Software: iOS

Just like with ever keynote and conference that Steve does they open up ever segment of the announcements with mind boggling examples about how successful their products and services. So lets start with the changes to the software/firmware that Apple produces for its mobile “iDevices”, aka iOS. For the first time Apple announced a almost “plan” for iOS, announcing two updates just at different times and with different features. iOS 4.1 is going to introduce updates and bug fixes like iPhone 3G performance issues, proximity sensor issues for the iPhone 4 and so on including HDR enhanced photos for all devices, including the camera-less iPad. After a long wait for the “Game Center” which was originally announced at the first iOS 4 event. So the next firmware update they announced was iOS 4.2, which is going o be, as Steve said, “all about the iPad”. Features like wireless printing and AirPlay. iOS 4.2 will be available in November.

iPod shuffle

After going over some more mind boggling stats Steve got down to business, starting with the new iPod Shuffle. Getting rid of the previous moderately disliked headphone controls and microscopic device, they decided to bring back the on-device controls. They will come in 5 colors, see on the left, and will be only $49 USD for a 2gb version.

iPod nano

Steve went on to the next device update the, iPod nano. He compared the previous iPod models showing how each one advanced a little and kind of giving a past “mission statement” one what they were trying to do with the iPod nano. He got to the last two generations and showed how the screens had gotten bigger, and said the only way to make it better was to get rid of the click wheel, hence making the screen a touch screen, but not just a touch screen an multi-touch screen. Giving it a almost iOS feel, yet dropping previous features like the camera.

iPod touch

The first thing they said about the iPod touch was they made it even more thin… My first though.. iPod touch 5 “now paper thin”. Bit without taking it to extremes they made it look even more sleek. They also added Facetime functionality with front AND back facing cameras, with the HD video functionality for the back facing camera. They also added the amazing Retina display, a gyro, and the Apple A4 processor! Now one of the stats that blew me away was that they have more gaming device sales than both Sony and Nintendo COMBINED!

Apple TV

Yes, its still called the Apple TV. Yet you will never be able to get the new design out of your head or your living room, for that matter. Now the best part about it, the price point, $99 for this device. It has integration with NETFLIX® and other service, including the ability to watch YouTube videos in HD. Also it has the ability to view photos and videos from not only Apple’s MobileME but Flickr. It comes with the normal, recently updated Apple Aluminum Remote. But it also has the ability to be controlled through an iPhone or iPod touch application. Also Apple lowered the prices of show rentals from 2.99 to 99 cents.

iTunes 10

The last update is another software one. So now that we have all these cool devices we are going to need a new update to use them and put our content on them, and iTunes 10 is the answer to that! Besides compatibility it also has been given a little bit of a interface revamp, as well as a new icon, with a story behind it. The story is that soon iTunes with overcome CD sales, so they got rid of the CD in there icon. That’s still not all, they also introduced a new service called Ping, that will be built into iTunes 10. Ping allows artists to be able to post concert dates, new songs, as well as pictures and videos of their tours and events. It also allows for general users to, in a Twitter fashion, follow artists and receive those updates. As well as users to post what songs they have purchased and to comment on artist, and friends posts.