Apple teased its loyal fans on Wednesday that it would debut a "breakthrough digital device" next week as aficionados buzzed that the maker of Macintosh personal computers would show off a new digital music system.
"Hint: it"s not a Mac," Apple said in an invitation to the unveiling next Tuesday, two days before one of its biggest shareholders and competitor, Microsoft, launches its new operating system, Windows XP, which is full of digital media capabilities.
An Apple spokeswoman declined to elaborate on plans or to comment on speculation that the PC icon would launch a music device that would work with or be built upon its popular music jukebox program for the computer, iTunes.
Web site (https://www.thinksecret.com), devoted to uncovering secrets from Apple, said the device would be a "music-type recorder-player".
With a $4 billion cash stockpile, executives have said the firm has room for taking some risks, such as Apple"s recent move into retail sales with a line of flagship stores designed to turn a profit and win new Apple fans.