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Big Things Coming From WWDC 2013

With a plummeting stock price, and an aging product line, now is the time for Apple to show the world why they’re still the most innovative company in the world, and evidence shows that they will. Here’s what we expect from 2013 Worldwide Developer Conference (WWDC), based on rumors, evidence, and data.

 

  • OSX 10.9: The latest Mac operating system will be full of enhancements. We’ll likely see more apps built specifically to utilize the benefits of the retina display, and more integration with mobile.
  • Itunes: There have been rumors circulating for quite a while of some form of iTunes service to compete with streaming companies like Netflix, Spotify, or Amazon. Odds are that they’ll launch some form of program in 2013, possibly at a separate event, but possibly at this event instead.
  • Mac: Mac hardware is going to be a big area for change. Apple may unveil which line they will make in the US. They will also likely unveil a new Mac Pro, and a new thunderbolt display with Retina, likely one of the highest definition displays ever built. We may see new macbook airs, but they will not be retina, as explained in this previous post we wrote.
  • iOS: We’ll finally see the heavily speculated iOS 7. Supposedly, Ive had removed the anthropomorphism that he had so detested in previous iterations of the operating system. With his newly found control, he supposedly flattened and smoothened the design, building a more minimalistic operating system. In addition, to compete with Android and Windows Phone 8, Apple will build in live homescreen previews of applications, allowing for apps to provide information such as the temperature from directly on the homescreen/springboard. We may also see an improved multitasking operation, likely only available on the iPhone 4S and later, allowing for two apps up at once.

No New iPhones, iPads, iPods at WWDC 2013

Based on normal upgrade schedules, we’re not expecting any new devices beyond macs at WWDC. The iPhone is definitely staying the same, despite some rumors of a cheaper model, and the larger iPad will also remain the same. The iPad Mini’s future is up in the air. They may release a new model tomorrow, or wait until the fall (the more likely of the two). As for any hope of an Apple television, don’t get your hopes up. The rumor mill hasn’t even shown a shred of evidence of such a momentous announcement.

Read our full predictions for 2013 here

Can I get iMessage texts from my Iphone on Ipad Mini? Question of the Week

Question: Can I get iMessage texts from my Iphone on Ipad Mini?

Answer:

iMessages can be received on any device running iOS 6 or later. This includes just about every iPad except the original, and including the mini.  They can even be sent. Understand though, that all other text messages (from non-iPhones) cannot and will not be received on your iPad.

For example: Billy is texting Jane, who is also talking to Marge.  Billy and Jane have iPhones, but Marge has a blackberry. Any texts from Marge to Jane will not sync to Jane’s iPad, because they are not using the imessage service, but texts from Billy will, because he is using imessage.

Read more iPhone tips and tricks here.

Apple Preparing To Sue Amazon Over New Ad?

 

If you’ve seen Amazon’s latest ad, maybe you had the same thought that I did. How long until Apple files a lawsuit?

When comparing the Kindle Fire HD and the iPad 4, the narrator said “you may not be able to tell the difference”. Before I argue the merits of that point, might I remind you that Apple sued a company for having “similar” curves on its’ devices. This type of misleading advertising is something that Apple has long been trying to fight. Just last year they launched the “basically a mac” campaign (video below) to fight off the line of mac copycats and lookalikes in the form of ultrabooks. With this latest campaign, Amazon is living on the edge.

And now on to the merits part.

Let me point out that the only action performed in the entire commercial was swiping through photos. There are distinct differences in the devices that were completely overlooked and that’s why I find the ad detestable and misleading.

To the untrained eye the devices may appear similar, but after using them both there’s a notable difference in performance, interface, and quality. I think the price gap is justified and the spots are just misleading. Still, it’s not my place to decide, and I hope Apple sues so the court can make a decision. What do you think?

Apple Rumors 2013: What’s Coming?

There’s a lot on the block for Apple 2013…at least according to the rumor gods. So what can we expect? Here are nine things we expect out of Cupertino in 2013.

  1. Retina Macbook Air: Likelihood: 60-70%. Lately, Cupertino has been rapping everything in a retina display, their super-high-definition, high density displays. The full-sized iPad, iPhone, iPod Touch, and Macbook Pro line all have retina displays. Until this year, the retina display was simply too expensive to implement in a cheaper (though not close to cheap) computer like the macbook Air. Now though, with new technology and increased order size, Cupertino can likely get the parts cost down to a price where they can sell such a computer. Expect a delivery date of June, at Apple’s Worldwide Developer Conference at the earliest.
  2. Retina iPad Mini: Likelihood: 50%. While we’ll definately be seeing a retina iPad mini sometime soon, we can’t be sure it will be this year. Apple’s margins on the current Mini are already to0 low for their liking, so unless they can drastically reduce the price of components, plus Retina displays, it may take an extra year. No guess as to a release date.
  3. Retina iMac: Likelihood: 30%. ipad miniHow awesome would that be? A beautifully crisp 27 inch display the thickness of a pencil. The iMac already went through a brilliant overhaul last year, shedding serious bulk, so the challenge is fitting a retina display in without major size changes. Apple doesn’t normally do major computer releases two years in a row for the same line, so any retina iMac isn’t likely until at least mid-2014. Still, it has a chance because of the current proliferation of retina devices (see above.
  4. iPhone 5S: Likelihood: 95%. We have no idea what the next iPhone will hold, but based on Apple’s past releases, we can expect it to be called the iPhone 5S, and we can expect it to have an identical exterior design to the iPhone 5, with internal enhancements. It will see the newer, faster dual band Wifi, a new processor, a better camera, and a few other minor features to bring it in line with competitors like Samsung’s Galaxy SIII.
  5. Apple TV (actual TV): Likelihood:49%. The late Steve Jobs really wanted to reinvent television, and evidence shows that Apple has been working on such a device, but there’s not enough convincing evidence that they’re ready to roll out such a device this year. This was Apple’s first attempt at a real TV.
  6. iWatch: Likelihood: 5%. It was painful for me to give this even a 5% chance. A lot of rumors have stirred around the idea of such a device, but I don’t EVER see Apple developing a watch, and especially without proof-of-concept and longevity by the first wave of smart watches, like the Pebble.
  7. Touchscreen Mac: Likelihood: 10%. On the one hand, Steve Jobs denied that Apple would ever make a touchscreen mac, but on the other hand, he said the same thing about tablets before Apple took over the tablet market with the iPad. I don’t see it happening because the iPad pretty much serves that roll, but it isn’t outside of the realm of possibility. Not this year.
  8. iMac Pro. Likelihood 55%. Ever since Apple updated every line but the Mac Pro, pro users have been worried as to the future of the Mac Pro, a creative industry standard. Last year, Apple CEO Tim Cook confirmed an entirely new pro product on the way in 2013. Whether this takes the form of a more configurable and High end iMac is unknown, but a Mac Pro in some form is 100%.
  9. Stock Dividend. This is a product of Apple in a different form, pleasing a different crowd. Analysts have indicated to me that Apple will likely have a dividend for shareholders this year to spread the benefit of their ridiculous cash flow.

And that’s pretty much Apple’s year in 2013. Anything else is a mystery. Let’s compare notes on New Years, and see how we did.  Answer this in the comments: What Apple product are you most looking forward to in 2013?

Update: Apple Hints At New Products in 2013 Earnings Call

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