WWDC Expectation
The other post on this topic took a turn towards server discussions, so I decided to start a fresh one:
I will be disappointed if WWDC doesn't bring something COMPLETELY NEW. An iPod update, G5 iMac, PowerMac Update, Display Update etc. are all great and may happen, but my actual hope and prediction is:
THE BASICS
iMac G4 update
iPod update (Video rumors of ability to output video may be true)
PowerMac Update: 2.6 Ghz G5's
Display update: Matching 'metal' look of PM
Tiger (new visuals, more corporate network goodies/Windows compatibility) and some things that hint at something new...
which leads us to...
THE MEAT
New digital convergence device. Not a Tivo. Not a TV recorder. A bridge to bring digital content from the Mac to the Family room. iTunes playback via stereo/TV; iPhoto, iMovie, and more. Mac simplicity, styling and sex appeal. A new 'platform' for developers (WWDC) and a great arena to extend Apple's dominance with ITMS etc. iTunes net radio will allow you to push a button on a remote to add the current song to your ITMS wishlist.
New partnership with automobile manufacturers and aftermarket stereo makers (or perhaps Apple's own aftermarket box). A true iPod dock for your vehicle, where the iPod slides in like a cassette and transfers control to a dash-mounted system that's as easy to navigate as the iPod itself. Hopefully integrated with XM etc. for the same kind of PUSH BUTTON TO ADD TO WISHLIST functionality for getting music from ITMS.
Theme being that your Mac Digital Life (Office for the rest of your life) now goes with you everywhere: Portable; Office; Home; Car etc.
Here's hoping Steve and crew don't stop innovating and bring us something more than more of what we already have!
I will be disappointed if WWDC doesn't bring something COMPLETELY NEW. An iPod update, G5 iMac, PowerMac Update, Display Update etc. are all great and may happen, but my actual hope and prediction is:
THE BASICS
iMac G4 update
iPod update (Video rumors of ability to output video may be true)
PowerMac Update: 2.6 Ghz G5's
Display update: Matching 'metal' look of PM
Tiger (new visuals, more corporate network goodies/Windows compatibility) and some things that hint at something new...
which leads us to...
THE MEAT
New digital convergence device. Not a Tivo. Not a TV recorder. A bridge to bring digital content from the Mac to the Family room. iTunes playback via stereo/TV; iPhoto, iMovie, and more. Mac simplicity, styling and sex appeal. A new 'platform' for developers (WWDC) and a great arena to extend Apple's dominance with ITMS etc. iTunes net radio will allow you to push a button on a remote to add the current song to your ITMS wishlist.
New partnership with automobile manufacturers and aftermarket stereo makers (or perhaps Apple's own aftermarket box). A true iPod dock for your vehicle, where the iPod slides in like a cassette and transfers control to a dash-mounted system that's as easy to navigate as the iPod itself. Hopefully integrated with XM etc. for the same kind of PUSH BUTTON TO ADD TO WISHLIST functionality for getting music from ITMS.
Theme being that your Mac Digital Life (Office for the rest of your life) now goes with you everywhere: Portable; Office; Home; Car etc.
Here's hoping Steve and crew don't stop innovating and bring us something more than more of what we already have!
Comments
And there will be numerous threads created to air those sentiments.
Beyond that, I guess an iMac or display/G5 update.
But thats not happening anytime soon. I guess its just going to be OS updates, and new crap.
The best they could do is release OS X for PC's @ $200 a piece, and go in a software oriented position. I personally know 10 people who would go out and buy it just to play with. We all know the specifics (it'd run like shit) but still everyone asks about it, but likes the computer hardware they have.
So updated G5's, xSAN in action, and hopefully motion shipping for me.
"The best they could do is release OS X for PC's @ $200 a piece, and go in a software oriented position. I personally know 10 people who would go out and buy it just to play with. We all know the specifics (it'd run like shit) but still everyone asks about it, but likes the computer hardware they have."
NEVER GOING TO HAPPEN.
