Mountain Lion, iOS figure to highlight WWDC keynote

08.06.2012

: One big question is whether Apple will announce support for third-party apps on the Apple TV. It certainly looks like the recently-updated Apple TV interface has room for third-party app icons, but we have plenty of questions: Are there many iOS apps that would make sense as full-screen apps on your TV? Games seem like an obvious fit, but if you’re going to play them from your iOS device, the only games that would make sense to play while looking at the big screen are those that don’t require precisely-located taps.

And navigating a slew of apps on your Apple TV would quickly become a chore—unless you did it from your iOS device. If Apple does announce support for third-party apps, we imagine they’d limit access to major companies, as opposed to an App Store-style free-for-all. Apple might turn to Siri-powered navigation for the Apple TV, but that would in turn require you use an iOS device to drive your Apple TV (since the current Apple TV and remote lack a microphone).

: Rumors about an Apple-branded television have become the most whispered-about product since the iPad. But that doesn’t mean that we’ll see it anytime soon—or, frankly, ever. Tim Cook’s been quick to say that although he loves his current Apple TV, the sector has remained a niche for Apple. And given that WWDC is a developer-focused event, it doesn’t necessarily make it the place to debut an entirely new product line or platform. We say “nay.”

: Apple’s not going to announce a new iPhone, a new iPad, or a new smaller iPad at WWDC. We promise. If we’re wrong, you can have free noogies.