Apple Rumors Build to a Crescendo

By  |  Friday, June 5, 2009 at 8:31 am

Apple LogoNo doubt about it–today is the Friday before a major Apple event (namely WWDC). I can tell because everywhere I look on the Web, I’m seeing last-minute rumors and predictions. Such as these:

The Wall Street Journal reports that Steve Jobs’ medical recovery is “coming along,” and that he’s expected to return to work later this month. It also broaches the possibility that he may appear at WWDC.

The Financial Times says that Apple is getting ready to release a cheap iPhone–at $99 or $149–and that it may debut on Monday.

The Unoffical Apple Weblog has received an anonymous tip that a new iPhone will be called iPhone Video.

TUAW also has a post about an Italian site’s alleged spy shots of a new iPhone that might have a front-facing camera.

AppleInsider says that placeholder listings for new 16GB and 32GB iPhones have appeared in the systems of British retailer Carphone Warehouse.

None of these sound inherently wacko or implausible (although if Steve Jobs shows up at WWDC I’ll be both startled and pleased). In a bit over 72 hours, we’ll know what transpired at WWDC–though I hereby predict that some people will immediately contend that any rumors that wasn’t confirmed by the WWDC keynote will come true at a later Apple event…

 
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  1. Chip Says:
    June 5th, 2009 at 9:16 am

    I think it’s interesting that Steve Jobs has been missing in action for nearly six months, and yet one day before Palm wants to grab as many tech headlines as possible, “insiders” are being quoted about Steve’s health and imminent return.
    Will the Pre’s launch have the wind sucked out of it by Apple?
    I find it very amusing.

  2. Bob Says:
    June 5th, 2009 at 9:41 am

    I think it’s interesting that rumors are focused solely on products having nothing to do with Apple’s core business. Pun intended.

  3. Harry McCracken Says:
    June 5th, 2009 at 10:12 am

    It is fascinating to see all the Apple-related news right before the Pre’s debut. But I think it’s largely coincidental that the Pre and a new iPhone are in the news at the same time–Palm surely wanted to get the Pre out the door as fast as it could, and was aware that a mid-2009 launch would likely coincide with iPhone news at WWDC.

    In any event, the Pre launch is much in the news, and most of the news is positive. Betcha the launch tomorrow will be a success, even if some folks wait to see what’s up with the new iPhone before they make any buying decisions…

    –Harry

  4. mark Says:
    June 5th, 2009 at 2:45 pm

    Palm chose June 6, knowing full well Apple was likely to intro new iPhones on June 8, so this is a bed of their own making. Since it’s obvious now that Palm wasn’t waiting for more apps, if I were Palm, I would’ve cut out some Pre features, spruced up even more a couple of others, and released it about 2 months ago.

  5. Mr. Reeee Says:
    June 6th, 2009 at 7:45 am

    Palm timed the Pre’s release to catch the wave of iPhone headlines and get a free ride. Just getting the Pre mentioned in the same articles as the iPhone is a big deal for them. So, it’s Palm that’s stealing eyespace from Apple, not the other way around.

    Seriously, there’s been a virtual deathwatch for Palm for years, so they NEED to hit a long ball to get Pre off the ground and resuscitate themselves.

    As for your headline: You don’t reach a crescendo. A crescendo is a gradual increase in volume (ppp to fff). So, the crescendo of iPhone rumors has been happening for a while and is about to reach a climax. How about… A Crescendo of Apple Rumors