Real Kato Blog: Apple Watch: Just Hours To Go

It's now 8:00 a.m. EDT. In about four hours, we'll get the big announcement from Apple that everyone's been buzzing about.

So now Think Secret is back to saying it'll be a video iPod. The new twist is that Apple is also going to provide a tool to "rip" DVDs. If they can do that with CSS/MacroVision-protected DVDs in a manner that's palatable to the studios, THAT would be something worth crowing about.

I still think Airport Express Video makes somewhat more sense... especially if it comes with a WiFi-enabled remote control, something that I almost forgot about. But if you think about it, if the computer in your office is streaming video to the TV in your living room, you'll need a remote control that can operate across rooms. And you know, if there's a video iPod, it would need a remote also... unless it can wirelessly broadcast video to a base station of some sort. Ooooh, there's an interesting idea: the iPod is the remote.

Some people are still talking about DVR capabilities, but I think we have to remember that other companies already have this market blanketed. Unless Apple decides to provide a device with no monthly service charge, I think it'd be tough to crack this market. Maybe Apple will decide to partner with TiVo.

On the hardware update front, I've still got my fingers crossed for new Macs, though Think Secret is now saying that might not come for another week or two. Everyone is talking about an HD PowerBooks and dual-core PowerMac G5s, but lately I've been a little curious about the fate of the eMac, which really hasn't done much in a while. There's a machine that could use a G5 processor. Hmm.

And finally, yesterday Apple announced its fourth quarter results, with record sales and profits. But, falling slightly short of analysts' expectations, the stock plummeted by 10% in after-hours trading. I wouldn't be surprised to see the price rebound today, though.

Permalink