Apple Event: Our Predictions

Image: Eva KröcherEveryone else is having their say, so we might as well throw our predictions for today's Apple Event out there as well. Below are my predictions, along with what Jamie of Root Access fame thinks will be released/announced:

Beatles announcement?

Ryan: Apple will use the Beatles to highlight their new digital album package (extra video, behind-the-scenes, etc.) Just releasing the songs on iTunes wouldn't be exciting enough.

Jamie: Yoko says yes! This will happen.

iPod Classic disappears?

Jamie: Gone!

Ryan: I hate to say it because it is the form-factor that actually "is/was" the iPod, but I think it's gone.

iPod Shuffle changes?

Ryan: A return to the old look: buttons!

Jamie: No changes.

iPod Nano price drop?

Ryan: Something will be at $99.

Jamie: No price drop, but it will get a camera and new colors.

New iPod Touch features?

Jamie: Camera on the touch, and a 64GB on the high end. With the classic gone, this is the new high-end iPod.

Ryan: Camera (and video) on the touch. A 64GB model is doubtful, but we'll definitely see it if the classic is discontinued.

Camera on the Nano?

Ryan: No. There needs to be more differentiation between the Touch and Nano.

Jamie: Yes. Leaked cases say so.

Jobs on stage?

Jamie: Nope.

Ryan: Ironically, I think he'll show up if the rest of the news isn't that exciting. I know that's the opposite of most people's thinking, but I think he doesn't want his return to overshadow a big product announcement, like the tablet.

"One More Thing?"

Jamie: Not without Jobs.

Ryan: Agreed.

Tablet announcements?

Jamie: No.

Ryan: 12% chance. Definitely be a surprise at this point.

New iTunes features?

Ryan: Going out on a limb and saying we see a subscription option. Some sort of social feature, but nothing to get too excited about.

Jamie: Facebook/twitter integration, and a new Blu-ray feature. Not adding Bluray drives, but movies will include a code that allows you to download a copy from iTunes for free.

So there you have it. I'm sure some of these will seem laughable this afternoon, and maybe a few will be spot on. What are your predictions for today?

Zune Tries a Smart Marketing Angle

You probably have an iPod (iPhone). Your friends probably have iPods. So who doesn't have an iPod? (hey, keep it clean!) I'll tell you who: people who primarily listen to the radio. Microsoft has found a way to cleverly reach that audience without alienating radio stations.

The Zune HD touts as one of its features the fact that it receives HD radio signals. Perfect! Now you can hear all the bad stuff* on radio in higher quality! By working with radio rather than against it, Microsoft can reach those people who aren't already plugged into their white earbuds.

Coincidentally, I was listening to the Kidd Kraddick show yesterday, driving in another town. (probably first and last time listening) The host and his sidekicks started wondering aloud whether Apple had lost its coolness, and was getting too big. This was about 20 minutes after an ad for the Zune HD on the same show. Coincidence? Quite honestly, it probably was, but Microsoft might have just found the right cheerleaders in commercial radio to get those who haven't bought an iPod to choose the Zune.

*Full disclosure: Once upon a time, I worked as a radio DJ (or on-air personality as many prefer). And of course when I say "all radio is bad" that's a generalization. Also, while I didn't enjoy his show, props to Kidd Kraddick who secretly kept the zanies coming on stations with his Bit Board service, that delivered 75% of those cool ideas your morning DJ would "come up with."

If You Had To Choose: Microwave or iPod

There was an interesting infographic in the USA Today over the weekend. (Yes, the print edition... someone must have been at a hotel ...) As you can see, the chart asked Americans how much certain items are needed, or are considered necessities. Since 2006, the microwave has fallen 21 points, while the iPod has gained a point, along with high-speed internet and flat-screen TV as gainers. It's interesting to note that "home computer" dropped a point over the same time period, so good luck syncing those iPods.

Clothes dryers and home air conditioning were also big losers on the list, moving from necessity to discretionary according to the Pew research. While the gains for most electronics are well within the stated (and large) 3.6% margin of error, it looks like we're headed to a world in which we slave over the stove, or dine out, and hang our clothes up to dry. It's all good as long as we can listen to our iPods while we do it.

As much as I enjoy my iPod, I have to tell you if I was stranded, and had ample electricity, I would probably go with the microwave, or at least a computer before I would worry about my iPod.

What do you think? Bogus poll, or a real shift in our perceptions of necessity items in the 21st Century?

Macgirl's Media pick of the week 4/11/09

This week my pick is a throwback to a simpler time. (ok, a time in history that I didn't actually experience, but it looked nice in American Dreams...)

If you haven't already, head over to iTunes and download something, anything,  by Raphael Saadiq.  His 2008 release, The Way I See It, has been on constant rotation in my iPod since it first came out.  It has a great mix of soul and motown, with a modern updated feel.  I LOVE this album.  Check it out, you'll find some old-school music vibes are a great compliment to your edgy music mix.

Ok, Apple, You Can Have One Proprietary Headphone. Choose.

Some people have had mixed reactions to the move of the iPod Shuffle controls to the cord of the earbuds. It will indeed make an adapter/dongle necessary for 3rd party headphones to function with the shuffle. But guess what? I'm not all that frustrated, nor surprised. The real problem is, there's no standardization of Apple's earbuds across all the products.

Some earbuds have microphones, some do not. iPhone headphones and iPod heaphones aren't quite the same. Now another model has controls, while others do not. Apple, why not standardize the functionality (even if it means a microphone that doesn't do anything with the shuffle) and make one dongle or even publish an open standard, to allow other headphones to work with the device. You can make just as much selling 3rd party headphones in the Apple store, as your own. If anything, production of your own earbuds should drop in price with a single model being produced. I don't like having to stop and figure out whether I'm grabbing the right white earbuds on the way out the door.