The MacWorld Expo in San Francisco is just a few days away, and many people expect a good many big announcements. For those of you who do not regularly surf the rumor sites, here is a quick list of the rumored announcements, and my wholly unprofessional assessment of their likelihoods:

Mini-iPods: The rumors began with the idea that low-priced iPods would be released, possibly as low as $100. The rumor was quickly snubbed as being impossible, as no news of a smaller form was out–but now, reports would have us believe–and this is considered a very high probability today–that Apple will be releasing mini-iPods, smaller than standard iPods, with only a few gigs of storage, with a variety of colors and styles. Probability: 90% or higher.

Software Updates: Expect new versions of a lot of software, including Final Cut Express 2.0, iMovie 3.5, iDVD 4.0, iPhoto x.x, and iTunes x.x. Probability: pretty much a solid lock for most of these.

New Apps: Rumors have been flying about a new application, probably an iLife app (though the long awaited “iWrite” or “Document” word processing app has been raised as well). Several rumor sites have teased, “we know what it is but we’re not telling,” which I translate as “we have no clue whatsoever.” They’re in the business of telling. Still, confidence is high that we’ll be seeing an addition to the iLife suite, most likely in the area of audio (many bets are on a music mixer). Probability: 90% or higher for the iLife app, 75% or higher it has to do with audio, 50% or lower odds on any other specific information.

“iBox”: Recent days have been filled with visions of a MacTiVo of sorts, a set-top box that would record TV shows digitally, making them accessible through your Mac network, and watchable on your Macs throughout the house. It might not have the ability to auto-schedule recordings like TiVo or ReplayTV, but it would have a DVD recorder to save shows if you no longer have room for them on your hard drive. It would also run iTunes and iPhoto, becoming a sort of digital media center for your house. Plug it into your TV and stereo set and you’re off. An interesting idea–though without auto-programming or (possibly) commercial-avoiding technology, it might not be such a TiVo- or Replay-killer. Still, a tantalizing prospect; Probability: I’d say 75%.

New G5s: Rumors have been out for some time about smaller, faster, cooler G5 chips from IBM, and that we’ll see speed bumps to the new G5 desktop line up to a dual-2.6GHz model. Could be. Probability: 60% for desktop G5 revs, 30% or lower for laptop G5s.

Anniversary Mac? In case you missed it, the 20th anniversary of the Mac (remember the Super Bowl ad, “1984 will not be like 1984”?), and some are prophesizing that a 20th anniversary edition will be out, possibly a new Cube. Probability: eeehh, maybe. I’d say 40% or less.

G5 XServes: In response to your “Huh??” the XServe is the server version of the Mac, used to head up LAN networks or act as Internet servers. These flat, wide, stackable computers currently run on G4s, and are expected to make the jump to G5s. Mostly a thing for Administrators to get excited about. Probability: not much of us non-admin types really care.

Apple did have a web page staked out for the QuickTime stream of the keynote by Steve Jobs, but it is currently not responding. It may come back in the next day or so, as Apple has regularly streamed these keynotes over the web. The keynote will start January 6th, 9am PST, that’s 2am Japan time on January 7th.