Why does everyone think that apple needs to launch hardware at WWDC? Sure there's the media focus... but really its a DEVELOPERS CONFERENCE for OSX. Hoping for santa doesn't make him come any earlier...or make him real
My source on that was a gentleman by the name of Don Crabb, he passed away in Febuary of 2000, it would have been in 1999 that he made the comment that he had seen a running version of OS X on a x86 based PC while visiting the company.
If memory serves me correctly, he was a part of the developer network also.
So why did they stop development on that version?
Have they stopped?
Is this Apple's leverage against M$ in some way?
We may never know. Saying "NEVER GOING TO HAPPEN." is silly at best.
On one hand it'd be good for developers only if they designed so that no matter what platform the same code would work on both. If it didn't it'd kill PowerPC granted, but I'm only guessing.
That and I just get asked a whole bunch by people if they can install OS X on their machine (because they hear a lot about it lately) who just don't know mac is hardware not software. If they split and still sold hardware i'd still buy their stuff, along with their other things.
Originally posted by oldmacfan
As for OS X on x86, back before OS X was released, Apple was said to have it running on x86 computers.
My source on that was a gentleman by the name of Don Crabb, he passed away in Febuary of 2000, it would have been in 1999 that he made the comment that he had seen a running version of OS X on a x86 based PC while visiting the company.
[...]
So why did they stop development on that version?
Have they stopped?
It's an open question whether they have stopped.
Given that they got an x86 codebase for free from OpenStep, Cocoa for x86 from Yellow Box, and Toolbox for x86 for QuickTime (which could be pared down to Carbon for x86), it wouldn't cost them that much. And it's an option to keep open, which is something you have to think about when you're bringing a company back from near death.
An IBM sales memo made the rounds a while ago congratulating IBM Micro's 970 for driving Intel away from Xbox and Apple. Unsurprisingly, during the G4 debacle, Apple would have been interested in being able to move to any high performance architecture. PPC was preferred, for obvious reasons, but if none of those options came through, then Apple would have to do the next best thing - x86.
OS X on x86 is laughable as a "threat" to Microsoft. If Apple went to x86 hardware, MS would have Apple by the short hairs: MS has much more influence with Intel than a comparatively small vendor like Apple would, and so not only would Apple lose its ability to have a real say in CPU design (and thus, the direction of their own platform in real terms), but they'd end up using whatever MS decided it wanted for itself - Apple would be even less capable of differentiating itself hardware-wise. The OS X on x86 crowd always forgets that Windows succeeded because it piggybacked on IBM's monopoly in business (both in terms of branding and in terms of OS - CP/M was standard, and MS-DOS was a CP/M clone), not because of the x86 platform itself. The commoditization of PC hardware reverse engineered by Phoenix Technologies simply made an already attractive IBM platform more attractive by lowering the cost of entry - the key here is that lowering prices only helps if people already want to buy the product, and a cheap IBM-compatible was a double win - an IBM machine for all intents and purposes, but not at an IBM price. MS is keenly interested in guarding that advantage, so every platform that tries to piggyback on MS' hardware platform gets marginalized (OS/2, OpenStep) or crushed (BeOS).
(And before someone quotes Linux sales, a Dell spokesman recently admitted that almost all their sales of machines with Linux installs went to people who were just looking to avoid the MS tax and install a version of Windows they already had lying around. He estimated that maybe 5% of the machines actually ran Linux.)
As someone who's planning on spending entirely too much money on home theater gear (DLP TV, Axiom Speakers, Denon 3805 Receiver, Canare cable) on a pretty whimpy salary, I think it's safe to assume that there's a definite market for a set-top home theater device that is as elegant as the Mac. Currently, the only semi-"elegant" solution is from Roku, www.rokulabs.com. From my understanding, it streams over samba via linux... So one could have a hearty G5 filled with movies and stream it to your HDTV via ethernet and output to 1080i using component video. The unit has a 300MHz MIPS chip and can only decode MPEG-2. Now, I'm sure that there are people that would use such a device for homemade movies of Jack and Jane and fluffy the cat, but let's be honest: these devices make hollywood nervous for a few reasons:
1) Why would I "rip" a DVD to DivX, 3ivX, or recompressed MPEG when I will a) loose quality and b) most likely have a fit getting 5.1 DD working. For example, if I own Gladiator, I'm going to want to use DTS-ES and all of her 800MB glory. Do I really want to consolodate my DVD collection to a computer at the expense of loss? Maybe if I was "backing up" some DVDs for my friend, NetFlix.
