No Blu-Ray Support For New Macs

Blu-Ray may have trumped HD-DVD as presumed video high definition format of choice for the next generation, but apparently Steve Jobs didn't get the memo. When asked about the possibility of including Blu-Ray functionality in the new line of Macs announced today at Apple's notebook keynote (see the posts below for more info on that) Jobs said,

"Blu-Ray is just a bag of hurt. It's great to watch the movies, but the licensing of the tech is so complex, we're waiting till things settle down and Blu-ray takes off in the marketplace."

In the time since this quote got out earlier today, I've read several opinions that interpret this as simply Steve Jobs not liking the format. Well, not believing Jobs could be that much of an ego manic, to me this actually sounds like Jobs recognizes the possibilities of Blu-Ray, but also the issues with it. Is selection of movies on Blu-Ray still woefully limited and expensive? Yup. And does apple want to add any weight or price to its product? That's a big N-O, especially when it comes to the basic MacBook. As it stands this was only lowered to $999, instead of $800+ many industry watchers predicted. Going into the most profitable time of the year and troubled economic times, Jobs is doing just what he should as far as I can see. Better luck next time to both Sony and Blu-Ray fans on macs.

--Tom Milnes