DISQUS

The iPod came out in 2001. The iPhone in 2007. What did you expect? The iDash navigation for cars to be released in 2009? At the current rate of innovation, don't expect a new magic hat until 2013. Until then, Apple will do what it normally does: "more of the same, only better," and in the process use its existing product line to extend into new markets, rather than come up with a fleet of overlapping gadgets, like Sony.

In the future if you are going to comment on Apple, remember their modus operandi: (a) since Steve Jobs came back, they've been reducing SKUs, not increasing them, and (b) they've been adding features to the existing product line rather than coming out with new products. Thus, Apple doesn't need a handheld game platform; it has the iPod Touch and the iPhone--and despite not having a dedicated game platform they're eating Sony's PSP's lunch. If Apple wanted to compete against Garmin's in-car navigation--they'd just put a GPS receiver into the iPod Touch. If Netbooks start taking off, they'd just put a GPS receiver and optional cell transceiver in a stripped down Macbook Air.

"More of the same, only better."

And yet, somehow--even though it's just "more of the same, only better", you find that you don't need a Garmin GPS, a Microsoft Zune and a Motorola Razr; you just need your iPhone, and a suction cup mount.

One SKU, eating multiple lunches.