Apple may have some surprises for iPod and iTunes event on September 9th

By now we've heard all about the new form factor iPod Nanos and the slightly redesigned iPod Touches expected next week. We have a pretty good idea that iTunes 8 is on the way. Those are the pretty mainstream predictions. But what about some more "off-the-wall" possibilities?

Changing case colors. Wouldn't it be cool if Apple exercised this patent for changing the skin color on devices? What if one minute your iPod was red and the next minute your iPod was blue. You'd have a whole rainbow of colors in your pocket ... and you wouldn't have to choose just one.

Excer-gaming. The merging of exercise and gaming. The Nike Plus challenge has been a big hit with runners and the iPod Touch platform (especially with an added GPS) would add another element to that environment. However, there have long been rumors that Apple is working with 24 Hour Fitness to include iPod functionality in their gyms. Perhaps you can now race friends, in real time, on the stationary bike or treadmill. Or against virtual competitors in a marathon or virtual Tour de France. A mobile platform like the iPod Touch allows for this. This would give Apple an opportunity to challenge the Wii Fit's market.

HD Tablet. Apple could choose this occasion to release a Tablet with 720x480 resolution screen and the ability to do everything the iPod Touch platform can do with more space - perhaps the size of a Nokia N810. With more room for higher definition movies and a bigger virtual keyboard, the new tablet would break into new grounds for Apple's iPod platform.

Apple's own turn by turn GPS application. What if Apple, perhaps in conjunction with Google, came out with their own turn by turn GPS navigation system. But in typical Apple fashion, they made it better by including points of interest, gas station prices, and even which of your friends were close? Apple would, with just a little bit of software, be a major player in the multi-billion dollar GPS industry. GPS maps could be purchased in the Apps store and be saved on the huge storage area.

New Wireless options for iPods. 3G would be an interesting play into iPod Touches. Perhaps based on a similar model as the Amazon Kindle for downloading paid content, the devices could borrow some of the radio equipment for the 3g iPhone. Also, WiMAX is hitting Baltimore and soon Boston and other cities around the US. It is along shot...

And finally...

Steve Jobs may make an announcement on his health. Anywhere from "I changed my diet and lost a few pounds I am fine, get over it" to "I am very sick and am stepping down from the leadership of Apple". Jobs looked a bit more frail than normal at the WWDC so all eyes will be on him this time around. But perhaps he won't present? If this happens, expect speculation to go through the roof and the stock to enter a free fall. Maybe, if he does decide to leave, he will name a successor. Scott Forstall is my dark horse pick if this is the case. Hopefully, though, it is business as usual.

Boom!

Related News and Blogs

• Apple refreshes iPod line, cuts touch model prices
• John Brandon: iTunes 8 is no Web Genius
• Seth Weintraub: September 9th Liveblog
• John Brandon: When will Apple finally get into the Web?
• Seth Weintraub: Apple's iPod event predictions
• Seth Weintraub: iPod Nano 4G revealed, will UI change?
• Seth Weintraub: As Apple's iPod line matures, a new device becomes likely
• Seth Weintraub: Apple may have some surprises for iPod and iTunes event
• Seth Weintraub: Expectations/speculation for 'Let's Rock' Apple event (hint, no Macs)

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