who wants a Mac Mini upgrade? Not just a lame processor update like the one from august, but something decent.
  • kcdstudios, on 01/06/2008, -1/+3How many pro Mac Touch "Ireland's" could possibly wandering the streets of the Internet? I'm sad to see you don't have the reputation here that you enjoy elsewhere, maybe you should go back to Insider, it's safer there :)
  • nreynolds, on 01/06/2008, -0/+2That would be super uncomfortable to type on. try hitting the tips of your fingers against a desk as hard as you hit them when you type and it starts hurting pretty badly after not too long.
  • kcdstudios, on 01/06/2008, -1/+3It damn well better be inflatable if I'm paying any Apple tax. With Ive simplicity too. I guess what I'm trying to say is no buttons. The doll that is.
  • solistus, on 01/06/2008, -0/+2A lot of rumours say the MBP might move up to Penryn, but the new ones likely won't ship until February or later. I recently bought a 15" MBP and don't expect to have any regrets come MWSF.
  • DavisCollins, on 01/06/2008, -0/+2I don't agree. It wouldn't be a pressure sensitive screen, so you wouldn't have to press very hard. Just a thought.
  • triscuitbiscuit, on 01/06/2008, -1/+3Mac touch is a horrible name.
    To me that does not bring up thoughts of a portable- rather it brings up thoughts of a touchscreen desktop like the HP thing.
    Have you noticed that all their portables have 'Book' in their name? I guess not.
  • solistus, on 01/06/2008, -0/+2Mac Touch is on there.... Under the least probable heading, mind you. The reason for this is that the technology Apple uses in the iPhone to have such effective touch response is more expensive than the screens many affordable tablets use. Apple only likes to release products they can keep at a high quality while being in a price that appeals to an expected market. The market for tablets doesn't scale up too high in cost, in all likelihood, and it's not clear that Apple could deliver such a product at an acceptable price/quality balance.
  • PonyGumbo, on 01/06/2008, -0/+2It would be nice to see some updated video card options for the Mac Pro.
  • TheWorm, on 01/06/2008, -0/+2That's not really true though. Just because you use your computer to edit video doesn't mean you wouldn't like to have a video conversation with your friends as well. Perhaps they have a blog, and want to make some video tutorials, rants, whatever.
  • thomasjordan, on 01/06/2008, -0/+2There is a tablet MacBook out there... it's just not manufatured by apple. Called "ModBook" from a company called axiotron.
    http://axiotron.com for details. Looks like a normal MacBook, modifed w/ touchscreen and accompanying form factor.
  • MacParrot, on 01/06/2008, -0/+2I tend to agree with that. The only Apple computer that doesn't have a built-in camera is the Mac Pro. There are a sheisse load of USB webcams out, and it's not that hard to make them work with OS X. Apple should just not try and come out with a universal driver that would work with iChat for the majority of them and call it a day.
  • lazyslacker, on 01/06/2008, -1/+3this one barely works
    http://www.appletell.com.nyud.net:8090/apple/comme ...
  • Bigheadaus, on 01/06/2008, -0/+1The 3G may end up being mostly aimed at the Australian market. Currently EDGE is the only format the iPhone can use here in Australia. That is supported only by Telstra. But its painfully slow speeds make it unlikely Telstra will back it. A 3G phone on the other hand will be highly welcomed, due to major networks heavily backing 3G. Telstra also relies heavily on their 'NextG' network (3G, but on a better spectrum).
  • Stelex, on 01/06/2008, -0/+1Wasn't MBP with Santa Rosa released like 2 months ago?
  • zioxide, on 01/06/2008, -0/+1It was updated in August. That's only 5 months.
  • DavisCollins, on 01/06/2008, -0/+1...adjust?
  • adamfishercox, on 01/06/2008, -0/+1Good points. I think some of the mockups have it right... A tablet for on-the-go, and then when you come home, it becomes a desktop computer with touch capabilities.
  • jmeskimen, on 01/06/2008, -0/+1I would think that since a 3G iPhone would have a different antenna (not to mention the 'likely' use of an intel processor and who knows what other changes), the FCC would need to approve it. So I can imagine its announcement and then a 16gb version of the current iPhone to try and keep sales up.
  • solistus, on 01/06/2008, -1/+2LED backlighting is very likely due to Apple's green push. iSights are possible, but less likely. As TFA points out, many Mac Pro users who would buy such displays would have no need for one. Then again, they're in Macbook Pros...
  • Firehed, on 01/06/2008, -0/+1Makes a lot of sense - everything but the Mac Pro (and Mac Mini, but that's the bring your own peripherals box) comes with a camera built in, and most Mac Pro users not only have no need for a camera, but are very likely to be using multiple displays and certainly have no need for two or more. Furthermore, a LOT of Apple displays are used on normal Windows PCs, and those customers have no interest in having a webcam built in - they would much rather see a lower cost unit (unlikely, especially as so many people ARE willing to pay the premium).
  • jordn, on 01/06/2008, -2/+3too far, tony.
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