View this article at: http://dev.macnn.com/articles/08/01/03/macworld.gear.expectations
Thursday, Jan 03, 2008 10:10am
Analyst: Rentals, subnotebo...
Three main announcements will be made at Macworld 2008, according to Shaw Wu of American Technology Research. The biggest of these is the widely-anticipated subnotebook, which Wu notes will mark Apple's first such computer since the PowerBook 2400 released in the late 1990s. It is predicted that the new subnotebook will make use of NAND flash storage, not only increasing access speed but improving weight, reliability and battery life.

Wu also supports the common belief that Apple will announce iTunes video rentals, and describes the move as a "strategic change in philosophy" that "will likely positively impact the entire AAPL ecosystem." He has not, however, commented on whether Fox, Disney or any other companies will be announced as initial partners in the venture. Apple is lastly expected to take a side in the HD format wars, and come out in support of Blu-Ray (which is already dominant) over HD DVD. However, Wu says, there is a small possibility that Apple will continue to remain neutral, opting instead to install a hybrid reader that plays movie and data discs of both types. AmTech estimates for Apple stock continue to hold at the $210 level.