Increasing Feeling That Apple’s WWDC Monday Will Be Huge
Not cravings for the Roli Roti porchetta sandwich — my gut is rumbling that Apple’s WWDC keynote will be a big one.
- Recent announcements by Google (music locker, wallet), Amazon (music locker), and Microsoft (Windows 8 video) hint at advance knowledge of Apple’s plans — or a mere wish to get ahead of whatever Apple announces. Google and Amazon foreshadow an iCloud with music capability, while Microsoft’s peek at Windows 8 could be pre-emptive attempt to damper any Apple UI developments.
- Rumor that all four major record labels have now signed on to Apple’s iCloud.
- The announcements must be significant enough that Apple isn’t worried about a lack of new iPhone 5 hardware hitting this summer. Meaning, new iOS 5 and Lion features may be significant enough to drive both software and hardware sales until the fall.
- All software at WWDC implies something really worth releasing to developers. Changes to iOS5, cloud storage, but possibly Apple TV apps, or new GUI innovations. Maybe the WWDC banner math implies something — access Apple’s cloud in your OS X and iOS apps?.
- iPhone versions of iWork apps Keynote, Pages, and Numbers hit this week without much fanfare, implying this release wasn’t major enough to save until Monday.
- Steve Jobs’ appearance implies something groundbreaking requiring his trademark delivery and selling skills. He wouldn’t show up to perform iWork demos or announce an updated Mac Mini.
- Apple’s in a position to take big risks. Their last one was the iPad, which despite the naysayers, became a solid success. At this stage, Apple could introduce iFingerPaints to a willing audience. So now is a great time to introduce some forward-reaching UI changes — say touch in OS X, voice control, etc. With touch interfaces providing a wedge, it may an opportune time to break away from window management and mice. Apple is the best positioned company to bring that Minority Report stuff mainstream.
My predictions remain the same, but expectations are leaning toward the more unlikely imaginings. The reality distortion field must have been activated, somewhere.