Friends don’t let friends buy Apple products on the verge of being updated. If you know someone looking to buy and iPod before September 9th, it is your duty to stop them. Even if you’re at a store and you see someone looking at picking up an iPod, kindly inform them next week they’ll be able to buy an iPod with more features at the same price point.

Next Wednesday is the big Apple “It’s only rock and roll, but we like it” event. That’s when the new iPods will be announced. So I’m going to take a moment and give you a few of my predictions about what’s going to unveiled.

This is a no brainer, we will see a refresh to the iPod lineup. The Touch and Nano will get a storage upgrade and will now include a camera. I believe we’ll see a bit of a price change as well. Recently Microsoft announced its 16gb Zune HD would sell for $220. Currently Apple’s 8gb iPod Touch is $229 – so it will be boosted to 16gb and possibly see a price drop to  - I don’t know, maybe $199,

While the iPod Shuffle could get a storage boost and be available in more colors, the real question is what’s going to happen with the iPod Classic. As I’ve mentioned before, there are some that believe it’s going to be discontinued while there is also talk of it getting a camera. I’ve said it before, I believe Apple will keep the Classic alive and will add a camera. It’ll be a welcome change to refresh the original iPod.

I expect to see an upgrade of iTunes announced next Wednesday. With the popularity of social networking right now, it’s a good bet the new iTunes will offer some sort of integration.

This next one is 50-50 for most people. Will Steve Jobs deliver the Wednesday keynote? I really, really want to say yes – but I don’t think he will. Why not? Well lets get to the next prediction – the long rumoured iTablet. After doing a lot of reading online it looks like Apple won’t release this device until early 2010. That would mean another Apple event in a few months or early next year. That;’s when I think Steve Jobs will make his return to the stage. It’ been reported he’s very involved in the iTablet design and my money is on him making the announcement – which unfortunately won’t be next Wednesday.

One last prediction – this one is razor thin – I believe Apple may be ready to announce iTunes will now carry the Beatles. Their entire work has been remastered and will be reissued on the 9th as well. What perfect timing for Apple to announce it’s struck a deal to carry the Beatles on iTunes.

So do you agree with me? Do you disagree and have our own predictions? Let me know in the comment section below.