Too busy to read our liveblog coverage of Apple’s September iPod Event? Everything you need to know about Apple’s new products is below the fold, including details about the new iPod Shuffle, Nano, iPod Touch, AppleTV, iTunes and iOS update.
Steve Jobs confirmed in his press conference today that iOS 4.1 contains several bug fixes, including a fix addressing the poor performance of iOS4 on the iPhone 3G. Alas we have to wait another week for the update to be released. It will be hitting my iPhone as soon as iTunes says it is available.
I think it was notable that Jobs addressed this point very early in his presentation; the bugs mentioned are all major issues and need to be resolved. The new Gaming Center and real-time graphics rendering of the A4 chip are impressive, but we 3G laggards are just looking to be able to send email and make calls again!
No comments about whether iOS 4.2 will support the 3G and older iPod touch models, the presentation merely included an asterisk that noted *not all models. I think a cutoff at iOS 4.1 is appropriate for these devices if the performance problems are finally fixed.
Apple’s sexily diminutive new iPod Nano, replete with 1.13-inch touchscreen, certainly looks like iOS. It might even — held close enough to the nostrils — smell like iOS. But it’s nothing of the sort.
Backstage at today’s iPod Event, an Apple spokesman confirmed that the new iPod Nano is not running iOS.
That makes sense, given Jobs’ own failure to identify the Nano as a new iOS-driven device, or his failure to brag about a wide range of apps to run on the device. It also makes sense from the engineering perspective of trying to shove a chip powerful enough to run a current version of iOS into a Shuffle-sized footprint.
Rather, what we see in the new Nano is a skin layered most probably over the traditional iPod Nano operating system, with some of iOS multitouch software scraped out and grafted onto it.
The move makes sense for Apple. The new Nano is too small to really avail itself of multitouch, but iOS is Apple’s sexiest operating system, as well as one synonymous with touch. Apple couldn’t well make a touchscreen iPod at this point without making it at least look like iOS.
We wonder, though, if confusion will ultimately set in. If it looks like iOS, but doesn’t run apps, isn’t that going to confuse customers? We imagine that in the brainpan of one Apple Store Genius is throbbing with premonitory headache right now.
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It’s smaller, cheaper and packed with HD offerings — let us know in the comments whether you’re ready to spend $99 for the new AppleTV.
In what has proven a remarkably succinct presentation, Steve Jobs has just unveiled his “one more thing…” and it’s the new AppleTV. Except, as Jobs quips, it’s “one more hobby.”
Also surprising: despite rumors, it’s still not called the iTV, and doesn’t run iOS. It’s still just the AppleTV, except now it’s black. The only rumors that were true? It runs Netflix and it costs only $99.
“We introduced Apple TV four years ago. We’ve sold a lot of them, but it’s never been a huge hit. Nor has any competitive product,” says Jobs. “
We’ve talked to people who have Apple TVs, and they love them, a lot! What have we learned? The number one, two, and three things they want: Hollywood movies and TV shows whenever they want them. They don’t want amateur hour, they want professional content. And they want HD.”
“The HD revolution is over, HD won. They want lower prices for content. They don’t want a computer. This is hard for people in the computer industry to understand, but it’s very easy for consumers to understand. They don’t want to manage storage.”
The new AppleTV is a fourth of the size of the last AppleTV, and you can hold it in the palm of your hand. The back contaiTins the usual slots, including power, HDMi and Ethernet, with an Optical Audio port to boot.
As Jobs hinted, there are no purchases (except if you do it through iTunes), and no storage management. The new AppleTV is streaming only, and you can either stream them directly from Apple or from your computer.
HDTV shows will cost only $0.99 from ABC and Fox. As for movies, expect them to cost $4.99 to rent… which is certainly not competitive with the rest of the market, although it’s worth noting these are first-run films.
Wondering if a film is worth your time? Movies will now be accompanied by the RottenTomatoes rating.
The new Apple TV will also include the usual gaggle of internet providers, including the rumored Netflix, the ubiquitous YouTube, Flickr, MobileMe and Internet Radio.
You will be able to use AirPlay to stream content from an iOS device to the AppleTV.
“You’re going to be able to watching a movie, walk into your living room, and push a button and watch the rest of it on your Apple TV,” explains Jobs. “Walk into your home with photos on your iPhone, push a button and share a slideshow on your TV. It’s going to be pretty cool.”
