The product is the star

Steve Jobs' absence might be felt but it'll be compensated with the anticipated products that the world is waiting to see with bated breath

It's that time of the year again — the day Apple will reveal to the world what it has been doing this past year. Like some of the previous years, we've had a fair number of leaks on the internet and most enthusiasts have a fair idea of whats on offer: A big-screen iPhone (which comes as a delight to gamers); a wearable device (possibly a watch); health apps and a mobile wallet.

If anything, people in India are eagerly waiting to know the price (buzz on the street is the iPhone 6 could be priced at $800-900) and when it is going to hit Indian shores. Now Apple generally makes its devices available in India only in the second/third wave, so anyone not willing to wait that long will use jugaad: Beg relatives in the US to get them the device, or buy it from the grey market at a premium.

Apple launches are never devoid of drama; while the understated CEO Tim Cook might not be able to replicate the antics of predecessor Steve Jobs, he's compensated by making rock acts part of the presentation.

But whatever the drama, one thing's for sure: The product is the star — the idea, the lifestyle that each Apple fan strives for. And its stayed that way for some time — since the launch of the iPod in 2001, to be precise.

Thirteen years ago, Jobs fished out an MP3 player from his pocket and exclaimed:  “With iPod, listening to music will never be the same again.” With that, Apple made the big leap from a tech company which sold computers to a pioneer which sold lifestyles, not products.

The various iterations of the iPod, the iPhone (which revolutionised the handset industry) and the iPad (which, again, was a defining moment for tablets) followed in quick succession in the decade that followed. Each time Jobs, the rock star CEO and co-founder, held forth on stage, the whole world listened (and consequently went out and bought whatever was on offer).

Jobs, however, wasn't the only star; each time a new iPhone was launched, they got equal bidding in the stores: Fans camped outside, sometimes, three days before launch day, to be the first ones to get their hands on the device.

The script seemed to go awry a bit after that: In 2011, Jobs decided to step down, anointing Cook his successor; the iPhone 4S was launched by Cook on October 4 (some say the launch was hastened thanks to Samsung's Galaxy range's rising popularity); the following day Jobs died. While the 4S, and Siri the personal assistant, largely received positive reviews, the launch of the iPhone 5 next year possibly led to Apple possibly receiving its worst press till date: Apple Maps app was a disaster and led to a number of top-level exits at the company.

The launch of the 5S and the 5C took place at a crucial time for the company: Apple was losing market share to Samsung, its shares were sliding people expressed doubts about Cook's ability to lead the giant.

Yet, all through this, the fans remained; as did the unending lines outside the stores for any iPhone being launched (this phenomena is now replicated in India as well, though its a pity we end up getting our hands on the device only during the second/third wave).

But this time its different. Cook finally seems to be comfortable in the big shoes he's had to fill; the Apple stock is on a song and the 'iWatch' (if it's so called) is reported to be the one gadget that can be traced back to Jobs' time.

Whatever be the devices launched on Tuesday (and it doesn't matter how much they cost), there are millions of people waiting with bated breath (and ready wallets) to get their hands on them.

And yes, Apple still makes a whole range of computers (servers, desktops, notebooks, all-in-ones), monitors and as well.