So, as I expected, I was a bit off with my Macworld predictions. I think I nailed AppleTV fairly well, getting the name and price pretty much dead on, and only slightly flubbing the networking and the date. I think it’s a nice looking device, but it does have a few things that I’m not too impressed about. Firstly, no DiVX or Xvid support, which means a lot of my video would need to get transcoded in to a compatible format. It also only supports widescreen, 480p or greater TVs. My TV being a Circuit City $200 special isn’t going to cut it (not that I expected much from it though). However, I’m not really the target audience for the AppleTV. I rarely purchase anything from the iTS, preferring Netflix for my movies, and TiVo for my TV. I’m also not a high definition TV owner yet. Right now, if I needed a set top box to play my video, I’d do it with a Mac Mini. Front Row, plus a few hacks, can really do almost everything I would want. The AppleTV will be a success, however. I’m certain there’s a huge contingent of people who want to be able to access their media that’s traditionally stuck on their computer, or in handheld devices, to their home theater system.

As for the iPhone, I tend to be a rumor naysayer, but I enjoy being proved wrong. The iPhone is really slick, but right now, it’s way out of my price range. I see it a lot like the original iPod; it’s pricey and somewhat limited. However, like the iPod, I have a feeling in a few years we’ll see it start to evolve, and offer cheaper models, larger storage, and more ubiquitous usage. I also don’t think Apple’s going to have a problem with the price. Tons of people bought Treos, and other smartphones for that kind of price, without blinking. I think the complaints about the price come from us folk who are used to the $50 phones after a 2 year contract agreement, etc. It’s going to be a while, but I think the iPhone will eventually filter down to close to that level.

I was completely surprised to not see any Mac related hardware or software information, even just an updated preview of Leopard. I have a strong feeling that from here until WWDC in June, we’re going to see a lot of Tuesday morning updates from Apple with minor revisions of the Mac lineup, and more Leopard stuff. February and March have always been nice months for random Tuesday morning updates from Apple. I look forward to them, and maybe my Macworld predictions will come true, although a bit late.

I think there are serious signs that Apple has worked out its problems with Apple Corps. For one, Steve’s keynote had multiple Beatles references, with the Album Art and a song or two playing in the background. Also, changing their corporate name from Apple Computer, Inc. to Apple, Inc. cements that even further in my mind. Apple, Inc. becoming less of a computer company and more of a technology company is a double edged sword. I’ll have to explore my thoughts on that a little later.

For now, I’m off to change the oil in our cars, and get some errands done. Kristen and I are going up to San Francisco on Thursday night to catch the last day of Macworld on Friday, and do some shopping.

If you haven’t, take the hypocritic oath. Your pocketbook may be a little lighter, but you’ll be a happier person. Or at the very least, don’t be a frigtard.