The AppleTV will be available in four weeks, with pre-order opening today. It’ll cost just $99.
If you thought Apple was bound to announce iTunes in the cloud today, think again: Steve Jobs himself just said Apple is very wary of going streaming only right now.
“We are very skeptical of anything cloud- or streaming- related at the moment,” said Jobs in his introduction to iTunes 10.
It’s obviously not from want of trying… Apple’s been scrambling with its new data center to make just that happen. Apple is cynical because of the likes of the RIAA and MPAA gumming up the works with pointless legal wrangling.
iTunes 10 might not be in the cloud. But if Apple has its druthers, iTunes 11 certainly won’t be.
We’d previously heard reports that the next version of iTunes might eschew streaming media for social networking. Those rumors were right. Meet Ping. It’s like iTunes and Twitter and Last.FM collided together.
“One of the biggest things we focused on with iTunes is discovery. With over 12m songs, how do you find out about new stuff? People are always asking what are my friends listening to, what are my favorite artists up to? There’s not a great way to do that, there must be a better way,” says Jobs.
That’s what Ping is for. It’s a social network based around music: the convergence of the philosophies behind Twitter and Face with iTunes.
Once you click on Ping, you see the recent activity of the friends and artists you are following, which shows you the music they are listening to and endorsing. You can even be alerted to concerts.
Apple acknowledged privacy concerns about Ping, noting that you can selectively allow people to follow you, and even set yourself to be invisible. Given my embarrassing library of Brittany Spears tracks, thats a relief.
Ping will be available to up to 160 million iTunes users in over 23 countries, starting today. Anyone else think that’s a fantastic name?
[Image via GDGT]
With the new iPod hardware out of the way, Apple turns to iTunes, and after a brief bit about the statistics we already know are impressive… Apple unveils iTunes 10, complete with a new and simplified logo.
First the stats. “People have downloaded over 11.7 billion songs from iTunes, and we’re just about to cross 12b. Over 450 million TV episodes, 100 million movies, 35 million books, and over 160 million accounts with credit cards and 1-click shopping in 23 countries,” says Jobs.
Those stats are relevant to the logo change. “Since iTunes is about to bypass CDs in sales, we thought it was appropriate to ditch the CD,” quips Jobs.
[Image via GDGT]
And here’s what many of us have been waiting for: Apple officially unveils the new iPod Touch. And as suspect, it takes more than a bit of a queue from the iPhone 4, with dual cameras, an A4 CPU and a Retina Display. But orget about 3G. It is a smidge thinner, though, if that’s a comfort.
“The iPod touch has been a remarkable product for us,” says Jobs. ” It has become the most popular product for us — it used to be the nano. A lot of people call it the iPhone without a phone. But it’s also an iPhone without the contract!”
So what’s new?
• A beautiful new Retina Display.
• Apple’s 1GHZ A4 CPU
• A 3-Axis Gyroscope
• iOS 4.1 With Game Center
• FaceTime with both front and back camera. Unlike the iPhone 4, there’s no flash.
• HD video recording capabilities.
And what about the price? $229 buys you 8GB, $299 buys you 32GB and $399 buys you 64GB.
[Image via GDGT]
Wondering what that little 1.13 touchscreen Apple commissioned was for? Wonder no longer: it’s going into the Nano… and it seems to be losing movie capabilities and camera, in exchange for very limited iOS.
“The first iPod nano was a stunner when it first came out. Then we took it to extruded aluminum… we gave it a taller screen, and an even taller screen. So how can we make this better? We want to make it smaller,” Jobs explained.
“The only way to make it smaller, and that’s to eliminate the click wheel, and the only way to do that is to add multi-touch. And that’s what we’ve done: the new iPod nano has multi-touch. It’s very tiny. It’s amazing and super easy to use.”
So what are we looking at for the new Nano?
• A multitouch interface.
• 46% smaller footprint
• A clip, which means no more armbands for users
• Volume buttons and VoiceOver
• An FM Radio, Nike+ Pedometer
• Playlist navigation similar to an iPhone or iPod Touch.
• Screen orientation through a built-in accelerometer.
Don’t expect apps besides what are baked in though. It doesn’t appear the new Nano uses it.
The new Nano will be out today in the same colors as the new Shuffle, and will sell for $149 for an 8GB model, $179 for the 16GB.
Here comes the iPod Touch.
