Apple CEO Jobs may surprise with ultra-slim Mac, 16GB iPhone, ‘Newton 2.0,’ new Apple TV, and more

66 Comments

“Apple Inc. Chief Executive Officer Steve Jobs’s annual Macworld surprise may be a slimmed-down laptop and a higher-capacity model of the iPhone,” Connie Guglielmo reports for Bloomberg.

“Piper Jaffray & Co. analyst Gene Munster and UBS AG’s Benjamin Reitzes expect Jobs to capitalize on demand for the Mac by introducing a smaller, lighter version of Apple’s MacBook notebooks. Goldman Sachs Group Inc. analyst David Bailey anticipates a version of the iPhone with 16-gigabytes of storage, double the capacity of the current $399 device,” Guglielmo reports.

“‘Ultra-portables don’t sell a ton,’ said Andy Hargreaves of Pacific Crest Securities in Portland, Oregon, who expects Apple to introduce one in January. ‘Then again, music players didn’t sell a ton until Apple came out with the iPod,'” Guglielmo reports.

“A slimmed-down Apple notebook will cost less than the $1,999 MacBook Pro and have a screen between 11-inches to 13- inches, Munster said this week in a note, citing unidentified Asian component supplier,” Guglielmo reports.

“Jobs, 52, also may introduce a larger-screen handheld device for playing music and video and surfing the Web, said Andy Neff, an analyst at Bear Stearns & Co. in New York. Apple may also unveil a new version of Apple TV, a $299 device that connects to TVs and lets people watch movies and shows stored on their PCs,” Guglielmo reports.

Full article here.

66 Comments

  4. damnit, would you just announce native games for iPhone already?!! I bought this thing day one expecting there to be real games on it soon after. My first cell phone 7 years ago had games on it, come on Steve!!! EA has had a dev kit for a year now, release some games already.

    Argg!! I knew I was in trouble switching into “we have really great interfaces but to hell with games” apple.

    Reply

  5. iPhone upgrade is likely, an intermediate step until 3G is ready.

    My first mac was an ultra portable, a Powerbook Duo, was smaller and lighter than the mobile phone I’d recently upgraded from. Something between iPod Touch and MacBook is a given at sometime but that’s a wide range and I suspect may be dependent on larger touch screen reliability. There’s a large market out there for them already but to date they have all been specialized devices like what you sign when Defex delivers eventually. Apple bringing out a software upgradeable multifunction device that can do the same job but can cater to consumer stuff as well will find a ready market, how big is the question, they’d probably sell more than AppleTVs have sold to date.

    Reply

  6. I hate this time of the year… These ‘analyst’ people go around and make these huge, ofttimes ridiculous speculations about what new gizmo Apple will throw at us.

    Then, come MWSF, the announcements come, and it is different, or in some way slightly less than the pie-in-the-sky analysts lofty visions, and then we have to listen to people bitch about what a disappointment the announcements are. Even if they do happen to be great announcements, not living up to the ignorant hype just makes for a painful, FUD-filled new year.

    *sigh*

    Reply

  7. A larger more capable (in terms of software) version of the iPod touch is inevitable, even if not released at MacWorld 2008. It should serve as a “tablet” PC or super-PDA, but Steve Jobs will never name it Newton 2.0.

    MacWorld 2008 may the most exciting one ever.

    Reply

  16. wow these analysts are SO smart, predicting what other have been for 2 months already….

    There has been countless ‘reports’ here, the most recent: http://www.macrumors.com/2007/12/19/apple-working-on-multi-touch-mac/

    There is a whole SERIES of articles here: http://thestormglass.com/

    Even this today, which, is no surprise either:
    http://www.appleinsider.com/articles/07/12/21/exclusive_apple_to_adopt_intels_ultra_mobile_pc_platform.html

    these morons just try to sound like they know what they are talking about when all they are doing is reading the billion tech blogs for ‘inside info’

    MDN word: red
    as in these jokers will be red in the face when the no name blogs get it right 3 months before they ‘analyzed’ the situation.

    SillyAnalyst

    Reply

  17. There is a 100% chance that Steve will surprise us with an announcement. Absolutely everything else is speculation.

    Aren’t announcements finalized literally hours (minutes?) before show time? Heh Steve probably doesn’t even know what’ll be in the keynote yet!

