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Get Ready for Apple Goodies on Sept. 9

Apple is calling a big press event for next Tuesday in San Francisco. Speculation is ripe for what the company will announce. Chances it's not going to be another mobile phone. Here are our predictions.
Apple is calling a big press event for next Tuesday in San Francisco. Speculation is ripe for what the company will announce. Chances it's not going to be another mobile phone. Here are our predictions.Very likely:

 An update of the iPod touch. Expect the iPhone-without-a-phone to possibly add a GPS. It would be nice if Apple gave it 802.11n, but don't hold your breath. It may also have more storage, and of course, new colors.

 An update of the iPod nano, with a larger screen, and possibly a touch screen.

 iTunes 8, with support for higher-definition television shows and movies, and new tools for making smart playlists based on pairing songs that go well together.

Somewhat likely:

 An update of the entry-level MacBook notebook, with an aluminum case that looks more like the MacBook Air.

 The release of Mac OS X 10.5.5, which will have bug fixes and support for the next devices.

 Price cuts, speed jumps and more storage in existing iMac and MacBook Pro models.

 Firmware 2.0.3 for the iPhone and iPod touch, which will continue to address reliability problems, but which won't add significant new features.

 A subscription-based pricing model for the iTunes store: a flat monthly charge gives you access to their entire library.

 An agreement with AT&T to allow "tethering" for the iPhone 3G, so that it can act as a modem for desktop/notebook computers.

 More colors for the iPhone 3G, such as a "Product Red" version.

 Safari 4, an update to Apple's Web browser. Not very likely:

 Updates to the iPhone 3G firmware which will give it often-requested features like cut/copy/paste and turn-by-turn GPS driving directions.

 New external Cinema Displays which have iSight cameras.

 A major update to Apple TV, Time Capsule and other peripherals.

 A major update to the Mac Pro and Mac Mini desktops.

 Anything at all for the Xserve servers, which Apple basically ignores.

What do you think?

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