What to expect from tomorrow’s big Apple product launch

The tech industry is in a stir ahead of Apple’s annual September press conference, with rumours and leaks suggesting new iPods, television rentals and a new, cheaper version of the Apple TV set-top box will all see the light of day.

The company also announced this morning it will stream the announcement live over the Mac, iPhone, iPod Touch and iPad platforms. While the move could be an attempt to showcase the iOS software, it may also be an indication the press conference will play host to some important announcements.

Bloomberg has reported Apple will announce a partnership with online DVD rental and streaming service Netflix. Users will pay for a subscription service in order to rent films and television shows via the iTunes store.

These rentals would be available on the new Apple TV set-top box, which is expected to cost $US99 and be about the size of an iPhone.

However, as Netflix is not yet available in Australia, it is unknown whether international users would have access to the rumoured 99c television rentals that several tech publications have alluded to over the past few weeks.

Incorporating Netflix into a television rental service would be a solid move by Apple. While the company already offers television shows and movies on the iTunes Store, users primarily associate the marketplace with music and apps. Adding a well-established brand like Netflix would give it credibility in the rental sector.

Several rumours have also suggested the device will run on the iOS platform. This means users who buy the Apple TV purely for the Netflix experience will have an entry point into other iOS devices, like the iPad, iPhone and iPod Touch.

Netflix already has apps for those devices available on the App Store. After Bloomberg reported the story, the company’s shares rose by about $2.42 to $125.52 by end of trading.

With less than 24 hours to go until the big event, here is what the tech industry is expecting from Apple’s announcement tomorrow:

• An upgraded iPod Touch with a camera.
• New iPod Nano upgrades
• A new cloud-based platform that would allow users to stream music over any web-based browser. However, a report from All Things Digital last week suggested Apple will focus more on the social side of music, rather than streaming.
• A new Apple TV. It will cost $US99, be about the size of an iPhone and will have lower storage capacity.
• Longer iTunes music previews. CNET reports the current 30-second preview will be extended to one minute.
• Possible upgrades for music software, including a version of Garage Band for the iPad or iOS platform.