Popcorn, sodas, and apples
In the next evolutionary step of Apple Computer's (NASDAQ:AAPL) master plan for digital domination, published reports indicate that the iPod powerhouse is gearing up to offer full-length feature-film downloads through its iTunes virtual storefront, priced aggressively at a flat $9.99 each.

Don't underestimate Apple's chances here. It was able to get music fans to pay for music downloads when tens of millions were hitting peer-to-peer sites for pirated freebies. The price point is also the same one Apple's commanding for entire CDs, which makes downloaded movies an even better deal relative to DVDs than digital albums are over music CDs.

This may be the last nail in the coffin for Sony's (NYSE:SNE) attempts to make its PSP the portable flick-viewing medium of choice. At the very least, it will be rewarding to the early-adopter movie studios that embrace the platform. Apple's user base of video-enabled iPods continues to grow. If the piecemeal television episodes that viewers can catch for free on the boob tube have been brisk sellers for two bucks a shot through iTunes, hit movies appear to be a slam dunk.

The potential kryptonite? The lengthy download times and storage, perhaps. I wouldn't put it past Apple to make this work, though. The company that was once relegated to little more than a niche computing specialist is laughing all the way to the First Bank of Mainstream. This week even had consumer-electronics giant Best Buy (NYSE:BBY) testing the possibility of selling Mac computers.

Apple's already a star. Now it's just months away from being a movie star.

Around the market in a speedster
It was a head-scratching week for me. For starters, what's the deal with Nestlegobbling upJenny Craig? I realize that Nestle owns a wide range of food products, including the Lean Cuisine prepared-meals franchise. But it feels odd that a company most investors associate with fatty chocolate is wolfing down a dieting outfit.

The other thing that got me -- but actually made some sense -- was Southwest's (NYSE:LUV) announcement that it will start testing seat assignments in San Diego. It's about time! I've flown Southwest for short business trips, but I could never go with the airline when vacationing with my family. Why risk showing up late and being separated -- even if I realize that kinder fellow passengers would be accommodating under those circumstances? Besides, I didn't see the plane loading any more quickly with the lack of reserved seats.

So don't blow it, Southwest. Next step? Take a page out of the JetBlue (NASDAQ:JBLU) playbook and work on the in-flight entertainment.

Until next week, I remain,

Rick Munarriz

JetBlue and Best Buy are Motley Fool Stock Advisor recommendations.

Longtime Fool contributor Rick Munarriz does not own shares in any of the companies in this story. The Fool has a disclosure policy. He is also part of the Rule Breakers newsletter research team, seeking out tomorrow's ultimate growth stocks a day early.