Steve Jobs announces a new or updated product at Apple's September 9 media event?

Apple has scheduled an invitation-only media event for September 9. While most people believe Apple will announce an update to the iPod line (our prediction about an iPod Touch with a camera currently has a 90% consensus rating), other observers are debating the chances of Apple CEO Steve Jobs making an appearance at the event and doing what he does best -- convincing people that they must buy the latest and greatest Apple gear. For years, Jobs did just that at the Macworld Expo and the World Wide Developers Conference (see video below, which shows him in fine form in front of a Macworld crowd earlier in the decade), but major health issues prevented him from making any presentations this year.

That is, until now. Jobs reportedly received a new liver several months ago and is once again running Apple. Mac fans are hoping that the event on September 9 will feature Jobs talking about Apple's new products. As of Wednesday, September 2, 37% of responses to an Ars Technica poll believed that Jobs will make a brief appearance but leave the product presentations to others. About one in five responses stated that Jobs would "present the entire thing."

Prediction: Steve Jobs will announce a new product or product upgrade at the September 9 Apple event in San Francisco. A positive judgment will be rendered if Jobs announces, names or describes an Apple product for the first time, even if the product features are described in more detail afterwards by other Apple employees. However, if Jobs appears but does not announce any new product or product update, this prediction will receive a negative judgment.

Video: Steve Jobs presenting at Macworld 2001:

Image: acaben/flickr, creative commons license