Apple product deluge promised

Apple have scheduled a special presentation at their Cupertino headquarters, and have laid on a satellite feed of proceedings for us all to watch.

The most likely rumour that actually rings true and that's been discussed in much detail, concerns iTunes and a new embedded video service, finally incorporating full length film downloads. The films are likely to be priced, al la carte, at $9.99. Expect rip-off Britain to get a like-to-like pound 'conversion'.

Accompanying this new movie download platform, there is expectation surrounding a souped-up Airport Express which will allow for a standalone dedicated movie streaming device running a tailored version ofiTunes . This device was allegedly a response to film studios reluctance to reduce the price of video downloads from the $9.99 mark, even for tiny, hard-to-watchiPod screens - thus Jobs and a crack-team of engineers went about designing a full-screen viewing option that made more sense of the top-dollar cost per movie download. Apple Insider have more on this speculation here.

If the movie store does surface, it's possible the touchscreen video iPod-proper may also rear its head, but unlikely as sources still stipulate a 2007 release as the most probable date for release. More likely is a fifth generationiPod and the much-anticipated iPod Nano redesigns, incorporating significantly more memory and a sleek metal finish - these will probably be shown at the Apple Paris expo which will be running in parallel with the Cupertino-based special event.

A new iMac incorporating faster Intel Core 2 Duo's and with the further option of a 23" screen, should also see the light of day. µ

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