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Every Fall, just after the Labour Day weekend, just as school is ramping up, and just before we start the pre-Christmas holiday shopping season... every Fall Apple has traditionally held a media preview event for iPod and iTunes products.

This event is where Apple announces new products and servor for the coming holiday season and beyond. Keyword is announce. Sometimes products are available within days of the announcement, other times they're months away. Keep that in mind as you continue...

Today I'm going to take a look at some of the biggest online rumors making the rounds, and then follow up tomorrow and we can see how well the rumor mill did (or didn't).

Weird Numbers
First up, this year's event is slated for tomorrow, September 9th, 2009.

09/09/09
Beatles Fans will recognize the significance of the number 9 (Revolution #9, One after 909). So it's somewhat interesting that on the same day that Apple is having their event, the Beatles remastered catalogue and The Beatles: Rock Band game are being released.

• Sir Paul has something to say about it
• Even Rolling Stone Magazine weighs in on the concept of the Beatles on iTunes.

I'm giving it a 50/50 chance because I'm thinking that an event with this much cultural importance deserves a media event of its own.

Ok, this update *today* has me changing my mind. If  you can't trust Yoko, who can you trust

We'll believe it when we see it but a late comment by John Lennon's Heiress seems to indicate that the whole Beatles back catalog will be showing up on iTunes...perhaps at tomorrow's event.  That is all.

Update: The Sky link is down but here's some twitterin' evidence below.

Update 2: A Sky News employee has told us they were told to cut the story out immediately and not to comment.  Directive came "from the very top".  Here's a Google Cache of the story if there are any unbelievers...This is getting interesting!

...interesting indeed! You gotta love a breaking story

iTech
A lot of the buzz this summer has touched on a fictitious yet captivating concept of an iPod Touch tablet computer. Here's a few of the more fleshed-out rumor stories:

• Business Week: Confirmed Apple Tablet in 2010
• Financial Times: Apple targets new player revolution
• Apple Insider: Apple's much-anticipated tablet device coming early next year

My thinking...Apple *may* announce a tablet device, but not for this holiday season. I'm thinking it's in the development pipeline, but production is lagging so it's slated for spring 2010.

iPods
Lots of different thinking on these essential lifestyle accessories.

• The END of the iPod Classic? - perhaps, but I can't see this one yet.
• iPods get cameras - Makes sense. I'd love to have one on my Touch..oh wait...
• Here's one now - iPod Touch with camera...but when?
• iPods with cameras to be delayed - darn
• The Nano returns to its 'stick' design
• I have to tell someone about it - iPods to get social networking features

Yep, an iPod with camera is a good solid rumor that I can see happening. The tech is mature -- it's pretty easy to strip the cell phone tech out of an iPhone, leaving the microphone and camera - resulting in a new iPod. Obviously Apple will have to update the iTunes software to accommodate the new hardware, but that happens every development cycle.

iTunes Store
First up, Apple is building a new data centre...does this mean that iTunes future gets cloudy?

If that's not enough, something caught my eye in the Financial Times story above:

The device is expected to be launched alongside new content deals, including some aimed at stimulating sales of CD-length music, according to people briefed on the project.

When you take the link, you land on another Financial Times story that states:

Apple is working with the four largest record labels to stimulate digital sales of albums by bundling a new interactive booklet, sleeve notes and other interactive features with music downloads, in a move it hopes will change buying trends on its online iTunes store.

Could this be a new concept in content packaging? Introducing albums and extended (downloadable) content makes sense and is a simple product extension to the store's offering.

Combined with the Beatles iTunes store rumor above, this is almost plausible...almost. I say a new data centre in 2011, and maybe the new album extended content model in mid-late 2010.

But wait, there's more!

Ok, so Wednesday could be an interesting day if you're one of the legion of Apple iPod fans out there. The final rumor, that Steve Jobs has recovered from surgery and will present is also likely. These event's just aren't the same without Steve.

Well, have I missed any rumor or concept that's near and dear to your heart? Punch it into the comments below and let's see how we do tomorrow

Message Edited by bgrier on 09-08-2009 02:59 PM

Message Edited by bgrier on 09-08-2009 03:10 PM