2006 is going to do to video what 2003 did to music

Think Secret has an interesting speculative report on an imminent push by Apple into a new phase of digital content delivery.

In 2003, Apple introduced the iTunes Music Store, which legitimized the online music sales industry. A few months back, they released a video capable iPod and a small assortment of video content available for sale on the iTMS- but that move was nothing as bold video-wise as the iTMS was for music back in 2003.

Apple news and rumor sites have pegged January's Macworld Expo as the setting and timeframe for Apple to introduce their true next generation digital entertainment delivery solution. From the reports, this is going to include "real" video content (including feature films and much wider partner participation) and a new way of delivering it- more of a VOD type of solution where purchased content is streamed to users' systems, as opposed to downloaded and "owned" as individual files.

In addition, Apple is rumored to be integrating this solution with their (again, rumored) next generation, Intel-based Mac Minis, which will be positioned as home entertainment systems.

What actually happens in January is anybody's guess and will likely, in Apple fashion, end up being what nobody guessed. But I would not be surprised to see Apple use the Intel transition not just as a processor swap, but as an evolution of the entire concept of the Mac platform into a true 21st century on-demand entertainment solution.

In other words, the Intel Macs won't just be Intel-based Macs. The Mac itself is going to change, starting with the very first system to use Intel processors, and entertainment will be the key focus.

People have been debating how Apple's transition to Intel processors is going to increase competition with Windows. I think an Intel-based Mac is certainly a better competitor to Windows than a PowerPC-based Mac, but Apple's true intent is to redefine the very definition of home computer and completely remove Windows from the equation.

With the iPod, Apple has had to broaden their platform support to offer Windows users full access to the iPod experience, which was key to them being able to grow the iPod's market share as large as they have.

I think their media push will be different. It's going to be all about their new Mac/Intel/content platform, Windows (more or less) be damned.