Apple has become a star in the digital arena -- its iPod music and video player control about 70 percent of the U.S. market -- and it is a pioneer in selling video downloads. So Macworld is attracting attention from the tech world, Hollywood and, of course, the mall. ``This is a company that helps shape the vision and direction of the industry,'' said American Technology Research analyst Shaw Wu. ``Apple made portable music cool again. For the longest time, it wasn't cool.'' It's not that the Apple vision is a revolutionary one. It's not. But the company has a way of turning bland beige computer boxes in to white objections of fascination. And all of the pieces fit so well together: from the software that operates the thin portable music players to the iTunes Web site that delivers the songs, and now video. ``It's like a symphony,'' Wu said. ``Everything has to work in sync. That has been the biggest problem Apple's competitors face. Even at CES, with all of these announcements -- a lot of these products are not integrated. Remember, the iPod has been out for four years. Every year, you hear it's going to die, and every year they sell more. Apple is extending its franchise into other areas.'' Under the hood of the the new laptops is Intel's new Centrino brand microprocessor, which is expected to eat up a third less battery power. Apple commands a tiny slice of the computing market, selling about 4 million machines a year, or about 5 percent of all sales. Wu, though, thinks Apple could sell as many as 6 million Macs this year, in part because of the new Intel Macs. More than 330 exhibiting companies have set up booths to support the Mac products. About 60 iPod accessory companies have put up displays. An added attraction this year is the Macworld Auto Show, which will feature cars decked out with iPod equipment. More than 30,000 people, from the Mac faithful to the tech curious, are expected to attend. The show runs through Friday. Exhibit hall passes are $45 each. Contact John Boudreau at [email protected] or (408) 278-3496. email this print this reprint or license this Subscribe to the Mercury News
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Mvh. Cypress I do not fear computers. I fear the lack of them.