If Apple Inc. (NASDAQ:AAPL) keeps growing as fast as it is, it may just overtake its nemesis in Washington State in the next five years. An analyst points out that the iPod, iPhone, iTV and MAC maker has the chance to generate more revenue than Microsoft Corp. (NASDAQ:MSFT) given its current growth patterns.

In 2002 Apple grossed just under $6 billion, while in 2006 its revenue was recorded at just under $ 21 billion. Apple's dramatic increase is an "impressive" 250% revenue growth from 2002 to 2006.

Some analysts predict Apple's growth to slow in the next couple months due to cooling iPod sales. However, as everyone knows, the company has many new and exciting products on the near horizon, not the least of which are the iPhone and iTV that should continue to fuel substantial growth. According to Apple Recon, Apple now expects to sell over a million Apple TV devices leading up to the 2007 holiday season, and at least that many again during the Thanksgiving - Christmas period.

The folks in Washington State, who have their own massive launch happening as I write this, better think about bolstering Zune and Vista just to keep up.

It should come as no surprise to analysts, consumers, and other interested parties that Apple Computer, Inc (NASDAQ:AAPL) that the company has been moving towards becoming a media convergence company over the last several years. As more and more of people's entertainment moved to computers Apple focused on making sure the experience was seamless. With the iPod Apple created the now-famous dedicated music playing device. The iTV, announced months ago, foreshadowed another dedicated device focusing on people's entertainment needs.

This synergy is confirmed with Apple's CEO, Steve Jobs, announcing that the 'Computer' would be disappearing from the company's name. From now on analysts will have one less word to type, and Apple Computer, Inc, will from now on be Apple, Inc. This confirms Apple's committment to being something more than just a computer company.

I know everyone and their mom is talking about it, but I just can't resist. The new Apple, Inc. (NASDAQ: AAPL) releases today were the Apple TV (previously named the iTV) and iPhone. These revolutionary and exciting products are definitely evoking resounding ooh's and aah's, clearly indicated by the sharp rise in Apple stocks today - over 7%! We're talking millions of dollars here. Everyone wants a piece of the Apple pie, and the iPhone is quite a product.

But let's not forget about Apple TV - the artist formerly known as iTV. This device ties in nicely with my rant a few weeks ago regarding the annoyance of viewing online video on my PC. Well not anymore! Just as promised Apple has presented us with a convenient way to stream iTunes content (like 80's music videos!) to our boob tubes. I'd say it's reasonably priced at $299. Some of us might have to put in a couple of extra hours at the office for that one, but it's totally worth it. How else are we going to be able to watch videos like Hot for Teacher or Rhythm Nation on a big screen?

Apple is constantly changing the face of music, video, phones, technology, and that's something I just can't resist. Despite all these sites distributing free or low-fee content, Apple keeps a stronghold on digital media. Yeah you have to pay for it, but look at what you can do with it when using Apple products.

Steve Jobs knows his audience. And the audience at the MacWorld 2007 conference keynote (speaker, as always, the mock-turtlenecked Steve Jobs, but in brown -- a jab at the Zune perhaps?) had been camping out 'since nine the night before.

So it was to no small applause when he took the stage around 9 a.m. here on the West Coast. And everyone was on the edges of his and her seat waiting for the Big News.

Naturally, in our opinion here, the Big News is the iPhone. We've been wondering about it for months, giving it optimistic release dates (hey, still could happen, right?) and wondering whether Apple Computer, Inc. (NASDAQ:AAPL) could even call it that, given that the trademark to the name is owned by Linksys. And, basically, loving it from afar. Well, it's true, and it is called the iPhone, and Engadget reports Jobs saying that it will be a "leapfrog product," it will include an iPod (duh), a widescreen with touch controls, and it will be a "breakthrough internet communications device," whatever that is.

Also big news from Steve was that the Apple TV will be shipped in February; lots of details over at Engadget, photos of the interface and lots of details on how it will work. There is also ridiculous eye candy coming up every minute on the iPhone. I can't wait to do a montage!