Steve Jobs will do some big ticket shopping

While most people think of Apple as a computer company - they've evolved into more of a consumers electronics company (a small but important distinction). When they dropped "Computers" from their title in 2007 - it was clear Apple was committed to this evolution. With Macs now making up only 33% of Apple's revenues - the world's largest technology company has successfully diversified. While the rumors of Apple conducting a hostile takeover of Sony are unlikely to prove accurate - I think those speculators have the right idea. With a film and gaming division in the mix - Sony might be a more cumbersome and unmanageable investment than Apple is looking for. However, there are a few other brands actually manufacturing their own products which might attract Apple's enormous piggybank. The prospect of vertical integration should provide Apple with more control over the manufacturing process. Recent trouble with the employment and security practices of their manufacturers combined with a $51 billion hole burning in his pocket might finally push "genius control freak" Jobs into taking manufacturing matters into their own hands.

Apple TV becomes an actual Apple TV

This fall's refresh of the Apple TV fell short of many people's early predictions - including my own. Bringing more iTunes content and the evolution of what is now known as AirPlay seemed inevitable if the company planned on seriously compete. Switching to the iOS platform also seemed like an obvious and easier to manage next step. What was more of a surprise is that they essentially stopped there. Many had predicted that it would adopt other iOS device features like an App Store and maybe even Facetime. While problems with content providers have severely hampered Google TV's launch - I believe it still offers some indications of where the Apple TV is headed. Developers have pointed out that the jump from the iPhone to a TV for their apps may not be as simple as "just making everything look bigger". However, the transition from iPhone to iMac that many will be making with the new Mac App Store makes for a nice stepping stone. You can expect apps to be coming to an Apple TV near you soon - but Apple may wait until the Mac App Store provides a better foundation of apps ready to make the leap to HDTV. If we can learn anything from Google TV - it's that a solid, reliable and consistent source of content (be it TV shows or apps) is key to winning over consumers. I also believe Google TV's integration into actual television sets is where Apple will be taking things. If they do indeed purchase a manufacturer - Apple may be able to avoid the pitfalls they experienced with their first smartphone attempt and later with iPhone and iPad manufacturers. The idea of merging an Apple TV, iPad, TiVo and HDTV into one mega home entertainment solution could help Apple shake things up for yet another consumer electronics market.

iPad v2.0 in your hands for iPad's 1st birthday

If Apple's trend of refreshing iPods and iPhones on an annual basis carries over to the iPad - we can expect to see a more polished iPad out around April. Rumors are already circling around a December 9th event where a new iPad or new iOS features might be revealed - but will more likely just be a launch event for theirtablet tabloid ventures with Rupert Murdoch and Richard Branson. I think it's unlikely they'd introduce a new iPad so close to the holidays - but the addition of real magazine and newspaper subscriptions via iTunes may help them clinch a few more sales before Santa finishes packing his sleigh.

iPhone (finally) comes to Verizon

With The Beatles finally on iTunes - the iPhone's eventual transition to multiple carriers in the US is now the most popular Apple rumor out there. All year, so called "credible sources" have had majors publications like the Wall Street Journal and New York Times claiming iPhone's arrival on Verizon (or sometimes T-Mobile) was imminent. However, that may finally be coming to fruition with the eventual end of Apple and AT&T's exclusivity contract allegedly on the horizon and AT&T preparing their investors for the impact of that contract not being renewed. Complaining about AT&T's network is almost a rite of passage for iPhone owners. However, it's very likely that Verizon will find themselves as ill-prepared as AT&T initially did and that their data network will falter just as much - if not more - under the enormous strain iPhone users put on their cell provider's network (with 15.4% market share - iPhones account for 59% of mobile web consumption). Disgruntled AT&T converts may be disappointed to learn that Verizon having the largest nationwide network doesn't mean it's also the beefiest nationwide network.

Back to the Mac with Lion

Steve Jobs indicated that the latest edition of Mac OS X is on schedule for a summer 2011 launch. Apple does not have a reputation for vaporware - so we will likely see Lion appearing next year. It's too soon to tell how much of a game changer or marriage between the iOS and Mac OS it will actually be. However, the features already demoed look promising and Jobs has promised that they have much more coming. I think you can expect a user interface facelift that will bring a more iOS look and feel to your iMac. Although I can't help wondering when we'll see a complete replacement for Mac OS X - maybe Mac iOS is on its way?

Rest of MacBooks join their little brother in dumping their hard drives

When Jobs introduced the MacBook Air, he indicated it was the future of the MacBook. Since it's insanely unlikely that he meant they were dropping all other MacBooks in favor of just selling the Air - I think we can safely conclude he was likely referring to the switch from hard drive to solid-state drive. Expect these faster, cooler (temperature wise) and leaner forms of data storage to send the hard drive packing (and probably for good). In a similar manner to how Apple currently offers solid-state drives as an alternative to the hard drive in custom configured MacBook Pros - expect to see hard drives remain an option for those less eager to make the change.

What do YOU think?

So there you have it - my predictions for where Apple's latest announcements are leading and what we can expect from the tech trend setter in the upcoming year. But enough of my ramblings - what are your predictions? Post a comment below and share your Apple conspiracy theory. Perhaps we'll compare notes next year and see who (if anyone) hit a home run and whose ideas wound up in left field.