Apple Computer is employing the same old tactics, remaining quiet
about possible product announcements on tap for the Macworld
Conference and Expo, which opens today in San Francisco.
Some Apple enthusiasts predicted the unveiling of faster machines.
However, weak conditions in the overall PC market could spoil those
hopes, according to IDC analyst Roger Kay.
"The word on the street is that Apple didn't do that well during
the holidays so they have inventory lying around," he said.
A backlog of unsold notebooks and flat-panel iMac desktop computers
could mean that plans for new PC products could be delayed. "
UBS Warburg analyst Don Young issued research last month indicating
that Apple would not be among the PC makers to see growth in
desktop shipments during 2003. Although the overall market is
expected to expand by 7%, he said Apple would miss out on that
trend with a 3% dip.
During 2002, Apple shipped roughly 3.1 million computers around the
world, nearly equal to the number of machines sold the previous
year, but almost 1.5 million less than 2000, according to a
December filing with the US Securities and Exchange
Commission.
One hardware upgrade that some Apple watchers have hoped for is a
flat-panel iMac with a larger display. The first of Apple's
distinctive flat-panel iMacs was released a year ago with a 15-inch
display and was followed by a 17-inch model. The falling cost of
some computer components could make it feasible to upgrade the
display.
Last week, Apple released the first complete version of its iSync
software, which synchronises contact and calendar information
between Macs and PalmOS devices, Apple's iPod digital-music player
and Bluetooth-enabled mobile phones. It also made available an
update to iCal, its calendaring software.
Rob Enderle, research fellow with Giga Information Group, said
Apple chief executive officer Steve Jobs might use his keynote to
introduce a version of Apple's popular iPod digital music player
that can play videos.
One device that does this, called the Multimedia Jukebox, is
already on the market, developed by Archos. Digital media device
maker SonicBlue is also planning to release a portable digital
music and video player. Upgrading the iPod to compete against those
devices would be a logical step, Enderle said.
More information about the show is available at
www.macworldexpo.com.