It's amazing how spin can turn a not-so-hot situation into a positive one.

Apple recently announced that they would insure that new software features that come available after the release of the iPhone would be free to iPhone owners.

"We plan to build on [iPhone's] incredible foundation by continuing to develop new software features as well as entirely new applications and incorporate them into the iPhone," said Mr. Oppenheimer during his opening statement. "And since iPhone customers will likely be our best advocates for the product, we want to get them many of these new features and applications at no additional charge as they become available."

So, now buyers of the first generation iPhone don't have to worry that their 500 hundred dollar baby won't be outdated 3 months down the line. A good thing, to be sure, but what this also says is that Apple may not have all of the features it wants on the iPhone ready by the June release date.

So, what do you do if you have a hand full of features that should be there, but can't be there for whatever reason? Spin, baby, spin!

Now, don't get your knickers in a knot, I'm not dissing Apple for taking the time it needs to do something right, far from it. I just find it interesting how they can take a potentially half-empty situation and get everyone to see it as half full.

Yet some will refuse to take this news for what it may be and see it as further proof that Apple is in over its head.

See, here's the thing: There's only so much one can glean from this news:

• Apple is building a platform as oppose to a device, just like it did with the iPod
• Because it is a platform, applications must be developed similarly to those developed on other platforms
• Application development does not happen overnight
• A core group of applications will likely be ready when the iPhone debuts, but...
• ...that ain't all folks. More is on the way.

That's pretty much it. You can't, for instance, say exactly what the iPhone will or won't have when it's released. Nor can you make any reasonable assumptions about Apple's real or imagined motives behind this announcement, which makes it all the more interesting.

Just like a master magician, Apple shows us what we want to and need to see with one hand while the the other hand cleverly and deftly positions the shiny coin to 'mysteriously' appear.

They are in the business of selling hardware, after all, and that's how it is done.

Now, isn't your interest piqued just a wee bit more about iPhone? Just a wee bit?