With WWDC fast approaching, I'd like to give you the last of my information that I could confirm and express my opinion about some recent Apple software and hardware related rumours.

I'll start with some comments on current rumours:

You've probably noticed that some sites are showing pictures of what they call an alpha of iTunes for Windows. This is a fake, for sure. If I was developing this for, or on behalf of Apple, I would not even dare compiling such a thing - and, of course, don't expect Apple showing any Windows builds of that at the WWDC. Some "Safari GM" builds with "NIP numbers" have been circulating on the net lately and these builds are fake also. They've been made from Safari v74 builds. It has been rumoured on some forums and sites that Safari v80 build was Final Candidate, it's also totally wrong as this build still has a lot of bugs - in particular with CSS and div tags that sometimes result to half-loaded pages. It is not very likely that Apple releases a final Safari 1.0 for WWDC, though not impossible. Actually, the most likely scenario is that Steve Jobs will give a close release date.

And here's the new information and confirmations:

For Panther, I could get new confirmation about some features I had revealed in April. Video-conferencing feature on iChat has also recently been mentioned by the rumours champion of year, Nick dePlume. The fact that Internet Explorer will not be included in Panther is now totally confirmed - and not the least bit surprising - by the recent announcement of Mac BU. I also have confirmations about updates that bring Mail.app (version 2.x) and probably iCal and Address Book, which should see improvements. Also confirmed by sources and reports on other sites is improved integration between all of the applications and the technologies of the system and the improvements to SMB, better printer sharing and even more powerful QuartzExtreme. I had also mentioned improvements on X11, Disc Burning, navigation/dock features which have not been confirmed by more sources or other sites though. Some sites mentioned graphical remote login and that has been confirmed by several sources.

Lately I received some information about the Apple developer tools. My sources claimed that they're going to see huge improvements: new compilers, new AppleScript studio that will be much simpler to use. There is actually a feeling that Apple has made the Panther version of the developer tools with the main idea that it has to be simple for everyone to make Mac software, so we can expect a lot of surprises about that, including GUI changes.

On the hardware side, it's now confirmed that PowerMac G5 are about to be announced. Apple has accidentally(?) posted the specifications about these new PowerMacs on the Apple Online Store and they've already been relayed by several sites. The new Powerbooks will probably come later during summer (MacWorld?) while current 12" and 17" models will be speed-bumped. The release of new iBooks is also on the way, probably along with the PowerBooks, some sources are mentioning a simple speed bump to 1Ghz.

That's all for today, I will probably not be able to cover the WWDC 2003 Keynote in real time. It all depends on whether or not I can be free soon enough on Monday evening (in France), to be able to follow and transcribe the event, so there is still hope, but that is not likely. Anyway, be sure that there will be at least an update about that on Monday and maybe before the event if there's something new. Until then, stay tuned and have a nice weekend!