Jobs Expected to Show Off New Products : Computers: Analysts say Apple’s interim CEO could unveil ‘some really interesting stuff’ during a publishing trade show.
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SAN FRANCISCO — Apple Computer Inc. interim Chief Executive Steve Jobs is expected to roll out new products in a demonstration-packed keynote speech this week at the Seybold Seminars publishing trade show here.
Analysts expect Jobs to show off new products from the resurgent personal computer maker, which may include faster G3 Power Macintosh PCs running at 550 megahertz or new iMac consumer machines with added features for networking and streaming video.
Jobs made a big splash last month at the MacWorld show in New York when he introduced the new iBook portable computer for consumers and schools. Now, with back-to-school season in full swing and the holidays approaching, Jobs is likely to trumpet Apple’s success in the past three years, including a return to profitability, popular new products and rising market share.
“There could be some really interesting stuff,” said analyst Lou Mazzucchelli of Gerard Klauer Mattison, who rates Apple a “buy.” “There aren’t too many venues between now and Christmas.”
Though the Seybold show targets publishing professionals, many of whom use Apple’s Power Mac products, Jobs could use the opportunity to introduce a faster iMac in preparation for the holiday sales season. He also is likely to talk about enhancements to QuickTime, the video-streaming technology Apple developed for showing movies via the Internet.
Another technology Jobs will showcase is the FireWire standard for putting video from a camera or other device into a computer. Some analysts said the new iMacs might include FireWire technology.
Jobs also may give an update on the number of orders for the iBook, which is expected to start shipping in a few weeks. Jobs is to give his keynote address Tuesday.
Apple’s stock has been on a tear in recent weeks amid optimism for the new products. The stock, which has risen 46% in the last three months, is trading at its highest point since January 1993. Apple rose $2.63 to close at $64.75 in Nasdaq trading on Friday.
