Another Apple product release, a lot of excitement for some and a let down for others.
So, in summary:
- updated iPod – despite rumours of a widescreen, touchscreen blah blah, the “classic” iPod got an improved screen and battery life, and a 20G capacity bump. (see also Cnet review)
- new iPod Nanos in coloured aluminium (reminiscent of the iPod Mini), now up to 8G (in black only) (another Cnet review)
- a redesigned iPod Shuffle – 1G, this thing is tiny.
- new version of iTunes, moves from version 6 to 7. More on this below. Features detailed at TUAW 1 and 2.
- full length movie downloads via iTunes. For Australian readers this is a yawn. We still don’t have downloadable TV Shows in iTunes AU like iTunes US. I suspect there is less of an obstacle for movies to appear in iTunes AU than TV shows. For TV shows the problem is the local TV networks – when they purchase a TV show, they purchase rights for length of time, not a single showing (hence endless CSI re-runs). Whereas with movies, once a movie is on DVD… – the only people complaining would be the retailers. Jobs apparently said they are hoping to have movies available in iTunes internationally in 2007. Does “internationally” mean the UK or Europe or further afield… who knows?
- Codename “iTV”, yet to be released, my understanding is that this device will be a “media connector” – making the connection between your PC/MAC and entertainment system. So, unlike a “media centre” in that it won’t record TV for example. However, probably cheaper and you could leave the TV recording function to the PC or MAC. Specs listed at ZDNet, images at iLounge and Gizmodo.
iTunes 7 brings another interface change (comments as theappleblog). One nice feature is “Coverflow”, the ability to flick through your library by Album Artwork. Some buttons have moved (e.g. the Podcast update button) , some buttons have gone. Links: A dissection of the new iTunes UI (via MacUser).
A button that has gone, and is highly annoying, is the EQ. I liked the ability, when listening to a podcast, to quickly pull up the EQ and turn on the “Spoken Word” setting. This made some podcasts more intelligible at low volume. Not only has the button been removed, but there is no keyboard shortcut for it (a pain).
One simple addition is the ability in the Podcast section to keep “All unplayed episodes” – however, I expected this to remove episodes I hadn’t downloaded as well as those I had listened to. However, playing this afternoon, it didn’t seem to do anything.
Good point about the
Hey i will say this, i am interested in the 8gb nano but $380 is just to much… same price as the 30gb video i know comparing these is a little like chalk and cheese but it makes me not want to buy either. Just downloaded itunes 7 on my mac as well and i am impressed very very slick interface and runs so much better on the mac than pc. The album artwork thingy is something that i always wanted and the sidebar now makes much more sense, most of my album artwork has been found so that is cool as well.