    Reply

  18. > Aren’t announcements finalized literally hours (minutes?) before show time? Heh Steve probably doesn’t even know what’ll be in the keynote yet!

    Actually, I heard he rehearses everything VERY carefully. That’s why he’s a great presenter. There were probably cases where changes were made at the last minute, but that’s not the norm.

    Reply

  20. I realize this is way off base, and there is nothing to suggest it coming. But it’s extremely remotely possible that His Steveness will unveil 3G iPhone at Macworld. I don’t see it happening, though, because it likely won’t be ready until spring. Also, Xmas iPhone recipients will be pissed. I can see a MacBook nano coming next month though.

    Reply

  21. I’ve worked on the PowerBooks since the PB1400, and took apart some duos and 180’s. I’ve dismantled and repaired a couple thousand Mac Laptops since 2000.

    Compare the PowerBook G3 Series or an Original iBook to a MacBook and it is easy to see where everything went – all the internal framing, all the overlapping boards, large connectors, huge modems, complicated structures to hold the hard drive and optical drive (and their removable bays), large inverters and thick, solid polycarbonate casing coated with fire retardant are all gone. Thin white plastic and minimal framing is all that is left. you could make a whole MacBook case from the same amount of plastic they used in the display housing for a G3 series. There is more internal aluminum frame in a Powerbook G4 12″ than a MacBook 13″.

    The MacBook is a study in simplicity. besides the obviously complicated Main Logic board and circuitry, the most complicated thing in the unit is the top case with the keyboard.

    I’m saying all of this because unless they upscale the iPhone – a sealed, unrepairable device that is not meant to be opened repeatedly in a repair shop, most of the things they could do slim down the units again can’t be done much further. there is not much else in the way of internal frame, unneeded components to remove, or things to get thinner. The next thing to go has to be the keyboard and top case and all of that hinging mech, so the bottom case and the display hosing is all that is left, making any “super slim” MacBook a tablet or one without an optical drive. it can get another 1/4 inch thinner, maybe shed a pound at best with Mr Keyboard / Top case removed from the mix. So my bet is a Multitouch MacBook, if such a “thin” macbook surfaces.

    It’s gonna be awesome to see what Ive and co. come out with for the next iteration of sexy portables – and what things may get the axe. I don’t miss the removable Optical drive – do you?

    Reply

  23. Ah, the signs of the Christmas holidays: national media obsessed with predicting who will win the early primaries and tech media obsessed with Macworld rumors.
    I don’t put much stock in either.
    The smaller laptop seems likely, the rest is rather imaginative.
    If I had to guess (and I know I shouldn’t) I’d say some kind of improvement to Apple TV and something else we haven’t even guessed at. (The iPod was not predicted at all before it was announced, as I recall.)
    But, as some posters have said, these rumormongers will be sure to express their disappointment if Macworld brings new wonders but not the ones they predicted.

    Reply

  29. Nostradamus has nothin’ on you guys, you veritable prophets of tech. I bask in the glory of yer powers of prediction. Ya’ll would have gained more points had you made the same forecasts five years ago/

    Reply

  30. Apple announced today that it has developed a breast implant that can store and play music. The i-Tit will cost $499 or $599 depending on cup size. This has been hailed as a major breakthrough because women are always complaining about men staring at their breasts and not listening to them.

    Reply

  32. ZuneTang says: “There won’t be any surprises, in fact these things are pretty easy to predict:”

    ZuneTang knows. Twice every year there are no suprises, there will always be couple of bombs dropping, that will change the computing world and make Microsoft look like a dinosaurs.

    Reply

  35. Prediction:
    An Al Gore version of the iPhone.
    It will have Al´s Nobel Peace Prize winning face photo engraved on the back of the iPhone.
    Run on a hydrogen 100-yr fuel cell.
    Every time you turn it on it says “Draft Al Gore for Democratic Presidential Candidate in 2008”.
    When you turn the iPhone off it has been unfortunately hacked to say “Hillary in 2008”.

    Reply

  39. most of the things they could do slim down the units again can’t be done much further. there is not much else in the way of internal frame, unneeded components to remove, or things to get thinner.

