As I sat down to write this week’s article, there was something about the date December 23rd that stuck in my mind. Then it dawned on me. In this space, three years ago, my first MacMaineiac article and column were printed.

So, waxing a bit nostalgic, as I tend to do this time of year, I went back through the articles and columns (archived at timesrecord.com and at my website, macmaineiac.com) to see where we were and how far we’ve come together. We’ve covered a lot of ground. However, the beauty (and the curse) of the tech world is that new ground is formed every day, like lava pouring from a volcano that flows to the sea, is cooled, and eventually becomes habitable.

In addition to looking back at “the year in review”, we also traditionally look forward to what the New Year will bring. Sure enough, I’ve done that twice in the last three years (the first year I was too wide-eyed and green). Let’s see how I did for 2004 and 2005.

For 2004, I predicted that Microsoft would release Windows XP Service Pack 2, aimed at tightening security. They did, in August 2004. I also predicted (and this one was easy) that even with the upgrade, Windows would still be demonstrably vulnerable to exploitation, worms, and the like. Hmmm. ‘Nuff said.

I also mentioned the release of Windows “Longhorn” (now “Vista”) as coming in “2005 (2006?)”. The bovine-turned-beauty will be coming to PCs sometime in mid-to-late-summer-early-to-mid-fall-early-to-mid-winter 2006. Keep your fingers crossed.

For 2004 I also correctly predicted: the rise of flash RAM memory sticks; the resounding “thud” of the much-hyped but largely avoided Windows Media Center Edition and Windows Tablet PCs; and the popularity of home Digital Video Recorders (DVRs) and services like TiVo.

On to 2005. You win some, you lose some. I predicted flash RAM based iPods, and we saw the introduction of both the iPod shuffle and iPod nano. I predicted a “headless iMac”, and along came the Mac mini. I predicted the iLife ’05 upgrade, as well as an “iWorks” desktop publishing and presentation suite, and only missed the name by one letter (they called it “iWork”). However, I also predicted there would be no video iPod in 2005. Blew that call big-time.

I also predicted PowerMacs with G5 processors over 3GHz. That never happened. In fact, in 2005 Apple announced a transition away from the G5 processor altogether – to Intel, nonetheless. Nothing changes but the changes, I guess.

What about 2006? Windows Longhorn, er, sorry, I mean Vista, will be released to great fanfare. Norton and McAfee will simultaneously release internet security software suites for Vista, as Vista will be demonstrably vulnerable to the SOS (you fill in the acronym).

Apple will release “the first round” of Intel-based Macs – most likely iBooks and Mac minis – earlier than expected. Later in the year comes a dual-core Intel PowerBook, and a screaming even-thinner iMac desktop model. The “Front Row” home theater interface will become standard on all Macs, but Apple will not undermine its content providers by offering DVR-equipped Macs.

iLife ’06 will be announced at MacWorld next month, with a slew of improvements in the already best-of-breed digital lifestyle suite.

More media giants will sign on to provide video content to the iTunes Music Store – most likely ESPN (part of the ABC/Disney family) and HBO.

Finally, to be timed perfectly to coincide/contrast (but not completely collide) with the release of Vista, Apple will release Mac OS 10.5 “Leopard”. Cats and cows (sorry) living together. Who’d a thunkit?

© 2005 Peter F. Zimowski