Here are some predictions for what I think could be launched at Apple's next media event. Most likely Apple will have an event to announce some media hardware and software like iPods in the fall of 2010 sometime around September.
1. The Entry Level iPod Touch Will Become More Affordable At $150 Or Even $100
I think Apple wants to get everyone onto their iOS mobile devices which basically includes the iPhone and iPod Touch. The main reason for this is they can sell apps, games, books and other content on these devices and they can really only sell music on the older devices like the iPod Classic and iPod Nano. Because of this I think they will drop the price of the entry level iPod Touch even more. Of course this would cut into the price of the iPod Nano which I'll talk more about in a bit. The iPhone 4 may be quietly updated with a 64GB version replacing the 32GB version too.
- iPod Touch 3GS - 16GB - $150
- iPod Touch 4G - 64GB - $300
- iPod Touch 4G - 128GB - $400
2. The iPod Classic And Possibly The iPod Nano Will Be Discontinued
I think the iPod Classic will finally be discontinued since the iPod Touch will now have a flash hard drive with 128GB of memory. It's pretty remarkable as it will truly be the end of an era for the hard drive based iPods without a touch screen which started 9 years ago in 2001. I also think that eventually the iPod Nano will be discontinued. My guess is that once the base iPod Touch hits the price of the iPod Nano at $150 it basically makes the iPod Nano redundant. I think that may happen this year, and if not in 2011.
3. The iPod Touch 4G Gets The iPhone 4 Redesign Including A Camera
This is a pretty safe bet. If Apple is unable to make an iPod Touch with at least the basics of the new design because of costs it will be a big disappointment. Finally the iPod Touch will get a camera, and it will include video recording. This would include a basic camera, basic microphone, Apple A4 processor, 512MB RAM, retina display, gyroscope, and 802.11n, among other features. I say basic camera and microphone because I think it may only get a 3 megapixel camera and one microphone unlike the 5 megapixel camera with HD recording, and two microphones for better noise cancellation that the iPhone 4 has.
4. The iPod Touch Doesn't Get 3G Cellular, GPS, Or A Front Camera
I think that the new iPod Touch will get pretty much everything the new iPhone has except for 3G cellular, GPS, and a front camera. Even though the iPad came in two configurations, one including 3G, I don't think the iPod Touch will in this new version. The iPhone will continue to be the higher end 3G version of the iPod Touch. Apple will continue however to try and sell the iPhone without a contract and try and make it so wireless companies are forced to offer affordable data only plans without a contract like they got done with the iPad. The iPod Touch may get a front camera too in order to try and get more people using Apple's FaceTime. However, I think they may only include it on the iPhone for now to separate the iPhone, keep prices down, and because the iPhone is really considered their communication device.
5. The iPod Touch Gets FM Radio And Possibly Internet Radio Stations
The iPod Touch will finally get FM radio if my Spidey senses are right. The iPod Nano already got FM Radio. Apple will include a way to tag a song for any stations that support it and then buy the song from the iTunes Store on the iPod Touch. I think it's also possible that Apple will integrate online radio stations into the iPod as well, similarly allowing the songs being played to be purchased directly in the iTunes store. They could include a separate radio app that integrates both FM radio and streaming Internet radio stations or include it in the iPod app. They won't include HD Radio for various reasons including that it is pretty much only available in the US as far as I know and it requires more power from the battery.
6. The iPod Touch Is Renamed
I think they could rename the iPod Touch. My guess is they could simply rebrand it as "iPod", though they could pick a new name. If they eventually do discontinue both the iPod Classic and the iPod Nano they could simplify the naming of the iPod Touch and give it the name it deserves as the real replacement for the original iPod.
7. A Significant Redesign Of The Apple TV Probably Won't Happen
I don't have enough of a hunch to guess what direction Apple will go with Apple TV or if they will release a new device this year. I've heard about the rumoured $99 device with 16GB memory that will rely more on streaming. But I'm unsure if that will happen as I think the syncing to a large hard drive is one of the better features of the Apple TV and adding a separate storage device as an addon isn't a very elegant solution. I think Steve could shut down that project if it is one. I also think they have had enough on their plates this year with the launch of the iPad, the major redesign of the iPhone, and a more significant update to their mobile OS with iOS version 4. Eventually they do need to make a big update for the Apple TV making it capable of being the only box by your TV in your living room. But I don't think it will happen this year, and so I think anything revolutionary for the Apple TV won't be announced this year. A price drop, a small redesign, and some update to the operating system could happen but I think they won't make a big deal about it. They won't add things like downloadable apps, a motion sensing remote, a serious entry into downloadable games, TV recording, or a web browser to play HTML5 video and browse websites.
8. The Entry Level Price Of Mobile Me Will Drop Significantly
I think that MobileMe may not become completely free as rumoured awhile ago but the price will drop significantly for the basic features. Apple likes to sell stuff and has never relied on displaying ads in their software as far as I know. If they can offer a service that people need and get most of the people that have a credit card and an iTunes account to pay even a small amount each year it is a large piece of revenue. If I had to guess I would say that an entry level Mobile Me account might be $5 or $10 per year. It could include about 10GB of storage and be good enough for mail, contacts, calendar, and notes. Of course a basic free service offering maybe just 1GB is also very possible and would have the added benefit of getting many more people signed up. I think even then it will require an iTunes account.
9. An Online Music Syncing Service Is Integrated Into Mobile Me
I think that Apple will launch the much rumoured iTunes online music syncing and streaming service this year. I think it will be integrated into Mobile Me and allow you to upload your music and keep it synced to multiple devices like the iPod Touch and iPad. A higher priced subscription to Mobile Me would allow for more storage. If I had to guess I would say $50 for 128GB, since that could be the maximum storage of the largest iPod Touch. Other files such as documents, books, podcasts, and videos can continue to be synced with iDisk. While I think Apple will launch an iTunes syncing and streaming service I don't think they will offer either a music subscription service or a free ad supported Internet radio service of their own.
10. iTunes 10.0 Will Launch
It will include support to sync music and other files besides your email, contacts, and calendar to Mobile Me. Your music will be synced to the iTunes section of Mobile Me. Your apps may be able to be synced to their own area. On top of this it may also include support to sync your other files such as books, documents, podcasts, and videos to iDisk. For now they may just offer the ability to sync your music, but support for apps and iDisk will come fairly soon.