Rumors outlook for Tuesday's Apple Expo and Seybold Seminars


With two prominent Mac-centric shows in San Francisco and Paris the week, Apple watchers may want to keep their eyes peeled for news. Tuesday September 10, Apple's CEO Steve Jobs is scheduled to deliver the opening keynote at Apple Expo in Paris, while Apple marketing VP Phil Schiller will present a keynote at the Seybold Seminars in San Francisco.

On tap for Apple this week is most likely the release of iSync and iCal, the previous announced applications for Mac OS X 10.2. iSync offers Mac users an easy method of connecting digital devices, such as MP3 players, PDA and cell phones, to their Macs. iCal is Apple's new calendar application, which supports multiple schedules and the ability to interface with .Mac and devices such as the iPod, PDAs and cell phones. Both applications are tightly integrated with 10.2.

Think Secret suggests that no new hardware will be announced at the show. Rumblings along the grapevine, however, suggest an update to the PowerBooks could be in store.

Other potential announcements could be Mac OS 10.2.1, especially if the update it tied to iSync or iCal. A version of the OS update was released to developers around last week. Even though Mac OS X 10.2 has been on the streets just a couple weeks, development of the shipping version is believed to have been completed nearly six weeks ago. Prior to the release of 10.1.5, Apple was hitting about a six week point release upgrade schedule. Whether announced this week or not, the point update is likely to be seen in the near future. The update is reported to fixes a number of small problems that sneaked out the door with the OS an included applications.

One other possible mention could be the rumored upcoming Apple retail store in Paris. While the store is far from opening, it still could get a mention during Jobs' keynote. The Paris store may be Apple's first overseas retail outlet. Cube-Zone has a couple pictures of the rumored location, which is reportedly near Champs Elysées.

The Jobs keynote is scheduled to begin at 10 AM local time, or 4 AM eastern in the U.S. The Schiller keynote is scheduled to begin at 9 AM pacific. Currently no Internet broadcasts are scheduled. IGM will have coverage of any Apple announcements during the week.