David Emery OnlineWWDC Predictions
4 August 2006
Ah, it’s finally that wonderful time of year: Apple’s World Wide Developers Conference. This one I think should be a particularly good one, as we get to see what surprises 10.5 will bring – OS design is I think what Apple do best of all – and we should also get new PowerMacs as well (or Mac Pros, as they seem to be going to be called).
So, some predictions:
The announcement of Mac Pros. These will look very similar to the current G5s but be intel based. I think we’ll get at least one quad processor model, along with more space for hard drives and an additional optical drive. I also think they they may feature some new hardware feature, but I don’t know what.
To go with the Mac Pros we’ll also get a new range of displays, with built in iSights and remotes. 20”, 24” and 30” I think, but maybe with better resolutions then they do currently and definitely better LCD panels.
10.5. This will be the real meat of the keynote, and will certainly have the most interesting bits in it:
Resolution Independence: This one they’ve already announced, so it’s a bit of a given, but has some very exciting implications for the rest of the OS. It also allows the displays they announce to have higher DPIs then we might normally expect from Apple.
New UI: Now, because of the implementation of Resolution Independence, Apple are going to have to re created all of the OS interface elements from scratch at a higher resolution, or move to a more vector based drawing system. I think they are going to take this opportunity to change the general look of the OS. Gone will be the shiny Aqua buttons, replaced the the flat plastic look seen in iLife ‘06 – think gradients and a much more subtle, more sophisticated look. Don’t forget, this is Apple’s Vista-betting release, so we’re going to get something special
New Finder: I think there is only so long Apple can ignore the Finder; I think we could well get quite a few new features like tagging and metadata functions, Spotlight UI improvements, Networking improvements (which quite frankly sucks at the moment – just make the “Network” sidebar item show a more customised view of available servers combined with recent servers, and let us share specific folders!) and a general iTunes/iLife aesthetic overhaul. However, I’m sure we won’t get tabs – I just don’t think they make sense in the Finder.
No virtual desktops: They suck for 99% of the users out there – they just don’t get it. However, what with Resolution Independence coming in, we may get an improved Exposé that lets you use the windows as well
iChat VOIP: I think this will be a nice move by Apple, and will be coupled with compatibility with a major PC IM client. Maybe Skype? Maybe MSN/Yahoo?
Mail + iCal + iChat + Address Book: I think we’re going to see some cool improvements from a business perspective for these apps, and possibly something new (like a new app) that helps you collaborate with others using these apps.
At least one thing that no-one has predicted that is unbelievably cool.
I don’t think we’re going to get an iPhone, new iPod stuff or an iTunes movie store – iPod and music stuff normally get their own special events so the focus is on them. I’m sure all of these are coming fairly soon, though (yes, even the iPhone. Although it won’t be called that – maybe iPod Chat? Not sure…).
Also, I’m pretty sure that Apple are going to bump all of the existing macs up to the new Core 2 intel processors, but I don’t think Steve is going to waste keynote time on it. It’ll probably happen model by model over the next few months. One more thing – we’re not getting a new cased MacBook Pro now – It’ll get a speed bump soon, and then maybe a new case in January at MacWorld.