Apple: Two computers in one

Do NOT play poker with Steve Jobs.  Or at least don't believe him if his lips are moving and he's talking, or not, about new products 

Apple Computer this morning released software that allows its Intel-based Macs to run Microsoft Corp's Windows XP Software.

"Apple has no desire or plan to sell or support Windows, but many customers have expressed their interest to run Windows on Apple's superior hardware now that we use Intel processors," Philip Schiller, Apple senior vice president of worldwide product marketing, said in a statement. 

When the first "Mactels" were introduced, less than a year ago, Apple execs had blank faces when reporters asked about running Windows. Jobs is also the same guy who said a few years ago he didn't think there was a market for a video iPod.  About 40 million units ago.

Shares of Apple rose almost $4 in early trading Wednesday morning after the Wall Street Journal's preview of the software story.

The software is called "Boot Camp". It lets Mac users install XP as well as have an option on start up whether to load XP or the Mac OS.

Mac fan blogs are in heaven.  Calacanis' "The Unofficial Apple Web log". But, AppleInsider didn't have the story at 10:03am EDT.

MarketWatch has the story.