I was cleaning out my old bookmarks in Firefox. You know, those links that you think you are going to read later and you keep putting them in a bookmarks folder but eventually forget about them. My ratpacking has gone digital.
I chanced upon an article in Business World online which was written on October 3rd and it talked about the much rumored video iPod and how Jobs was still dismissing the idea of such a device. But just ten days after the article was written, Jobs introduced the 5G iPod. This goes to show how secretive Apple is. Everyone can spout rumors but nobody will know until Jobs says so.
The article also discusses about Apple's competitors and what their attempts to bring to market a video playing device. Content is key, the article goes on, and Apple's competitors are said to be in talks with networks to provide content for their video players. I quote:
"And by adding the ability to download shows such as Desperate Housewives or sports clips, competitors hope to beat Apple to the punch in wooing consumers."
Isn't it funny how things work out?
Not only did Apple release an iPod capable of playing video, it also pulled off the one other thing that mattered when you have a video-enabled device: the content. And just like a slap in the face, Apple gives people the opportunity to watch Desperate Housewives while on the go. The iTunes Music Store with video downloads ws introduced and provides content for those who wants to watch America's top two TV shows on a 2.5" screen, among with Pixar short clips and music videos.
The the 5G iPod is not the "video iPod." Jobs still insists that it would be a bad user experience. Instead, the video-enabled iPod was released together with the iMac G5 with Front Row. As much as the article was able to somewhat hit the mark with the "video iPod" and Desperate Housewives to watch on it, no one ever guessed about the new multimedia PC that is the iMac G5. And as almost all reviews about the new iMac goes, it is Front Row that gets the most attention. That, and the fact the iMac doesn't have a TV tuner.
The release of the 5G iPod, the new iMac with Front Row, and iTMS with video was a well orchestrated event, and just like a play, it would not have been complete if one of the actors was not present. The three must be present and shown together because one depended on the other. Some people might have missed the point of the new iMac. Apple was not just introducing an upgrade for the sake of quenching the Mac cultists' thirst. Instead, the new iMac was a way to justify the iPod and iTMS's introduction. The scenario would have been much different if only the iPod and iTMS were releaed. Apple and Jobs would insists that it's not a "video iPod" but rather a video-enable iPod. So if you are not supposed to watch Lord of the Rings on the 5G then what are the video on iTMS for? That's where the iMac completes the triad. You can watch videos from iTMS on your 5G but for a better viewing experience, use Front Row to browse through the videos you downloaded off iTMS and watch it on a 17- or 20-inch iMac.
'Nuff said.
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