Apple Plans Big New York Event

Apple is to hold an “important” press event at the end of January in New York City, which may involve the company’s iBook or advertising platforms, according to reports.

The event’s New York location, and the involvement of Eddy Cue, Apple’s senior vice president of Internet software and services, both indicate that the event is likely to deal with an announcement related to the media, according to blog AllThingsD, which cited unnamed sources.

Publishing focus?

TechCrunch said it had confirmed the reports and that its own source had indicated the event would relate to publishing and electronic books, which Apple deals with through its iBook platform. TechCrunch’s source specified that the event would unveil improvements to the iBook platform.

The announcement will be important but “not large-scale”, according to reports.

Cue is in charge of a number of Apple’s media-related businesses, including the iTunes Store, App Store, iBookstore, the iAd advertising platform and the iCloud service.

Cue last made headlines in early 2011 when he was involved with the New York launch of News Corp.’s online magazine The Daily.

iPad 3

Apple is also planning a new version of the iPad and a new take on interactive television, but the company’s hardware launches have all taken place on the US’ west coast for the past several years. New York, on the other hand, is the US’ centre for publishing and advertising.

In recent years Apple has become an important force in mobile advertising and electronic publishing through the success of its iPhone and iPad devices.