Wrapping up the rumors for Macworld 2006

December 23, 2005

Macworld is coming up soon, only a couple weeks away. So, here’s a pretty big list of all the rumors that have been going around the net for the past few weeks. Enjoy!

iLife ’06

Probability –

There have not been very many rumors for iLife ’06, except for the possibility that Front Row could be bundled into iLife. I’m guessing that there could be some new features added to iPhoto and iMovie, and probably more themes for iDVD. Garageband could maybe include some more instruments and riffs. Maybe Apple could announce a new application altogether, but I can’t think of anything Apple needs to be added in iLife.

Intel iBook

Probability –

The Intel iBook has a high possibility of showing up at Macworld 2006. Expected to be much cheaper, much faster (with possibility of the new Yonah chip), longer battery life, and much lighter and thiner. The first generation of the new iBook will probably have a “Centrino (Yonah) Core Solo”, where another upgrade to the iBook could bring a faster processor. The screen size is also said to be changed, with the 14″ screen to be changed to a 13″ widescreen, but the 12″ is supposed to stay the same. (I have noticed that the 14″ iBook does look pretty strange.) The iBook could also include a new version of Front Row, and could include a built-in iSight.

iWork ’06

Probability –

Hopefully Apple will make iWork ’06 a bit more easier to use than iLife ’05. Pages definitely needs more features and could be a bit more of a word processor and less of a newsletter maker. Numbers, a spreadsheet app, is also suspected to be introduced at Macworld and is to be bundled into iWork ’06, since Apple tried to trademark the term back on June 8th. Keynote is probably (and hopefully) not going to change in iWork ’06, except maybe a couple of new features.

An update for the Mac Mini

Probability –

There have been many rumors around about a new Mac Mini with Front Row bundled inside and a way to record TV, like a Tivo. There is also a chance that it could have a built-in iPod dock. I think a Media Center Mac Mini would be a killer product, and it’s a great idea that Apple should be thinking about making. But the chance of seeing a Media Center Mac Mini is not that high, but there still is a chance of Steve announcing it at Macworld.

iSight

Probability –

World of Apple makes a great point that the iSight is probably going to be upgraded at Macworld. Steve said that the iSight inside the iMacs, even though much smaller than the normal iSight, is actually better than the normal iSight. The iSight is also pretty expensive, and could be a bit smaller.

Smaller iPod Shuffle

Probability –

There are many clues to a new, smaller iPod Shuffle. Right now, Apple has reported that they are out of stock of the 1GB iPod Shuffle, and that it won’t be available to ship until mid-January. The iPod Shuffle is supposed to be a bit smaller, “smaller than a pack of gum”, but probably won’t have more memory. The price could be dropped, I think it should to compete with other flash MP3 players.

Mightier Mighty Mouse

Probability –

The current Mighty Mouse needs to be upgraded, and really needs a new price-tag. Many want a Bluetooth Mighty Mouse, and it also has some problems with activating the side-buttons. There are also many issues with the scroll-ball, and having to clean it.

More TV Shows

Probability –

Apple needs to get more content to sell for the iTunes Music Store, and right now, there is not that much to choose from. If Apple could make some deals with other TV companies like Fox, ESPN, and possibly CBS. Macworld is a great time for Steve to announce some new deals with some more TV companies. I see TV shows and video to be a big part of Apple’s future, and right now, Apple is leading the way into selling TV shows online.

Front Row 2.0

Probability –

Front Row, Apple’s new media center application, seems to be very popular, even not in the iMac G5. So, Apple should probably start selling Front Row, or else they would be missing out on some possible profit. Front Row would be great to have on my Macs at home, so I’m really hoping Apple will start to sell Front Row out of the box, or even better, Front Row could be packed in with iLife ’06.

But it is pretty obvious that Apple will upgrade the Mac Mini, with an inch bigger hard drive and a new Intel chip inside, since the Mac Mini is considered to be a low-end model Mac.

Intel PowerBook

Probability –

Apple and many others probably want to see an upgrade for the Powerbook, since it is definitely needs one. I doubt that the Powerbook would be upgraded with an Intel processor, since it is expected that Apple is to upgrade the more-powerful Macs at late-2006 or early-2007. It would be pretty cool, though, to see an Intel Powerbook at Macworld, and it is a possibility.

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