2) Hollywood doesn't like component video - there's no copy protection. And I don't think they're nuts about FireWire. Could you imagine how great it would be to record a movie on HBOHD to your Mac's drive via a 19.1Mbps digital satellite feed? No need to wait on the silly DVD-Forum to ratify a spec for HD-DVDs.. just wait for HBO to transmit the film over the air at 720p or 1080i. The industry is freaking over the thought of people recording *perfect* copies of broadcasts.
Siderant: I don't understand how the DVD-Forum is leaning towads WM9 as the standard for HD-DVD... The format brings a 1.8GHz G5 to a crawl on a 108MB file.. and little 57MHz DVD players are supposed to decompress this stuff? Can you imagine trying to scrub through WM9 on a DVD-player?
3) Many TVs lack HDMI nputs needed for copy protection (HDCP).
With all this in mind, what would Apple's marketing strategy be for such a device? Watch your iMovies on your HDTV that were recorded with a 320x240 digital camcorder? "iFlicks Movie Store?" Compressing two channel audio and distributing is one game; the star wars trilogy is another.
I guess what I'm getting at is that while I would be first in line to buy one of these Apple living room boxes, Apple would have to market it as "show your iMovies, iPhotos, and iTunes in your living room." - a problem already partially solved by Roku.
You know, maybe that's perfecty fine... iRoom for all of the iApps. It'd be fun, but not the next killer app for insane home theater idiots like myself. If Apple could be the first to bring true HD content via MPEG-4, now we're talking - but it couldn't have analog outputs, which means Apple would have to make another bold legacy (floppy, ADB) decision.
OSX on Intel is a bad idea. Most proponents of it really aren't taking a holistic view of the logistics it would require to support X86. From the myriad of chipsets and drivers to providing tech support this would be an expensive proposition. Yes there are huge numbers of potential customers but they don't buy on OS to run solely..the need applications. Funny how people think that OSX on windows would fly. Apple is afraid to compete with Microsoft by coming out with a Office Suite what makes us think that they would seriously entertain the idea of going after MS's bread n butter??
Yes Apple makes good software but that's not enough. I agree with Amorph if you try to compete with MS in OS on "their" hardware platform you will get snuffed out. Apples 4 Billion in the bank is paltry a sum for an assualt on X86.
I'm inclined to think that Apples current course is acceptable. I dont think they could even contemplate switching platforms successfuly until they get a legit 10% marketshare and have 10-15 Billion in the bank at least.
The only reason why people clamor for x86 is because of the low hardware costs. The G5 hardware is not that much more expensive it's just that it's being sold at damn near 30 pts margin.
X86 right now isn't that impressive. Intel is cancelling chips, AMD is doing fine but there's not a whole lot of whizbang stuff coming. PCI Express is a yawner, faster SATA another yawner 24bit audio? Another yawner. I'm looking for Apple to bring us the next thing. Not X86
1. A blue tooth voice recorder that plugs into the iPod. It should have 44khz sampling rate and allow multiple mics to be connected. The current Belkins model is not that good when used in a meeting. Being able to put several mics around a large conference table would be perfect.
2. Along the same line I would like Apple to come out with their own software like Via Voice. Real time transscribing of a meeting would save me lots of time.
3.Lastly I would like better integrations with phones. Right now it is way too limited. It is okay if it is a bluetooth phone but there doesn't appear to be drivers for most usb connectors for phones.
reg
Originally posted by Sport73
New partnership with automobile manufacturers and aftermarket stereo makers (or perhaps Apple's own aftermarket box). A true iPod dock for your vehicle, where the iPod slides in like a cassette and transfers control to a dash-mounted system that's as easy to navigate as the iPod itself. Hopefully integrated with XM etc. for the same kind of PUSH BUTTON TO ADD TO WISHLIST functionality for getting music from ITMS.
