WWDC 2008 Rumor Wrapup: Winners and Losers
After each major event, MacRumors provides a wrapup of rumors to reveal the sources of the most accurate (or inaccurate) information.
iPhone 3G
As widely expected, Apple released the iPhone 3G at WWDC 2008 at $200 with 3G and GPS but no front-sided video camera. The specs for the iPhone had been well predicted, and, as we had warned, the evidence was weakest for the front-sided video camera.
From a spec perspective, both Engadget and Scott Mortiz of Fortune (and subsequently Cult of Mac/Kahney) accurately predicted a number of details about the new phone, including price point, flush headphone jack, case design and features. Their seemingly conflicting "thicker" vs. "thinner" case predictions could both be interpreted with some truth since the edges of the iPhone 3G are thinner but the center is negligably thicker.Fakes and Photos
iPhone case design leaks came frequently during this round of rumors, but it was the first iPhone case leak that turned out to be the most accurate. iPod Observer deserves credit for the first and most accurate case photo released.
Unfortunately, a large number of fake images were posted by a few over-eager blogs. With the increased attention surrounding Apple, sites have become quick to post even questionable photos, which comes at the cost of their future credibility.
Kevin Rose
Digg's Kevin Rose remains a wildcard with regard to Apple rumors. He was frequently the first to report on iPhone rumors during this round, and succesfully described the inclusion of GPS and a $200 price point for the new iPhone. However, he was also the first source for the video-conferencing rumor, which turned out to be inaccurate.
Import Records
One rumor that received a lot of attention came from ImportGenius, who claimed to have found international shipping notices documenting what was thought to be iPhone 3G shipments coming into the U.S. as early as March. As best we can tell, this intepretation was wrong. With a release date in July, it seems clear that the iPhone 3G ramp-up has only begun, as later reported by Barrons.
Snow Leopard
Both TUAW and Arstechnica provided accurate details about Mac OS X Snow Leopard, which was first announced at WWDC. Claims of a January 2009 release, however, were a bit ambitious.
Other Winners and Losers
XSKN, iDealChina: 3rd Party Cases - true
WeiPhone - More 3G iPhone Photos... Now in White - true
iPhoneClub.nl: More White 3G iPhone Photos - true
TUAW: .Mac Revamp - true
DaringFireball + MacRumors: Apple Buys Me.com - true
CNET: App Store to Launch at WWDC - false
MacScoop: No GPS in new iPhone - false
MacTalk.com.au: Australian Resellers Get Mysterious Boxes - hoax
Shaw Wu: Chance of Multi-touch Device at WWDC - false
Page 2: 3G iPhone Specs and Price - false
TUAW: Mac Fusion Developer Mac - false
CrunchGear: 3G iPhone with Video Chat - false
Looking Ahead
Some readers were disappointed by the focus on the iPhone during this year's WWDC, but few rumors had pinpointed any new Mac releases around this time. Intel is expected to launch the Montevina platform on July 14th, while the MacBook is expected to be revised in Q3 of this year (July-September). The fate of the Mac mini remains unknown, as it has not yet seen a revision, despite rumors of an impending update.
The most intriguing rumor remains the prediction that Apple will introduce a Mac tablet in the fall of this year.
The next major Apple event scheduled is Macworld San Francisco which takes place January 5th-9th, 2009. Apple, of course, may hold smaller media-only events in the interim.
iPhone 3G
As widely expected, Apple released the iPhone 3G at WWDC 2008 at $200 with 3G and GPS but no front-sided video camera. The specs for the iPhone had been well predicted, and, as we had warned, the evidence was weakest for the front-sided video camera.
From a spec perspective, both Engadget and Scott Mortiz of Fortune (and subsequently Cult of Mac/Kahney) accurately predicted a number of details about the new phone, including price point, flush headphone jack, case design and features. Their seemingly conflicting "thicker" vs. "thinner" case predictions could both be interpreted with some truth since the edges of the iPhone 3G are thinner but the center is negligably thicker.Fakes and Photos
iPhone case design leaks came frequently during this round of rumors, but it was the first iPhone case leak that turned out to be the most accurate. iPod Observer deserves credit for the first and most accurate case photo released.
Unfortunately, a large number of fake images were posted by a few over-eager blogs. With the increased attention surrounding Apple, sites have become quick to post even questionable photos, which comes at the cost of their future credibility.
Kevin Rose
Digg's Kevin Rose remains a wildcard with regard to Apple rumors. He was frequently the first to report on iPhone rumors during this round, and succesfully described the inclusion of GPS and a $200 price point for the new iPhone. However, he was also the first source for the video-conferencing rumor, which turned out to be inaccurate.
Import Records
One rumor that received a lot of attention came from ImportGenius, who claimed to have found international shipping notices documenting what was thought to be iPhone 3G shipments coming into the U.S. as early as March. As best we can tell, this intepretation was wrong. With a release date in July, it seems clear that the iPhone 3G ramp-up has only begun, as later reported by Barrons.
Snow Leopard
Both TUAW and Arstechnica provided accurate details about Mac OS X Snow Leopard, which was first announced at WWDC. Claims of a January 2009 release, however, were a bit ambitious.