    IIRC, years ago there was a company developing a new cell phone:

    Engineers: “Sir, there is no way to make this any smaller”.

    CEO: “Put it underwater! If air bubbles come out it can be shrunk!”.

    While I’m not saying Apple should go to that extreme, just looking at a current MacBook shows they’re close. Heh if Apple goes any thinner they’ll need custom USB ports; the standard ones would be way too fat. ” width=”19″ height=”19″ alt=”smile” style=”border:0;” />

    Reply

  41. it is no surprise that Apple has

    the BEST UI / UE (user interface & user experience)

    out there.

    APPLE will showcase where the UE will take us.

    – updated 3G (yes the gPhone) thx google for burping that out
    – the MacSlate (a gun metal) sleek sub-notebook
    – no Newton2… cos that is the iTouch
    – plenty of software and more open development for i/gPhone
    – NEW MacPro updated processors.
    – possible news at to where Apple TV is going
    (which will be into the iMAC by April)
    – TV & Movie rentals through iTUNES
    – no subscriptions SORRY… won’t happen

    @What to shave off?

    The iPhone SHAVED off plenty buddy!
    It is (like the Palm) a computer in your hand.

    Flash memory can be integrated very thinly.
    You are right to a degree… but remember this

    THERE will be no KEYBOARD on the MacSlate.

    It will come aa a 13″ size due to the UE and virtual keyboard to enhance more accurate input for a range of people. Big to small fingers.

    That’s shaving PLENTY of room off.

    Next… no lid or clam style protection….

    as for glass-glossy screens. This sub-notebook with Multi-touch may have to come with BULLETPROOF glass to help protect the device. 13″ is a large surface to carry around without braking it.

    Now… you guys are starting to see the relationship to GUN METAL. No it doesn’t hover off the ground… but the MacSlate will be as thick or marginally thicker possibly twice as thick as the iPhone.

    —-

    Also, I have to say Ive’s has created some very wonderful designs. In the PAST — The MacCube, the Clam shell MacBooks, the sunflower iMac… THESE were complicated designs where

    NOW A DAYS Jonathan Ive’s has created a much more MINIMALIST-IC (Sony, Asian, Japanese-like) styling that HAS UNIFIED the entire APPLE line of PRODUCTS.

    The DANGER here is FORM over FUNCTION.
    When a computer appears only to be a monitor yet does so much more then a TV… the form does not convey ANY information to the HUMAN as it’s purpose.

    Monitors and Computers and Televisions ALL are looking like a SCREEN. It becomes a DESIGN that is EXTREMELY predictable… natural… and honest HOWEVER unified to the COMPETITORS.

    Apple still has been able to differentiate it’s sefl from the rest…
    Jonathan does this BRILLIANTLY.

    But there is only so far you can SIMPLIFY.

    As with the Aluminum iMac… people were at first unhappy that it really hadn’t changed much from previous designs.

    As in CAR styling… the prototype cars are the eye-catchers…
    capturing some of that inspirational line work and emotion in the production line would be greatly appreciated for consumers.
    Yet, what we see typically, is processes of manufacturing SIMULATE SIMILAR car designs across the market.

    As Steve Jobs said there is only so much you can do.

    however, multi-touch has the elements for opening up meaningful UE for 2008 and Apple knows this… and knows the TV is the FORM

    UNLIKE MS who still thinks its a TABLE people want!

    Dougless

    Reply

  42. Apple is a software company, after all. How about something that reaches into the future?

    Imagine a service where you load your media, such as a video to be delivered to your now eight year old daughter when she reaches sixteen. A discussion about coming of age. As you populate this crucible, it takes on a sense of “aliveness” that survives you.

    iMmortality.

    Reply

  46. I heard they are doing away with the aluminum finish and going with a mirror finish on every product. They will all have integral flashing lasers and strobe lights. This will divert attention away from the glossy screens. Let the bitching and moaning begin.

    Reply

  50. @ January 24, 1984

    I think I would want my daughter to have the latest, updated information in her talk.

    “No dearie, if a masher tries to hold your hand while sharing a phosphate at the soda fountain, inform the constable!”

    She might not get more relevant information, like, say, “Stay Away From Meth.”

