Top 5 Rumors for Mac 2009

Now with the release of iTunes 8 and the new iPod Nano, the buzz will begin to build on the net about what 2008 Macworld will bring.

I am curious to see what Apple has in store for MacWorld this year. Many bloggers have been huddling around the cyber-water-cooler to catch any gossip on the rumors. Some are even rumoring of an October 14th new MacBook release. Apple fanboys are anxious to see where Apple is going to take their multi-touch technology. What we gleam is that fanboys are looking for more aluminum cases, more glass screens, more multi touch, and more MacBook Air design (with possible Intel Atom chip technology). Below are my top 5 mock ups and ideas out there on the net.

#5
Flip Style iPhone
http://digg.com/apple/Apple_designing_a_iPhone_Filp_Phone
http://www.intomobile.com/2008/03/17/apple-working-on-iphone-flip-patent-application-details-flip-phone-with-dual-sided-multi-touch.html
Really don't have much to say here, its a cool idea but first things first. Lets have all the quarks worked out of the single screen current gen iPhone before we look to a possible dual screen flip style. Although- the idea is pretty cool!










#4
iMac meet iView
http://www.techshout.com/hardware/2008/03/iview-curved-display-imac-concept-showcased-by-nuno-teixeira/
Even though the iMac is incredibly sleek and powerful as it is, some would like to see Apple take it up a notch. From Techshout, this mock up titled "iView", I believe is tapping the idea of OLED screens. This curved design would allow for less glare I presume as well as obviously providing for a wider screen real estate (thus getting rid of dual monitor display setups). My concern would be in the curved display, would that create distortion or color inconsistencies?


#3
MacBook Touch/Tablet Mac
http://www.allensphotoblog.com/blog1/2007/12/
I have heard many say that they would like to see a MacBook Tablet. I have mixed feelings on this. Tablets aren't as effective, I feel, as a traditional notebook (especially for students). But for professions that are 'vertical' such as lawyers, medical personal and shipping personal this could be a great thing to aid in work flow on the job. One of the coolest mockups I've seen of this idea is from the blog Allensphotoblog.






#2
MacBook Touch
http://www.aqua-soft.org/board/showthread.php?t=46824


Many users would love to see the BlackBook (MacBook in Black) as a black aluminum MacBook Pro. This mockup takes this to a whole new level. This concept combines glossy black look with a keyless keyboard. An idea that does take notebooks into the next gen- but this could take some time to get use to. I like having the feel of a key under my fingers as I type....but I have to admit it would make things easier for clean up and as well possibly help in spill protection of notebooks.

#1
MacBook Pro w/Glass Multi-Touch Pad
http://forums.macrumors.com/showthread.php?t=532605&page=3


Off of the Macrumors forums, this MacBook concepts integrates a glass (iPhone) style trackpad giving it multi-touch as well as a very Nintendo DS feel.

This would be a cool idea- but I question how this would effect the battery life.







Tales From The Grad Student Year 2
It's close to the start of the new term which will bring new e-learning articles. Some things I'm cooking : e-learning from a Social Network perspective, and Tech Tools and Services for Freshmen and Matriculating Students