Other Winners and Losers
XSKN, iDealChina: 3rd Party Cases - true
WeiPhone - More 3G iPhone Photos... Now in White - true
iPhoneClub.nl: More White 3G iPhone Photos - true
TUAW: .Mac Revamp - true
DaringFireball + MacRumors: Apple Buys Me.com - true
CNET: App Store to Launch at WWDC - false
MacScoop: No GPS in new iPhone - false
MacTalk.com.au: Australian Resellers Get Mysterious Boxes - hoax
Shaw Wu: Chance of Multi-touch Device at WWDC - false
Page 2: 3G iPhone Specs and Price - false
TUAW: Mac Fusion Developer Mac - false
CrunchGear: 3G iPhone with Video Chat - false
Looking Ahead
Some readers were disappointed by the focus on the iPhone during this year's WWDC, but few rumors had pinpointed any new Mac releases around this time. Intel is expected to launch the Montevina platform on July 14th, while the MacBook is expected to be revised in Q3 of this year (July-September). The fate of the Mac mini remains unknown, as it has not yet seen a revision, despite rumors of an impending update.
The most intriguing rumor remains the prediction that Apple will introduce a Mac tablet in the fall of this year.
The next major Apple event scheduled is Macworld San Francisco which takes place January 5th-9th, 2009. Apple, of course, may hold smaller media-only events in the interim.
Top Rated Comments
(View all)
48 months ago
It's hard not to be disappointed by any Apple announcements these days, since the advance rumors always top what actually is announced. In some ways, it was more fun in the old days when we often had no idea what was coming.
48 months ago
Ha ha, isn't it funny how people said that black cased iPhone was a fake? I thought of all of those people when Steve Jobs announced it.
48 months ago
regarding the mini, maybe apple will do as they did this winter with an announce every tuesday for a month or 2 around macworld, we'll see tuesday i guess
48 months ago
FINALLY! I've been waiting for this wrap up!
Although it was a lame WWDC, I think the most forgotten aspect is that the conference is for developers and not a site for a full-out product launch. In terms of OS X development, the breakthroughs were quite pivotal in providing more color on the Mobile OS X platform.
As far as the front-sided camera is concerned - I never did expect a front sided camera to make way to the iPhone, it just sounds too last century for Apple. I did however expect video conferencing through the use of this patent here.
I'm sure Apple is working away on that patent (at least one can hope); there's always next year...
Although it was a lame WWDC, I think the most forgotten aspect is that the conference is for developers and not a site for a full-out product launch. In terms of OS X development, the breakthroughs were quite pivotal in providing more color on the Mobile OS X platform.
As far as the front-sided camera is concerned - I never did expect a front sided camera to make way to the iPhone, it just sounds too last century for Apple. I did however expect video conferencing through the use of this patent here.
I'm sure Apple is working away on that patent (at least one can hope); there's always next year...
48 months ago
I was a little disappointed that my first WWDC I was aware of only had iPhone and Snow Leopard discussed. SJ wasn't even on stage much for the keynote, was he not feeling well or something? Anyways, it's only gonna get better, cause the new intel chips should be something special.
48 months ago
The iPhone 2.0 software and Snow Leopard both sound intriguing to me, so I was not disappointed.
48 months ago
I love Rumor Wrapups. Some sources get to take a bow. Others get their comeuppance.
48 months ago
"Mac Fusion Developer Mac" - VMWare recently announced that VMWare Fusion will be able to run OS X in a virtual machine. They say it will be good for developers who can test all platforms.
Could this information have become the "Fusion Developer Mac" through the "Chinese Whispers" effect?
Could this information have become the "Fusion Developer Mac" through the "Chinese Whispers" effect?
48 months ago
Oddly, after last week, I now think the best deal going is if you can find a 1st gen iPhone for a couple hundred bucks, new in the box.
Why? First, because you'll still get the 2.0 software update, the same exact thing that the 2nd gen iPhone has.
Second, the old phone will save you money every month.
Lastly, the only true new features that the new phone has that the old one doesn't is faster speeds and GPS. And both features will cost you precious battery life. So unless you really need 3G or GPS, the 1st gen iPhone never looked better!!!
Truthfully, I might find GPS handy on rare occasions. I've gotten used to using EDGE-optimized iPhone sites though, and most of my browsing is via WiFi anyway. To me, it seems like the new iPhone is actually worse for a lot of people. If you could tether, 3G might be worth more.
Why? First, because you'll still get the 2.0 software update, the same exact thing that the 2nd gen iPhone has.
Second, the old phone will save you money every month.
Lastly, the only true new features that the new phone has that the old one doesn't is faster speeds and GPS. And both features will cost you precious battery life. So unless you really need 3G or GPS, the 1st gen iPhone never looked better!!!
Truthfully, I might find GPS handy on rare occasions. I've gotten used to using EDGE-optimized iPhone sites though, and most of my browsing is via WiFi anyway. To me, it seems like the new iPhone is actually worse for a lot of people. If you could tether, 3G might be worth more.
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