As you’re probably aware, Apple released a slew of product updates this past week. There were a few notable surprises, and a few subtle ones as well.
Surprisingly enough, the most interesting change was the change to the iMac lineup, not the Magic Mouse. The shift to a 16×9 aspect resolution instead of the past 16×10 aspect signals that Apple is targeting the livingroom. (16×9 is the standard aspect for movies. Typically you see two black bars above and below the movie playing.) To date, I believe there is only one 16×9 dedicated TV display, a Philips. If these take off and do well, I’d guess that Apple will bring the change over to their cinema displays. They could then concievably bundle an Apple TV into the display, providing the ultimate home entertainment unit. TV manufacturers would do well to keep an eye on Apple.
The Magic Mouse. Yes, another notable change. While notable from a tech/design point of view, it is not as drastic a shift as the new iMacs. It does however, signal one of the first steps of multitouch coming to our other devices. In a number of years, you might be running your hands over other smooth, sensuously designed bodies with no buttons, controlling and manipulating them or devices they control. Very SciFi-ish. But cool nonetheless.
New Airport Extreme/Time Capsules. There was a very interesting detail on the product page for the AE. ‘Guest Networking’. For the uninitiated, this allows you to setup a ‘separate’ wireless network for guests. So when you have guests over, you can give them access to your Internet pipe without giving them access to your networked computers. They won’t be able to see your shared computers/devices, and you won’t be able to see theirs. All done with a few clicks of a mouse. A very nice innovation.
There were a few other updates, such as an updated MacBook and a new Aluminum Remote. These were minor, insignificant upgrades, but nice to have. It seems Wednesday was an all-out assault for Apple on the PC market before Windows 7 and the holiday season.
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