My WWDC predictions

For all the iPhone hype, I think most people are missing the forest for the trees. There will probably be a new iPhone, and it will be 3g, and probably have GPS, and it will be cheaper.

But I think WWDC will be much more about the Apple ecosystem. I firmly expect a replacement for the Apple TV (or an iPod dock that performs most of the TVs functions). Apple likes to maintain control, and at this point, there are competing services that are getting very good. Make no mistake, even though the Apple TV has been somewhat of bastard stepchild up to this point, Apple does want to be the front-line on your TV.

So what does that mean? Long term, it means they need DVR functionality. Ideally, DVR functionality that will use the storage already available on your network. It also means TV that you can control with your iPhone. Probably not Wiimote-like, but rather like a harmony. From your iPhone, you should be able to control what shows up on your TV, whether it's TV, video, music.

Sure, Apple will also make a lot of noise about it's business features, but businesses take a lot longer to change than consumers, so while many businesses will probably start looking more seriously at the iPhone, it will probably be another year or two before significant purchases start being made. In that time, Apple has to defend itself in the consumer space, and the best way to do that will be to lock down a consumers media use.

(On a side note, I'm going to say there's a 75% chance that something will be announced that will enrage privacy advocates.)

Regarding the above side note, I'm guessing there will be some effort to unify .mac and iTunes accounts. Probably this will include online streaming through .mac (or whatever it ends up being called) of your iTunes purchases.