UPDATED: What to Expect from Macworld

2009 is here, and (Apple’s last) Macworld takes place in a few days. Below is a list of things that could be revealed when Phil Schiller’s opening keynote takes place on January 6th. New rumors, all rated Possible for now, are bold

Very likely:

• Apple Cinema Displays: the rest of the models will most likely be converted to LED and the new design.

• MacBook Pro: The 17-inch model to be remade with the Unibody technology

• Mac mini updates: The Mini has not been updated for a long time and by today’s standards the Mini is now very slow even for basic activities. It could also be cancelled, but that would mean Apple abandoning the low-end computer market, as the iMac costs double the price of the Mini.

Likely:

• iMac updates: Intel’s new Nehalem microprocessors have begun shipping, and will probably be added to the iMac.

• Mac Pro: Workstation-class Nehalem processors are released in Q1 2009 and are a highly possible addition for the Pro.

• More information on Snow Leopard, and maybe a demo.

Possible:

• iPod touch and iPhone: New Flash chip technologies have been developed with more memory taking less space, and these 2 products could take advantage from this with a 32 GB iPhone and a 64 GB Touch.

• Xserve: Apple’s server line could well be updated, as the last refresh was over half a year ago.

• iPhone Nano: in the last few weeks, strange rumors of a low-cost iPhone have begun circulating. Much of the

information comes from a case manufacturer, XSKN, who sold cases for the iPhone 3G and the new Nano before they were released. It  has now added iPhone Nano cases to their product list. It is yet unknown how the already small iPhone keyboard and buttons would be minimized…

• iWork and iLife to move online: There have been hints of the application suites to become web-based, with iLife being completely integrated with MobileMe.
• Apple Home Media Server: This would transform Time Capsule to a device that streams all your files to all the computers in your house and, along with MobileMe, allows you to access them from anywhere with internet access.
• New Shuffle: it has not received a major update for over 2 years, so a new design would not be a surprise.
• A netbook: many people still believe that Apple will release a low-cost MacBook to for surfing the web.
  

  Unlikely:

• Blu-Ray drives being added to high-end models: Not very likely, as Steve called Blu-Ray “a bag of hurt” just a few months ago. He may surprise us, though.

Remember, this may prove to be completely wrong, but the products high on this list are still almost certainly bound for updates. We will keep you posted on news and rumors.

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