[Image via Gizmodo]
Steve Jobs just preceded his announcement of a new Shuffle by acknowledging Apple’s failures with the last model. It is not a touchscreen. It’s a return to the previous generation, but even cheaper!
“Let’s start off with the shuffle… it was based on the idea that shuffling was a really good way to listen to music,” said Jobs. (No, it isn’t.)
He continued: “We removed the buttons and added VoiceOver and Playlists. People clearly miss the buttons.” (Well, yeah, because now they are part of the easily broken earbuds.
“So what are we going to do? The new iPod shuffle. It’s got buttons and VoiceOver and playlists. Of course it’s got the clip, and it’s got some great features. It’s small and wearable, it’s got those easy to use buttons, it’s got playlists, we’re adding Genius mixes, and, of course, VoiceOver.”
$49 for 2GB in four colors. Looks like the touchscreen is destined for the Nano!
[Image via GDGT]
The iPhone’s strong nod to photography just got more emphatic with the introduction of HDR in today’s iOS 4.1 update.
HDR, or High Dynamic Range, combines the best parts of an underexposed image with the best parts of an overexposed image — so it’s really three images in one.
The results can be stunning, and up till now the effect was only available on the iPhone through third-party apps. It’s another sign that the iPhone is more than just a photographic toy, and it’s a big deal that Apple saw fit to include it in iOS 4.1.
Another new feature coming to the iPad with iOS 4.2 is AirPlay. But what is it? It’s an update to Airtunes that supports more than just music. It does all your media
“Now, what is AirPlay? You know what AirTunes is… listen to music from all over your house from your mobile device,” said Jobs. We’re changing the name of AirTunes to AirPlay, and it’s not just music anymore. You can stream all kinds of media anywhere in your house.”
It’ll come to the iPad and hopefully other iOS devices in November.
[Image via GDGT]
If you noticed anything about 4.1, it’s that the iPad wasn’t supported.
Well, don’t fret. Steve Jobs just assured us that the iPad’s getting an iOS 4 update… but it’s coming with 4.2.
“It’s bringing everything to iPad. Multitasking, Game Center, HDR photos, everything you saw is coming to iPad. We’re adding wireless printing…” says Jobs. “It also adds a little thing called AirPlay which we’ll talk about in a sec.”
Is this the future of iOS releases? One staggered to the iPhone and iPod Touch, the next for iPad?
[Image via GDGT]
As we’ve long suspected from the beta iOS SDKs, Apple has just announced that they will be releasing iOS 4.1 today.
What’s new? The proximity sensors have been fixed, against earlier reports. Bluetooth is fixed, as well as the iPhone 3G slowness issues.
There’s also now baked-in support for HDR photos.
“Let’s start off with HDR photos, what are they? A lot of times when you take a photo, it’s blown out with bright light. Now, when you turn on HDR, it takes 3 photos in rapid succession: one normal, one under exposed, and one under exposed. It combines the three with some pretty sophisticated algorithms…” says Jobs.
Even better, you now get HD video upload over WiFi, obviating recent apps that got around the iOS’ compression issues.
Game Center is also finally coming to iOS, after being teased since the iPhone 4’s debut. Your iPhone just got its Xbox Live.
[Image via GDGT]
In today’s deal highlights, we focus on the iPad and iPhone. First up is a free business and finance app for your iPad, including “Pocket MBA – 101 Financial Solutions Course.” Next is the latest round of free iPhone applications, such as “Palm Heroes.” Finally, there is a two-year SquareTrade warranty for your iPhone. The $93.75 warranty goes beyond AppleCare to provide protection for spills and drops.
Along the way, we’ll check out other iPhone software, cases and a deal on an 8GB iPod touch. As always, details on these and many other items are available at CoM’s “Daily Deals” page after the jump.
Now Steve Jobs is giving us an update on states. These usually come before the actual product and software announcements.
What’s the update?
• Over 120 million iOS devices shipped
• Over 230,000 new iOS activations per day.
• 200 Apps Downloaded Per Second.
• Over 250,000 Apps in The App Store, with 25,000 being iPad Apps.
• 120 million iOS devices shipped.
• 6.5 Billion downloads from the App Store.
And now… here comes the details about iOS 4.1.
[Image via GDGT]
Most Apple events kick off with some bluster, and Steve’s holding suit with some bragging about Apple’s new retail stores located in further-off climes.
First off, their new Shanghai Store, which took 18 months to restore with a 40-foot high glass cylinder made in single pieces of glass. “That’s a landmark in glass engineering,” says Apple.
