2010 could be a very exciting year for Apple. Towards the end of last year, Jimmy and I were discussing what would be the top 10 things we’d like to see from Apple this year and here it is. Some of these we know will happen, some others will be like praying for rain in the middle of the desert. Who knows, miracles might happen right?
Image from http://www.islate.org
h3. Apple Tablet (iSlate? or i-Just-Want-to-Buy)
We know this is coming, for sure. From the rumor sites, an announcement is likely to be made in January, with an actual release in 3rd quarter of 2010. Whatever the case, we’re confident putting our money behind this one.
h3. iTunes SG Store
This has long been on our wish list since it first launched in US, back in 2003. If you believe in lucky number 7, then 2010 might be the year Apple adds music to their apps and iTunes U store here. However, my gut feel (and I do have a big gut) still tells me not to hold my breath on this one. But well, one can only hope right?
h3. Updated iPhone
The Jesus phone will definitely be updated again this year. It’s a big chunk of revenue for Apple so we’re certain it won’t get neglected. From the rumor sites, the very least we could be expecting would be software 4.0 and a 5-megapixel camera. We’re hoping for a front-facing camera for video chats because most phones in that class already has one. Given that all 3 Telcos in Singapore have the iPhone, we’d really like to see how the competition between them will affect the price of the iPhone when it gets updated.
h3. Higher Resolution iPod nano camera
We think the current iPod nano’s VGA, 640×480 camera is a little behind market standards. To be fair, perhaps Apple is using this current generation as a gauge of how consumers like a video camera in their mp3 player, or perhaps adding a bigger camera would significantly increase it’s cost of production. We don’t know for sure, but in light of what other players offer, we’d like to see 1280 x 720, HD video capabilities.
h3. Aperture X
There’s been some rumors going around but nothing concrete. Adobe updated Lightroom recently, but there’s still no updates to Aperture since February 2008. We’re hoping for an update in 2010, with full 64-bit compatibility at the very least. Based on the fact that everything is now 64-bit ready, it seems most natural that we should see this sometime in 2010.
h3. Mac Pro
This one needs an update, and we’re not talking about internals. The Mac Pro is still based on the enclosure used in the PowerMac G5 released in 2003. That’s 7 years since it’s last overhaul. We’d like to see it updated to be inline with the rest of the product lines and if possible, shrink it down to it fits on most people’s desks.
h3. Blu-ray
So Blu-ray won the formats war. Now what? Licensing issues aside, it would be nice to see Blu-ray make it’s way into the higher end Mac Pros or even as a custom option for iMacs. We don’t expect to see this so soon so we’re not holding our breath either.
h3. Official Apple Store
Yes, there are Apple resellers and distributors but wouldn’t it be nice to have an Apple-run retail store here in Singapore? If you’ve been to Ginza or New York, you’ll know what I mean. To me, these physical touchpoints extends the complete brand experience to consumers. I’d hate to walk into an Apple store and see Xbox 360 games, if you know what I mean? (By the way, that’s Jimmy in Tokyo catching the Apple logo as it’s falling on his head).
h3. iPod touch with camera
This one is a no-brainer. When it was last updated, I heard Jimmy exclaim, “WTF? No camera?” all the way from his flat.
h3. Totally New Product
We have no idea what this could be, but we’d like to see something totally new. It could be a new holographic display that will change the user interface forever or it could be revolutionary way to charge your portable batteries wirelessly. Hell, if they even make a new microwave oven, we’d be excited. Anything at all. Just surprise us.
There, our top 10 wish-list we’d like to see in 2010. We will review again at the end of the year so we know how off we were. In any case, tell us what’s on your wish-list in the comments below.
