A self-confessed Mac-Geek, I regularly keep an eye on a number of forums and blogs hosting discussions on everything Apple related. There are no shortage of sites dedicated to the latest mac rumors and over the past couple of weeks, the blogosphere has been abuzz with predicted launches set to take place at this year’s Macworld expo in San Francisco from January 14 – 18.

While the blogosphere’s track record for accuracy has been spotty, there seems to be a convenient pattern of confidential Apple information being “leaked” (and sometimes disappearing through cease and desist orders) just before one of Apple’s big launches. This year, the pattern is no different and if the three leading predictions are to prove accurate, 2008 could really see Apple’s stock, mind-, and market-share soar. Having reached just over 7% market-share, Apple has been slowly eroding the Windows market and this trend shows few signs of slowing down.

Furthering its progress in the digital media world, Apple is expected to launch an iTunes video rental service and an iTunes exclusive record label in conjunction with Hip Hop mogul turned businessman extraordinaire, Jay-Z. iTunes video rentals would provide an early mover advantage against Netflix, whose recently-announced partnership with LG will have movies streaming to households’ television sets in the second half of 2008. While iTunes video seems more of a certainty, it is the long-time speculation of the Jobs/Jay-Z partnership (supported by Jay-Z’s December 31^st departure as President of Def Jam records) that has generated the most buzz.

The third, and in my opinion most impressive advancement would see Apple revolutionize the mobile computing world with the launch of their “computer inside a computer” ultraportable notebook line.

Patents filed in 2006 feature a minimized notebook (in both size and features) that would dock with a station resembling the current iMac, allowing users to enjoy the benefits of one of the world’s smallest notebooks along with Apple’s highly-touted iMac displays and hardware.

Whether these rumors materialize or not, a couple of things remain certain: analysts and Mac enthusiasts alike will be eagerly awaiting Steve Jobs’ announcements at Macworld 2008 and Apple will remain miles ahead of any competitor in marketing hype as they continue to enjoy the buzz created by avid fans (and even some dissenters) using web2.0 to its fullest extent.