Apple WWDC preview: iPhone, Snow Leopard in the spotlight

Apple's annual Worldwide Developer Conference is set to kick off bright and early Monday morning. On the official agenda: More details on the upcoming iPhone 3.0 software, plus an update on "Snow Leopard," the latest version of Mac OS X. Not on the agenda, but widely anticipated: A new iPhone, or iPhones, and perhaps an appearance from the recovering Steve Jobs himself.

New iPhones on tap?
Of course, the biggest news at WWDC—or rather, the biggest news that we're all expecting—will probably be a new iPhone, or even a series of new iPhones. Apple debuted its first iPhone back in June 2007, and the iPhone 3G was unveiled at last year's WWDC, so it seems reasonable that we'll see the latest handset at this year's keynote.

So, what should we expect? The latest rumors point to an iPhone (possibly dubbed the "iPhone Video") that looks more or less the same as previous models, with the biggest changes all under the hood.

Examples: An upgraded, 3.2-megapixel camera, complete with auto-focus and video recording (at last); a faster processor and more RAM, which should lead to speedier app performance and Web browsing; faster Wi-Fi and 3G speeds; a digital compass, good for precisely determining the direction in which the iPhone is facing (turn-by-turn directions, here we come); direct movie and TV show downloads; and flash storage up to 32GB.

There's also been speculation that multiple models of the iPhone might be in store, including a $99 4GB model, as well as chatter about cheaper service plans with limited data access. Meanwhile, a rumored Mac tablet or "media pad" is possible, but not likely (not at WWDC, anyway).

OK, so if a new iPhone is unveiled Monday, will it go on sale right away? Probably not; the iPhone 3G was announced last June, but didn't hit stores until early July, and I'd anticipate the same pattern this time around.

Finally, will the recuperating Steve Jobs finally re-emerge during the keynote, possibly to unveil the new iPhone himself? Some say yes, others say probably not; I'm thinking there's a 50-50 shot.

Another possibility: that Jobs might indeed unveil the new iPhone, but not until later this month at a separate event.

iPhone Software 3.0
Developers will be getting a status report on the latest version of the iPhone/iPod Touch operation system—Software 3.0, which Apple formally unveiled back in March.

The update will bring such oft-requested features as "cut and paste," picture messaging (a.k.a., MMS), stereo Bluetooth, universal search (which will let you search across e-mail subjects and headers, calendar events, contacts, music, videos, and supported third-party apps), and push notification (allowing developers to "push" text alerts, sounds, or other events to your handset even when a given app isn't running) to the iPhone.

Of course, iPhone Software 3.0 may also add support for rumored features such as video recording, direct video downloads, and parental applications controls, as well as other as-yet-unknown goodies.

Will the actual software update be available on Monday? Hard to say. Last summer, we didn't get Software 2.0 until July, along with the iPhone 3G and Apple's new MobileMe service. That said, the simultaneous release of those three products—all within days of each other—turned into a train wreck and a PR nightmare, so perhaps a chastened Apple will spread out the goods and release Software 3.0 early.

The new Mac OS X, "Snow Leopard"
First announced last June, the latest version of the Mac OS—10.6, to be exact—has been percolating for months now, and Apple describes it as more of a "maintenance release" than a vehicle for flashy new features.

Among the key (and mostly under-the-hood) improvements: "Grand Central," a "set of technologies" designed to boost performance in newer Mac systems; support for a whopping (and theoretical, for now) 16TB of system RAM for future Mac hardware; an updated, streamlined version of QuickTime, dubbed QuickTime X; and support for Microsoft Exchange 2007 in Apple's Mail, Address Book, and iCal apps.

There are also rumors floating around of support for internal 3G networking, as well as a new, "marble" user interface.

Developers will be getting a status report on Snow Leopard during next week's conference, and possibly a release date as well. The conventional wisdom has it that Snow Leopard won't hit stores until the fall, but MacRumors claims that the OS update "may be further along than we thought."

In any case, our questions—or most of them, anyway—will be answered Monday morning at 10am PST. Keep your eyes peeled for my full report, with all the highlights.

So, predictions anyone? Think we'll get a new iPhone—or iPhones—next week? What new features would you most like to see?