eWEEK content and product recommendations are editorially independent. We may make money when you click on links to our partners. Learn More.
After a long wait, Apple has finally announced that it will beholding a special iPhone-related media briefing at its Cupertino, Calif., headquarters on Oct. 4. The company hasn’t announced what it plans to discuss at the event and has not even given any indication if it will show off the long-rumored iPhone 5, an iPhone 4S or both. At this point, the only thing folks know now that they didn’t know a week ago is where the event will be held.
Even so, speculation abounds over what Apple will announce at the event. Will it show off two new iPhones? Will it unveil the new iPad along with it? Will Tim Cook discuss his strategic vision for Apple or talk about Steve Jobs? At this point, it’s anyone’s guess what Apple might discuss.
However, as the big day inches closer, it’s becoming a bit easier to predict what Apple won’t talk about at the event. As history has shown, Apple events are marked as much by those things the company announces as the things that it doesn’t talk about. Right now it might be the things that it won’t talk about that are more predictable.
Read on to find out what Apple will not discuss at its Oct. 4 iPhone event.
1. iPad 3
Earlier this year,there was some speculation that Apple would unveil the iPad 3 this fall. However, the latest reports fromanalysts suggest that won’t happen, and for good reason. The iPad has historically been announced earlier on in the year. Considering Apple will likely launch the new iPhone (or iPhones) in the coming weeks, the company won’t want to cannibalize its sales. So don’t expect the iPad 3 to make an appearance at next week’s event.
2. Steve Jobs’ health
When Steve Jobs announced that he was stepping down as CEO of Apple to take over as chairman of the company’s board of directors, it was an end of an era at the world’s biggest technology firm. Apple fans and the many others who follow the company were understandably concerned about Jobs’ health following that announcement. However, don’t expect Apple to talk about their co-founder’s health status at the iPhone event. As Apple has proved in the past, it believes Jobs’ health is a private matter, and it will stay that way next week.
3. Tim Cook’s plans for the future
As the new CEO of Apple, Tim Cook has yet to fully detail what his ideas are. For now, it appearsCook is content to simply follow Jobs’ strategy and continue to make Apple an innovator in the marketplace. What’s more, Cook apparently wants to maintain Apple’s renowned secrecy. So, at the iPhone 5 event next week, don’t expect Cook to divulge his plans for the future.
4. New iPods
Over the years, Apple has unveiled new iPods in September. But as the month comes to a close, it’s becoming apparent that that won’t happen, prompting some to wonder if the company will talk about iPods at its iPhone event. It won’t. iPods simply aren’t as important to Apple any longer, and it seems that the company will show off new versions of those devices whenever it gets around to it-not sooner.
5. The long-rumored music-streaming service
Even since Apple acquired Lala in 2009, there has been rampant speculation that the company will be launching a music-streaming service. The whispers grew louder earlier this year when Apple unveiled iCloud. But so far, Apple has not committed to music streaming, and it’s quite likely the company is having trouble inking deals with record labels to make such a service work. So, at the Oct. 4 event, those hoping to hear about a music-streaming service will once again be disappointed.
T-Mobile Customers Face Disappointment
6. A new Apple TV
A bit over a year ago now, Apple unveiled the new and improved Apple TV. The move, while surprising at the time, given Apple’s insistence that the device was just a “hobby,” has caused some to wonder if the firm will deliver new versions of the set-top box each year. Considering there are no rumors surrounding the Apple TV and Apple has largely ignored the box this year, an annual-launch strategy doesn’t appear to be in the iPhone maker’s plans.
7. 4G wireless
Several reports have suggested that when Apple shows off its new iPhone, the device will feature the ability for users to connect to 4G. However, it’s becoming increasingly unlikely that that will be the case. For one, for Apple to deliver such high-speed connectivity, it will need to support both HSPA+ and LTE in order to cover the majority of customers, which might not make Apple happy. What’s more, Apple itself has said that it doesn’t like the “design compromises” that 4G brings with it. Simply put, it appears those hoping for 4G in the next iPhone might need to wait another year.
8. NFC capabilities
With the launch of Google Wallet recently, Google has made it clear that the near-field communications (NFC) battle is on. The only issue is Apple isn’t yet ready for that fight. Yes, Apple will be bringing mobile-payment solutions to its devices soon, but it’s quite doubtful that that will be announced next week. For one, NFC is still not very well-known among consumers. It’s also worth noting that with so many moving parts-merchants and credit card companies need to sign on-Apple might not have had the time to get its service up and ready. NFC capabilities might come to a future iPhone, butit’s doubtful that it will be made available in Apple’s next handset.
9. T-Mobile support
It seems quite unlikely now that Apple’s iPhone will be made available to T-Mobile USA. In a letter earlier this week, T-Mobile said the company will be focusing on Android devices, which seems to indicate that the iPhone won’t be coming to its stores. That’s unfortunate for T-Mobile customers.
10. A removable battery
Since the iPhone first launched in 2007, enterprise users have been panning Apple for not offering a removable battery with its smartphone. Over the years, those same folks have been hoping that Apple would finally listen to their pleas and offer one. But just as with previous years, a removable battery won’t be coming to the new iPhone. Chances are Apple will never offer such a feature in its handset.
Follow Don Reisinger on Twitter by clicking here