Apple Reporter

Apple announced several additions to the iPod, iPhone and iTunes today at a news conference in Cupertino.

iPods 

The iPod Shuffle retains its storage capacity but ads several new colors.  Price remains $79.

The completely redesigned iPod Nano loses its tall slender look in favor of a short version of the classic iPod, but adds a 2″ screen for watching videos and sharing photos.  Nano also adds cover flow, a popular feature on recent versions of iTunes and the iPhone, enabling users to flip through images of their iTunes cover artwork. Both 4Gig and 8Gig options are available at $149 and $199, respectively.

The 6th Generation iPod, now called iPod Classic offers a smoother design and dramatically increased storage.  The iPod Classic is now available in 80Gig and 160Gig versions, which hold up to 40,000 songs and up to 250 hours of video.  It seems that it will not be long before an iPod that holds the entire iTunes library is introduced. I’d love to hear from any reader who has actually filled a 20Gig iPod with music, let alone 160Gig.  Prices for the 80Gig and 160Gig versions are $249 and $349, respectively.

For everyone who wanted an iPhone for everything but the phone (myself included), the wait is over.  iPod Touch offers many of the same features of the iPhone: touchscreen iPod, brilliant 3.5 inch diagonal screen, video capabilities for movies and TV shows (although not any from NBC), and, most importantly, WiFi access.  The built in Safari browser allows users to access full web pages and web services.

iPhone

The wait is over - for an iPhone price reduction and storage increase.  There is something to be said about being the first to own an iPhone, and I have drooled in envy for every one I have had the opportunity to play around with.  But I knew why I was waiting.  The updated iPhone increases minimum storage capacity from 4Gig to 8Gig, and reduces the price a whopping $200 from $599 to $399.  Take this into consideration:  Apple’s buzz campaign for the iPhone, which began in January and culminated in June with the release of the device netted Apple an extra $200 million in margins.  Not bad. They were obviously able to sell the device for the lower price at launch, but chose to milk the “early adopter” craze of mobile phone contract-breakers, gadget freaks, and even people who didn’t know what the iPhone did - but had to have one anyway.  That strategy paid off, big.

iTunes

The iTunes WiFi Store was launched today, enabling iPhone or iPod Touch users to access over 6 million songs from any WiFi connection.  Users can browse the iTunes catalog, listen to 30 second previews, and purchase and download songs to their device.

Posted by Leigh Fatzinger On Message Blog 

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