It ’s been another banner class for Apple and Apple merchandise — if you want convincing , control out our class - in - review summaries forthe Mac , iOS , Apple as a byplay , digital entertainment , and creatives . ( you’re able to also see the list of Macworld.com’stop storiesandmost know and loathed storiesof the year . )
But what ’s in store for the yr ahead ? As we said goodbye to 2010 , we demand a number of Macworld contributor and friends — as we have in years past — for their predictions for 2011 . But unlike past predictions clause , where we give our prognosticators carte blanche to sound off on any topic Apple - related , this year we asked for forecasts in three specific areas — Mac OS X , iOS , and Apple hardware — as well as for each person ’s pie - in - the - sky wish for the world of Apple .
Mac OS X : I think we ’ll see a continued merging of cloud / Internet service with the desktop — which , depending on your personal experience with Apple ’s current services , may or may not be a good thing . Still , while Apple wo n’t be rolling out its o just yet , I care to think that the next version of Mac OS X will take advantage of that massive North Carolina information center in some way of life or another , whether it involves cloud - free-base backing , well syncing across motorcar via MobileMe , or something else that us cadet have n’t even thought of yet .
iOS : iOS has been making serious inroads lately when it comes to the business sector , but there ’s still plenty of room left to grow . I retrieve in 2011 , Apple will extend to make the iPhone and the iPad appeal to enterprise user by offering more and better shaft for IT folks to manage the twist for employees . People already want to apply these things in a study surroundings , but offering the prick to tolerate even more go-ahead services will be what wins over corporations .
computer hardware : The most obvious hardware prevision is the next loop of the iPad , but what ’s not obvious is exactly which percentage of it will get an update . In an idealistic world , the iPad would get the iPhone 4 ’s retina display ( cost be damned ! ) , and at least a front - facing camera for FaceTime . I ’m also hoping for more RAM so the iPad can do better with all those fancy apps we ’ve all been downloading .
Pie - in - the - sky wish : I want every TV web to get in on the Apple TV ’s 99 - cent - renting anatomical structure — specially the cable mesh . The current lack of approach to lots of video programing is one of the Apple TV ’s weakness , so it would thrill me to get more display . ( Please , meshing , let me give you more of my intemperately - earned money ! ) I ’m also hoping Apple will open up the Apple television weapons platform to aboriginal apps — or at least supply more “ channels ” like the current Netflix and Internet - radio receiver options — instead of necessitate mass to utilize AirPlay for well out audio and video .
Adam Engst, Publisher,TidBITS
iOS : The master area where iOS stand ill is in file management and syncing . Core data types , such as music and photo , are ably manage by iTunes and are made available to multiple apps on your iOS gimmick . But moving other type of files — such as PDFs and word - processing DoC — to and from the equipment , and especially between apps , is so ill done that it ’s open iTunes ’ File Sharing lineament and interface are merely placeholders while Apple finishes the veridical solution .
That solution , which I ’ll callAppleSyncuntil Apple debut it with a better name , will be mediated through Apple ’s massive new data core in North Carolina and will swear on sub - file updating ( which sync just the differences in files as they interchange — it ’s how Dropbox and CrashPlan sync so efficiently ) to ensure that files are accurately and reliably synchronize across all the devices you utilise . With hoagie - file updating , the amount of data moved around is relatively small , enable high - priority / small - size update over 3 G data connection , while restricting downhearted - priority / big - size updates and equipment backup to 802.11n Wi - Fi connections . USB connexion will be necessary only for full - gimmick restores .
Mac OS 10 : The fact that Mac OS X and iOS share the same OS underpinnings is key to my forecasting that Lion will put back HFS+ , the filesystem Macs have used since 1998 , with aZFS - base filesystem . This new filesystem will play a central purpose in enabling AppleSync ( above ) , which will work not just with iOS twist , but with all Macs running Lion . Time Machine will also rely on AppleSync , or else of hard links , and will offer the capacity to recover miss data from a local backup disk , any equipment in the AppleSync pool , or from online storage .
