Apple Special Event

Apple today debuted new video iPods, iPod nanos, iPod shuffle, and iTunes software at its special event in San Francisco. Apple CEO Steve Jobs debuted new video iPods with capacities of 60GB ($250) and 80GB ($350), offering new headphones, "gapless" playback, longer battery life of 3.5 and 6.5 hours (respectively)--up from the previous two-hour video playback support in previous generation iPod video. The new iPods also feature 60 percent brighter screens and support new games, which will be available from iTunes store for $5. The iPod software features instant searching functions as well as new games, including Bejeweled, Mahjong, Mini golf, Pac Man, Tetris, Texas Hold'em, and more. Apple also introduced new iPod nanos in three different capacities and different colors: 2GB ($149, silver only), 4GB ($199, green, silver, black, blue, pink), and 8GB ($249, black only). The new iPod nanos include a new charger, new armband, and a new lanyard. Apple also debuted a new 1GB iPod shuffle, featuring a metal body. Due in October, the new second-generation iPod is the size of the iPod Radio Remote.

Apple also announced new iTunes 7 software, available today from Apple, also features better interface, improved navigation, better sync functions, sync between multiple computers that are authorized, automatic download of cover art for ripped CDS, integrated iPod updater, new "cover" view that lets users "flip" through albums, and more.

Apple also debuted its movie store with 75 from Walt Disney, Pixar, Touchstone, Miramax--all of which are owned by Disney. Most titles will be available for $9.99, while new releases--available same as the DVD-- will be $12.99 for preorders and first week and then $14.99 after that. Along with all TV shows it will be available in 640x480 using H.264 codec and Dolby Surround--about four times the previous resolution. Movies, with the same usage rights as TV shows, will take about 30 minutes to download using a 5Mb/sec broadband connection and also feature parental controls using MPAA ratings. The US version of the iTunes Movie Store is available now, while the international version is expected in 2007.

by MacNN Staff