Oh Apple, you just LOVE screwing with my head. Just when it seemed like this was going to be year of nothing but iOS and mobile devices (the AppleTV being somewhat of an exception, but since it’s essentially running the iOS it hardly counts), you throw out an invitation for some serious Mac love. So let’s throw out a few predictions of what’s coming on October 20th.
OS X
What’s that peeking around the corner? Why it’s a picture of a Lion! So my prediction of the next version of OS X being called Mr. Snugglywhiskers is probably not going to be accurate. What’s coming for OS X? The beginning of integration with iOS. It only makes sense, but don’t expect to see touch screen Macs anytime soon. Between a touchy-feely mouse and trackpad that’s already out, Apple just doesn’t have to go this route yet. Yes, yes, I’ve seen the applications for various designs too. They just don’t seem quite ready for the masses. I’m expecting big changes for the Finder. Multi-tabs to cut down on the window clutter, maybe even the disappearance of the menubar in favor of each window having its own like Windows and Linux. A bit of blasphemy for some, but with all the ideas taken and implemented in both from OS X, can we at least admit that they have some good ideas too? The next version will likely be 64-bit only which will leave some users behind, but it’s not like Apple hasn’t done THAT in the past as well. “But…but…but my APPS!†I hear so many say. Not to worry (too much at least). Chances are 10.7 won’t be released this calendar year and likely won’t be out until at least September of 2011 giving most OS X app developers time to update their apps in preparation. Certainly there will be a compatibility layer for older 32-bit apps so they can run too…just not as well. Some have predicted that DashBoard will go away in favor of iOS applications and I can see this happening too.
There have been rumors of iChat going all Face Time and that would be pretty slick. I would love to see Apple make a Skype-like application (in that audio would be better) too.
Mac mobile hardware
I think this event will mostly be about OS X, but there’s no reason why Apple can’t update some of their hardware too. The MacBook Air is certainly due. It’s been so long since it’s been updated that it should have a white beard and deliver Christmas presents down chimneys. Speculation is that it will reduce in size down to 11-inches. Don’t see that happening myself. 13-inches is about as small as you can go in my opinion and still deliver a good experience screen-wise. The MacBook will probably be left alone this go around apart from maybe a processor upgrade. The MacBook Pros with the exception of maybe the 13-inch might get Intel I-3/I-5’s across the board. The 17-inch could get a boost with a quad-core I-7. Discreet graphics cards all around should get updated too.
Mac Desktops
Well the Mac Mini was just recently updated so I don’t see that being changed. The iMac was also recently updated as well as the Mac Pros. Just doesn’t leave much to do. I’m still wishing for that Mac tower with specs similar to the iMac in performance but I’ve had my heart broken so many times by Apple in that regard that I just can’t even think about it without tearing up.
Other Hardware
It wouldn’t surprise me to see Apple update their AirPort Extreme and Time Machine. Time Machine in particular could use a bigger drive. I think that Apple could jump into the RAID game too…but probably not this time around.
Software
What needs to be updated? Well, just about everything. I think we’ll see a new version of iLife with iWeb getting a royal makeover and GarageBand getting easier with multi-track being software aware. I’m not saying that right but what I mean is if you have a USB plugged microphone, a USB plugged guitar, and a USB plugged vuvuzela, GarageBand will recognize each as a separate device and allow each its own tracks without software trickery like WireTap Anywhere or Audio Hijack Pro. Well that’s what I want anyway. iPhoto will get some new organizing tricks like it usually does, iMovie will hopefully become more like…well…iMovie from the past. That just leaves iDVD. What to do about iDVD? In this age where digital content is becoming more the norm, is it even really needed anymore? As an archive, it’s hopelessly small with terabyte drives in almost every computer. I could see Apple dropping it and while some would cry out in despair, I wouldn’t miss it at all.
Speaking of video related software, both Final Cut Express and Final Cut Studio could use a makeover. Express hasn’t been really changed in years and Final Cut Studio needs some basic interface changes to harness all the power of that application better. Their other Pro apps could use a little bit of attention, but most likely none of them will get the royal treatment next week.
So in summery here are my predictions:
New version of OS X announced (way to go out on a limb there Guy) with a release date of September 2011
Updated MacBook Air
Updated 15-inch MacBook Pros to the I-Line of chips from Intel across the board
Available Quad-core I-7 in the 17-inch model
Updated Airport models
iLife 11
“The MacBook Pros with the exception of maybe the 13-inch might get Intel I-3/I-5’s across the board. The 17-inch could get a boost with a quad-core I-7.”
This is exactly what Apple did with the last MacBook Pro update.
You’re right Tom. However none of them are quad-cores according to the Apple Store
My predictions:
iLife 11 – I like the iWeb revamp. I could see an iWeb app to update your site on the go. That would be great! More editting tools in iPhoto. Maybe selective editting. Maybe something for making DVD type of menus for Mobile me movies like Premiere Elements has.
OSX Lion previewed with release in June or next Summer. Although I though Lion would be the name for the last OS 10.9? unless this is the last.
iWork 11 – always goes with iLife updates, plus they need to compete with a new Office release. Maybe with more eBook designing features.
Of course, iPad/iPhone, Mac sales updates etc.
That’s my take.