Latest Gear Live Videos
The incredibly awesome and amazing Apple Keynote
Posted by Andru Edwards Categories: Apple, Videos,
After watching the video above, we have to wonder if Apple is the ultimate master of using the power of suggestion, or if they need to use the thesaurus that’s in their Dictionary app a bit more. What say you?
Advertisement
Microsoft’s take on today’s Apple announcements
Posted by Andru Edwards Categories: Apple, Corporate News, Microsoft, Music, Portable Audio / Video, Software,
One things we’ve been wondering today, admidst all of the Apple It’s Only Rock and Roll event news, is how Microsoft was feeling, especially as it pertains to their Zune business, which is set for a major overhaul in six days. We got in contact with a Microsoft spokesperson, and asked them about what they thought of the new iPod and iTunes announcements. Here’s what they had to say:
Since our debut, Zune has offered a different kind of end-to-end digital entertainment experience that includes wireless MP3 players, a robust online store, music community and innovative software features that help users easily find the music and videos they love.
The entertainment experience for consumers hasn’t changed that much after Apple’s announcement today. Our point of view has always been that people want to be entertained, and they want a better way to watch and listen to the digital entertainment they love. We’re interested in getting you your content where you want it in rich, exciting ways. We look forward to sharing more on September 15th.
Okay, so Zune is all about music and videos - not games, video recording, and all that other stuff. We get it, and we like the focus. What we don’t like, though, is how Microsoft allowed Apple to steal their thunder by announcing the new line-up way after Microsoft announced the Zune HD, followed up by Apple launching the new iPods a week before the Zune HD hits stores.
In the meantime, if you’re a music fan looking for a new music player, we say wait until the fifteenth. What you see come out of the Zune camp may surprise you. All of you. I’ve already said too much.
iPhone OS 3.1.1 now available
Posted by Andru Edwards Categories: Apple, Smartphones, Handhelds, Software,
Amidst all the other Apple news from today’s “It’s Only Rock and Roll” music event is the fact that iPhone OS 3.1 (or, technically, 3.1.1) is now available. With it comes things like support for Genius Mixes, pre-cut ringtone downloads at $1.29 a pop, app organization support in iTunes 9, and Genius recommendations for apps. There’s also a bunch of polish, bug fixes, and ease of use features as well. Just connect your iPhone or iPod touch and check for an update.
iPod classic not dead, bumped up to 160GB
Posted by Andru Edwards Categories: Apple, Music, Portable Audio / Video,
The rumors were heavy that Apple would be axing the iPod classic since it’s the iPod that moves the least number of units across the product line. If that happened, it would have truly been the end of an era, but thankfully, the iPod classic remains alive and well. Not only that, but Apple has increase the storage on the classic from 120GB to 160GB while maintaining the same thin profile. Very nice.
You can pick up the 160GB iPod classic for $249.
Read More 
| iPod classic
Video clip of Steve Jobs hitting the stage, encourages organ donorship
Posted by Andru Edwards Categories: Apple, Corporate News, Videos,
Steve Jobs returned to the stage at today’s Apple “It’s Only Rock and Roll” music event, and received a standing ovation. He took a moment to talk about the liver transplant that he had a few months ago, and encourages people to consider becoming an organ donor. Welcome back, Steve!
iPod nano 5G: Shoots video, FM tuner with Live Pause, Pedometer (with videos!)
Posted by Andru Edwards Categories: Apple, Cameras, Portable Audio / Video,
The iPod nano got a very welcome upgrade today, with Apple integrating a camera into the device, making it the first (and only - sorry iPod touch) iPod with a built-in camera. On the lower left on back of the iPod nano sits the camera, along with speaker and microphone. The iPod nano only records video, so it doesn’t take still images, and those videos are recorded at 640x480 in H.264 up to 30fps with AAC audio. There are also 15 video effects you can apply, like Black and White, Film Grain, Thermal, X-Ray, and more.
Also making the iPod nano unique is the addition of an FM tuner, again, a first for the iPod line. Apple has even included a feature they call Live Pause, which lets you pause radio, and continue listening later. It holds a buffer of up to 15 minutes. You’ll also find a pedometer in the new nano, which works together with the built-in Nike+ integration, and a new, larger 2.2-inch screen - up from 2-inch on the previous model. We’ve got videos after the break that show off the iPod nano video camera, Genius Mix, and FM radio features.
The fifth generation iPod nano is available now at $149 for the 8GB model, and $179 for the 16GB version, and they come in nine new colors.
Read More | iPod nano
iPod touch 3rd gen: $199 8GB, $299 32GB, $399 64GB
Posted by Andru Edwards Categories: Apple, Handhelds, Music, Portable Audio / Video,
Apple has just announced the third generation of the iPod touch at their “It’s only Rock and Roll” event this morning. The first order of business is that the 8GB iPod touch is now just $199. In addition, the 32GB model will now sell for $299, and the newly announced 64GB model (which I am drooling over) will sell for $399. The iPod touch has hit that magical $199 price point, and based on that, we think Apple can expect sales to shoot even higher.
The new touches also have iPhone 3GS innards, since they support OpenGL 2.0, which means games will look and perform even better.
The negative? No camera. That is the one thing we were hoping to see added to the touch, and it didn’t happen. Oh well, there’s always next year.
iTunes 9: iTunes LP, App Arrangement, Redesigned Store
Posted by Andru Edwards Categories: Apple, Music, Software,
iTunes 9 details have slipped out just a tad bit early, and we’ve got the details for you. The main attraction here seems to be a completely redesigned and optimized iTunes Store. Navigation has been made a heck of a lot easier, and there is even a new full window display that allows you to browse the iTunes Store in full screen. Seems silly, but hey, why not?
There are also new preview mechanisms that let you preview content from anywhere, just by rolling over it with your mouse.
iTunes LP is a new addition to the iTunes experience, which Apple describes as a “gorgeous, immersive digital version of select albums.” Basically, while listening to an album, you can also get animated lyrics, liner notes, performance videos, photos, and more. We have to see it in action, but it sounds an awful lot like the Zune Now Playing feature.
There are now iTunes Extras. When you rent a digital movie, you get the movie, plus extras. Typically, you would only get to view special features on a DVD. Now iTunes brings you cast interviews, deleted scenes, photo galleries, and more.
Aside from these new features, iTunes also picks up some nice syncing enhancements. You can now arrange how you want apps to appear on your iPhone and iPod touch right in iTunes, and sync those right over. There is also a much more powerful syncing mechanism for all the other content (like, sync just these Faces for photos, sync all of this artist, etc.)
There’s also a new feature called Home Sharing, which lets you actually move content around from up to 5 computers in your home, rather than just being able to stream between them. iTunes 9 will be available very shortly.
Apple confirms September 9th rock and roll themed music and iPod event
Posted by Andru Edwards Categories: Apple, Music, Portable Audio / Video, Software,
Yup, we’ve suspected that September 9th was going to be the day that we’d see a bunch of new hotness from Apple as it pertains to music, namely iTunes and iPod-related announcements. Well, it’s been confirmed, as Apple has started sending out invitations to a rock and roll themed event on the 9th, to be held at the Yerba Buena Center for the Arts Theater. Expect the entire iPod line to be refreshed, with the exception of the shuffle, and with the focus being on the iPod touch and iTunes 9.
What do you hope we see next Wednesday?
Advertisement
© Gear Live Inc. {year} – User-posted content, unless source is quoted, is licensed under a Creative Commons Public Domain License. Gear Live graphics, logos, designs, page headers, button icons, videos, articles, blogs, forums, scripts and other service names are the trademarks of Gear Live Inc.