Worldwide Developers Conference (WWDC) 2006 Rumor Roundup [Updatedx2]
With the 2006 Worldwide Developers Conference (WWDC) quickly approaching, the Mac rumor scene has been buzzing with rumors and reports. As usual, MacRumors provides this Rumor Roundup as a summary of major rumors circulating around the Mac Web before the big event. In last year's WWDC roundup, we summarized the possibility of an Intel-based Mac. Readers should remember that it was only a year ago that Apple first announced they would be switching to the Intel platform.
Mac OS X 10.5 (Leopard)
Apple has already announced that Mac OS X 10.5 (Leopard) will be discussed and demonstrated at WWDC 2006. In fact, a recent slip-up on Apple's developers pages indicates that Apple will be distributing a Developer's Preview of Leopard at WWDC.
Detailed information about Leopard, however, has been very limited. Very few reliable sources of information have come forward. The earliest rumors pointed to Virtualization software to be built into Leopard, but this was flatly denied by Phil Schiller.
Job postings, Patent applications and Page 2 rumors point to a focus on updating Finder with extensive and improved integration with Spotlight. This has even been the topic of some presumed fake screenshots.
Perhaps the most corroborated claims are ones of Apple's iChat 4.0. Appleinsider claimed that iChat 4.0 will incorporate the ability to call traditional phone lines much like existing Voice over IP services, with similar reports elsewhere on the web. As well, Appleinsider has claimed that Leopard will features OS-level integration of a geographical mapping technology, similar to Microsoft's Virtual Earth.
While MacOSXRumors have offered a list of other possible features: virtual desktops, collaborative features, tabbed iChat, the reliability of this source is not entirely certain.
ThinkSecret does not believe Leopard will be shipping in 2006.
Mac Pro
The Intel-update to the PowerMac line remains highly anticipated. The first hints at a name-change came in January 2006 when Apple was revealed to have trademarked the term "Mac Pro". This was largely dismissed until Steve Jobs revealed the plan to change the name of the existing PowerBook and iBook lines to "MacBook" and "MacBook Pro". Meanwhile, we received early confirmation in May that the Mac Pro was indeed targeted for release at WWDC 2006. (Update 2) According to our sources, the Mac Pro will be announced at WWDC and shipping in August.
In July, Appleinsider felt confident that Apple had chosen the Woodcrest (dual-core Xeon) processor for use in the upcoming Mac Pros. While similar to the recently released Core 2 Duo (Conroe) chips in architecture, the Woodcrest processors allow for multi-processor configurations which have been a feature of the high end PowerMacs. Meanwhile, ThinkSecret believes that while the high-end Mac Pro will use the Woodcrest chips, their sources are split on the use of Core 2 Duo (Conroe) chips in the remainder of lower-end models. One Page 2 rumor claimed Apple would incorporate both Conroe and Woodcrest into different Mac Pro models, but the validity of this information has been cast in serious doubt.
Other features also rumored include substantially different enclosures, dual optical drives and an Intel-designed motherboard.
iPhone
Despite ongoing unsubstantiated claims that the iPhone will be released soon, there has been very little credible evidence that the iPhone will be seen at WWDC.
iPod
iPod rumors are more difficult to pin down, as iPod rumors have been circulating in full force for months. Rumors of a full video iPod started in early 2006, but peaked in late March due to Apple's impending 30th anniversary. Subsequent rumors of video iPod delays and difficult Hollywood negotiations have pushed off the release further, with one analyst believing September-October to be a more likely timeframe. In July, however, ThinkSecret had mentioned the possibility of iPod nano updates at WWDC, but now reports this update will be delayed until September.
Xserves, Displays and Other Updates?
The release of backward compatible Core 2 Duo processors by Intel as well as rumors that Apple has placed large orders for them has prompted speculation that Apple will be updating some of its existing Intel Macs to the new processors. The MacBook Pro is the prime candidate, but these conclusions remain speculative.
ThinkSecret reports Xserves will see Woodcrest updates at WWDC and new displays are possible.
Coverage
Steve Jobs will present the Keynote address starting at 10am Pacific Time on Monday August 7th. MacRumors.com will provide live text-transcript coverage of the event on MacRumorsLive.com. The MacRumorsLive system uses the latest web technologies to efficiently provide dynamic text updates.