I mocked-it-up one year ago...
As someone who's planning on spending entirely too much money on home theater gear (DLP TV, Axiom Speakers, Denon 3805 Receiver, Canare cable) on a pretty whimpy salary,
Great stuff. I have Axioms myself and for the money there ain't much that can beat'em. DLP would be my fav choice for Rear Proj.
The industry is freaking over the thought of people recording *perfect* copies of broadcasts.
Yes indeed and we will all get a nice healthy dose of copy prohibt flags in broadcast HDTV. I'm not sure of all the details but I know that consumers aren't going to like this new control over their recording.
You know, maybe that's perfecty fine... iRoom for all of the iApps. It'd be fun, but not the next killer app for insane home theater idiots like myself. If Apple could be the first to bring true HD content via MPEG-4, now we're talking - but it couldn't have analog outputs, which means Apple would have to make another bold legacy (floppy, ADB) decision
Say no more. At NAB 2004 Apple previewed Macs running the new AVC codec aka h.264. While WM9 is tentatively being looked at for inclusion in the HD-DVD spec( I believe it'll make it) AVC will be the Gold Standard codec with MPEG2 for backwards support. I'm happy to see Apple onboard now with a working implementation of AVC.
Basically what this means is that you will be able to edit HD in Final Cut HD and then compress out to AVC in HD form keeping your HD resolution but only chewing up >20mpbs in the process.
I see HD video as being the first video that is going to be everywhere in 5 years. Consumers will be recording and playing it back and studios will be shipping HD-DVDs.
The studios will protect themselves and that's fine with me. But HD will be everywhere and that's exciting. Currently we don't have STB that are powerful enough yet. WM9 AVC etc require a lot of horsepower.
I can't wait. I think Tiger is going to have a much strong multimedia core (hopefully due to a revamped QT7).
That's cool but here are my thoughts on what the next generation decks could have
I think display area is key. I loved your idea about having an area for the Cover Art and EQ. Both of these items though would have to be defeatable so as to maximize the DIN space for display of track title and album plus counter.
I would eschew the CD player/ripper for internal XM guts instead. Once you go to digital music Its unlikely that you'll be ripping in your car.
Love the idea of a small drive that could be removed from future iPod generations and plugged into the deck.
I'd also like to see WiFi access. So that you could literally beam your music to the deck ala the Omnifi from Rockford.
So in essence give me
Din sized Deck
Large color screen with Cover Art and EQ
XM radio tuner inside
Wifi access
either a local HD or card from iPod
Preamp only
No CD but changer controls for those still in the stone age.
New Power Macs and displays are a lock, and if a "consumer" iMac G5 is announced it will only be in the context of broadening the user base for G5 chips to spur development of G5 optimized software.
Originally posted by Yevgeny
Why not add in a stage demo where Steve Balmer does his monkey dance while Steve Jobs unloads some buckshot into him?
[Gene Wilder] No, don't shoot him. That'll only make him mad. [/Gene Wilder]
Atleast that is my hope, that is Apple will remian agressive in keeping the performance of the G5 Tower as near the top of the heap as they can. We aren't talking about 2.6GHz 970's here which performance wise would be like pissing in the wind.
Dave
Originally posted by pscates
My expectation is that whatever is released/announced will not be fast enough, big enough (or small enough), cool enough or cheap enough for roughly 78.4% of the people here.
And there will be numerous threads created to air those sentiments.
Beyond that, I guess an iMac or display/G5 update.
Originally posted by Ensign Pulver
People, there will be no consumer devices, iPod or otherwise at WWDC. It's a developer conference.
New Power Macs and displays are a lock, and if a "consumer" iMac G5 is announced it will only be in the context of broadening the user base for G5 chips to spur development of G5 optimized software.
<RANT>
If I had five cents for every time I heard that, I could pay off my mortgage...
