What Is Apple Most Likely To Announce At WWDC?

Apple is rumored to be working on a smart home concept that could be unveiled this week.

On its surface, the rumor sounds pretty basic: Apple's unnamed platform will reportedly allow consumers to adjust their lights, security systems and household appliances.

It sounds interesting, but it's something that dozens of other tech companies have already implemented. Could this mean that Apple has something entirely new up its sleeves?

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Apple's full-fledged iPhone upgrade is likely to be held for a fall 2014 event, but the company could still launch a bigger version of a device consumers already love.

Analysts expect the rumored iPhone XL to pose a serious threat to Samsung's (OTC: SSNLF) high-end market.

In other words, they expect the demand to be pretty significant -- which could inspire a WWDC reveal.

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Apple's hype for Beats Electronics is just getting started.

The Cupertino, California-based tech giant confirmed the buyout rumors last week, signaling a new chapter in Apple's future.

All things likely, Apple's first Beats product will be headphones or a Beats-branded iWatch.

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Rumors -- and at least one parody -- continue to suggest that Apple might finally reveal its long-awaited iWatch this week.

Some even think it could be the wild card of WWDC.

Little is known about the unconfirmed product, but Apple is believed to have formed an iWatch team with 200 employees. Dr. Dre could soon be added to that list.

Aside from the cool factor (who doesn't love new, compact technology?), Apple's iWatch is likely to have an "it" feature that sets it apart from the crowd. It could be a service (like iTunes for the iPod) or an actual feature, but Apple will definitely need something to persuade consumers.

Most of the rumors have indicated that the iWatch will be similar to existing devices, but what if it could serve as an entire replacement for a user's phone? It sounds like a dream, but investors might have thought the same thing about tablets replacing laptops until the iPad arrived.

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There has been a lot of hype surrounding the Beats-branded headphones that Apple could release, but ear buds could pose an equally lucrative opportunity.

Right now, Apple only produces the EarPods, which retail for roughly $30. This is in line with other cheap products.

Beats is a premium brand, so its buds sell for $99.95 to $149.95.

With the right marketing, Apple could make a lot of money just by selling new ear buds.

Better still, Apple could produce some ear bud innovation with new concepts, such as memory foam cushioning (as seen in AirBuds, pictured left) or medical data collection.

Image Credit: AirBuds

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