That's more than half a year without a single release, refresh, revamp or redesign. So, it's only natural to expect big things from this year's keynote.
But like any Apple event, people are sure to be disappointed. Everyone wants what they want, and when Tim Cook inevitably doesn't bring it, there will be dashed hopes left all over the Internet, no matter how outrageous they were to begin with. So before the big day arrives, I thought I'd help temper expectations a bit by breaking down the odds — with an emphasis on design, of course.
Redesign odds: 1/1,000
There's no surprise here: Apple's been showing off the latest version of iOS at WWDC for years. Usually, it just cleans some stuff up and adds a couple new features, but this is the first year that we're expecting to see the first bona fide redesign of Apple's mobile operating system. Tim Cook already teased us at D11 when he called Jony Ive "really key" to iOS 7, so we know it's coming. It's just a question how far he goes.
Redesign odds: 1/500
Not quite a lock, but pretty darn close. Even though OS X has never had a radical version-to-version redesign, it's quite remarkable just how different Puma and Mountain Lion really are. Each successive release has gotten a little more refined and lost a little more gloss, and OS X 10.9 will probably bring more of the same. It's possible that we just get a bunch of new features, but it's doubtful; in fact, if Ive's influence spreads to the desktop, we could be in store for a whole new cat.
Redesign odds: 1/100
It was about a year ago when Cook hit up Facebook with some bad news: The "really great" Mac Pro redesign would have to wait until 2013. With supplies across the net tightening and rumors that the production of the Mac Pro will soon shift to the States, it seems as though Apple's tower of power is poised to return to its WWDC spotlight. After all, if developers aren't going to plunk down a couple grand on a fancy new Mac Pro, who will?
Redesign odds: 2/1
The MacBook Air might be the most desirable computer around, but it hasn't seen a redesign since 2010--and it's still saddled with a non-Retina screen. Apple has been understandably slow to roll out the pixel-perfect displays, but with both MacBook models already sporting them, it only seems natural that the Air would get some resolution love, too, and a nice new enclosure to go along with it.
Redesign odds: 5/1
We all love our Apple TVs, but we've been waiting an awfully long time for Apple to open up its platform to third-party developers. Since its unveiling in 2007, Apple has gradually tweaked the design and OS of its digital media receiver, but we're still waiting for the big one. Just last week, Cook talked about a "grand vision" for Apple's television plans, so could Apple TV finally be ready to graduate from being a hobby? I think it's a pretty good bet.
Redesign odds: 10/1
It's easy to forget that Apple still makes a standalone display. But if the Mac that needs it most finally gets a built-in Thunderbolt port to go with its snazzy new design, it's possible a new Thunderbolt Display might be in tow. If so, you might want to put a side bet on a razor-edge design to match the iMac.
Redesign odds: 50/1
A week ago, I would have given this 100 to 1 odds, but recent rumblings suggest Apple is looking to tweak the MacBook Pro's enclosure again, despite having just unveiled a redesign at last year's conference. I'm still not sold on it, but the odds have gotten considerably better.
Redesign odds: 100/1
I'd mostly given up on any future iWork updates, but there's been a glimmer of hope recently in the form of a few new job listings. Here's the deal: If every iOS app is updated to mesh with iOS 7's new look, then the iWork family will surely follow suit, but I'm thinking we're more likely to see it in the fall with all the new iOS hardware.
Redesign odds: 500/1
Even before Jim Dalrymple's de facto "nope," it seemed extremely unlikely that we would see new iOS hardware in any form at WWDC. There was a time when Steve Jobs used its stage to unveil the new iPhone year after year, but those days are over, and they're not coming back. If you want to believe, you still can, but the odds are about as long as they get.
Odds: 1,000/1
Don't hold your breath. It's not happening.
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