Ten Macworld 2008 predictions

Ryan Block — Wed, 02 Jan 2008 00:14:24 +0000

I can always tell the holidays are closing in when it becomes such that a day doesn’t goes by I’m not asked at least a few times what inside dope I’ve got on what Apple’s introducing at Macworld. My stock response is (and always will be), “Everything I know is published on Engadget.” Now, I’m also not usually one to grasp at predictions (just not my thing), but what the hell. If you’re curious as to what I THINK — and not necessarily know — will go down at MW08, here’s the shortlist. In order of most likely to least likely:

iPhone SDK / firmware update – duh.
Ultraportable MacBook Pro – These kinds of rumors don’t stay alive for so many years when they’re untrue.
Movie rentals (with direct download / rental on Apple TV) – Pretty much already confirmed.
iPhone 2.0 / 3G – We know it’s coming, and Steve will want to stand on stage triumphantly one year later and introduce the next version.
16GB iPhone 1.0 – Has to happen eventually. The Osborne effect sure is a bitch, so the 8GB 1.0 will get even cheaper (maybe by $50 or $75).
Nothing much about 10.6 (that’ll be at WWDC), but there will be mention of the next updates to 10.5.
LED-backlit 17-inch MBP – Also an eventuality.
Mac mini gets left alone. Probably no mention at all. Same with the iMacs and MacBooks.
New monitors with webcams – These things need a refresh like crazy. If Apple’s smart, they’ll put DisplayPort in ‘em.
All laptops move from DVI to DisplayPort to match those new monitors. And why not? DisplayPort to DVI adapters should be easy enough for legacy gear.

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Ten Macworld 2008 predictions