What to expect from tomorrow’s Apple music launch

A new camera-enabled iPod touch is expected to be unveiled, but cameras could also make their way into cheaper iPod models like the nano.

It’s been suggested that Apple could ditch its iPod classic model in favour of making the iPod touch its sole focus at the higher end of the range.

Given the success of Apple’s App Store, that wouldn’t be a huge surprise, but there’s currently a storage gap between the 32GB iPod touch and 120GB iPod classic – which may or may not be a problem.

Curveball? How about an iPod classic with a 1TB (that's terabyte) hard drive inside? Just a thought.

Next-gen iTunes

It’s also about time for an update to Apple’s iTunes software, and most of the speculation in recent weeks has focused around potential social features – including the ability to share playlists on Facebook. That’s the actual lists of songs, rather than the songs themselves, obviously.

Another rumour claimed that the new iTunes software will finally officially allow non-Apple mobile handsets and devices to sync up with the iTunes library.

Palm found a clever workaround to fool iTunes into thinking its Pre was an iPod to achieve this, but if Apple opens up iTunes voluntarily, everyone could join the fun.

Ready-Made Ringtones

The fact that you can’t buy standalone ringtones for your iPhone has always been a strange quirk for Apple’s handset. Users can buy songs from the iTunes Store and crop them to form a ringtone – if supported – but they can’t buy ready-made tones.

That may change tomorrow, with recent reports suggesting Apple has been working to sign the necessary deals with record labels to sell ringtones through its iTunes Store.

If true, those deals would need to have been concluded – with several of the major labels at least – in time to announce any such move tomorrow.

Project Cocktail

This is where things get intriguing. Project Cocktail is, according to numerous sources, an initiative for the next-generation digital album format. Not just music, but interactive elements, videos, lyrics and artwork – all bundled together and sold for (probably) a little bit more than the current price of an album on iTunes.

Such a format would be tailor-made for the iPod touch, so if new models of that are unveiled tomorrow, it would be a logical time to debut Cocktail too.

Again, though, this would depend on having signed the necessary deals with record labels, to be able to announce launch titles and show them off. Talking of which...

The Beatles

Tomorrow sees the release of the Beatles’ remastered back catalogue on CD, as well as console game The Beatles: Rock Band. You’d think someone would have mentioned it in the media...

Okay, so the Fab Four have been hard to escape this week, and the fact that their 9/9/9 launches co-incide with Apple’s has led to the obvious conclusion that the Beatles will also hit iTunes tomorrow.

This would be a big deal – the first time the Beatles have made their music available digitally. If it happens, it will be interesting to see if Apple has an exclusive, or if it’s being released to other digital stores and services at the same time.

Of course, pretty much every Apple music launch has sparked similar Beatles rumours in recent years, without them ever being proved right – so the jury’s out on this one.

App Store

Tomorrow is a consumer-focused event, seemingly, rather than an industry one. So we probably shouldn’t expect to see too much on the App Store, other than an update on how many apps are available, and perhaps on how close Apple is to the two billion downloads milestone.

However, it’s possible that some longstanding rumours about improvements to the App Store could be announced. Such as the premium games section to cater to large developers and publishers looking to release big-budget games and not have them lost in the clutter of 99-cent rivals.

Or even better recommendation and discovery features, such as an App Store version of Apple’s Genius technology. Plus, we may get to see some new and innovative apps and games demoed on-stage. Spotify? It’s a thought (but probably a fruitless one).

iPhone 3.1 software

You want more online rumours? You got ‘em! The iPhone 3.0 software was a big deal when it launched earlier this summer, so the iterative iPhone 3.1 edition won’t make as many headlines.

Even so, it’s thought to be due in September, which would make tomorrow a logical time to announce it. As to what new features might be included, we’d hope for some battery life improvements, particularly on the iPhone 3GS.

However, it’s also been suggested that iPhone 3.1 will officially support augmented reality apps – if so, expect to see one or two of those shown off on-stage.

The iTablet

Remember when we all got in a froth about the iTablet? It was only a few weeks ago, but speculation on Apple’s plans for a tablet-shaped computing device have died down, with analyst seemingly settling on next year for its launch, rather than this month.

However, that could depend on...

The Return of Steve Jobs

Apple hasn’t said who’ll be leading the event tomorrow, and that absence of hard fact has led to plenty of predictions that CEO Steve Jobs will be helming the event.

Now back from his medical leave of absence, if Jobs does take the stage, expect pandemonium among large sections of the attending journalists. But more importantly, Jobs’ presence would surely signify A Big Announcement – likely bigger than new iPods and an iTunes refresh.

In other words, if Jobs is in charge, the chances of an iTablet or Beatles appearance (has anyone checked where Sir Paul McCartney is tomorrow?) would be significantly greater. And finally...

One more thing...

This is Apple, so don’t rule out a complete curveball not mentioned above. Which sounds (and indeed, is) like a get-out clause on our part.

ME will be liveblogging tomorrow’s launch live from London, where Apple is holding a simulcast event. Join us at 6pm to find out which rumours were correct.