Other new things at the Expo?

We've all been discussing the possibility of new processors, DDR ram, new buses, and LCD screens. What I want to know is, what else do you think we may see? A few posts here and there have hinted at new methods of user interface control, and I believe it.

I don't know if it will be in full force this January, but I'm sure its coming. I say this because I know that a recently released Apple product was supposed to incorporate something along these lines, but didnt quite make it. I'm not going to spill it, because its not worth getting in trouble over, and it wasn't related to functionality. It was just one of those very cool touches that would only show up in an Apple product.


Additionally, I still think we're going to see an integrated webcam in the LCD iMac.

Anyone else have any thoughts/guesses along these lines?

[ 12-29-2001: Message edited by: TCO ]</p>

[quote]You mean the iPod's remote control feature? I think you mean a way to control your devices from one universal remote kind of thing.<hr></blockquote>

No no, nothing like that... this isnt something that has been rumored, and like I said it's not key to the functionality of the device.

BTW, I'm not saying we wont see a universal remote, I'm just saying thats not what I'm talkin about.

[quote]I was wondering about this.

What if Apple makes a camera module (CCD, lens, flash, etc.) that plugs onto the iPod, which becomes the storage for the images. With 5GB, that's a lot of images or even short video clips.
Attaching the iPod to your Mac launches iTunes. Attaching the digicam+iPod launches iPhoto.<hr></blockquote>

I, along with some others here, have held out that possibility for awhile. THe only thing against a module that plugs into the iPod, is that it doesnt really look like its built for that. One never knows, but it would seem to be far more likely if the iPod's design suggested some type of attachment for an external module of some bulk.

Here's another thought. People have been clamoring for another full-size external drive bay in the tower. I'm also sure that other people, who will buy the same machine (yes, the same machine) aren't looking for a big ol' tower taking up tons of room. So I'm thinking it's time for an expandable drive bay, out the top of the machine. Think of the existing tower. Now imagine if you pushed on the top of the tower and it popped up exactly the size of a 5 1/4 bay. I'm imagining something spring loaded with a stop at either end. Push, pop. Push again, click, locked down. So as not to look crappy, it would take a bit of modification to the existing case design. Of course, the new cases could look completely different, but its still a feature I'd like to see in ANY case, be it PC or Mac. I'm actually really sick of the typical rigid computer case.

I'll also tell you my super-expanding idea if you like

[quote]The iPod is perfectly built for it... plug in a FireWire cable, drop it into your pocket and run the cable to the camera (or whatever) module.<hr></blockquote>

Naw, man, I understand that. That was the first thing I proposed on this forum, awhile back. In that case though, it's not a module, it's an independent device which CAN use the iPod, instead of a device designed to work exclusively with it. At which point, you have to include internal storage at the very least, driving up the price point among other things.