Stay tuned, as last minute leaks are not unusual in the final moments before an event.
Mac OS X 10.5 (Leopard)
Apple has already announced that Mac OS X 10.5 (Leopard) will be discussed and demonstrated at WWDC 2006. In fact, a recent slip-up on Apple's developers pages indicates that Apple will be distributing a Developer's Preview of Leopard at WWDC.
Detailed information about Leopard, however, has been very limited. Very few reliable sources of information have come forward. The earliest rumors pointed to Virtualization software to be built into Leopard, but this was flatly denied by Phil Schiller.
Job postings, Patent applications and Page 2 rumors point to a focus on updating Finder with extensive and improved integration with Spotlight. This has even been the topic of some presumed fake screenshots.
Perhaps the most corroborated claims are ones of Apple's iChat 4.0. Appleinsider claimed that iChat 4.0 will incorporate the ability to call traditional phone lines much like existing Voice over IP services, with similar reports elsewhere on the web. As well, Appleinsider has claimed that Leopard will features OS-level integration of a geographical mapping technology, similar to Microsoft's Virtual Earth.
While MacOSXRumors have offered a list of other possible features: virtual desktops, collaborative features, tabbed iChat, the reliability of this source is not entirely certain.
ThinkSecret does not believe Leopard will be shipping in 2006.
Mac Pro
The Intel-update to the PowerMac line remains highly anticipated. The first hints at a name-change came in January 2006 when Apple was revealed to have trademarked the term "Mac Pro". This was largely dismissed until Steve Jobs revealed the plan to change the name of the existing PowerBook and iBook lines to "MacBook" and "MacBook Pro". Meanwhile, we received early confirmation in May that the Mac Pro was indeed targeted for release at WWDC 2006. (Update 2) According to our sources, the Mac Pro will be announced at WWDC and shipping in August.
In July, Appleinsider felt confident that Apple had chosen the Woodcrest (dual-core Xeon) processor for use in the upcoming Mac Pros. While similar to the recently released Core 2 Duo (Conroe) chips in architecture, the Woodcrest processors allow for multi-processor configurations which have been a feature of the high end PowerMacs. Meanwhile, ThinkSecret believes that while the high-end Mac Pro will use the Woodcrest chips, their sources are split on the use of Core 2 Duo (Conroe) chips in the remainder of lower-end models. One Page 2 rumor claimed Apple would incorporate both Conroe and Woodcrest into different Mac Pro models, but the validity of this information has been cast in serious doubt.
Other features also rumored include substantially different enclosures, dual optical drives and an Intel-designed motherboard.
iPhone
Despite ongoing unsubstantiated claims that the iPhone will be released soon, there has been very little credible evidence that the iPhone will be seen at WWDC.
iPod
iPod rumors are more difficult to pin down, as iPod rumors have been circulating in full force for months. Rumors of a full video iPod started in early 2006, but peaked in late March due to Apple's impending 30th anniversary. Subsequent rumors of video iPod delays and difficult Hollywood negotiations have pushed off the release further, with one analyst believing September-October to be a more likely timeframe. In July, however, ThinkSecret had mentioned the possibility of iPod nano updates at WWDC, but now reports this update will be delayed until September.
Xserves, Displays and Other Updates?
The release of backward compatible Core 2 Duo processors by Intel as well as rumors that Apple has placed large orders for them has prompted speculation that Apple will be updating some of its existing Intel Macs to the new processors. The MacBook Pro is the prime candidate, but these conclusions remain speculative.
ThinkSecret reports Xserves will see Woodcrest updates at WWDC and new displays are possible.
Coverage
Steve Jobs will present the Keynote address starting at 10am Pacific Time on Monday August 7th. MacRumors.com will provide live text-transcript coverage of the event on MacRumorsLive.com. The MacRumorsLive system uses the latest web technologies to efficiently provide dynamic text updates.
Stay tuned, as last minute leaks are not unusual in the final moments before an event.
Top Rated Comments
(View all)
72 months ago
I heard a rumour somewhere of an all metallic ipod nano, can anyone else tell me if they have heard anything similar.
