WWDC, E3 rumor scorecard: What we did and didn't get
Culture
KARYNE: Hey, Im Karyne Levy.
Welcome to Rumor Has It! The show that rounds up the
week's biggest tech rumors and you have a chance to vote
on what you think will come true.
KARYNE: I have no co-host this week, because everyone
ditched me to attend Apple's Worldwide Developers
Conference and the E3 gaming conference. So lets recap
the news from those shows.
WWDC brought us a completely overhauled iOS 7 -- with
AirDrop and a new design, just as we predicted; iTunes
Radio; a new OS X, called Mavericks; new MacBook Airs;
and a new Mac Pro that looks like a garbage can.
But you know what we didn't get? Any mention of the
iPhone 5S, iWatch, or Apple television set. Or a flying car.
On the gaming front at E3, the Microsoft keynote gave us a
November release date for the Xbox One, and a $499 price
tag.
What wasn't mentioned was the whole used-games debacle,
although the company did have stuff to say about it a few
days before E3, most notably that Microsoft will let game
publishers set the rules for reselling games to retailers.
Because hey, why keep all those e-mails
from pissed-off gamers all to yourself, right?
But my favorite part of the whole event was when they
announced that they're finally getting rid of stupid Microsoft
Points. I don't think I've ever used a Microsoft Point in my
life, but now that real currency is involved instead, my little
avatar person is getting a makeover and a whole new
wardrobe.
And finally, at a press conference on Monday night, we got
to see the PS4. Basically it's a big, black box. Sony also
announced that the PS4 won't have any used-game
restrictions, won't make you ping the server every 24 hours
like the Xbox One, will cost $399, and will be out in time for
the holiday season.
Jack Tretton of Sony said: "When a gamer buys a PS4 disc,
they have the rights to use that disc. They can sell it to
another person, lend it to a friend, or keep it forever."
So take that, Microsoft. Booyah. I cant wait to watch how
this plays out.
KARYNE: Speaking of iWatch, component suppliers seem to
be ready for iWatch production, pointing to an "increasingly
likely" launch in the second half of 2013, according to Citi
analyst Glen Yeung.
Here's the thing about analysts: they get paid to make
things up, so take this one with a grain of salt, although
recent news has indicated that an iWatch is imminent:
Apple reportedly filed for an "iWatch" trademark in Russia;
the Economic Times reported that Apple's been checking
out 1.5-inch OLED screens; and Bloomberg says that the
watch is slated to be rolled out this year.
Sooo, based on all that nothing, we really know nothing. Job
security!
KARYNE: Next up, Samsung could introduce a 12.2-inch
version of the Galaxy Note tablet in the second half of the
year, according to ETNews. Not to be confused with
ETPhoneHome -- or Entertainment Tonight (thats still on,
right?).
According to the Korean Web site's "industry sources," the
Samsung tablet will feature a 2,560x1,600-pixel display and
will come with an S-Pen stylus. Although there's no outright
mention of a name, we could assume it'll be part of the Note
line.
If this rumor pans out, that means there'll be a Galaxy Note,
a Galaxy Note 8, a Galaxy Note 10, and a Galaxy Note 12.
Samsung LOVES giving you 100 different size options for
the same product. Just loves it.--
KARYNE: Back to my favorite topic: gaming. Microsoft
wants you to pay $100 more for a system that has
restrictions and complications, like its used-games policy
and having to be connected to the Internet.
After Sony's announcement, I think that Microsoft will have
to back of on the Xbox One, and ease up on some of its
policies.
KARYNE: What do you guys think? Will Microsoft stand
down? Will it hold its ground? Don't forget to vote and leave
a comment, and we'll check in with the CNET Council.
KARYNE: And the Council's verdict is...
KARYNE: Thats our show everyone, share your rumors at
rumorhasit@cnet.com or call us at 1-800-750-CNET. And
tweet us! And tune in next week for more tech rumors.
