Opinion: 2012, Apple's iOS Odyssey

By Jonny Evans

What defines Apple [AAPL] in 2012 will be the evolution of the company's vision of "Post-PC". Product will include the iPhone 5, iPad 3, and new implementations of iOS, including the Apple television.

The evolution of "Post-PC"

Resistance to the whole notion of the post-PC era will continue. These days the arguments against considering the iPad a computing platform seem ever more specialized. For example, some note that you can't yet develop iPad apps on an iPad.

That argument shrouds the opportunity to introduce a fully cloud-based development environment with which iPad users can at least build simple apps. When this happens, evolution will inevitably enable full-scale app development on models of the Apple tablet.

Mass market adoption of cloud-based services and the migration toward touch, gesture and voice as part of future user interfaces will transform user experiences. In this, the iMac is a prophet -- one day the only computing device you'll need will be your almost thought-controlled screen. And that's just the desktop.

Connected intelligence

Beyond the desktop, look around at where you are now, look to your right and the first household object you see. What object is this? Imagine it had some form of connected intelligence. What would an intelligent, cloud-connected implementation add to that device? How could it be improved? Freezers which order replacement items? Pens that archive what you write on paper into your calendars, contacts and project files in the cloud?

There's lots of possible applications, limited only by imagination, cost and need. This is why Apple and Google now host teams dedicated to developing prototype devices for wearable computing, these might perhaps include:

• Connected wristwatch devices which display caller information and host handy widgets;
• Video glasses linked to your iPhone using Apple maps to overlay augmented reality style information to help you explore new cities;
• Connected jackets which integrate an iPhone's feature set inside truly wearable computers with flexible touchscreens built into the wrist.

I'm not saying the predictions made above are what you're going to see next year. I'm just imagining the possibilities as the computing experience leaves the PC and becomes pervasive, inside objects you already routinely interact with.

2012: iPad 3, iPhone 5, and the Apple TV

The iPad 3 and iPhone 5 have been heavily speculated on, but for much of the conjecture next year look to the appearance of Apple's television devices, but be warned, Apple doesn't ship until it's ready to ship. These things don't have to appear next year.

The Wall Street Journal recently set the cat among speculation pigeons when it published an intensive look into everything known about Apple's upcoming television set.

-- Apple Senior Vice President of Internet Services Eddy Cue is driving development, and is arranging the broadcast content deals the set will need.
-- The device streams TV shows, movies and other content from the cloud.
-- These televisions are intelligent, they'll interact with your voice, with an iOS device/remote.
-- These TVs also respond to movement -- like a Wii -- Sorry Nintendo.
-- AirPlay support means you'll be able to move between rooms with the show flipping from screen to nearest screen as you do.
-- Some major content providers, principally Time Warner, may not come for the ride.
-- You'll never miss a show: When boarding the bus just ask Siri to record that TV program and it will be caught and made available via Apple's cloud-based DVR service.
-- You won't need physical media or local storage, your media will be in the cloud and accessible via any registered device.
-- You will be able to stream media from your iOS device (OK, you can already with an Apple TV).
-- Previous reports have predicted a high price-tag and three models of these things.
-- I believe some form of iOS app support is possible. I like the implications for gaming.

Many of these implementations will require support from studios, broadcasters, content creators and ISPs. Given the complexity findng a sweet spot between these conflicting interests, don't be at all surprised if some features don't make the first cut, aren't available in your country, or never appear at all.

Apple won't ship if such negotiations compromise the utility of such devices. Think about it: how good a business is there in selling a TV, unless you can achieve volume? Inclusion of support for games, social networking and more will deliver opportunity for developers and drive sales. And don't forget, one day your desktop/notebook computing experience will be nothing more than a single screen. In any case, why not think different. Might that screen also be your TV?

What do you expect from Apple next year?

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