Well the moment has finally arrived, It’s Showtime!. The red carpet is unfurled and Steve Jobs is on stage in the Yerba Buena Center for Arts and Theater. The speculation can finally end.
Edit: I’m curious to hear what you all think of today’s announcements. Here is your chance to rack up some comments for our Race to 2000 in talkback. Our pictures are now added below the drop. (You can see all of them here.)
iPod–
Games for iPod cost $4
Brighter screen and longer battery life
80GB model announced
New prices start at $249
iPod Nano–
24 hour battery life
Five new colors
Up to 8GB capacity (only in black)
Prices remain the same
iPod Shuffle–
1 million sold to date
Completely redesigned
Aluminum case comes with dock
Costs $79
iTunes–
1.5 billion songs sold to date
Now fifth largest music seller in the US
iTunes 7 announced
Separate library for music, podcasts, tv, etc.
Now has auto download for album art
Old jukebox styled browsing of artwork
iTunes TV–
Have now sold 45 million TV shows
Features every major network, 220 different shows represented
Resolution now 640 x 480–4x resolution
Can now synch shows on iPod and auto remove old shows
(Michael Arrington gets escorted to the side for disturbing “civilized press”)
iTunes Movies–
Movies!
75 movies are available online today from Disney, Pixar, Touchstone and Miramax
Future releases to be available same the same day as DVD release
$12.99 first week then $14.99 afterward
Pre-ordered titles cost $12.99
640 x 480 resolution
30 minute downloads, can watch movie as it loads
Old titles $9.99
Same rights apply on movies as on TV shows
Only available in the US until 2007
Same picture-based browsing featured with album art
Mac with iTunes can now take over your living room (all your base are belong to Apple)
Films feature tons of movie data such as actor bios, etc.
(Bob Iger CEO of Disney takes stage)
iTV–
Apple has wireless set top box for TV
Working title is “iTV”
Similar to Mac Mini, but 1/2 the size
Features USB, ethernet, 802.11b/g, component video, optical audio and HDMI
Uses apple remote
Intended as a sort of ultimate media center, allows users to play movies, music, photos, etc. on TV
Works with PC or Mac
Price is $299 available in Q1 2007
One last thing–
John Legend takes stage for performance, Michael Arrington swoons, possibly faints
END