Apple 09/09/09 Event: New IPods, New ITunes, and the Return of Steve Jobs

Summary of News and Releases from the Apple 09/09/09 Press Event.

Apple Computers held a press event on September 9th 2009 and through live bloggers at the event, customers learned about new product updates and features for Apple's line of music products. Apple likes to keep new products under wraps, so the event was preceded by rumors and speculation. I followed The Apple Blog Live to get the latest, check them out at http://theappleblog.com.

The biggest news of the day before the product revelations was the appearance of CEO Steve Jobs at the event to speak, his first public appearance since his medical leave and liver transplant. Product wise consumers will see a new iTunes program, more games, new pricing and sizes of the iPod Touch and Classic, and a whole new iPod Nano.

iTunes -

The popular online music store and media player received an update and is up to iTunes 9 for the version, available now from Apple.com. Key features announced include a better Genius DJ application allowing for better random playlists, as well as improved syncing between devices and the computer.

Users can now share iTunes libraries between 5 authorized computers as well as use iTunes to manage apps on their iPhones. Apple also introduced a new feature called iTunes LP which allows artists to package lyrics, digital booklets, and bonus content with their digital album downloads. Also allows user interaction through a DVD like viewing feature and sharing music comments and iTunes buying reviews through Twitter and Facebook.

Gaming -

Apple announced more game titles for the iPod Touch and iPhone including big names such as Need for Speed, Madden 10, and NBA Live. Jobs said that the iTunes App Store features thousands more games than those available for both the Sony PSP and Nintendo DS. Sounds like a move to corner the portable gaming market. A few key app developers and game developers spoke and demoed some of the new iPod Touch games available now. They also announced gaming over Wi Fi and Bluetooth on the devices.

iPod, iPod Touch, and iPod Shuffle -

New pricing was introduced for the iPod Touch 8GB model at $199. Two new iPod Touches were introduced, the 32GB and 64GB models priced at $299 and $399.

Apple upped the hard drive space on the iPod Classic to 160GB for $249. Also announced new Shuffles with new colors and new prices. The largest new model of the Shuffle is 4GB for $79 dollars. Stainless steel special edition iPod Shuffle for $99.

iPod Nano -

Perhaps the biggest news of the Apple press event was the introduction of a brand new iPod Nano that doubles as a digital video camera. The could be "The Flip" killer right here. The new Nano features a built in digital video camera, mic, and speaker without changing the thickness from the previous iPod Nano!

The Nano display is now larger, 2.2 inches, better syncing to Nike+, and a built in pedometer. And the Nano finally has an FM radio built in, something that every single one of Apple's competitors included standard on their MP3 players for years. With this announcement you can get a full feature music and video player with video recording capabilities that allow you to upload to YouTube in one click with the Nano. Prices as of 09/09/09 are 8GB: $149. 16GB: $179.

Norah Jones appeared at the event to perform a song or two and bloggers all over the internet are surely gushing about the latest iPods and new features. It looks like Apple is eyeing up the portable gaming market and has made an impressive iPod Nano that will leave people thinking twice before buying the Flip or any other stand alone mini digital video recorder. Lower prices on some iPod models and a brand new iTunes layout is also big news. I'm off to download iTunes 9 and check out all the new features.

Note: Nearly all of the products mentioned in this article were made available for download or purchase immediately following the press event that was held at 10am PST on 09/09/09.