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Unboxing the Pink 2G iPod nano
Posted by Andru Edwards Categories: Apple, Features, Portable Audio / Video,
We just picked up one of the new 2G iPod nanos for your unboxing pleasure. The little bugger is definitely sexy, and the brighter screen helps out quite a bit. Jump on over to our 2G nano unboxing gallery for a bunch of images, and feel free to let us know what you think. Oh, and why the pink nano? We can’t explain it, but while perusing the new models at the Apple Store, this one kept calling our name. Go figure.
Read More 
| Pink iPod nano Unboxing Gallery
Gallery: Unboxing the Pink 2G iPod nano
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Apple iTV High Definition Set-Top Box Coming in ‘07
Posted by Brian Viele Categories: Apple, HDTV, Home Entertainment, Movies, Music,
Apple has revealed that it is working on a new set-top box codenamed iTV. At half the size of a Mac Mini, it will look minuscule next to your other HD devices, especially if you opt for a PS3. The iTV will be able to stream HD audio and video from your iPod or PC with connectivity through USB 2.0 and both wired and wireless ethernet.
The iTV is packed with all the expected HD interfaces including HDMI, component RCA video and optical digital audio outputs. Additionally, the iTV is rumored to include the capability to function as a cable box and there is also talk of the possibility of HDTV downloads to the device. Details of these capabilities have not yet been released, but expect to hear more soon since the device is planned to be released in about six months.
Read More | Daily Tech
Gallery: Apple iTV High Definition Set-Top Box Coming in ‘07
The Second Generation iPod shuffle
Posted by Andru Edwards Categories: Apple, Design, Portable Audio / Video,
The last iPod update that was announced today was the new second generation iPod shuffle, which they are touting as the “world’s smallest MP3 player.” Looking at the product, you can’t help but agree - this thing is minuscule. The new shuffle comes in an aluminum case, and is about the size of the Apple FM remote. Really, it pretty much just looks like a button. The iPod shuffle has a built-in clip on the back, allowing you to wear it anywhere. Included in the package is a new dock, USB 2.0 compatibility, and is shipped in minimalist packaging. This time around, the shuffle is available exclusively in a 1 GB size, and is available for $79 USD. Apple is taking orders now, and will begin shipping the new shuffles in October 2006.
Read More | iPod shuffle Product Page
Gallery: The Second Generation iPod shuffle
So we all predicted it, and Apple made it real this morning during the keynote. The iPod nano is now available in it’s second generation form, sporting an aluminum casing with some great new colors. What’s nice about these are that they are even thinner than the original nano units, which is hard to believe because those things were tiny. The new 2GB nanos are available in silver for $149 USD. The 4GB model sells for $199 and is available in silver, green, blue, and pink. Finally, the 8GB $249 model is strictly available in black. Apple has even made the packaging for the nano smaller, resulting in 52% less material usage which makes it nice for the environment. The new second generation iPod nano is available today.
Read More | iPod nano Product Page
Gallery: The Second Generation iPod nano
Apple Updates 5th Generation iPod, Slashes Prices
Posted by Andru Edwards Categories: Apple, Portable Audio / Video, Video Games,
Earlier today in his Apple keynote, Steve Jobs unveiled the newly updated 5th generation iPod. The unfortunate thing, however, is that a 16x9 widescreen model was nowhere to be seen. Instead, the video iPod sees a capacity bump from 60 GB to 80 GB, along with a reduction in price by $50 each, $249 for the 30 GB model, and $349 for the 80 GB model. Yes, the 30 GB iPod costs the same as the new 8 GB nano. The screens on the new iPods are 60% brighter than that of their predecessors, and there is brightness control to boot. That should make viewing movies and video on these iPods a little easier. Battery life sees an improvement as well, with the 30 GB model enjoying 3.5 hours of video playback (14 hours for music) and the 80 GB version hitting 6.5 hours of video playback (20 hours for music.) Software updates include the ability to play games, better search abilities which allow you to type in your query, along with a better scroll experience. The new iPods are available now.
Read More | iPod Product Page
Gallery: Apple Updates 5th Generation iPod, Slashes Prices
Here are the highlights from today’s Apple Keynote, titled “It’s Showtime”:
- Apple has announced a newly enhanced iPod. The standard iPod gets a 60% brighter screen with brightness control, 3.5 hours of video playback (up from 2 hours), gapless playback, and newly designed iPod headphones. The larger version of the iPod will do 6.5 hours of video playback. The
60GB30GB iPod will sell for $249, while the 80GB model will sell for $349. Available today. - New games for iPod: The iPod now has purchasable games, which include Bejeweled, Cubis 2, Zuma, Pac Man, Texas Hold ‘em, Vortex, and more. They can be purchased in iTunes for $4.99 each. Games will also work on older 5th generation iPods.
- New software updates for iPod: There is now a quick scrolling feature using letters, which allows you to jump to anywhere in your library virtually instantly and with more precision.
- iPod nano: Second generation iPod nano announced. It looks more like a tiny iPod mini, with an aluminum enclosure for the $149 2GB model, while the larger $199 4GB model sports green, silver, blue, and pink. Finally, the $249 8GB model comes in black. All have a 24-hour battery life. There are also new chargers, lanyards, and armbands. All three iPod nano models are available today.
