No Big Show for Apple

If you’re a geek like me then you get excited when Apple invites the media for a special announcement. Before MacWorld, the huge expo held at the beginning of the year speculation rose as to just what Steve Jobs was going to unveil. It turned out it was a new iMac and MacBook Pro computer using Intel’s new Core Duo chip. While these were huge announcements, everyone seemed a little taken a back that there was no new iPod released.

Fast forward to today when Apple decides to call in the media for another announcement. Speculation again rose in the last few days as just what was going to be announced. Talk has been made about a “true” video iPod with a touch screen. Talk has also been made that to go with this new iPod would be the addition of the iTunes Movie Store where feature length films would be available. Or perhaps even a Windows Media Center replacement.

Today’s announcement didn’t even come close.

Job’s unvailed two new products, the Intel Core Duo based Mac Mini and a GIANT speaker box for your iPod. The Mac Mini is no big suprise as Jobs said that by the end of the year the entire Apple product line will sport Core Duo chips. This speaker set, called the iPod Hi-Fi, looks more like an oversized block of plastic and nothing like the “clean, compact design” it boasts. Intial reports say that while it offers a 6 D cell battery power option, it is in no way portable do to the size and weight. Apple is known for their sleak design and craming really great technology into small spaces, but this thing is just the complete oposite. Granted I haven’t heard the quality of the speakers, but I don’t think it matters. I’d rather save the $349 and purchase a cable to hook my iPod up to my current surround sound receiver.

While today was a let down, I guess there is still hope. April 1st is Apple’s 30th birthday. Perhaps the video iPod will be announced then — and hopefully it won’t be some sick April Fool’s joke.