It is widely believed that when Steve Jobs told his biographer, Walter Isaacson, that he had “finally cracked it,” he was referring to a new way to operate TVs. That’s been interpreted as Siri for an Apple HDTV. That’s driven the TV manufacturers into a frenzy. Maybe a blind alley.

Rumors are again swirling that Apple will embark on a twice a year iPad launch.  Considering what the competition is up to, that’s beginning to make more and more sense.

With the success of the Amazon Kindle Fire, Apple can no longer sit idly by and watch this part of the market get gobbled up by a competitor. An avalanche must be averted.

While Apple continues to grow and dominate many markets, the maturity of Apple’s product line will allow the competition to get its act together and raise the level of competition. Microsoft, Google (as Android plus other servies) and Amazon will all be breathing down Apple’s neck next year, and that will force some changes. Here are John’s predictions for Apple in 2012.

Like many of you, Contributing Editor Chuck La Tournous installed the first over-the-air update on his iOS devices yesterday. But it was a different update that gave him that “living in the future” feeling and got him wondering: have mobile devices reached First Citizen status?

Customers in the mobile phone market think differently than those who are buying a conventional computer, Mac or PC. Apple understands that completely, but from the approach the Android phone makers are taking, it’s clear they are clueless about a long-term strategy.

Apple has done it again. Another one-day software palooza. Did Apple learn its lesson from the last time? John doesn’t think so.

Last week, Apple quietly released a new coverage plan for iPhones called AppleCare+. Although seemingly a minor release, MGG Jim discuss why it may have a significant role in changing the way Apple provides support at its retail stores.

The Apple blogosphere gets together and decides, based on rumors, what Apple should do.  They entice readers with these predictions.  Then Apple goes its own way, bound by its own realities. Then the bloggers get all upset and bash Apple. Then Apple sells millions of fill-in-the-blank.  Will it ever end?

There’s always a gap between our starry-eyed hopes and what’s practical for Apple to deliver.  However, Apple knows that, so it’s important for us to be as practical about our reaction as Apple was in its preparation.