- iPod shuffle: The iPod shuffle also goes 2ng generation today. Sporting a 12-hour battery life, the shuffle now is about the size of the Apple Remote, making it the world’s smallest MP3 player. It has a metal body with a white click wheel, and a 1GB capacity. Available in October for $79.
- iTunes 7: Library now breaks up and separates different forms of media, and also provides sections for the Store itself and for devices. Apple will now provide album art for any music in your library, even if not purchased through iTunes. The 2006 NFL season will be available for purchase, and video resolution is now bumped up to 640x480 (up from 320x240) in H.264 encoding. Gapless playback is supported in iTunes 7. Even better, you can now sync you iPod content to a second computer!
- iTunes Movies: Apple is announcing that they are adding movies to the iTunes Music Store. Starting today, you can purchase films from Disney, Pixar, Touchstone, and Miramax (all of these are Disney owned.) Most titles will cost $9.99. You can pre-order new releases for $12.99 (or pay that price for the first week) - after that, they jump to $14.99. You can pre-order Disney’s Cars today.
Movies are at near-DVD quality in 640x480 resolution, and you can start watching the movie while it downloads in the background. As for sound, movies have Dolby surround audio. Parental control allows you to block or allow movies by MPAA rating. There are 75 movies available for purchase, and more will be added on a weekly basis. The Movie Store is strictly for the US store for now, but
will goApple hopes to take it International in 2007. - One Last Thing: Wireless Set-top Box: In the first quarter of 2007, Apple will be releasing a wireless set-top box for the television. About half the size of a Mac mini, the box will have integrated USB, 802.11 wireless antennas, HDMI ports, optical audio out, and component video out. Apple is calling it iTV, although that name may not be final. Obviously, it’s meant to allow you to stream the video content on your PC to your television, using an interface that seems like an upgraded Front Row, controlled by the Apple Remote. Video startup is instant, and video looks great - close to DVD quality. Expect high-resolution artwork and movie text. The same videos will play on iTunes, your iPod, and now, your TV. The box also allows you to view trailers and other iTunes content directly from the Internet. Steve plays The Incredibles, which is curiously not in 640x480, but rather in widescreen high definition format. A sign of things to come? Apple says the device will work in conjunction with iTunes on both PC and Mac, and will sell for $299 USD, bringing Apple to your den, living room, car, and pocket.
- John Legend: Steve Jobs closed the event by introducing John Legend, telling everyone that without the artists, none of this means anything. Legend came out and sang for everyone.
That’s it! You can now see all the updates on Apple.com reflecting everything that was talked about today. New iPods, new iTunes, and a lack of Core 2 Duo MacBook Pros.
Gallery: It’s Showtime Apple Keynote Highlights
In case you hadn’t noticed, the iTunes Music Store has been down for a few hours. Of course, Steve Jobs is set to hit the stage in roughly five minutes or so for his September 12 keynote, where we expect to see a couple of iTunes upgrades. Disney movie downloads anyone?
Gallery: The iTunes Store Is Down: It’s Showtime
Apple Acknowledges MacBook Random Shutdown Issue
Posted by Yuan Zhao Categories: Apple, PC / Laptop,
Big companies do listen to complaints after all. Due to the comments of numerous MacBook users began suffering from sudden and inexplicable shutdowns, Apple has created a page to address the issue on the website. “If your MacBook is shutting down intermittently, please contact AppleCare for service.” While not particularly helpful, this means that Apple is addressing the issue and will hopefully have a solution (or at the least, an explanation) soon.
TUAW has been carefully documenting reports of this problem and has put together an explanation for the system crashes, linked below.
Gallery: Apple Acknowledges MacBook Random Shutdown Issue
Apple Special Event: It’s Showtime on September 12
Posted by Yuan Zhao Categories: Apple, Corporate News, PC / Laptop, Portable Audio / Video, Rumors,
For days now, rumors about the new “Merom”-based Core 2 Duo MacBook Pros and iMac as well as the mysterious video iPod/iPhone have been making rounds on the Internet, in anticipation of an announced and unverified Apple release event. Unverified, that is, until now. The company has sent invitations to “select members of the media and others” to attend a “special event” on September 12, 10:00 AM Pacific Time in San Francisco, California.
While nothing is known about the nature of the event or what products will be released (for surely, Steve Jobs must have some new gadgets up his sleeves), it is a good bet that Core 2 Duo MacBook Pros will be exhibited, especially now that Dell and other PC manufacturers are already shipping laptops with the chip. A Core 2 Duo iMac was also expected, however those were just announced earlier today. Of course, let’s not forget the possibility of full-length movie downloads available via the iTunes music store.
The event is to be held at the Yerba Buena Center for the Arts Theater.
Read More | Macworld
Gallery: Apple Special Event: It’s Showtime on September 12
Apple has just released three new advertisements to complement their already expansive and controversial lineup of Mac ads. With competition fierce in the computer market, especially now that Apple is utilizing the same hardware as PC manufacturers, any edge can prove vital for the Cupertino-based company. The three clips, entitled “Accident”, “Angel/Devil”, and “Trust Mac”, continue the same trends established in previous ads by elevating Mac features and playing down PC’s.
Read More | Apple
Gallery: Apple Releases Three New TV Ads
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