Hardware : In 2011 , Steve Jobs is going to turn his attention to the fact that the clean industrial designs of the iPad , iPhone , and iPod touch are sullied by not one , but two cable in regular use : the USB pier - connector cable and the headphone overseas telegram . First , Apple will see to reinvent the Bluetooth earphone to make it small and more easy — while still obvious enough to offer the complimentary marketing the company get from its current white - cabled earbuds , of path . In fact , the next iPod shuffle will in reality be integrated into headphones . Second , while Apple ’s proprietary dock connector will remain for use with existing appurtenance , you ’ll be capable to charge your young iOS devices — yes , you ’ll need to grease one’s palms new ones — through a new ironware founding : induction charge . alternatively of secure in your iPhone or iPod at nighttime , you just set it down on a particular Apple Charging Pad . But how will these devices sync ? Why , AppleSync ( above ) , of course .
Proto-Indo European - in - the - sky wishing : If I ’m right on any of the above , that ’s plenty of pie for my sky !
John Gruber,Daring Fireball
Mac OS X : By the meter Lion ships , Apple ’s going to reveal many more drug user - interface change that are revolutionize by the iPad , with the select targets being Mail and iCal . Last yr , Apple revamped the user interface for MobileMe ’s Mail and Calendar Web apps ; the new versions very powerfully resemble their iPad counterparts . I retrieve we ’ll see Mac OS X ’s adaptation of Mail and iCal go the same way .
iOS : We ’ll see an iOS 5.0 freeing on the usual schedule : WWDC in June . Topping my list of crucial raw features will be a revamping of the notice system . The only ripe thing you may say about the current system — which is essentially fix to those blue average warning signal — is that it ’s mere . But I imagine there ’s nearly unanimous consent that they’retoosimple . For object lesson , there ’s no way to consider multiple notifications at once , and once you ’ve dismissed a notification on your lock sieve , there ’s no way to go back and re - read it . ( I ’ve lost count of how many notifications I ’ve missed because I ’ve finished the swipe - to - unlock gesture before I even actualise Ihada notification showing . ) It ’s also undeniable that iOS is behind Android and WebOS in this respect .
ironware : The second - generation iPad is going to be a major upgrade , not a minor one like the update from the original iPhone to the iPhone 3G. We ’ll see expert performance , more RAM , a better display , and a thinner and idle computer hardware design .
Pie - in - the - sky regard : I ’d love to see a HyperCard - similar development system for iOS , perhaps using JavaScript as the computer programing voice communication .
Mac OS X : Lion ’s adoption of iOS features will fray many dye - in - the - fleece Mac users the wrong direction . So much , in fact , that many will find they have an real rash . unused threats to switch to Windows and Linux will fly furiously , but in the destruction they ’ll prefer to give a topical ointment and keep using the Mac .
iOS : As Mac OS X starts taking its cue from iOS , iOS will become chesty and aloof , believe itself to be “ all that . ” It will increasingly forget who its friends are and choose to instead to hang out with that obnoxious rich guy who drive the BMW . This will culminate around promenade time when iOS will finally see what it has become and learn the true import of friendship , as Orchestral Manoeuvres in the Dark reunites to play “ If You bequeath . ”
ironware : Four age ago I correctly predicted that the one - button iPhone would be the biggest Apple computer hardware release of 2007 , and I ’m still milk that completely accidental bit of prevision . Which is why this year I ’m predicting that Apple will release a one - button Mac , as well . Sounds crazy , amiright ? Yeah , well , a one - button phone seemed utterly crazy in 2006 and it flex out to be good , so I ’m sticking to my guns .
Proto-Indo European - in - the - sky wish : Around summertime 2011 , Apple ’s immediate payment on paw ( presently $ 25.62 billion ) eclipse Dell ’s food market cap ( currently $ 26.61 billion ) . Apple then buys Dell , shuts it down , and gives the money back to the shareholders . Just because it can .
Mac OS X : In October 2010 , Apple showed off some of Mac OS X Lion ’s upcoming iOS - inspired features , such as the Mac App Store and full - screen apps . But that was only a small peek . Ultimately , Mac OS X ’s adoption of iOS features will be more striking and will redefine the out - of - the - boxwood experience for novice users . Apple adjudicate this advance before — for example , back in System 7 with the Launcher and in the original version of OS X with unmarried - applications programme modal value — but there was too much baggage to overtake . This time the company can leverage its conversant Io port and , thanks to the Mac App Store , even hold tight control over the process of installing third - company software . For non - savvy electronic computer users , Mac OS X Lion will experience very much like Io on a computer — and that ’s a unspoiled matter .
iOS : In 2011 , Apple will finally pitch wireless sync in a large way . Especially with the introduction of the iPad , many people are using their iOS twist as standalone building block , so the need to physically connect to a computer to sync data seems dated . Beyond that , we ’re also sure to see the capability to stream your media , euphony , and video from the iTunes cloud .
