09/01/10 Apple Keynote: A complete review of the day’s announcements
September 1, 2010 - By Justin E. Gehrke
This afternoon, Apple CEO Steve Jobs briefed the world on the highly anticipated new offerings and changes from what can only be described as one of the most closely watched tech companies in the world. A slew of big tech sites, from Gizmodo to Engadget and Ars Technica to SlashGear, provided blow-by-blow coverage to make sure technophiles around the world were in the know, nearly as quickly as the words left Jobs’ mouth.
Jobs started things off with an update on retail stores. He mentioned the fact that the Paris, London, and China Apple Stores have expanded the franchise up to 300, in ten different countries around the world. After that, he quickly dove into an update regarding iOS. Boasting 120 million iOS devices as being delivered to customers, to date, he said that up to 230,000 iOS devices are being activated daily. Jobs also added that 200 iOS apps are downloaded every second, representing a total of 6.5 billion apps downloaded to date. From there, he jumped into the highly anticipated updates and new toys that users have come to expect. You know you’re curious, so go ahead and read on!
iOS 4.1 Update for iPhone and iPod Touch
Of course, what would an Apple Keynote be without something new? Jobs took the opportunity to unveil iOS 4.1, which is slated for delivery next week for the iPhone and iPod Touch. Added to the already solid iOS are new features like High Dynamic Range (HDR) photography capability, HD video upload over WiFi, and TV rentals. The HDR photography capability is an interesting one, since it claims to take three separate photos (highlights, shadows and midranges), which are then combined instantaneously to make a single HD photo.
To top off the list, the all-new Game Center was introduced. Designed to allow for true multi-player gaming with iOS 4.1 devices, Game Center allows player to receive invitations from friends or be automatically matched with other gamers, from around the world. Standard multiplayer features that gamers have come to expect from traditional gaming consoles are also part of the package.
iOS 4.2 with Multitasking for iPad
Jobs then dove right into a sneak peek at iOS 4.2 for iPad. Right out of the box, he came out swinging by announcing that wireless printing is finally a reality for the iPad. He also described a new feature called AirPlay, which replaces the previously dubbed AirTunes. It will allow users to stream photos, video and audio over WiFi to their Apple devices. Of course, the iPad iOS update wouldn’t be complete without adding multitasking, and thankfully, Apple didn’t disappoint the anxious iPad owners of the world. The iOS 4.2 update for iPad is slated for release in November of this year.
The All-New iPod Nano Touch
Reminding the crowd that this Keynote is really a music event, Jobs announced that, after selling more than 275 million iPods to date, Apple will release new versions for every model in the iPod lineup. Giving a short history of the evolution of the iPod Nano, Jobs set the stage for showing the first pics of the all-new iPod Nano. Citing it as still being “small” and “super easy to use”, Jobs explained that the device is actually 46% smaller and 42% lighter than the previous generation. The touch interface is also complimented by a built-in clip, hard buttons to control volume, voice over capability, and integrated FM radio, Nike+, and a pedometer. Interestingly, if you clip on the Nano upside-down, a two-finger swipe will rotate the display screen for the user. Color offerings will include the traditional iPod Shuffle colors, as well as Graphite and Red versions. The 8GB version will retail for $149, while the 16GB version will set you back $179.
The All-New iPod Touch
Calling it the “iPhone without the phone”, Jobs cited impressive statistics like the fact that the iPod Touch has outsold combined totals for similar offerings from Nintendo and Sony. He also reported that the device holds more than 50% of the market share for portable devices of its kind.
So what are the new features? First of all the device is thinner. It also packs in the Retina Display made famous by the iPhone 4, which includes 4 times the pixels of the previous generation. The addition of the 3-axis Gyro, HD video recording, and….you guessed it….front facing camera for the FaceTime crowd. The new iPod Touch will come with iOS 4.1 (including the new Game Center) and be available for pre-order now and for sale in stores beginning next week. How much will the new iPod Touch set you back? Pricing is set at $229 (8GB), $299 (32GB) and $399 (64GB).
