While many Apple fans have rejoiced over Apple’s smashing success with the iPod, many of us have been worried. As unbelievable as it may have seemed to suggest, some of us just couldn’t keep the nagging concern down: Is Apple becoming an entertainment company, rather than a computer company? Fortunately, recent developments have quieted these concerns.

First, and least impressive (but still impressive nonetheless), is the release of Apple’s new iMac G5. Think about the evolution of the iMac. It changes processors and styles as frequently as Madonna’s music style changes, and just like Madonna, it seems to be successful every time it does so. From the original pod-like iMac G3, which was the catalyst to Apple’s renaissance, to the awesome LCD iMac G4, to the new, still flat, iMac G5, the iMac has experienced big changes, inside and out. The iMac G5 is no exception; like their website says, “Where did the computer go?” Indeed, now the entire computer is wrapped up in the monitor, making it practically a tablet made for the desktop. It is very reassuring to see that Apple’s innovation still exists in the Mac division.

Meanwhile, and more importantly, it is very encouraging to see that the iPod is actually helping Mac sales, especially iBook sales. How is that? Please take note of the USA Today article: Students crazy about iPod follow the music to Apple laptops. The article reports that many college campus stores have found that the success of the iPod has led many students to the Mac as their laptop of choice for the new school year. This brand recognition is exactly what we hope to see when a company so diverse in innovation as Apple has success in a new industry, even though we fear it will not happen. Because the potential is always there for the up-and-coming to kill the older, less exciting product line. So really all Apple fans can now rejoice as we see the brand recognition beginning to reap the dividends.

The snare that Apple still should astutely avoid is that of distraction and division from multiple focuses. It hurt Apple back in the day of the Newton MessagePad, but of course, that was without Apple’s wonderboy, Steve Jobs. Yet, Steve Jobs himself has acknowledged that his focus is sometimes split due to his heavy involvement with Pixar. Let’s hope Steve et al can multitask as well as Panther can. ;-D