I’m really enjoying the technology reporting in the NYTimes these days. It is often edgy or sarcastic, it is certainly timely and, as is the case today, it is spot-on.

As the article in their Bits section points out, today’s Apple announcements are important for more than the usual reasons. Sure it will let us see the next generation’s of Apple’s offerings. More than that however, since

Many presumptive iPod buyers are turning instead to the iPhone, a considerably more expensive device with higher margins. [since] The iPhone is the ultimate converged device, packing digital music, video games, navigation and much more into a single cellular handset.

Apple’s attempt to spark iPod sale by expanding their capabilities is more important to the company than ever since the changes we will likely see in the iPod in a few hours are a direct response to pressure Apple has put on itself thanks to the iPhone.

In addition they are right on when they say that adding such features as a camera and video recording “could pose new problems for the makers of single-purpose devices like digital cameras and video recorders, whose features they are gobbling up”. (See my article in the upcoming edition of iPhone Life Magazine.)

So now we see that not only has the iPhone changed the tech market in general, but it has changed Apple’s market as well. If/when we see cameras in iPod later today it will, in a very real sense, mark the end of the digital audio player market as we knew it.

And as for the edgy and sarcastic?

the crowd of assembled journalists and Apple employees will be treated to a live performance from an A-list musician or two, who will serenade the straight-faced crowd in what will surely count as their most awkward gig ever.

Now that’s funny!