The All-New iTunes 10
To visually represent the significant changes in iTunes 10 software, Apple has changed the logo entirely. Changes to the aesthetics of the software will include easier viewing options for users. This includes a new “hybrid view” that places an album art to the left with the included songs in a list view to the right. In a move to make iTunes more social, Apple has added a feature called Ping. Calling it a “social nework for music”, Jobs explained that it could be considered a marriage between Facebook and Twitter, within the iTunes house.
Ping will show a user’s recent activity if they choose to share it. Like Twitter, you can follow friends, who in turn, can follow you. Most importantly, you’ll be following each other’s listening habits. Your friends will be able to then preview the music you’ve been listening to, in order to see if they want to buy it for their own collection. In a nutshell, Ping will allow for social music discovery, posting of opinions and reviews, customized song/album charts, concert listings and plans to attend them, amongst the more than 160 million iTunes users around the world.
Ping will be available for the Mac OS X lineup, as well as on the iPhone and iPod Touch. Jobs summarized Ping and its potential by letting users know that iTunes 10 will be available for download beginning today.
The All-New Apple TV
From the iPod Touch, Jobs moved into a discussion of the Apple TV. Specifically, he mentioned the fact that the device hasn’t been a big hit, since its introduction in September 2006. He did say that users who have them seem to love them very much. The lessons learned since the device’s release appear to be of great importance to Apple. Jobs stated that users don’t want “a computer on their TV”. Moreover he said their desire is for uncomplicated, easy to find and use, and cost-effective entertainment in the form of television shows and movies.
On that note, Jobs unveiled the all-new Apple TV. Smaller, flatter, and matte-black in color, the new Apple TV will include ethernet and Wi-Fi connectivity, plus a HDMI connection and a remote whose design is more in keeping with Apple’s sleek and modern image. The big difference between previous and next generation models is that all content is rented. Purchase are a thing of the past and no syncing is necessary. Additionally, if HD is available, that’s what the consumer will be able to rent, without a difference in price.
Citing the fact that many consumers said $2.99 television shows were too expensive, Jobs unveiled the long-rumored arrangement between ABC and Fox, which will allow users to rent commercial-free shows for just $0.99. HD movie rentals will cost $4.99. The new Apple TV will also stream content from your computer, allow for browsing of YouTube, viewing of Netflix movies, as well as connecting to flickr and MobileMe accounts.
One of the potential advantages we picked up on is that streaming rentals, instead of actually downloading them, will make the experience more like that to which Netflix customers are accustomed. This means the stream will buffer enough to allow viewing to begin and ensure viewing continues in a lag-free manner. Unfortunately, one of the changes that would have been nice is the lengthening of the rental period. Based on the screencap provided by Engadget, users will still have 30 days to begin watching the rental but must finish it within 48-hours of beginning to view it.
Returning back to AirPlay, Jobs also provided a demonstration of how streaming content on an iPad can be pushed to the Apple TV. This essentially means you could begin watching a movie on your iPhone or iPad and, upon returning home from your commute, push it to the Apple TV, in order to finish it. The all-new, redesigned Apple TV will retail for $99. Yes, you read that correctly. While the previous generation Apple TV set you back $299, this one is, indeed, only $99. Scheduled to go on sale in four weeks, the new Apple TV will be available for pre-order beginning today.
Wrapping up the Apple-y goodness
The Apple Keynote “Music Event” wrapped up with a live performance by Coldplay’s Chris Martin. Of course, the crowd went wild. We’re sure someone used Screenflow to record it and will be kind enough to upload it to YouTube very soon.
Returning the focus to where it belongs, though, today’s Keynote saw the unveiling of iOS 4.2, new iPod Touches, iTunes 10, and a newly-redesigned Apple TV. The offerings pretty much run the gamut of tastes for most technophiles. If you can’t find something in there to get excited about, you may need to turn in your geek credentials….or at least lower your expectations. After all, even Apple can’t change things again everyday, right?
If you’d like to see some great screencaps from the liveblog, head on over to Engadget. You won’t be disappointed with the images that back up the cool stuff you’ve read about here.
