Apple to livestream today's event, 1PM EDT

How do you ensure that the live Web broadcast doesn't crash? Simple — prevent most of the world from accessing it.

In an interesting turn of events, Apple has decided to livestream today's event. While live event streams are known to have stability issues due to the rush of people attempting to view them, Apple will almost certainly experience smooth sailing with its stream.

Apple's live Web broadcast will utilize its HTTP Live Streaming protocol, currently compatible only with Mac computers running Snow Leopard and iOS devices.

According to Net Applications, Apple currently holds 6.13% of the global operating system share with Mac OS and iOS combined. That leaves 93.87% of the world unable to stream today's event.

But HTTP Live Streaming is based on "open standards" as Apple's media alert points out. Yes, Apple loves to toss around the term "open standards" almost as much as it loves to toss around the term "magical". What good are open standards, however, if almost 95% of the world hasn't adopted them?

And while Apple's HTTP Live Streaming may be based on open standards, it may also be based in part on infringed patents.

Among the announcements expected to be made are new iPod touch versions, a new iPod nano, a new iTV service that will replace the failed Apple TV product, and new iTunes enhancements.

The stream begins at 1:00 p.m. Eastern at www.apple.com. Viewing will require a Mac running OS X 10.6 or higher, or an iPhone, iPad or iPod touch running iOS 3.0 or higher.