Apple currently has a few things in the works. Mostly updates however. Now that the iPhone has launched you will
see Apple spending more time on it’s other new device. The Apple TV. Currently sporting 40 and 160GB HDD’s they have plenty of space for SD movies. However Apple is currently expanding it’s selection of movies and more and more content is becoming available. The next revision of Apple TV’s will bump the max bit rate from 5 Mbps to 12 Mbps. Along with the visual bump audio will get a bump up to 640 Kbps. The new model will feature a 250GB HDD and will be introduced at the $399. (ETA 2 Months). It’s still a few steps away from true HD but it’s a step in the right direction.
While on the topic of HD I have some other (tentative) good news. I have been hearing rumors of OS X Snow
Leopard being able to support native Blu-Ray playback. Make sure you have a Mac that sports at least 256MB of VRAM, 1GB of RAM and a 2GHz CPU. (Sorry Mac Mini owners, no Blu-Ray for you,yet). (BTW, I’m also expecting Apple to update it’s Mini line around this time to include a GPU capable of Blu-Ray playback. Most likely the GMA X4500HD). Keep in mind this is still very far out and may change before it is introduced.