72 months ago
I am really looking forward to this year's WWDC - a chance to see Leopard and see how it stacks up against Vista.
Also hoping that the Mac Pro is finally realeased and to see who is right about the processor (Dual 2 Core Duo low end, Xeon CPU middle and Dual Xeon's high end?).
Finally, it would be nice if the Mac Pro's get the new Core 2 Duo chips.:D
I think that that we'll have to wait for Paris for the iMac update and new iPods.
Lets see what we get.:rolleyes:
Edited bad typing
Also hoping that the Mac Pro is finally realeased and to see who is right about the processor (Dual 2 Core Duo low end, Xeon CPU middle and Dual Xeon's high end?).
Finally, it would be nice if the Mac Pro's get the new Core 2 Duo chips.:D
I think that that we'll have to wait for Paris for the iMac update and new iPods.
Lets see what we get.:rolleyes:
Edited bad typing
72 months ago
I think 10 AM would be a more likely time for the Stevenote?
Uh...I hope so. If not, I'll be up at midnight getting ready to watch the keynote. I don't think I'd be worth much at work the next day.
Of course, I won't be worth much watching it at 10 am on Monday either.:D
72 months ago
I heard a rumour somewhere of an all metallic ipod nano, can anyone else tell me if they have heard anything similar.
The rumor that we'd see new nanos at WWDC was first written about by ThinkSecret. They've recently gone back on their claim and suggestted a Setember timeframe.
Personally, I highly doubt we'll see ANY iPod/iTunes updates here... WWDC is historically a developer/pro event and not a consumer event. Plus, Apple is still clearing inventory by giving away nanos to college students who purchase a Mac (ends October 16th). I feel like any new iPods will get their own special event, in the October to November timeframe.
My Predictions for WWDC
Headliners:
- Leopard Preview (VMware Demo?)
- Mac Pro (Quad-core Xenon?)
- Cinema Display Updates (iSight? +30"?)
- "One More Thing..." (Something Unexpected)
Without much fanfare:
- Core 2 Duo Updates (MacBook Pro? iMac?)
- Xserve Updates (Quad-core Xenon?)
72 months ago
This roundup is missing:
*New Cinema Displays with iSight - Widely Anticipated
*xServe - Almost definitely in my opinion, because without these, Steve cannot say that "the transition is complete".
*"Maps" application in Leopard - according to AppleInsider
*New Cinema Displays with iSight - Widely Anticipated
*xServe - Almost definitely in my opinion, because without these, Steve cannot say that "the transition is complete".
*"Maps" application in Leopard - according to AppleInsider
72 months ago
I'll have to wait and hope that there will be a Quicktime Stream of the keynote. It'll be on very late here in the UK so I have taken the next morning off from work to watch it Tuesday morning.
That's pretty sad of me.:o
I'm also not going to see what's released before I watch the keynote (I don't like to watch the making of a film before I see the film and this is similar to that). I just hope that the Quicktime Apple Channel has a link to it otherwise I'll have to visit one of t news/rumor sites to find the link.:(
That's pretty sad of me.:o
I'm also not going to see what's released before I watch the keynote (I don't like to watch the making of a film before I see the film and this is similar to that). I just hope that the Quicktime Apple Channel has a link to it otherwise I'll have to visit one of t news/rumor sites to find the link.:(
[ Read All Comments ]
Analytics firm Chitika today released a report showing that by its metrics iOS has now surpassed OS X in overall web traffic share in the United States. Chitika's methodology involves an analysis...
One of the most frequent reasons for an iPhone to go on a trip to the Apple Store's Genius Bar is because of water damage. Typically, a water damaged iPhone can be replaced for a flat $199...
TheVerge's Joshua Topolsky summarizes the iPad 3 casing findings reported earlier today, but also adds his own sources regarding some details of the iPad 3.
Image from RepairLabs
As...
Last July, Apple discontinued the white MacBook from its consumer lineup, pushing consumers toward the company's popular MacBook Air line or the 13-inch MacBook Pro. The company didn't kill...
Popular iPhone Twitter client Tweetbot has finally arrived on the iPad, with a user interface instantly familiar to any current Tweetbot user. Designed for the Twitter power-user, Tweetbot packs a...
