For the first time in a long while there’s confusion about what will happen at Apple’s iPhone event tomorrow.
Reports usually tend to leak weeks out from the announcement about what users can expect but a host of contradictory reports this time has made some initial predictions null and void – especially a claim that suggests Apple may not even announce the long-awaited iPhone 5.
While some announcements are all but confirmed—such as the release of iOS 5 and an upgraded iPhone 4 –several others are still up in the air.
SmartCompany will update shortly after the press conference tomorrow morning with all the details but for now here’s what to expect at Apple’s event:
iOS 5
iOS 5 was already previewed this year and customers were told to expect a release in the American autumn, which is our spring.
This event seems to be the perfect time to release the long-awaited software, which brings a range of new features including a new notification system, lock-screen information and wireless syncing. The software probably won’t be available tomorrow, but during the next week.
Unless Apple has changed its stance on pricing the update will be free for iPhone users and will cost around $10 for iPod Touch owners.
One of the latest rumours is quite a strong one – that Apple will introduce new technology in iOS 5 that will allow users to make even complicated and comprehensive voice commands to the iPhone.
Last year Apple bought voice technology maker Siri and all reports suggest that has been integrated into the latest software.
It is an area where competitors such as Google have come out on top and a new voice assistant technology would be a great improvement.
After several component leaks reports of database entries and pictures of phone covers it’s almost a certainty that Apple will reveal a new, upgraded iPhone 4 called the iPhone 4S.
While it might be a new phone it’s also indicative of Apple’s belief that software is more important than hardware specifications.
The company wants to target people with lower incomes so a price cut wouldn’t be out of the question.
There’s still a chance
There’s still a chance
Without a doubt Apple will unveil a new iPhone product tomorrow but whether it’s the iPhone 4S or an all-new iPhone 5 is anyone’s guess.
Despite the long string of component leaks, references to an iPhone 5 in some telco databases and leaked pictures of cases from an accessory manufacturer the existence of the iPhone 5 is still in doubt due to reports that Apple is only going to unveil one new iPhone product tomorrow.
If the iPhone 5 debuts it’s said to include a wider screen with a newly-designed home button and an exterior resembleing the iPad 2 with an aluminium casing.
Some have suggested that both devices will be unveiled tomorrow but others believe it’ll just be one, so while the iPhone 5 is definitely on the cards there’s a possibility that it will be nowhere to be seen.
There have been a few reports that the iPod Touch is getting an upgrade this year and we may even see 3G capability added to its list of features, essentially making it an iPhone-lite.
September is usually reserved for iPod and iTunes-related products so it would make sense for the iPod to get an upgrade even though it had a substantial rework last year. Adding 3G would make it a powerful alternative to the iPhone.
The iPod Classic is dying. Sales are falling and according to recent reports it is an area where Apple is looking to ditch its legacy. The company wants to focus on touch screens and keeping the old click-wheel device around much longer will hold that back.
While the iPod Classic has defined Apple for a decade it may be time for the company to let it go.
NFC
Apple has been reportedly working on NFC capability for quite a while now, with suggestions that its database of credit card numbers could form the beginnings of some type of payment system. But that won’t happen tomorrow.
NFC is barely established and Google has only had its Wallet feature released for a few weeks. Apple traditionally doesn’t break ground in those areas so it’s a sure bet that it will wait and see what happens during the next year or two before wading in.
The rumour is that Apple engineers are working hard on giving iTunes a major overhaul – but it definitely won’t be ready for tomorrow. A new version of iTunes will more likely be unveiled in 2012.
While some have suggested Steve Jobs will make an appearance tomorrow it’s highly unlikely.
Apple will want to make sure investors and customers know this is now Tim Cook’s company – although analysts will be watching closely to see how the business performs its first keynote in a long time without its iconic co-founder.
Patrick Stafford is a freelance journalist and a former deputy editor of SmartCompany.
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