The rumors- some of them, anyway- came true for Apple on Tuesday as the company, at its “Let’s Rock” event in San Francisco, rolled out new versions of the iPod Touch, iPod Nano and a 120GB iPod Classic.
Other announcements included the return- with HD- of NBC shows to the iTunes Store, as well as a “Genius” feature that will recommend songs based on the user’s existing library. A new software update for the iPhone 3G was also discussed, although no new notebook computers were introduced, as had been rumored in recent weeks.
A roundup of what was announced at the event by Apple’s Steve Jobs:
– A new iPod Touch, which is available now in 8-, 16- and 32GB denominations, will be thinner than its predecessor, and also can access the App Store, for downloads of games and other applications. Available today, the new Touch ranges in cost from $229 to $399, depending on size.
– The new Nano will come in eight different colors, as well as 8- and 16GB editions, costing $149 and $199, respectively. Also thinner than ever before, the Nano now features curved glass, in a reverse of last year’s now, shorter design. Available early next week, the new Nanos will include a “Shake to Shuffle” feature, which forwards to the next song simply by shaking the device.
– The new version of the iPod Classic will feature 120GB of memory, enough for more than 30,000 songs, at the same $249 price point as its popular predecessor.
– Also announced was iTunes 8, which for the first time includes the “Genius” application, which generates playlists based on the user’s existing library. The Genius playlists can be initiated in the new Nanos as well as the new Touch.
– Apple also announced that NBC shows, including “The Office” and “Heroes,” are once again available for download from the Apple Store, including in high definition for an additional $1.
– Jobs also eluded to recent rumors about his health- as well as an obituary mistakenly published by Bloomberg News- with an on-screen message that read, with a nod to Mark Twain, “the reports of my death are greatly exaggerated.”
– The event closed with a performance from singer/songwriter Jack Johnson.
A variety of live-blogs from the event, including those from the New York Times, Engadget and CNET, were used in the compilation of this report.
