Waiting for Apple TV v.2.0

[Updated 12:21pm] Like all true Mac fans (and here you thought I'd gone all-Wii, all the time, eh? ), I'll be spending a lot of my meager attention today following Apple CEO Steve Jobs' keynote speech at MacWorld Expo. In fact, as I'm writing this, I'm reading updates from the continually-updated live blogs at Engadget and MacDailyNews, feeding me the latest revelations.

Unfortunately, I can already tell that one of Apple's new toys will not be on my shopping list any time soon. Apple's new computer-media streaming box, the Apple TV (previously previewed as iTV) has just been introduced. And while it boasts some very neat features -- auto-syncing content from your computer, streaming content from up to five computers, smart playlists, yadda yadda yadda -- it only supports up to 720p resolution. Not that that's a bad thing per se, but my current television only supports 480p or 1080i, which means I'm teched out. I'm already viewing photos in 480p on my teevee with the afformentioned Wii, and frankly it's not worth the effort.

So sorry, Steve, but barring any further technical revelations about the Apple TV (such as if it automatically upconverts to 1080i), I'll have to wait for version 2.0. I'm not buying a new television set just to hook up your (or Sony's) newest toy.

On the plus side, the fact that Steve Jobs is unveiling the Apple TV so early in the keynote doubtlessly means he's got something even more impressive that's waiting for the climax. Roll out those iPhone rumors, boys!

[Updated 9:52am] Steve just unveiled the iPhone -- already? What else does he have up his sleeve???

[Updated 10:28am] Okay, now we know why Steve's introducing the iPhone so early -- it's jammed with more features than a frat party with a bottomless kegger. Seriously, go read the Engadget live blog and see all the details.

[Updated 12:21pm] Apple's product page for the AppleTV says it is compatible with 1080i displays over component video. Maybe I'm not out of the game yet.

And the iPhone looks really slick, but $500 is way too much for me. I don't need all those features, and can wait a few years until it gets a foothold and comes down in price.