The Apple Channel

December 12, 2007

Apple scoops are highly valued, so there is much interest in reports coming out about Apple's plans for 2008. They say Apple is readying a second-generation iPhone for the latter half of the year as well as planning changes to Apple TV.

AppleInsider Wednesday cited a research note by a Goldman Sachs analyst David Bailey that said Apple is planning several new releases.

"The handset is expected to 'have a similar form factor as the current version although it could have a different look and will probably include 3G capability,"' AppleIndsier said, citing Bailey. Before the next-gen phone launch, Apple may release a smaller iPhone upgrade with more flash memory, Bailey said.

In addition, Apple will be making changes to Apple TV in the second half of 2008, "which could include an LCD display," Bailey said.

AppleInsider quoted Bailey on the Mac lineup as well: "Apple will refresh its entire Mac line-up throughout 2008, but information about the potential launch of a subnotebook was scarce, with one supplier saying that the product may be pushed out, citing possible design issues," he added. Also contributing to the Apple news buzz was CNBC's Jim Goldman, who last week predicted a 2008 next-gen iPhone release as well.

"AT&T tipped Apple's hand last week when the company's CEO, Randall Stephenson, reported that a 3G version of the iPhone was coming in 2008," Goldman wrote. "Most of the analysts I had spoken to said they expected the release to be in the back half of the year, toward the end of the third, or beginning of the fourth quarter. This source now expects the 3G iPhone to hit store shelves by May or June."

For good measure, here's another Goldman prediction:

"And then there's this: this source says he has now heard from manufacturing partners in Asia that Apple is preparing to unveil a new, ultra portable laptop computer at the company's Macworld event next month in San Francisco."

See you there.