It’s Showtime
Okay well it’s not quite 1PM EST when Apple’s “Showtime” keynote is set to take place, but it’s time to prepare your wallet for the festivities. TUAW claims to have gotten the schedule for tomorrow’s events, which includes the release of a new brushed metal encased iPod Nano, a widescreen iPod Video, iTunes 7 and Movie Store.
Unfortunately, Tuesdays are jam-packed with 90 minute classes for me, so I won’t be able to give you up-to-the-minute news. However, if you visit MacRumors and Engadget tomorrow around 1PM EST, you’ll get to be in the know as it happens. I’ve just about set aside $200 or so for the new Nano; I use mine everyday so it has taken quite a beating.
Update
Stevie J. had a fun-filled event today, that included the revamping of the iPod Nano and Video as well as the introduction of an unexpected set-top box. First off, the Nano has a new iPod Mini-esque aluminum housing in pretty much the same form factor as the current Nano. There is a 2GB Silver edition for $149, a 4GB model in Blue, Green, Pink and Silver for $199 and keeping with the whole MacBook model, an exclusive 8GB Black edition Nano for $249. The Nano also pimps a whopping 24-hour battery life, which should happily satisfy you on your flights to the other side of the world.
The regular iPod is pretty much the same, but sports a brighter screen as does the Nano, offered in 30 and 80GB versions. They go for $249 and $349 respectively. In addition, you can download games for your iPod via the iTunes Music Store, which by the way has silently been renamed to the iTunes Store, for $4.99. However, the biggest shocker of them all was the new iPod Shuffle, available in a 1GB version only. It is small coming in at under 0.60 ounces. It has an aluminum housing like the Nano, so it too qualifies for free laser engraving. The new Shuffle will only run you $79, if you can wait until it starts shipping in October.
As expected, iTunes 7 was released, supporting movie downloads that run in at 640×480 VGA resolution. Most movies will cost $9.99 going up to $14.99. I encourage you to download iTunes 7 as it is a major update in terms of UI enhancements and features.
For more info on the Apple iTV set-top box prototype check out Ryan Block’s post on Engadget.
I’m definitely looking forward to seeing what comes out. I don’t use my iPod unless I’m working out, but a new iTunes and movie store would be pretty sweet.
I’ve set some cash aside after ordering my 20″ Core 2 iMac for a new iPod, hopefully bigger than 40GB.
a new widescreen ipod sounds so sweet about now - but I was hoping to hear about an apple phone - oh well.
Widescreen ipod! I can not wait. I just hope that it isn’t dvd rental, but knowing Jobs I think iTunes users are in for a thrill.
iTunes 7! http://itunes.com
well this is all pretty exciting - I was just looking at apple insider’s list of stuff Jobs released today, but definitely some major disappointment about no widescreen pod. Do you think that was all a hoax?
No, I think we’ll still see a widescreen Ipod one day, it just makes too much sense not to.
Wow they’re going to blow the competition away for the holiday season (don’t they always?), Microsoft’s Zune doesn’t stand a chance. The new nanos are looking great, I’m looking to get one with a new MacBook Pro through Apple’s back to school promotion. The new shuffle is quite a sight to behold too.
And the iTV concept is very exciting too. That’s probably to right way to implement a media centre; people store all their media on the computer but the most convenient way of accessing it and sharing it with friends and family is through the television in the living room. Rather than trying to turn the computer into a television like Microsoft has, this brings all your media onto the one thing everyone can comfortably gather around.
Unfortunately I believe the back to school promotion ended Aug 16th or 17th.
The UK promotion ends in October, which is why I was waiting for this announcement eagerly :)
Anyone know if the Keynote is available to view online somewhere (like the one from WWDC was)?
I’d like to watch it! :P The new nano is awesome and iTunes 7 is cool, too!
~MJ
@Michael: I just tried this and it said there was too much traffic, but maybe it’ll work later
http://events.apple.com.edgesuite.net/sep_2006/event/index.html
For a moment I thought Apple had borrowed yet another idea from a Mac developer when I saw the Cover Flow feature in iTunes, but the old CoverFlow homepage says Apple bought out all the intellectual rights to the software. Good on Apple and this is great news for small time Mac developers.
I watched the key note today, it worked pretty smoothly. Its online at apple.com, I found the link on the homepage. Jobs is awesome, I have speech due tomorrow and he is actually motivation, of course if I was introducing iTunes 7 to a bunch of geeks it might be easier…
iTunes7 is still growing on me. UI is just something that’s going to be the toughest to get used to I think.
The Shuffle is great! I’m getting that very soon for gym
Dimitry
@ c. wess daniels:
I bet Apple will release a widescreen iPod right before the Zune comes out. I have a feeling that Apple will be saving it’s best for last and really put the spotlight on itself right when Microsoft wants the attention. Haha, that would be great!
Thanks for the link Paul. I’ll have to watch it tomorrow afternoon.
I am also getting used to iTunes 7. I like the new sidebar and color, but it definitely is a change. Anyone know how to use the color download thing without signing up for iTS with a CC?
~MJ
Humm, I love that new view that looks like you are flipping through a physical CD collection.