iPhone: new digital lifestyle. Apple’s iMac

In the last few years, it seems like every calculated move that Apple has made has contributed to the desire to flesh out a complete line of products around a new digital lifestyle. Apple’s iMac, iTunes, FrontRow, iPod, Apple TV, and now iPhone all contribute to the master plan: an Apple-centric lifestyle.

So what’s missing in this master plan? Is there anything left? Is the iPhone, in fact the last major category in Steve Jobs scheme?

I would argue that the next few years of Apple announcements will be newer models of existing product lines. The major releases will be “the new iPod” or “the new Apple TV”. Every major enhancement, every new technologically advanced interface or input device, all will be merely and upgrade to an existing product line.

I love the days when I see a “We’ll be right back” post-it note on the Apple.com online store, I sincerely doubt when the site comes back online that I will see the Apple Gaming System, the Apple Digital Camera, or the Apple DVR.

Apple has already given the ol’ college try on the camera market with the miserable Quicktake. My feeling is if Apple were to go down that route, they would enhance the existing camera in the iPhone. And the DVR feature would be part of a new Apple TV offering.

Although I feel an Apple offering into the gaming market (to compete with Microsoft’s XBox) would be irresistible, I would be surprised to see it as Apple has showed zero initiative in any type of gaming since Breakout.

Most, if not all, missing pieces in the digital hub plan can be delivered as new versions of existing product lines. What do you think? Will there be other products, or just updates of existing ones?
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