( If I can sneak in another iOS prediction , I ’m certain Apple is work on something big with fix / chromosome mapping divine service . The companionship ’s acquisition of Placebase , its recruitment of navigation - skilled engineer , and the fact that Apple openly has a “ Geo Team ” make it reset the companionship is devoting some massive resources to a yet - unknown location - establish service . Is Apple replacing Google Maps with an in - menage offer ? work on Apple Navigation ? I do n’t claim to live , but whatever it is , I think we ’ll see it in 2011 . )
Hardware : TheMacBook Air ( Late 2010)is a roadmap for 2011 . Apple ’s MacBook Pro model will succeed the Air ’s example by featuring SSD store and a thinner design while drop the visual drive . Apple will continue to offer high - end models for professional , but when it comes to consumer laptops , the writing has been on the wall . One upside for pros : Apple will be one of the first companies to adoptLight Peak , which promises to consolidate many data connections into a single mega - connector , replace USB , FireWire , DVI , and more . And if that comes to pass , have me be the first to suggest a rebirth of a ( Duo-)dock system .
Proto-Indo European - in - the - sky wish : In a perfect human beings , Apple would release a newfangled Apple TV go under - top corner — perhaps even one built into an LCD exhibit . so as to wrest dominance from the local cable’s length providers , this new machine would support CableCARD ( or equivalent ) for a viable “ go - to - securities industry ” strategy . ( The unfitness to infiltrate these tightly controlled local market has been one grounds Cupertino has observe its distance in this country , but the company ca n’t lease Google have all the fun . ) Apple might even be able to win over a cable provider that an Apple TV exclusive would bring a huge boost in contributor number .
The Macalope, pundit-skewering mythical beast
First , a caveat : The Macalope has no special knowledge and his “ predictions ” are worth nothing more than the bit that make up them . As always , and with apologies to David Letterman , NO WAGERING — retrieve , this is for Polemonium van-bruntiae ( The Mythical Beasts ’ Post Holiday Credit Card Reduction Fund ) .
Mac OS hug drug : The Mac App Store will be a immense success , albeit withthe same problems present in the iTunes App Store . The grocery will be flooded with Modern Mac applications , some good and some spoilt , but monetary value will be agitate down and the oft - repeated complaint that there ’s no package for the Mac will be a matter of the yesteryear . Microsoft will wish this idea so much it will take a(nother ) shot at it and ship an app store with Windows 8 . This time it ’ll operate moderately better because , you have sex , Apple will have already figured it out for them .
iOS : make for with studio and other content provider , Apple will announce a more - limited variation of the App Store for the Apple TV , which will go to the expected griping about a lack of nakedness . ask to see on - your - boob tube version of the ABC and PBS iPad apps , as well as many others . There ’s a chance the “ Apple TV App Store ” could be more opened , á la the iTunes App Store , but Apple may be apprehensive about how input will function and does n’t require the great unwashed dissatisfied with the substance abuser experience . Still , that 30 percent cut is pretty sweet …
ironware : The iPad 2 will be aphrodisiac and slim and have two cameras . OK , that ’s not much of a prediction , but Android and Windows - based tablet will proceed to fall in the iPad ’s shadow until they ’re able to undercut it on price . The RIM PlayBook will be delayed and , when it ships , it will fail to find a constituency amongst RIM ’s traditional incarnate client base . What ’s French - Canadian for “ sad trombone ” ?
Pie - in - the - sky want : The Macalope hates the condition “ online scheme , ” so he ’ll just say he hop Apple fixes MobileMe , Game Center , and Ping . All of these services are outclass by other competing services and it ’s unbecoming for Apple to provide such second - pace drug user experiences . add up on , Apple ! This good sense of elitism does n’t build up itself !
