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After search giant Google hurled a barrage of not-so-subtle spears in Apple’s direction at the Google I/O developer conference, all eyes are now on the World Wide Developer Conference that Cupertino will be launching June 7 with a keynote from CEO Steve Jobs.
While a fourth-generation iPhone is a given at this point after an absurd number of leaks in recent weeks, Apple CEO Steve Jobs himself promised an inquisitive e-mailer only a few days ago: “You won’t be disappointed.” So we put our thinking cap on and came up with this list of cool stuff we might see when WWDC 2010 kicks off June 7 and wraps up on June 11.
Safari 5 (or maybe 4.5)
We think Safari is still pretty great, even against more recent challengs from Google Chrome and Firefox 3.6. But with the Chrome browser finally out of beta this week, Apple may have to work harder to pound out Safari’s remaining limitations.
Among them: No API for extensions, as noted this week by Daring Fireball’s own John Gruber after Google’s announcement that Chrome is now officially “stable.” That means that great third-party software like 1Password and Evernote has to resort to kludgy hacks to work intimately with Safari. Heck, even good ol’ Adobe Flash might work better with an API (stranger things have happened). Gruber also calls out Apple for not empowering Safari with a true ability to automatically reopen pages left open when the app was closed. Yes, please.
New Mac Pros -- Finally!
The poor Mac Pro has certainly gone neglected, with its last update more than a year ago. Worse yet, the desktop behemoth still carries a form factor borrowed from the Power Mac G5 before it -- and in computer years, that makes it a veritable dinosaur.
Although we’ve heard plenty of rumors about Intel’s new six-core Core i7-980X processor landing in a refreshed Mac Pro as far back as January and February of this year, the summer has arrived and there’s still nothing official on the radar. Creative professionals are likely worried about Apple’s silence with regard to such new hardware, but that could all change with one presentation.
Mac OS X 10.7
Many developers are also rightfully worried that this year’s WWDC is too focused on iPhone OS, and many questions remain as to when Apple might shed some light on their intentions for Mac OS X 10.7. Granted, Snow Leopard 10.6 was released only last September, but that update was more about optimizing Leopard 10.5 than adding hot new features to the Mac (unless you count getting back a bunch of hard drive space as a “hot” new feature).
Our prediction is that Mac OS X 10.7 will get at least a cursory mention at WWDC 2010, and we won’t get a real preview of a new desktop operating system until WWDC 2011. Thankfully, Snow Leopard 10.6 runs like smooth, creamy butter most of the time -- and Apple keeps the updates coming regular enough to squash anything that comes up, with a 10.6.4 patch already in beta testing.
iPhone OS 4.0 for iPad
We’ve already seen all of the cool stuff that’s presumably coming next month with iPhone OS 4.0, such as Folders, multitasking and threaded e-mail. But we were bummed to hear that the fresh new iPad won’t get the 4.0 love until sometime this fall, by which time Apple will likely be on 4.1 or so.
Here’s hoping that Apple will give us at least a peek at iPhone OS 4.x for the iPad at WWDC -- after all, developers will certainly appreciate a longer lead time to rework their apps for the tablet device after having to rush them together between late January and early April for the U.S. iPad launch. The rest of us will just have to wait… and weep.
The Real Apple TV Take 2
Remember back in January, 2008 when Apple took the wraps off “Take 2” of its “still a hobby” Apple TV? Despite a price drop, closer ties with iTunes and the ability to purchase content directly from the box itself, the Apple TV has continued to bore most everyone who sees it, except for the die-hard hackers who continue to squeeze as much as possible out of the device’s anemic processor and (gasp!) Mac OS X 10.4 Tiger operating system by way of unsanctioned apps like nitoTV and Boxee.
We figure the time has come for a truly revolutionary overhaul of Apple TV, especially now that arch-nemesis Google is breathing down Apple’s neck with Google TV, slated for release this fall. Rumors abound that Apple TV may get iPhone OS-ified and will adopt the tiny A4 architecture that will come standard in the next iPhone. Additionally, the new Apple TV will have 1080p HD and 16GB of storage, as well as be a part of Apple's rumored new cloud storage network. The best part about these rumors is that the device is slated to sell for only $99, which will make die hard Apple fans with a tight budget extremely happy.
