Apple Ponders Using Intel Chips

Yahoo:  The WSJ reports today that Apple has been in talks that may lead to Intel chips being used in Macintosh computers...still speculative at this point though. The Yahoo article also points out that although Apple computers are not huge sellers (i.e., about 3 out of 200 million computers sold a year) the move could be a good thing for Intel..."Winning over Apple would be a prestigious endorsement from one of technology's most influential trend-setters and could associate the chipmaker with Apple's hugely popular iPod music player." 

Also newsworthy, Apple recently announced that it would take pre-orders for Coldplay's newest album "X&Y", which is expected the first week in June. "This is the first time iTunes, or any online store, has taken pre-orders for digital music." Upon the official release of the album, Apple said it would send out an e-mail when the tracks were available for download...The new Coldplay album is modestly priced at $11.99, but for those who pre-register it will also include two exclusive bonus tracks, "Proof" and "Things I Don't Understand." The bonus material is not availabe to the late adopters - as they will not be available to purchase after June 7th...Sounds like a great marketing strategy (adding more value to the consumer experience) to coincide with offering video extras alongside album purchases...Expect to see more stores and artists copying them soon...