WWDC '09: Rumor Roundup/Predictions
Phil 'Holy Crap I'm Boring' Schiller will be delivering the Apple Keynote at the World Wide Developer Conference today, which is my version of The Superbowl. There's been a lot of rumors swirling around about what will be shown today and, because I love you, I've compiled a handy list. No need to thank me, it's all part of the service.
ITEM: iPhone OS X 3.0!
We already know the new iPhone OS will have the long-promised push notifications for applications, cut, copy and paste (finally), MMS messaging ('bout time), landscape keyboard support in all applications (thank you), phone-wide Spotlight search, stereo Bluetooth support, and phone-to-phone connectivity for contact sharing and gaming.
I think the only thing we're really expecting to hear about the new firmware is an actual release date. Which will likely line up with...
ITEM: New iPhone!
Expected to range in sizes from 4GB to 32GB, the new iPhone is supposed to have video recording support, an auto-focus, higher-resolution camera, a magnetometer for compass apps and to tell the GPS chip what direction you're facing, and faster 3G connectivity. Rumors have claimed that Apple will abandon the shiny finish of the current 3G iPhone in favor of a matte finish, which would be awesome, since the current back shows smudges and fingerprints like crazy.
ITEM: Snow Leopard
The next release of OS X should also be talked about today, giving an overview of the changes between Leopard and Snow Leopard, a majority of which are performance improvements and the like. The Marble interface, which can be seen in current versions of iTunes, is not expected to be a part of Snow Leopard, which is disappointing, 'cause I'm really tired of the Aqua interface, with its annoying blue scroll bars.
Yes, the blue scroll bars annoy me. Don't judge me.
ITEM: Apple Notebook Updates
The rumor of Apple updating their notebook line and rebranding all aluminum unibody MacBooks as part of the MacBook Pro line have been floating about, but I think it's unlikely.
ITEM: Steve Jobs' Return
While I think Mac Daddy will be in the audience, I don't think he'll take the stage... he might be ready to come back after his 6 month leave of absence, but I think a big part of what Apple has been trying to prove in that time is that the company doesn't need El Jobso to survive anymore, and taking the stage would be counterproductive to that cause. That being said, I can also see Ol' Mock Turtleneck And Jeans not putting his ego aside and taking control of the new iPhone portion of the event, so it really could go either way.
That's about all I can think of off the top of my head... I'll be liveblogging based on the streams of Engadget, TUAW, MacRumors and Ars Technica, as well as following updates on Twitter and tweeting about it myself so people like Scott don't miss out on anything.
The keynote kicks off at 10AM Pacific, 1PM Eastern, in case you weren't aware. I'll talk to you all then.