Apple data center? It’s for iTunes, MobileMe
The big shareholder showdown at this year’s meeting never happened. Nevertheless, some interesting information did come out of the event even though Steve Jobs wasn’t in attendance.
Back in November, I went way, way out on a limb and said that Apple’s “Just another day you won’t forget” media event would be all about Apple’s still incomplete North Carolina data center — they only announced that the Beatles had come to iTunes (ouch).
Well, according to theCNBC live blog of yesterday’s Apple’s annual shareholder meeting, the company’s massive $1 billion data center is indeed about building out MobileMe and iTunes services. Further, Tim Cook said that the facility will be ready this Spring.
Apple could be looking to significantly expand its streaming services. Apple currently offers streaming video content for Apple TV users, but the added capacity provided by the new, huge NC facility could easily accommodate the long-rumored iTunes streaming subscription service.
Thereupon, Wall Street Journal has been rumoring that MobileMe would become a cloud-based photos, audio and video locker. Also, everyone and their dogs are still hoping Apple will roll a streaming music + whatever service.
And, the supposed “shareholder revolt” over Apple’s leadership succession plan vis-a-vis the eventual departure of Steve Jobs? It never happened.
Why? For anyone who still doubts it, Tim Cook is über competent and, as we’ve seen recently, Steve Jobs is around.
Ready for trust your stuff to Apple’s expanding cloud?
via GigaOM
