Today’s announcement yielded some might nice things for the iPod. Here is a quick break down:
- Reworked version of iTunes. Who didn’t see that one coming?
- Ringtones, iPhone Style, packaged with new iTunes.
- Refresh for the Shuffle— New colors!
- New Nanos! More pixels, more colors, new games, iPhone inspired interface.
- Regular iPod renamed iPod Classic.
- New iPod Touch — It looks like an iPhone, has a touchscreen like an iPhone, but brother, it’s an iPod. Oh yeah, it has Wi-Fi too.
- Speaking of iPhone — Massive price drop. Was $599. Now $399.
- Partnership with Starbucks — Free access to iTunes music store at all Starbucks locations…eventually.
- Beatles Catalog — No announcement. Steve is such a tease!
As soon as the Apple Event video for today is up I will update this article with a link. You can find an awesome Live Blog account of the even at Wired’s Gadget Lab (run down above via them).
Update: You can now watch the keynote for today’s Special Event!
5 Comments
I just can’t decide how I feel about these changes. I personally really liked the previous colors that they had on the Nanos and Shuffles and I was really hoping that they would have brought those to the Video iPod (Classic now). While I like the iPod Touch, it is a lot of money for 16gb. I feel like it would be more worth it to just commit and buy an iPhone at that point. I agree that people don’t need 160gb for their iPods, and I’d be fine with 16 (hell I’m happy with my 2gb Nano), but it just seems it’s not quite up there for me in features/cost. I honestly think if I was going to spend that much money, I might as well shell out a bit more for the iPhone and get rid of my cell. Especially since they dropped the iPhone prices. Mmmmm…iPhone.
Oh…and i forgot to say that I really don’t like the new look of the Nanos…they are short and squat and stumpy looking, kinda like me. I prefer the slender, taller collection; I like contrast in my life, what can I say.
Here are some of my thoughts:
1. Honestly as far as the colors go, I think I like the Product(RED) line the best for all the iPods. I just think it looks sharp.
2. Seeing the new iPod nanos at first was hard. but after thinking about the new design I understand why they have been made this way. I mean the previous design for watching videos was impossible. So they had compensate for the larger screen. This is probably a product that looks better in person.
3. Size, well this doesn’t matter at all to me. I have an iPod Shuffle and it is only 1GB. I don’t see a reason on carrying around your entire music collection on a portable player. Even if you wanna ague about movies now I think if you are spending any kind of significant time watching videos than just get a laptop or a portable DVD player.
4. Ok, here is the big one. The iPod Touch. I think this is an awesome idea for those who don’t want the phone capabilities. Even so with the iPod Touch having wireless you could probably get chat via Meebo,, and perhaps a version of Skype going. it is a cheaper alternative despite the iPhone’s price drop. I don’t see this as a bad move.
Well, there are the few things I wanted spew out. All in all I am not disappointed about the event.
I understand the logic behind the redesign of the Nano as well. And the thought also crossed my mind that it might look better in person. Overall though I still don’t really care for the new look, but then again I had never wanted video for my Nano, so there wasn’t any desire for a redesign on my part.
As for the iPod Touch, I think it depends on the individual’s circumstances. For me, if I were to weigh my options between a Touch and an iPhone, I would go the iPhone and just shell out the $399 for the iPhone and drop my current service (actually i’d prolly wait til my contract was up). I mean it may only have half the gb that the Touch for that price has, but going skype or meebo isn’t practical for me (that recquires too much training of my parents to do) and since I have a phone with a plan for 59.99/mnth anyway, it’s not much of a change. I think I paid around $100-$150 out of pocket for my phone I have now and that was after getting some discounts and stuff…anyway, I feel like I’m rambling and not being very concise in my point. Damn my inarticulateness…so I’ll shut up now. :)
I think you misunderstood my comment about the iPod Touch as well as a few misunderstandings about Skype.
You are arguing about your own situation, which I understand as far as iPhone vs. a new iPod goes. But I was talking about the iPod Touch being a good deal for those who didn’t already have an iPod (like yourself) and didn’t need a phone.
Skype has calling capabilities to and from a regular number. So retraining anyone isn’t necessary except maybe yourself. Everyone calls us through a completely normal land line number. So your parents or anyone else wouldn’t see any difference in the way they contact you.
I don’t particular think any of this is good arguing ground only because you already have a new cell phone and an iPod Nano. So perhaps points and feeling are a bit skewed.