    Reply

  51. That thunder has been stolen by Ford when they announced ‘Sync by MicroSoft’. I wonder how well that is working out.

    Look at it this way: we’re dealing with Ford and MS. The only way it could be worse is if Dell’s building the Sync hardware.

    And remember, one of its key features is the ability to text message from within the car. What next, the windshield turns into a video screen so we can watch movies while driving??

    Reply

  52. crunch,

    I ran across a show recently talking about future cars. A guy was saying that the cars will be taken over and remotely guided to your destination. Meanwhile the windshield would turn opaque and become a video screen to entertain you on your hands off voyage. If MS were involved it would be called ‘Sunc by MicroSoft’. As in ‘Our Asses Are Sunk’ !!! Scary stuff, fer sure.

    Reply

  53. January 24, 1984,

    I kinda agree with ChrissyOne on this. Except that I’m more cynical. Most teenagers (or younger) right now couldn’t give a rat’s ass what a parent or adult thinks or advises. Most of them that I know, even though they may act somewhat polite, are self-centered, hedonistic little know-it-alls. I doubt if it will get any better in eight years time. Of course, I don’t blame them as much as I do their parents and our spoiled, selfish society. But heh, what’cha gonna do?

    Reply

  54. Meanwhile the windshield would turn opaque and become a video screen to entertain you on your hands off voyage.

    Scary indeed, when you think autopiloted aircraft still require a clear windshield & a human being at the controls. And that’s in the relatively orderly (if congested) world of commercial airspace!

    It’ll be interesting when auto-driving cars do “go live” on the anarchy of the streets. Then again, compared to the level of idiocity seen out there, auto-driving cars would be hard pressed to do much worse. ” width=”19″ height=”19″ alt=”smile” style=”border:0;” />

    Reply

  55. crunch,

    Amen, brother. There is nothing like having a woman driving a Lincoln Navigator (while talking on a cell phone and applying makeup) tailgating your butt. Of course, it’s not just women, but they scare me the most. They have become so crazy aggressive on the road anymore.

    P.S.

    If you are a female I deny every word above.

    Reply

  60. I urge this Zune Tang to muster his best efforts towards feeling the touch of a woman (not his mother or a relative) for the first time…I guarantee he’ll get more satisfaction out of that than he derives from his sophomoric and banal posts.

    Reply

  62. Of course, it’s not just women, but they scare me the most. They have become so crazy aggressive

    True story: how about one that runs a red light, nearly hits you, passes you on the shoulder, then races ahead & pulls into Wal-Mart?

    IMO auto-driving cars are all but becoming a necessity. Too many people are too stupidly aggressive to be driving. ” width=”19″ height=”19″ alt=”raspberry” style=”border:0;” />

    As for Apple, they really do need a bigger automotive presence (unless of course Steve is looking ahead at a post-car world). It’d be a shame to leave MS unchecked and have the PC experience repeat itself…

    Reply

  63. crunch,

    Earlier tonight I watched the 12/07/07 episode of Tekzilla (free iTunes podcast) and Patrick Norton was talking about the Ford/MS Sync system. He used it and said it really worked well. They showed it in a Ford Focus and it seemed pretty cool. Apparently it will be available for all Fords, Lincolns and Mercs.

    You may be right. Most car makers are making the stereos iPod ready. Why not integrated Apple technology?

    Reply

  65. @Yo, Dolita.

    Games are not important–seriously. When the Mac was first introduced, critics compared it to a toy–“real” computers had CLIs and were for “work.” Now, on the other hand, find a computer that _doesn’t_ have a GUI–and there are games on Windows. What does that tell you? That the Mac is _the_ machine for work. As it should be! It just works.

    But really, if you want games–get a dedicated console! And don’t clutter up the Mac with frivolous wasters of time.

    Flame me all you want and say that “people NEED games LOL!!!1!!” but when you move out of your parents’ houses you’ll see what I mean.

    Reply

  66. ChrissyOne: In Asimov’s Foundation Trilogy, the character Harry Seldon returns as a 3 dimensional simulation to the prognosticators to provide pivotal guidance that grows more philosophical as the time line extends.

    The most powerful advice is that already known, but strengthened through repetition.

    Perhaps your daughter would benefit from a discussion of the joy of a firstborn’s birth, and then again later about the death of a parent.

    Both predictable parts of life that are timeless.

    Reply

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