Apple Expo Paris 2003 Rumor Roundup

There have been surprisingly few Apple Expo specific rumors over the past few weeks. This roundup will cover both expected Expo product releases as well as a collection of "open" rumors at this time.

PowerBooks

While numerous sites have repeatedly claimed PowerBook revisions over the past few months... a few new reports have since come in from more traditionally reliable sources.

ThinkSecret reported in Mid-August that 12", 15" and 17" PowerBooks were in the pipeline, but were unable to provide specs or a definitive timeframe for the upcoming machines at that time.

Appleinsider then claimed that the prolonged PowerBook delays were due to PPC7457 supply issues, and is now reporting that those issues have been resolved. Appleinsider appears very confident that updated PowerBook G4s will be released at Apple Expo Paris -- with top speeds of 1.25GHz, 2.0 USB and side-ports. Similar specs were given by (less reliable) PowerPage but, in contrast, they feel that new PowerBooks are not likely at this Expo.

Meanwhile, our own sources claim a 15.2" screensize and the inclusion of an illuminated keyboard with (at least) the mid-range model.

At this point Apple's Powerbooks are the oldest computers in their product line with 12" and 17" Powerbooks last seeing revisions in January 2003, and 15" PowerBooks in November 2002.

Software Releases

Our own reliable reports indicated that iCal 1.5 and iSync 1.2 would be seeing releases shortly, but no timeframes were given. Meanwhile, another vague report claimed that we would see "software announcements" (one unexpected) from Apple this and next week. Unfortunately, no software releases have been seen at this point.

A release of iTunes for Windows still remains in the back of people's minds, and some recent Page 2 rumors place the iTunes for Windows release in mid-to-late October... but there are no known plans for an announcement at Apple Expo.

Panther

Early reports expected a Panther release at this year's Apple Expo, but more recent estimates place Panther's ship date into October.

Open Rumors

The mysterious iPod Peripherals are still expected to be released and will require an iPod software update to utilize the new hardware. No further details or timeframes have been provided for these items.

Bluetooth-based Apple Wireless Mice and Keyboards are essentially confirmed based on help notes and error messages embedded in Panther. Rumor sites remain in the dark about the release date for these peripherals.

While Xserve updates are certainly in the works, only MacBidouille gives possible specs with a report that the new G5 Xserves will see top speeds of only 1.8GHz.

Summary

Apple Expo Paris has not traditionally been the launching pad for major Apple Announcements, so expectations should be modest. A number of products do appear to be in the pipeline, but the timeframe for their releases is unclear.