Architosh Staff (info@architosh.com)

18 July 2001

Keynote Predictions: Crystal Ball 2001 New York

Last Macworld we did pretty good with our predictions. This year topping last year may be difficult.

Predictions for NY

1. Jobs may start out with a bang. Knowing what has been bothering so many of us for quite some time Steve—we predict—will introduce new Power Mac G4's with a top model at 1 GHz. Just don't expect it to ship as soon as Jobs may say it will. He will likely demo a dual version blowing away a Pentium 4 dual 1.7 GHz.

2. Next up, all new G4 Servers. Yup! Apple is serious about the server market, especially in education where they are needed to run future WebObjects-based PowerSchool software. This is where that rumored rack-mounted server may come in but it might be more like an appliance. Simple, cost effect and affordable for schools. This is new hardware for a new server OS, Mac OS X Server 10. {BTW, we predicted a new server OS and hardware last time}

Both the new G4 towers and servers may share the same TiBook inspired enclosures.

3. New iMacs. This is a done deal. Everyone knows this. Expect a new body and flat screen at the high end only. SuperDrive will likely come standard on new high-end iMac model.

4. Steve will go over new Stores and Education market. He'll announce the Boston stores and others.

5. Steve will go over the newest version of Mac OS X and it should have some nifty features, including DVD playback and likely some new application in the iSoftware family.

6. Jobs will likely show Maya Complete for Mac OS X and talk up the new G4's power in 3D. Expect a graphics related announcement that may have something to do with the Raycer Graphics buyout more than a year ago.

7. If Jobs intros quads (something we think will happen later on) then expect a new version of Final Cut Pro (version 3.0), fully optimized for quad processing and Mac OS X ready. Jobs would then talk QuickTime 5 as well.

8. iMovie 3. We think the timing is just right for Apple to extend its leadership in this department, but this time we think it is just one of the cool new apps to ship with new iMacs. The other iApp is a mystery they may be education related. Our crystal is foggy on this one.

Could there be any more?

9. We hear that there may be a mystery hardware item. Our crystal is foggy on this one too. But if it does exist, we would put our money on a new type of handheld device with voice and music capabilities of some type. And this new device would definitely be the hip product that would attract Gap-like audiences to the 25 new Apple Stores this holiday season.

As for TV Commercials, Et Al?

If Jobs shows any they will be for the new iMacs and the new mystery device which we think is small, cool, very sexy and the very reason why Apple is leveraging the Mall locations for its new stores. Last time we were 5 for 8, for the most part. This time we would like to be 6 for 9. And we would be thrilled if we hit number 9!