MobileMe: Now With More Free!
Recent rumors have speculated that Apple may take a cue from Google and start offering their cloud-based MobileMe service absolutely free to all users. While that would no doubt raise the ire of longtime .Mac users who have paid good money each year to stay with the often-questionable service, it’s really the only recourse Apple may have to keep up with Google now.
MobileMe itself isn’t spectacular as it exists now, save for its awesome push e-mail, Find My iPhone, contacts and calendars. The recent web-based Mail beta shows that Apple is taking baby steps toward improving the service, but they’ve got a long ways to go yet. Let’s see that acquisition of Lala start moving iTunes into the cloud, for instance, and speaking of that...
iTunes in the Cloud
Since Apple purchased Lala.com, pundits have been short-circuiting their craniums trying to guess exactly what Cupertino plans to do with the technology -- and equally as important, when that fateful day might arrive. We’re not so sold on the idea of having iTunes “in the cloud” -- call us old fashioned, but it’s kind of nice to actually feel like you own your music, especially now that it’s finally DRM-free.
Be that as it may, Apple now appears late to the cloud-based music game, with Google stepping up to the plate to make Android such a cloud-centric experience. We’re not sure that WWDC is the right forum to finally reveal what the company is doing with Lala’s brains, but surely Apple will have to play their hand soon enough.
NEXT: iPhones, iTunes and the MacBook Air>>
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CDMA iPhones Exist, Just Not In The States
Submitted by Andarian on Fri, 2010-05-28 11:29.
Here in Canada, all four of our major cell services have the iPhone. Rogers and Fido use GSM while Bell and Telus both use CDMA. All that holds Verizon back from getting the iPhone (as far as I can tell) is AT&T being assholes about it and keeping it to themselves. I really don't think Apple would hurt either way. In fact, I bet that Apple would get even more sales on the iPhone by branching it out to other carriers. I guess only time will tell
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CDMA iPhones do not exist in Canada
Submitted by SuperMoose on Fri, 2010-05-28 13:40.
@Andarian
Bell and Telus rolled out a new HSPA+ network last november, which is when they got the iPhone so iPhones on Bell and Telus don't have CDMA wireless.
But yes, it is stupid that AT&T still has the iPhone all to themselves, at the very least the other GSM/HSPA+ networks in the US should be allowed to have the iPhone.
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From what I understand... *
Submitted by upstateappleuser on Sun, 2010-05-30 22:57.
From what I understand...
* there will be a new Apple TV - similar to the iPhone (w/ 16GB).
* no MAC PRO updates - as there is not enough new stuff to get a proper upgrade (except for new Intel Chips). This will not happen until later in the year (after iMac refresh).
* new form factor and new Mac Minis. Stand upright? Slimmer? tune in.
* No Mac OS 10.7, too many bugs.
* iPhone (duh)
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Genius
Submitted by jackisclark on Tue, 2010-06-01 10:50.
I routinely use Genius, mainly because I have such a huge expanse of music and while I'm working it can be tiresome to make my own playlists. While shuffle does mix up the tunes, it does so with on regard towards tone or genre. I don't want to start playing The Beatles and then hear some of my Jim Gaffigan comedy.
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iPhone OS + Jailbreak = Love
Submitted by prell on Tue, 2010-06-01 20:52.
iPhone OS + Jailbreak = Love .. uhmm.. yes.. we can dream!!!!!
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Correction
Submitted by The_Quintessent... on Wed, 2010-06-02 18:23.
Mac OS X Snow Leopard was released in August, not September. And challenges is misspelled in the article.
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Jailbreak love
Submitted by Doc Izzy on Wed, 2010-06-02 18:50.
Well here's what we know already that will almost make my jailbreak unnecessary... all of these are reasons I JB my iPhone:
1) ATT is about to offer a tethering plan (I use an unlock & hack ATT carrier profile).
2) App icons can be put in folders (I use SB "Categories").
3) Wall paper for springboard (not a big deal buy I like it)The ifs:
3) SMS can be integrated into apps... if this means the AMAZING BiteSMS can go legit in the iTunes store I'm in heaven.
4) More APIs available - if this translates into apps like SBSettings going legit then I'm ready to go legit & drop my JB!