Apple in Uncharted Territory

Despite all the latest buzz about Windows booting on a Mac, Apple continues its steady infiltration of the computer, media, retail and lifestyle landscapes. Here are some of Apple’s less commented on efforts to navigate through formerly uncharted territory.

All That and a Bag of Nuts: In-flight iTunes
FlightGlobal.com is reporting that Apple is currently in talks with many in-flight entertainment developers over the prospect of offering in-flight back-of-seat access to the iTunes store. Imagine being able to download till you touchdown. Makes satellite TV seem passé. Suppliers like Thales and Panasonic are just beginning to explore such options to keep passengers happily pacified in flight. And for Apple, what could be better. From the over-abundance of iPod ads on the local subways (in Boston where I live), it is pretty obvious that Apple is a fan of the captive audience. Airplane seats are about as captive as one can get without actual incarceration (and even then you’d get a hell of lot more leg room).

An Apple a Day Helps the Doctor Get Paid
Doctors, being as intelligent as they are purported to be,  are not on-the-whole very computer savvy. Most MDs still cling to their paper charts and small dictation recorders, not wanting to go the way of the keyboard and tablet PCS. Apple is helping to make the transition more enticing. With EMRs and Practice Management software like MacPractice MD, SpringCharts, PowerMed EMR, open source software like OsiriX. Radiologists and some other healthcare professionals are now using iPods as data imaging transfer units.

24 hour Party People in NYC
Okay, so this one isn’t a big unveil, news-wise, rather a physical unveiling of the Apple Glass Cube at the soon to be 24-hour 5th Avenue location. The city that never sleeps soon will have Apple products for sale around the clock. What a concept! 

TV to go
And finally, as movie after movie is a box office disappointment and DVD sales turn to TV series as their prime sellers, iTunes is cashing in on network execs’ fevered attempts to keep their tube-tied audience. Anxious to keep their sense of media power, more and more shows are being offered by the scene, by the show or by the series for download on iTunes, and ultimately for iPod video transfer. Ah, now our children don’t have to be idiot-tube free. Phew.