Get Ready For the New Apple

Image from Macrumours

As expected, Apple is ramping up for their annual WWDC (World Wide Developer Conference) 2011. As seen from the signs being put up, it would seem the rumors are true. To be announced this year will be OS X Lion, the brand new operating system from Apple, iOS 5, the brand new mobile operating system from Apple, and what looks like iCloud.

 iCloud is what is rumored to take the place of MobileMe. Again, as far as rumor goes, iCloud is going to be $25 a year, which is awfully inexpensive and worth paying for. In addition, iCloud will include the ability to hold all your songs AND movies. This would be a huge move on Apple's part seeing as Google and Amazon both tried to beat them to the gun with a cloud service. 

Next, there is Lion, which we don't know much about (that is of course assuming you haven't read any of the leaked information on the internet). Lion will not only bring some amazing new features, but it will also utilize TRIM for SSDs, a necessity at the moment when using an SSD. Lion is suppose to be a blend of iOS and OS X, so we will see how that goes over. I for one am skeptical on whether or not people will like the idea. Hopefully, Lion is not put at a price points that is more then Snow Leopard was. Snow Leopard was well priced, and I believe if Apple does this again it would definitely be good for them.

Finally, as far as iOS goes, I am hoping it brings some major changes. First, I would like to see more voice commands. One in particular I would like to see is being able to read off your text message and having the phone compile it for you. In addition, I would like to see a brand new messaging system, one with more options when you get a message. Off the top of my head, I can't think of anything else I might want changed. I am sure what ever Apple does it will be for the better.

~Dave

10th Anniversary Mac Celebration?

It looks like Apple might be up to something. At the end of this month many Mac Store employees are coming together for an "important meeting". They are also downloading gigabytes of videos which are labeled "tutorials" and have a passcode on each file. Now, this could be Apple prepping their employees for a new product. However, it is too early for a new product to hit the line. This information comes from BGR. BGR has lain out a full list of what is happening in the near future in the Apple Stores around the country:

• There’s an overnight shift planned for around 10-15 individuals at each Apple Store to work from late Saturday all the way through mid-Sunday.
• During the overnight shift, it’s going to be required that employees lock cell phones in the main office. They will also have to sign an NDA with Apple.
• There are a wide variety of roles, we’re told, for the overnight shift. This includes all visuals staff, a manager, a business team member, a few Genius team members, one back-of-house employee, and a few generic Apple specialists.
• Apple stores have apparently already received hardware to install, and are expecting more hardware to come on Friday or Saturday. All materials that Apple stores have received have been instructed to be under lock and key until after close on Saturday night.
• Apple employees will be putting up black curtains at all stores so that people walking outside cannot see inside.
• Employees have had to download gigabytes of data from Apple corporate labeled, “training” in a password-protected zipped folder that won’t accessible to managers or anyone else until Saturday afternoon.
• Lastly, all Apple retail stores have mandatory meetings on Sunday, May 22nd. Most meeting are scheduled for the morning, but there are evening meetings as well.

Alright Apple, what do you have up your sleeves?

~Dave

Apple's Online Store is Down: Refresh Time!

If you have never seen the above image, then you have never witnessed an Apple Online Store refresh. As we speak the store is currently down. Why you may ask? Well rumors have it that a new set of iMacs will be coming out today. They are rumored to have the new Intel Sandy Bridge processors, as well as the new Thunderbolt technology. Other then that, not much else has been rumored. Personally, I would like to see a slightly update design. Word of the update should come at about 8:30 AM EST today.

~Dave

Rumor Confirmed

The Wall Street Journal confirmed yesterday that Apple will be releasing the white version of the iPhone 4 this summer. The phone had been delayed for almost 10 months because of "manufacturing problems". Although this was never specified as to what the problem was, Steve Wozniak state in an interview that his white case mod had an effect on the camera while using flash. If that is the case, then Apple has found a work around. Something else to note is the fact that it is the iPhone 4 getting the white version this summer, not some other iPhone. This would help thwart the rumor that there is a new iPhone being released this summer. Besides the fact that Apple made it quite clear there would be iOS 5 announced later this year, that does not stop people from thinking that a new iPhone will be released. If you are in the market for a new phone, and want a white one, wait a little longer and you will get it. There is no announcement yet on which carriers will be receiving the new white version, but it is assumed both AT&T and Verizon will get it. 

~Dave

iPod Nano to Get Camera?

It looks like the rumor mill has turned up some pretty interesting information. The site Modmyi has posted an image of what seems to be the next iPod Nano, but with a camera. The camera, which was part of the 5th Generation iPod Nano, was removed during the release of the 6th Generation Nano. The reason it was removed was because it was believed that the 6th Generation Nano was too small to be able to take picture. However, I would not be surprised if Apple added the camera, as that would follow along their current marketing strategy. Like with the iPad, the 6th generation nano was released with no camera. When iPad 2 came, it brought with it a camera. Apple tends to make it seem like their technology must be bought the second it comes out, but if you just wait a year some new feature will be added to it that will make it way better then the first.

~Dave

And Just Like That Rumors Arise

It hasn't been even a week that I have had my iPhone, and already rumors are surfacing about the next generation of iPhones. The most prominent rumor is there will be an iPhone "Nano". This rumored device is supposedly two thirds the size of the current iPhone, and will retail off contract for $200. This means that on contract, this phone could cost only $100. Other rumors claim that Apple is working on the iPhone 5, but this time there are two different versions. One version could include a slide out keyboard, while the other would be the standard iPhone 5 with slight changes under the hood.
When I was deciding to purchase my iPhone, I took into consideration the fact that I would be behind the curve in just a couple months. What people don't understand is when you deal with Apple, you never own the most current things. Doesn't matter when you buy, you will be phased out in either 6 months or a year. So what do all these rumors mean? Well nothing yet. The rumors don't tend to mean anything until pictures get leaked. An example of this would be the iPad 2. There have been leaked photos of possible cases, along with redesigned speakers and a screen. When those leaks came out, they incorporated everything I knew would be there. It is no surprise to me that the iPad 2 would have a front and back facing camera. The speakers being better, along with a better screen, was also foreseeable.
All this is coming out just months before Apple's next announcement. It will be interesting to see what actually comes out. Keep an eye out for any more rumors!

~Dave