Apple\'s special event

Steve Jobs today introduced a redesigned iMac G5, new video-enabled white (shown at right) and black iPods to replace the standard white iPod, iTunes 6, and the ability to purchase hit TV shows via iTunes at his "three-act" (plus one) One More Thing presentation at the California Theater in San Jose. Available through , the new iMac G5 features a built-in iSight camera for video conferencing (with better specs than the current iSight), new PhotoBooth application for taking photos with the built-in camera, a thinner profile, and Front Row, which integrates a new 6-button remote control with software that control iTunes, iMovie, DVD playback, iPhoto, and QuickTime movie trailers. Pricing for the 17-inch (with SuperDrive) is the same at $1,299, while the 20-inch has been reduced to $1,699. Jobs also introduced the new video-enabled white and black iPod, which is signicantly thinner, features a 2.5-inch TFT color screen, offers H.264/MPEG4-based 320x240 playback at 30 fps, and dozens of extras (multiple world clock, etc.). It will be available next week in 30GB ($299) and 60GB ($399) capacities. Finally, the "third act" featured iTunes 6 (available today), which offers new features for gifting songs, customer reviews, buying music and other videos ($1.99 for song+video or $1.99 for Pixar short videos). [updated]

Jobs ended his presentation with "One More Thing": new support for purchasing Disney TV shows online. Via iTunes 6, Apple will offer five different hit shows from Disney's television channels: ABC Television's Lost, Desperate Housewives, and (new) Night Stalker shows and both 'The Suite Life of Zack and Cody' and 'that's so Raven' from The Disney Channel. Users can buy all previous episodes as well as current episodes the day after they were broadcast. The shows will be advertising free and be available in 320x240 size, which Apple said was the size of five albums and would take between 10 and 20 minutes on broadband connection). The episodes will cost $1.99 per episode for current as well as past-season episodes.

Apple said it began working on new iMac G5 the day after it introduced the original one about one year ago. The company has sold 1 million iMacs in its first year and now included a high-resolution iSight camera in the bezel above the screen. The iMac features a completely new PhotoBooth application that allows users to quickly take photos using the bezel. The application features a variety standard effects (sepia, black/white, etc.) as well as advanced effects (negative, thermal, Andy Worhol, etc.) as well as "teenager effects" that distort, stretch, and change perspective the image. Apple's new iMac is also signficantly thinner than the previous generation and also offers Front Row, a multimedia application that integrates a 6-button remote for control of all of Apple's applications, including iTunes 6 (music, music videos, and TV shows). Jobs compared the 6-button remote with other multibutton remotes, saying that it was simpler and offered a variety of functions.

The new 20-inch model, thinner than the previous 17-inch model, is available for $100 less at $1,699. The 17-inch model with SuperDrive is $1,299, the same price as the previous generation. Both include new Front Row and PhotoBooth applications as well as Apple's Mighty Mouse. They are available today from the Apple Store.

"Act Two" at Jobs' presentation introduced the new redesigned white iPod, which features a large 2.5-screen and full video support. The video-enabled white iPod was signficantly thinner than the previous 20GB model--the 30GB is about 31 percent thinner while the dual-platter 60GB is about 12 percent thinner. The iPod came with new "extras" such as multidisplay world time clock, a "combo" lock for locking the iPod to preserve contact and other data privacy, more games, and more. Each new iPod with carry case as well to protect. They will ship from Apple next week.

iTunes 6 with four new features replaces iTunes 5 which introduced only 5 weeks ago at the September special event. Jobs reiterated that iTunes has 84 percent marketshare in the US. Version 6 features new gifting features for songs, playlists, albums, and playlists. The innovative feature allows users to send music to others via a single link in an email. It features over 2000 music videos, 5 hit television shows (both current and previous episode), "Just for You" music recommendations based on your purchased music (currently in beta), and purchase music videos (from a collection of over 2000) along with the corresponding song for $1.99.

by MacNN Staff