June 29, 2007, is looming large in the IT world as two monumental works make their way to the masses (at least the geek masses). First, this is the release date for Apple’s new iPhone. Second, it is also the date that the world is scheduled to receive the final draft of the latest General Public License, GPLv3. Obviously, the title of this blog would lead readers to think I won’t be forecasting here, but I will predict that my 451 CAOS cohort Raven Zachary is likely to be looking at the GPLv3 on his new iPhone that day.

I do not, however, want to prognosticate on Apple’s new phone or open source software’s new license. Why not? Because it will take time in both cases to see how significant and successful they will be. Will Apple’s iPhone be open enough for developers to truly run with the device? Will GPLv3 get enough traction to win over Linux kernel developers? Will the iPhone have appeal beyond Apple folks like the iPod did? Will GPLv3 do anything to counter Microsoft’s efforts to be a part of some Linux distribution?

The answers to these and other questions will have to wait as software developers, users, vendors and others put both devices to the test. So mark the date, June 29, 2008. That’s when we’ll probably be better able to make the call.