WWDC Predictions
It's that time again. Time to fire up a browser and wear out the refresh button. Time to watch stock in companies that make black turtlenecks. Time to monitor obscure signals coming from the Moscone Center in San Fransisco to see just what's brewing in those off-limits areas before the magic starts. It's time for an Apple WWDC keynote.
Naturally, as everyone must, I've speculated as to what Apple will announce this time around. The field of Apple's technology products has changed considerably in the last two years. The introduction of the iPhone severely impacted the rate of release of OS X, slowing it considerably and, in my opinion, lowering the quality by a noticeable degree. The iPhone, as well, has some issues that really need addressing software-wise. Seeing these take center stage, so to speak, would be a breath of fresh air.
Prediction: Apple will announce OS 10.6, placing an emphasis on speed, stability, and improved integration with both iPhone and online services.
As far as the iPhone is concerned, predicting specifics is easy since they've already made clear that the new firmware version will arrive today or sometime this week. The SDK has already been in the hands of developers for months now, and there are already tons of apps just waiting to hit the App Store on the iPhone 2.0 firmware. However, in the time it took Apple to turn around the SDK, I have to imagine they spent a little time on their own apps, especially if they're adapting them to use their own SDK.
Prediction: iPhone firmware 2.0 will be announced, containing App Store, updated apps from Apple, and improved syncing with current OS X services and apps. And yes, it'll be 3G.
.Mac is at an interesting place right now. Gmail is free and awesome, and it already works great on your Mac, so who needs an email address that you have to pay for? Yahoo! has an online calendar and contact list that Apple supports syncing with, so who needs a non-free centralized repository to keep it on? .Mac is in the identity crisis of its life, which is why I see it undergoing some massive change. I'm torn, actually. Does Apple reach out and integrate with other online services? Do they fortify and try to build up their own services and try to turn a profit on it? Oh well, here goes nothing.
Prediction: Apple will re-tool .Mac into a premium service surrounding remote backups for your Mac with TimeMachine integrated. Certain features will become free, like email and syncing.
Well, that's about all I can think of for now. Play along if you like, or tell me I'm crazy. Should be interesting!
