GeekStrike

The time of the year is here again! Where Apple and it’s head honcho Steve Jobs weave their wands and make us all swoon at yet another software or hardware introduction. But, this year’s event is certainly rife with rumors even by Apple’s standards.

Jobs, the CEO of Apple and geek icon(some say Geek God), is on medical leave since the start of the year and he is due to return in a month’s time. Would he make an appearance at WWDC or even better, announce a new product? With Watt Mossberg already confirming with his inside information that there will be a new iPhone 3g. Apple Fanboys around the world have done up concept pictures of how it may look like and to be honest, some of them look really great. Multiple colors for iPhone anyone?

The new iPhone is pretty much laid in stone and confirmed by every source from. However, we can’t help but wonder what else does Apple have in store for us other than the latest Mac OS 10.6 Snow Leopard and the new iPhone.

My predictions?
1)Probably 2 models of the iPhone instead of one, one for the low end market where Apple will probably attempt to target in this economical climate.
2) Steve Jobs to appear, only as a part of the audience, but fans will be glad to know he is fine.
3) Snow Leopard WILL have a set launch date, with Microsoft crowing about Windows 7 and fixing a launch, there is absolutely no way Apple will avoid a potential grudge match and a potential clash of the next generation OS.
4)Release of the iPhone 3.0 OS which will enable all functions(Copy & Paste, Push notifications, Landscape Keyboard etc) that the current iPhones lag in comparison to its rival the recently launched Palm Pre which enjoyed stellar sales for its opening week.

My Wishlist?

1) An Apple Netbook/tablet, with rumors of Apple ordering up 10 inch touchscreens, the word on the street is that Apple will release a Tablet with typical netbook specifications, Atom processor and the works. I geniunely wish the Tablet will be announced during WWDC, but to be honest, it’s a little too early by Apple’s Standards who usually waits for a market to consolidate and be settled before moving in for the kill ala the Portable Music Player(PMP) sector. iPod anyone?

2) Price cuts for Macbooks/iMacs. Apple suffered a decline in market share due to the weaker economy as consumers begun to target value end products instead of the premiums that Apple usually charge. Microsoft has targeted Apple in that area with their popular laptop hunters ad campaign which featured bargain hunters settling for “A PC” as Macs are outta their budget range or are claimed to lack what they desire.

This is slowly but surely developing into a challenging year for Apple who have enjoyed years of unprecedented growth and profits. But with Windows 7, Palm Pres and the cheaper Netbooks that its rivals are coming up with, can Apple still maintain its irresistible momentum?

Much will depend on Mr Jobs (and his health) who has performed miracles into making the behemoth it is today.