Apple may have ad or publishing event this month

Apple is gearing up for a non-hardware special event at the end of January, insiders divulged Monday. The gathering, in New York City rather the Bay Area, had few details from AllThingsD but would be headed up by Internet Software and Services head Eddy Cue. The only proclaimed certainty from the multiple contacts was that it wouldn't involve the iPad 3.

The event may be publishing related given the location, which is home to much of the magazine and newspaper industry. Apple's last New York event was the introduction of The Daily nearly a year from the scheduled date. In contrast to last year, though, no tips have surfaced surrounding a specific publication or even publisher.

Alternately, it may tie into the company's video strategy. Apple has been rumored in protracted negotiations for an iTunes video subscription service. Under the most common interpretation, Apple would offer a block of programming at a set rate per month that would be considerably less than buying the shows individually. If not this, tighter iCloud integration with video has been raised as a possibility.

Other options could include general iBookstore changes or a major rethink of iAd. The latter would be unusual for an Apple event, but it would come as Apple was altering its conditions to better compete with Google and other mobile ad suppliers.

By Electronista Staff