Apple To Reveal Big Cloud News In NYC?Apple To Reveal Big Cloud News In NYC?

Inside Apple's New Grand Central Super Store

Apple plans to hold a significant media event in New York City later this month to announce new products and services, according to a published report.

The company may use the event to reveal news related to its efforts around digital media and publishing, Dow Jones tech blog All Things D said.

"Apple is planning an important--but not large scale--event to be held in New York at the end of this month that will focus on a media-related announcement," All Things D reported.

Citing unnamed sources "close to the situation," the blog said the event would be led by Apple senior VP for Internet software and services Eddy Cue.

[ While Apple's year will be most remembered for Steve Jobs' death, the company also logged significant technology successes. See Apple's Year In Review, 2011. ]

Cue reports directly to Apple CEO Tim Cook, and leads the company's online, or cloud, offerings, including the iTunes Store, App Store, iBook Store, and iCloud Services. His reported involvement has led to speculation that Apple's event, should it occur, will relate to cloud services. Cue's presence would also indicate that the news is unrelated to the iPad 3, which many observers believe will be launched early in 2012.

Apple representatives did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

Apple has typically used its home state of California to make major announcements, but of late has been expanding its footprint in New York City as it branches out into media, publishing, and advertising services, all of which have major presences in the Big Apple.

Last month, the company opened a high-profile Apple Store inside Manhattan's Grand Central Station. The store sits on a terrace high up on the station's east and northeast corners, overlooking the famous main concourse, which has starred in movies such as North By Northwest, The Cotton Club, and Superman.

The store features all of the services that are found in more conventional Apple Stores, such as a Genius Bar, a Personal Setup station where consumers can have their Apple products fully configured before leaving the shop, and workshops on topics such as digital photography and movie making, Mac basics, and tips and tricks for the iPhone 4S and iPad 2.

Apple also operates a number of other stores in New York, including a major outlet on 5th Avenue. The company's choice of Manhattan to announce major news could further boost the city's growing reputation as a tech center.

Last month, NYC mayor Michael Bloomberg revealed that Facebook plans to establish a software engineering center in midtown.

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