What to expect
The highlight of WWDC will be Monday’s keynote address by Apple boss Steve Jobs. It’s widely expected he’ll use it to introduce a 3G iPhone, since the current model has now been on sale for over a year, but there could be more in store too.
In the past, Jobs has used WWDC to introduce Mac OS X, Apple’s ultra-powerful desktop computer; the Mac Pro, and announce third party applications for the iPhone and iPod touch.
This year, speculation is mounting that Jobs will show off the next-generation iPhone, packing GPS, video chat and lots of new software. However, it’s also expected that a suite of new web-based services will be unveiled, ready for the iPhone to tap in to.
Rumours persist that Apple will use WWDC 08 to re-brand its .Mac services as Apple Me, with complete integration with the iPhone.
Need more predictions? Check out the rumours currently doing the rounds below:
3G iPhone to cost £100 in UK?
3G iPhone forced to include GPS?
Apple filming 3G iPhone ad at Apple Store?
Orange already offering 3G iPhone as an upgrade?
iPhone espionage: 3G shipments spotted
Any outside bets?
Steve Jobs’ keynotes are famous for including “one more thing” towards the end. A special announcement that’s a surprise to everyone but Apple’s most trusted employees. This year is no different. All eyes are on Apple to improve on last year’s monster product line-up, so what could WWDC have in store?
Most likely is a touchscreen Mac tablet. Intel’s German CEO even confirmed the existence of such a device, describing it as a “larger version” of the iPhone, before hurriedly retracting his statements.
It wouldn’t be too much of a stretch to see Apple unveil touchscreen computers at WWDC, and a tablet seems the likely candidate to test the water before rolling out touchscreen iMacs. Of course, it’s all speculation, but with Bill Gates demonstrating a touchscreen version of Windows just weeks before, it could be time for Apple to return fire.
When to expect updates
Steve Jobs will take to the stage at 10am in San Fransisco on Monday June 9th. That’ll be 6pm in the UK. Check the Electricpig homepage then for minute-by-minute updates on Apple’s announcements, as well as round-ups and analysis of everything that’s announced.
