-What's happening?
Brian Tong here and welcome to the Apple Byte.
It's the start of a brand new year, and the crew and staff here is gearing up for CES 2013 in Las Vegas, but I thought this would be the perfect time to give you my predictions of what you can expect to see or not see from Apple in 2013.
So, let's just knock out the no-brainers that even my mama could tell me.
In 2013, we will see the next Apple TV.
Yup.
You've all been waiting for it.
I haven't been too high on it before and we even predicted in the last year's show that it would come out in 2013, but honestly, I'm getting a little intrigued now and Apple really has to hit it out of the park and start thinking different again.
It's crucial because you can bet we'll see everyone else's best bets at the next-gen Smart TV at CES 2013.
We'll also finally see the next-gen Mac Pros from the big A.
Or duh.
Now, Tim Cook went on the record and said they'll be coming some time later this year.
Desktop Pros have been waiting over two years.
Even I couldn't wait that long and decided to go with the new iMac.
So Apple do it right and let's also make sure you get apps like Final Cut Pro up to snuff as well.
And the third gimme, the iPad Mini will get a retina display.
No Sherlock and they should have had it on the first one.
All right, guys, let's get to things I think we won't see in 2013.
Everyone is going googoo gaga for retina displays on everything even if there's a lot of non-Apple devices with high-res screens, but I still think we won't see any for the iMac line or large displays yet because of the cost, although I'll throw up this one exception.
Apple might do something bold and give their Pro customers a retina display thunderbolt option for 2013 and start there.
And does Apple even care about the 17-inch MacBook Pro anymore?
Well, we'll find out.
There have been rumors about Apple changing over to arm-based processors for desktops, but we still won't see that transition happen this year.
And I might be wrong with this one, but what's a prediction show without risk?
Apple hasn't shown that it really cares about NFC chip technology.
It's clunky in real world use and still hasn't taken off with a bunch of groups competing for different standards.
I'm going to say we won't see a dedicated NFC chip on Apple's
next-gen phones this year.
And then, let's get to the crazy out there prediction that might make you never watch this show again.
This one is for fun, so don't go telling your friends this is real, but I'm saying Apple will have two different-sized phones in 2013.
I still think the current iPhone 5 screen is a little too small and a lot of women wanted bigger because it still fits in their purse.
So, we're saying Apple will come out with a larger screen phone and keep the current size as another option,
and honestly, we already know what the iPhone 20 is going to look like.
Now, during our predictions and prognostications, we feel it's important to bring a real expert in the field, so we like to bring back our future-telling friend, NostraTongus.
-Well, hello there Brian.
-Hey, NostraTongus.
It's good to see you again man.
-Well, I can say the same.
First question.
-NostraTongus, will MacBook Airs get a retina display this year?
-Well, yes, yes, of course, they will.
Please, challenge me next time.
Next question.
-Will I be able to trust Apple's apps again?
-Remember the last genie I did?
Oh, she was so hot, but she broke my heart.
Use Google Maps.
Next question.
-Why is it my iTunes [unk] working on the ladies?
-NostraTongus says less Boyz II Men and more Bieber.
Next question.
-Hey, NostraTongus.
Should I click this mail-enhancement link?
-Well, yes, click away.
They don't call me NostraTongus for nothing.
-NostraTongus, will Brian finally pay attention to me in 2013?
-Is he crazy?
He hasn't had the magic lamp rubbed in a very, very long time.
That is all.
-All right.
Thanks NostraTongus.
That's gonna do it for this week's show.
Keep sending us your e-mails to the AppleByte@cnet.com.
I'm Brian Tong.
I will see you guys next time for another bite of the apple.
