The truth about Macworld 2007: What will really be revealed

    There are so many rumors running wild in the blogosphere I felt compelled to set things straight (even if nobody is reading).  This event will be centered around the integration of apple into your living room, although Leopard and the much anticipated iMobile will be discussed. Here is what to expect at next year's Macworld event:

• iTV or whatever it's going to be called:  This one is a no brainer.  Jobs has already announced that the apple media center, code named "iTV", will ship during the first quarter of 2007.  Expect to find out the true name of the device and more about its functionality, especially the USB port.  I would say that it is safe to assume that the USB port will allow users to add the much needed disc for any media center type device

• Leopard Leopard and more Leopard:  Expect to see more of OS X 10.5.  Also, expect to see those "secret" features (the features not ready to show during the Mac developer conference) that Jobs didn't want to reveal prior to the finalization of Vista.  I would expect that brushed metal will have seen its last days in OS X.  Expect improved spotlight performance, enhanced video features in iChat, and a possible MacWorld release date.

• 8 Core Mac Pro:  I forgot this on the original posting so I came back and added it.  I guess I forgot it since it is such a given.  I have been waiting for this since Arstechnica reported swapping the pin compatible 4 core clovertown with the Core 2 chips in October (I think that when it was).  When leopard and the Octo are available I will certainly upgrade.  I just hope that upgraded cinema displays are also available to that I can add a 30" to order.
  

• Updates to the iTunes Store:  Now that the holiday buying season is over expect more movie studios to join Disney at the iTunes box office.  I would also expect an improvement in video quality.  Nobody want to watch 620X480 on their 1920X1080 plasma display.  With the iTV's release approaching soon, and to compete with Xbox Live's HD dowloadable content, expect HD contenet on iTunes soon.
  

• Updated Apple Cinema Displays:  It is a well known fact that stores are no longer stocking stand alone iSight.  It only makes sense that iSight will be integrated into a new line of cinema displays. This would offer the much needed front row support for the Mac Pro.  The fact that the mac pro has not had front row support to this point is just silly.  Hopefully an integrated iSight module will allow the Mac Pro to receive its much needed front row support.  I can't imagine apple's flagship computer suffering from such an inadequacy much longer.  

Integrated iSight with front row capabilities may allow Cinema Displays to function as stand alone Displays.  This couples nicely with the pending iTV release.  Whether we see a 42 or 50" display, which will double as a TV, is still a question, although I don't see apple jumping into the consumer electronics market quite yet.

This one is a little bit more speculative but, we may be fortunate enough to see HDMI connectivity in the new line.  This would be a necessary step to really getting apple, "in the living room."  Maybe unlikely but we can dream can't we.

• The iMobile (or whatever they call it):  Yes we will see the elusive iPhone.  Scott Bourne, please contain yourself!  But, it will not be everything that you expected (although I will be the first to line up and buy one).  Don't worry though, that is what 2G and 3G are for. 

• True Video iPod:  Not yet!  Still have not been able to work out the bugs on that one. Expect it by the middle of 07.

Of course, this is all speculation but, i expect that these predictions will be fairly accurate.  If not hit with the lame tag.