Next, the new London Covent Garden Store, which was Apple’s 300th. And soon: Spain.
All in all, Apple Stores are drawing in over 1 Million Visitors a day. The Apple Store is a phenomenon with a bigger populace than some nations.
[Image via GDGT]
Looking robust, Steve Jobs has just taken the stage at the Yuerba Buena Center — exactly on time — to announce this year’s new iPod models.
What to expect? A new iPod Touch boasting a Retina Display and A4 CPU, most likely. A new touchscreen Shuffle. The possibility of a new, rebranded AppleTV called the iTV. And maybe — just maybe — iTunes in the cloud.
What do you think the next hour will reveal?
[Image via GDGT]
Apple is live-streaming today’s big announcement, so you’ll be able to see the new iPod firsthand. The link isn’t live yet, but should be soon — Apple takes the stage at 10 a.m. Pacific time.
Here’s the link: https://events.apple.com.edgesuite.net/1009qpeijrfn/event
Update: It’s now live!
ABC Disney and Fox have given Apple a ‘go’ signal on a plan to sell 99-cent episodes via iTunes. However, the agreement is limited and is being labeled as “experimental.” The limited agreement is expected to be announced Wednesday, alongside a redesigned $99 Apple TV as part of a media event called by the Cupertino, Calif. company.
The Wall Street Journal, citing “people familiar with the matter,” reports Fox has agreed to offer Apple shows it “both produces and airs,” including series such as “Bones” and “Glee.” The limitation is in light of concern some networks have expressed that the 99-cent pact could hurt lucrative re-run agreements.
Startled by the rumors that Apple intends to launch its own streaming television today the rest of the industry is already reacting: Sony intends on launching its own music and video subscription service tonight.
According to a report by the Financial Times, Sony’s new service will launch on its PlayStation 3 video game console at first, and then gradually creep out to other Sony-brand, internet-connected devices like Sony Walkman players, Vaio computers, Bravia TVs and even Sony Ericsson mobile phones.
Sony’s not the only one setting up shop with a streaming media subscription service: Amazon is also apparently inking some deals right now to allow it to stream television shows and movies, speaking with NBC Universal, Time Warner, News Corp and Viacom.
It certainly seems like other companies think Apple’s got a big announcement up their sleeves for later today, and are scrambling to catch up.
[via 9to5Mac]
What with the contentious relationship between Intel and Apple, you’d think Apple CEO Steve Jobs wouldn’t be pleased about the chip giant acquiring Infineon’s wireless business, the firm that supplies baseband chips for the iPhone. However, Intel’s CEO says Jobs was overjoyed at the news.
“Steve was very happy,” Intel CEO Paul Otellini said in a Fox Business TV interview. There were a number of companies competing for [Infineon’s wireless unit]. I think they [Apple] are very happy Intel won the bid.” Tuesday we reported Intel acquired Infineon for $1.4 billion.
Here’s a rumor that has my heart leaping in my chest: later today, Apple intends to offer the option of 3G with their fourth-gen iPod Touches.
According to the rumor, the new iPod Touches would have the option of 3G, similar to the iPad. For users willing to pay a hundred dollars more for their Touch, it would come with a built-in tray for a 3G micro-SIM.
I can’t tell you how onboard with this rumor I am. While I’ve debated whether or not a retina display and FaceTime would be enough to get me to upgrade my third-gen iPod Touch, the addition of 3G to the fourth-gen would be enough for me to dump my iPhone for good. Who needs it when you’ve got 3G, a multitasking operating system like iOS 4 and a SkypeOut account?
We’re only four hours away from knowing the truth. Right now, I’d say that I think 3G is on the iPod Touch roadmap eventually, but perhaps not today. I think a lot will rest on whether or not the next iPod Touch gains any thickness. It looks like Apple already intends on cramming two cameras into the iPod Touch, which is already a miraculous spatial trick: getting a 3G radio in there without increasing the device footprint would be a design miracle.
httpvhd://www.youtube.com/watch?v=z8dJSquyUl0&feature=player_embedded
Got an old lamp-style iMac sitting dusty and unused since you first swooned over it back in 2003? Gut it, install a Larson Scanner Kit into the base and plop it on your head and you’re ready to attend your next Halloween party as… well.. take your pick? iMaCylon? Cyclops from the OS X-Men?
[via Technabob]
