As I was watching Steve Jobs deliver his keynote presentation on the new iPod lineup, when it stuck me that not only was he revamping one of the most successful product lines in business history, but that he was describing how Apple would take the lead role in M-Commerce.
M-Commerce is one of those things that everyone is excited about (buying goods and services over wireless mobile devices) but also something that has been slow to take off.
Sure, people are buying ringtones and a few games here or there, but that’s about it. In the next few months, Apple will be selling songs via a new iTunes mobile software which will now connect via Wi-Fi. Oh, and if you’re not near your home or school Wi-Fi connection, you’ll be able to connect via the enormous Starbucks Wi-Fi network – for free.
Don’t start packing up your iPhone to head off to Starbucks just yet. The Starbucks co-op feature will be rolling out over the next few months in Seattle and New York then to the rest of the Wi-Fi enabled stores by the end of ’09.
Apple will also be selling ringtones (that you can configure yourself using iTunes) and games, just to make sure they conquer the entire M-Commerce market.
Click here to Watch the Apple Computer Keynote, Sept. 05, 2007