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Apple announced recently that Steve Jobs will be taking the stage at the company’s Worldwide Developers Conference on June 7. Apple stopped short of announcing what he plans to discuss at the show, but that hasn’t stopped the rumor mill from cooking up all kinds of ideas on what the Apple CEO might unveil. An iPhone 4G certainly seems likely, but will he talk about a Verizon iPhone? Will he finally allow Flash onto the platform? At this point, it’s anyone’s guess.
That said, there are some things that Jobs likely won’t talk about during his address at WWDC in June. Trying to figure that out can be difficult. Apple is a notoriously secretive company that enjoys surprising the media and consumers. Regardless, it’s worth a try. After all, he can’t talk about everything, right?
Here are some things that Steve Jobs probably won’t be talking about when he takes the stage at WWDC.
1. Flash support
Now that Google has announced that it will support Flash in Android OS Version 2.2., the pressure of whether or not Flash should be coming to iPhone OS is back on Apple. But Steve Jobs doesn’t care. He has said time and again that Flash just doesn’t have a place on iPhone OS. For its part, Adobe has made the case that, since the vast majority of games and movies on the Web run Flash, the standard is a necessity in the iPhone. But Steve Jobs disagrees. He believes that Flash is a security hazard and something that he can eliminate by going with HTML 5.
2. Tethering
Using iPhone tethering as a means to connect a computer to the Internet has been desired by users for quite awhile now. And although AT&T has promised it, the company has yet to give the go-ahead. That likely won’t change at WWDC. Unfortunately, AT&T has a real problem with users accessing its 3G network from a laptop through a phone. And considering how successful the iPhone has become, it’s getting harder and harder for AT&T to take the leap and allow iPhone owners to start using the smartphone as a tethered modem. Don’t expect to hear much on tethering at WWDC.
3. A Verizon iPhone
All the Apple talk recently has surrounded the possibility of an iPhone running on Verizon’s network to hit store shelves this year. Although the possibility of it is certainly greater than it has been, it’s doubtful that Steve Jobs will announce it at WWDC. So far, Apple has made its relationship with AT&T awfully tight. And recent reports suggest AT&T’s exclusivity deal with Apple lasts through 2012. If that still stands, there’s no chance that a Verizon iPhone will be made available anytime soon.
4. Multitasking on all iPhone models
When Steve Jobs announced iPhone OS 4.0, he said that multitasking will be making its way to the iPad and iPhone 3GS. Unfortunately, it won’t be available to iPhone 3G or earlier models of the device. Since then, owners of the older devices have been (rightfully) upset by Apple’s decision. They contend that they should be able to have multitasking like everyone else. For its part, Apple has said that it’s trying to get those who own older devices to invest in new hardware. Plus, it can’t be expected to support outdated models indefinitely. That doesn’t sound like a company that’s willing to bring the best features to every user.
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5. A pro-Adobe partnership
Adobe is in a dangerous position. Although the company is still wildly successful, it’s up against the one firm that could drastically affect its position in the mobile market: Apple. And although it has tried to get back in Steve Jobs’ good graces, that won’t be happening anytime soon. In fact, it’s entirely possible that the Apple CEO will hold a grudge against Adobe for the foreseeable future. Realizing that, all the talk about a potential pro-Adobe partnership, or one that would allow its mobile-development platform to work again with the iPhone, seems rather ridiculous.
6. An update to Apple TV
When Google announced the Google TV platform last week, it effectively jumped-started the long-stagnant set-top box market. Finally, there is a platform on the way that could conceivably change the way consumers interact with their televisions. All the while, the Apple TV was sitting in the shadows. Apple’s set-top box, which has been called a “hobby” by Steve Jobs and his executives, just doesn’t seem to get the kind of attention that the rest of Apple’s products do, and that likely won’t change at WWDC. Although the hardware company might eventually update the Apple TV and make it a real competitor to Google TV, that won’t be happening anytime soon.
7. An ‘open’ iPhone
As Google announced its Android 2.2. improvements last week, the company made it clear that it believes in open-source technology. Based on its sales, that’s understandable. Android has become a revelation in the mobile business, and it’s giving Apple something to worry about. But that doesn’t mean that the iPhone will be opened up. Steve Jobs has said time and again that his company wants to control its software. Opening iPhone OS, arguably the company’s most important operating system, just wouldn’t make much sense based on that strategy. Sorry, but the iPhone will remain closed after WWDC.
8. An iPad price reduction
Don’t look for Apple to reduce the price of the iPad anytime soon. Although the tablet is somewhat expensive, it’s still selling extremely well. At this point, it doesn’t make much sense for Apple to offer a price reduction. In fact, that probably won’t happen until next year when demand starts dropping off and Apple ramps up a new version of the device.
9. An online strategy
Apple’s acquisition of online-music service Lala made some wonder what the company might have in store for the Web. But so far, it has stayed relatively tight-lipped about its plans. That said, Apple undoubtedly has an online strategy in the works. It’s now just a matter of time before it discusses how it will attempt to make a splash on the Internet. Just don’t expect that to happen at WWDC – Apple might want to make it a bigger event by hosting a press conference dedicated exclusively to its Web efforts.
10. A successor
Apple CEO Steve Jobs has been the company’s savior. If not for him, it’s unlikely that Apple would be in the position it is today. But his days as the CEO of the company are numbered. Eventually, he will need to give up the reins and allow someone else to take his place. But that time isn’t now. Although Jobs has faced health issues, they seem to have been resolved for the time being. Based on his recent statements, he still has much he wants to accomplish before he says good-bye to his beloved company. In other words, don’t expect him to name a successor anytime soon. Steve Jobs’ work isn’t done yet.