Listen, I know that this is going to be a Developer's Conference. That is known. However, since Apple has removed itself from MacWorld Boston, the only other time for major events in the United States is during the WWDC.
Also, let's not forget something. Even Developer's are consumers. Plus, developers are not all code geeks; they are people who create hardware, create the software, and the visionaries who drive both of those arenas.
What I am trying to say is let's not get so hung up about the fact that this is at the WWDC. It is Steve Jobs's Keynote, one of two major ones during the course of a year in the U.S.
</RANT>
Now, onto some more predictions:
Power Mac
I think that the G5 will be upped to the following configs:
Dual 2.2 GHz, Dual 2.6 GHz, and (released in Sept) Dual 3.0 GHz. Not much else will change, not even the pricepoint. They may make PCI-X across the board standard, but that I do not know.
iMac
Yes, even developers are concerned with this machine. I hope that they will become a G5, and that is what my gut instinct is telling me. G5's across the board:
15" / 17" G5 1.8 (or 1.6) GHz
17" / 20" G5 2.0 GHz
I think that they will all have SuperDrives in them now, as well as they will all have AirPort Extreme. They may even show a price reduction.
The iMac is due for a new look. I think that this may happen during this show. It is a good time to do it because Apple needs to really start rewarding all of its developer's out there; and a first-peek of the new iMac would be a nice bonus.
xCode
Again, this is a developer's conference, so they need to show something more than just Tiger. xCode is probably one of the biggest innovations when it comes to the overall workflow of the development process. I hope that they include other languages other that C/C++/Obj.C/Java. Other languages like Python, PHP, Perl, etc. could use with an awesome IDE like xCode (PHP and Perl may be a little difficult, being that they are scripting languages). I think they will improve upon the stability, improve upon the feature set, and improve upon the speed of the application. xCode is not something that should be over-looked, as it could very well revolutionize the whole developmental process.
Tiger
So far, I have heard some rumors, but none that have been really emphasised alot. I think that it is going to be a major release with a lot of new features. I also think that it is going to be G5 optimized (which I believe Panther is not). They may have some improvements like enhanced meta-data capabilities added to the Finder, better support for both Windows connectivity and Open Source protocols. Other than that, I am drawing a blank.
975?
Now I think that this is worth mentioning. The 975 (or whatever they hell they want to call it) is supposed to be based off from the Power5 chipset. This is a huge advance in quite a short period of time. As such, I think they may announce what it is, and where it will go. I honestly think we will not see a new machine with it at the WWDC, but I think we will see its immergance during MWSF 2005.
These are my guesses; both educated, and some not quite so educated.
Originally posted by hmurchison
I think display area is key. I loved your idea about having an area for the Cover Art and EQ. Both of these items though would have to be defeatable so as to maximize the DIN space for display of track title and album plus counter.
hmm... well, you'll be one of the early praisers of display support, then bitchers about battery life. seriously, i'm tired of this.
IF battery life was NOT an issue, bluetooth would be nice to share your library with fellow walkers. That's it. When I'm walking to class I don't give a damn what pictures are stored on my iPod. I can wait til a projector or TV is around, as seems more realistic.
I can see your idea now:
"Hey check out this pic of--" *gets run over by bus*
Originally posted by pscates
My expectation is that whatever is released/announced will not be fast enough, big enough (or small enough), cool enough or cheap enough for roughly 78.4% of the people here.
And there will be numerous threads created to air those sentiments.
You got some serious mofo chip on your shoulder pscates. We get your point already...
Originally posted by Sport73
New partnership with automobile manufacturers and aftermarket stereo makers (or perhaps Apple's own aftermarket box). A true iPod dock for your vehicle, where the iPod slides in like a cassette and transfers control to a dash-mounted system that's as easy to navigate as the iPod itself. Hopefully integrated with XM etc. for the same kind of PUSH BUTTON TO ADD TO WISHLIST functionality for getting music from ITMS.
Have you seen this guy's invention http://homepage.mac.com/reelmagik1/PhotoAlbum3.html
Nice!