Apple Unveils New iPods, Ping, Revamped iTunes and Apple TV

The new iPod Nano screens.

Steve Jobs took the stage in San Francisco today to unveil the latest Apple products and upgrades, including new version of iTunes and an updated version of Apple TV. Let’s get right to the goodies….

iOS 4.1 for iPhone:

• More than 120 million Apples devices shipped using the mobile operating system, with 230,000 new activations per day and customers downloading 200 apps every second from a library consisting of 250,000 apps.
• Apple has fixed bugs with the new iOS4.1 to be released next week. The upgrade includes “High Dynamic Range” (HDR), which is an exposure compensation mechanism that assists the iPhone in taking better-exposed photos. There’s a new multi-player game center that allows you to play games remotely with friends.

iPad iOS 4.2 for iPad:

• Steve Jobs gave a preview of the next iOS version 4.2 for the iPad, which includes multi-tasking, wireless printing, and a Wi-Fi feature called AirPlay that allows user to play music throughout your house and stream videos and photos via a Wi-Fi connection.
• iOS 4.2 for the iPad will be available in November.
  

  Steve Jobs displays the new line of iPods.

iPods:

• The biggest change in the iPod line of products yet.
• iPod Shuffle – Jobs explained: “People clearly miss the buttons.” So, they’ve brought back the buttons. The Shuffle’s been downsized, includes playlists that will “speak through” with a VoiceOver feature that gives the user information on the song/artist/album they are listening to, and also warns you when the device needs to be re-charged. 15 hours of songs. Price: $49.
• iPod Nano – Bigger screen with better resolution, but the device has become small because they eliminated the clickwheel. The Nano now has multi-touch functionality. Battery capacity up to 24 hours, 46% small and 42% lighter in weight. It’s so small, you hold the device between your thumb and forefinger. Price: $149 for 8GB and $179 for 16GB version.
• iPod Touch – The new iPod Touch is thinner, includes the Retina Display found on iPhone 4 and has the Apple A4 chip along with the 3-axis gyro. There’s also a front-facing camera and FaceTime to accent the rear-facing HD camera. Capacity for 40 hours of music playback. Price: $229 for 8GB, $299 for 32GB and $399 for 64GB.

iTunes Version 10:

• New look and logo without the familiar CD.

PING – iTunes Social Network:

• Interlaced with iTunes 10, where you can follow friends, artists and generate custom charts that show what people you follow are downloading.
• Jobs calls it “social music discovery.”
• Selection of privacy settings.
• Launched live today to 160 million iTunes users and already includes 17,000 concert listings.
• PING works on iPhone, iPod Touch and the PC.
  

  The smaller/newer Apple TV shown in comparison to the larger/older model.

Apple TV:

• Not a big hit with consumers in the 4 years since it was initially launched.
• Smaller size (a quarter of the previous size).
• WiFi capability with a new longer aluminum remote, but still no keyboard.
• No storage since the device now allows for rentals only instead of purchases.
• Boasting the largest library of HD movies in the world as soon as they are released on DVD, movie rentals will cost $4.99 and television show rentals will be 99 cents per episode. Only ABC and Fox have signed on to the new service.
• Watch Netflix streaming movies in HD.
• With the new AirPlay wi-fi streaming feature, you can stream shows and movies directly from your iPad to your TV. As Jobs explained, “You’re going to be able to be watching a movie on your iPad, walk into your living room, push a button, and watch the rest on your Apple TV.”
• The old price of $229 has been significantly reduced down to $99.
• The device will be available in four weeks and pre-orders are accepted as of today.

Overall, I am impressed with the new iPods, newer versions of the operating system, and I believe PING will be a great hit with consumers. However, I think Apple missed the boat on Apple TV by going in reverse with the features and capability instead of improving upon the older model. Let’s face it, why would I pay 99 cents for a television show in this age of DVRs?