Apple Releases iTunes 10

Courtesy of Apple

Apple has released iTunes 10.  iTunes 10 adds TV show rentals, improved syncing, support for the new Apple TV and iTunes Ping.  iTunes Ping is Apple's new social media component that allows users to follow their favorite artists and friends.

Unfortunately, Apple still has not given users wireless syncing.  Additionally, if your iOS device is jailbroken, do not upgrade to iTunes 10 until the jailbreak community sounds the "all clear".

Apple Announces New Apple TV

Courtesy of Apple

As rumored, Apple announced a new version of the Apple TV.  The new player is about a fourth of the size as the previous version.  Apple chose to replace the Intel processor in the old version with an Apple A4 chip.  Internal storage has been removed from the device in favor of streaming media from the Internet, computer, or iOS device via AirPlay.  AirPlay will allow you to stream your content directly to the Apple TV from an iOS device.

While I am happy that Apple finally updated their "hobby" media device, other devices such as the WDTV Live provide more features for the price including the ability to connect external hard drives via USB and support for a large amount of video codecs.  If this device is for you, it is available to preorder now and will ship in approximately 4 weeks.

Specs:

• 0.9" x 3.9"


• 0.6 lbs


• Apple A4 processor


• 802.11 b/g/n


• 10/100 ethernet


• Netflix & Youtube streaming


• Streaming from Mac or PC


• HDMI


• Optical audio


• Micro USB port (service & support only)


• AirPlay


• $99US

Apple Updates All Current iPod Models

Courtesy of Apple

Today, Apple updated their lineup of iPods.  The iPod Shuffle was given its buttons back, the iPod nano lost its click wheel & camera, and the iPod Touch gained cameras for video and FaceTime calls.



 



iPod Touch Specs:

• 4.4" x 2.3"


• 3.56 oz


• 3.5" display @ 960 x 640 resolution, 326ppi


• Front & rear cameras for taking video & FaceTime calls


• Three-axis gyro sensor added


• Up to 40 hours of audio & 7 hours of video playback on a single charge


• 8GB - $229US, 32GB - $299US, 64GB - $399US

 



iPod nano Specs:

• 1.48" x 1.61"


• .74 oz


• 1.54" touch screen


• Built in clip


• FM Radio


• Nike +


• Up to 24 hours of playback on a single charge


• 8GB - $149US    16GB -  $179US 

iPod Shuffle Specs:

• 1.14" x 1.24"


• .44 oz


• Control buttons are back!


• Built in clip


• VoiceOver


• Playlist support


• Up to 15 hours of playback on a single charge


• Available in 5 colors


• 2GB - $49US

The iPod Classic was not mentioned today.  Since Steve Jobs said Apple was updating all of their iPods today, this model may be on its way out.  The only thing I found disappointing today was the lack of increased storage.  It has been at least 2 years since there has been any increase in storage capacity on iPod models.

Apple To Provide Live Video Stream Of Tomorrow's Event

Apple has announced that they will be providing a live video stream of tomorrow's event.  The stream can be viewed on Apple.com at 10a PT / 1p ET.  To view the video, you will need to have a Mac running OS 10.6 or an iOS device with version 3.0 or higher.

USA Today Restructuring; Shifting Focus To Digital Distribution

The Associated Press reports newspaper USA Today will be restructured to focus more on digital devices like the iPad and less on physical print. 

"We have to go where the audience is," Hillkirk (John Hillkirk, USA Today Editor) said. "If people are hitting the iPad like crazy, or the iPhone or other mobile devices, we've got to be there with the content they want, when they want it."

The changes will result in the loss of 9% of USA Today's current staff, approximately 130 jobs. It will be interesting to see if this newspaper can successfully migrate its business to digital distribution.  If they are successful, others should start to follow quickly.

StreamTV Elocity A7 Android Table Coming September?

Engadget has an interesting post about a new Android based tablet they had a chance to take a look at.

Specs: 

• 7" capacitive touch screen


• 1 Ghz Tegra 2 processor


• 800 x 480 resolution


• 1.3 mp front facing camera


• SD Card slot


• USB & HDMI ports


• Android 2.2 coming in October, 2.1 in September


• HDMI cable & wireless keyboard included


• Price: $399 via Amazon

This tablet sounds interesting and might be a good product, if it actually is released.  There have been plenty of table announcements with little actually making it to market.

Rumor: Apple's New iPod Nano To A Have Major Redesign?

Image via AppleInsider

Rumors have been swirling around the Internet about the design of the iPod nano. AppleInsider published a story stating the new nano will resemble an iPod shuffle instead of a nano.  They believe the nano will loose its click wheel and the screen will be replaced with a 3cm x 3cm touch screen.  This is the same screen that appeared earlier this year and every rumor site has been trying to find product for it to go in (the previous rumor was a new remote for the AppleTV).

We'll see if this rumor is true this Wednesday, September 1st at Apple's media event.  I'm not sure how usable this form factor would be.  Keep checking Digital Copy Room for more updates.