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With Apple’s recent release of the new iMacs it is only safe to assume the release of new MacBooks and MacBook Pros will soon follow. Some sources go so far as to say the new models have been seen floating around Cupertino.

The new MacBooks are said to be 13″ with the MacBook Pros at 15″ and 17″. They have a Aluminum-look to the casing much like the current Macbook Pros. This new look will bridge the long standing gap in appearance between the MacBooks and MacBook Pros. The current MacBooks only come in white and black while the MacBook Pros are an aluminum color. The new MacBooks and MacBook Pros are also rumored to be even more environmentally friendly than before with Apple taking it’s Green Initiative very seriously.

We’re interested to see what type of new features and speeds will be offered. They are rumored to be released before Christmas…. hint… hint.

With June quickly approaching and the scheduled release of the SDK “store” rumors are fluttering about the new 3G iPhone.

The 3G iPhone has been rumored for months now but recently a price point has also been circulating. The 3G iPhone is said to be going for $199 with a 2 year AT&T contract. The purpose of making a lower end version with an accessible price point is to simply get it in the hands of users. While it would not have the same amount of space as it’s beefy predecessors it would serve the same functionality and become the staple of every 13 year old in America.

The rumors seem very founded when you consider Apple’s huge push for the iPhone to be number one in the corporate market. Companies nationwide would switch and add users to include even entry level employees for such a low cost.

Word in Cupertino is that Apple has a new patent application displaying an Apple DVR. DVR was first mainstreamed by Tivo, allowing customers to tune in, record and playback television shows. When the AppleTV rumors first circulated it believed to have this feature but in actuality never has. Even with the new upgraded version the AppleTV 2 there is no DVR capability. With this new patent application it looks as though it will.

The patent application includes the iPhone or iPod touch with a DVR syncing ability. Customers could record their favorite television shows and then sync it with their iPhone or iPod to watch it anywhere. No telling when this might be available however Apple has been working on it since October 2006. Catching up on Lost while riding the Max in the morning…. it does have a nice ring to it.

Local rumors circulate that a number of Oregon schools will be switching over to the Macside.  In the early 90’s Apple was known for donations to schools as a way to promote their product and grow a future of Mac-users.  However now in the late 2000’s schools are choosing to make the switch as a way to provide higher technology to their students, making their students high competitors in a growing Mac market.  And Apple is providing them with the financial discounts to make it possible.  The following schools are said to be making the switch by Fall of 2008, George Fox University, Forest Grove School District, Jesuit High School, and Aloha School District.

The new iPhone 16GB model is rumored to only be the first in a new fleet of iPhones to serve multiple needs. These rumors have been turning for a while now but with the release of the 16GB model gossips are more convinced than ever that KeyNote 2009 will include a few new iPhones to choose from.

Some projectors believe the new fleet will follow in the footsteps of previous iPod products and include something like the iPone Nano, and the iPhone Shuffle. These smaller and cheaper versions may not have all of the features of the iPhone but will offer a product more accessible to the average cell phone user. The pictures are just one speculator’s depiction of what might be around the corner.

The rumor mills are turning and the information leaking out this time is that Portland will soon be home to one more Apple store. The new Apple store is said to be located on NW 23rd in the old bridal shop building. The building will be receiving a much needed face-lift and will be home to the biggest Apple store in Oregon.

The trendy shopping area currently has no “technical retailers” and was against the proposed Apple store at first. However with the growing Apple trend and prospect of bringing even more foot traffic to the strip, the neighborhood association couldn’t resist. The store will most likely carry the same products as the other Apple stores in Portland but will offer a larger place to play and for many, a more convenient location.  The new store is said to be opening Fall 2008.

Last January, Apple introduced a number of new products at the Macworld Conference & Expo. These products included the Apple TV, the 802.11n-based AirPort Extreme, and last but not least, the iPhone. They also announced that they were changing their name from Apple Computer, Inc. to Apple Inc.  The next Macworld Conference & Expo (a.k.a. Macworld) is just around the corner and the Internet is buzzing with rumors. We’ve been monitoring the rumor sites and we’re attempting to make our best prediction of what to expect from Apple this week.

The smallest addition we are expecting from Apple is the introduction of high-definition Blu-ray DVD players across their entire Macintosh line of computers. It is surprising that Apple has waited this long to include a high-definition optical drive in their computers, but the industry is close to coming to a consensus and Apple is safe in joining Sony’s Blu-ray camp.

Apple is consistently moving towards being a music and video content distribution company. One of their primary weaknesses here is the area of movie and television content. Currently, you have to purchase videos you would like to watch from iTunes. This is okay for content that you would like to own, but many of us rent video content more frequently than we purchase it. Apple is expected to launch an iTunes rental service that allows you to download a movie from iTunes and watch it for a few days before it is deleted. No more trips to the video store! As an added bonus, they may include a feature where you can pay an upgrade price to purchase the movies you’ve rented and would like to own. You can’t do that at Blockbuster or Hollywood video!

We love the iPhone, but there are a number of ways we think the device could be improved. Increasing the memory from 8 to 16 GB would be one of the easiest updates for Apple to make. Apple may also announce a revision to the iPhone, which will increase its data connectivity to 3G technology, translating to much faster Internet access. Also, Apple might disclose more information regarding the iPhone software developer’s kit, which allows third-party developers to write custom applications for the phone. A number of additional features we hope for are over-the-air synchronization, the ability to send picture text messages, and the ability to capture video using the phone’s built-in camera.

Apple’s laptop line has seen very little change in the past few years and there could be some changes in the near future. Rumor has it that Apple has created an ultra-thin laptop with a 12″ screen and larger track pad. This system would likely be in Apple’s Pro series, probably carrying a MacBook Pro designation, making it ideal for travelers and weight conscious users. Many are speculating that this new device may have some additional features as yet unseen in any of Apple’s other computer products. These include the possibility of reversing the screen of the laptop for tablet use and iPhone-like multi-touch capabilities. Still others have speculated that the system may be in a computer/docking station configuration. This, in execution, would be similar to a cross between Apple’s technologically ancient PowerBook Duo and the current iMac computers.

In reality, very few individuals actually know what Apple will be releasing at this year’s Macworld. If the past is any indication of what we can look forward to, Apple will surely be releasing some extraordinary additions to their product lines. To keep our customers on the forefront of the technology curve, Smartacus is sending it founder, Michael Lippold, to San Francisco to learn more about how these new products can be implemented for our customers. We will be posting updates to this article as soon as more details are available.