Next Big Apple Device...

[djelder.]

We all know that the Widescreen IPod will be out soon, probably with features to download from the device, maybe? Then we think that another iPhone is on the way with iChat video features? Then we hear about the Mercedes car nav integration... But what else could they have up there sleeves to create antoher frenzy, like the iPhone did?

I would think it would be something that is similar to the surface that can go anywhere and would be useful for the business world, design world and for home computing use?

What do you think?

[philbowell]

I've heard a rumour, not sure where, that the new iMac will include a small multi-touch screen which you can lift off and use as a remote type device for controlling media. I'm not sure how it would work and it sounds a little far fetched to me, but I certainly think it won't be long before we see Multi Touch filtering down into some of the Mac line.

[Yuiichi]

Another rumour could be a smaller tablet like device (most likely using multitouch) that wouldn't be a full fledged computer but rather a media controller. It could connect to your Macs, AppleTV, iPhone - whatever, and access all of the media on any of them. It could tell your AppleTV to play a video file that lives on your Mac or tell your Mac to start playing it itself. I think this one originated on the MacCast before Macworld, when Apple was rumoured to have a new device coming out soon.

I still hope this one comes out!

[Galley]

I expect a dramatic redesign of the iMac in the next three months. After that, I see many improvements coming to the tv, the 6G iPod and updated Cinema Displays.

[djelder.]

I definitely see lots of multi-touch, I wonder how the patent wars will fan out for Microsoft and Apple on these, or if they some sort of agreement on these systems?

[Raven]

@djelder - I'm not sure about 'patent wars.' I remember seeing a link a couple years ago now about Apple patenting multitouch gestures. The touchscreen tech is already around in so many places that I don't know what's left to fight over.

As for myself, I'm hoping for flash storage. Please please please flash hard drives of a serious size. And a Mac tablet would be amazing, even if I think, due to previous comments by Jobs, that it's unlikely.

[houltmac]

There are a lot of patents in the area of the iPhones multi-touch technology, but as Raven said, there are also a lot of other devices with similar (although reportedly not as good) technologies. I think this is another case of patent systems failing and being largely a testosterone chart.

I don't personally see a requirement for another device just to control what we have, I think that's already there in the IR Remote and possibly the iPhone itself. I would like to see new displays, iMacs, possibly a new look for the PowerBooks (I mean, MacBook Pro's!) and then there is software. I am really hoping for the addition of machines running iTunes being "seen" as AirTunes speaker sets in iTunes, but I am not sure this will happen. It would be nice though.

In terms of new devices, the bases are covered for me. Apple is in my pocket, my den, my lounge, my car, my office... Where else do I go? I have a lot of inputs into my life right now (media mainly, but things coming in), not so much on the outgoing. I also have the processing power (general hardware power) to do all this and more. It would be logical for me for Apple to invent ways for me to put something back out there, help me be more creative again. Perhaps some new iWork/iLife apps, but not so much in terms of hardware for a while.

[Ginamos]

It's always interesting to try to predict Apple's next big moves, but my eye is on the next version of the iPod, that's exciting enough for me.

It will be interesting to see how they will develop the iPod without cutting into the sales of the iPhone. Now Apple have proven they can make a touch screen product, that actually works well, I'm expecting the next Gen iPods (certainly at the higher end) to incorporate that technology. Possibly even using OS X, although I can't see the immediate need for that unless they incorporate greater PDA functionality.

When touch screen technology is incorporated into the iPod, we'll be witnessing the most fundamental change in the iPod since its launch. Without the need for a scroll wheel, and the additional screen size that that provides, it'll be the first true video iPod.

Hmm, I think it's almost time to replace my 4th Gen 60GB iPod.

[baseballboy828]

I think that once the iPhone significantly slows down, a 6th gen iPod will be released. But Apple will likely wait quite a while.

[djelder.]

@ baseballboy828: I agree, I think around Sept or Oct we will see them announce it, in time for the Christmas season.

But I also see them incorporating the iPhone tech into the home, a home phone and home control tech, I would also like to see them enhance the airport express to be able to stream video to other TV's, Apple TV aside, it would be cool to just do a straight stream to all your other TV's, maybe, and add 802.11N to the airport express as well.