New iPods…

Yes, it’s that time again. Apple have lifted their skirt, shown off their latest wares, and the whole world goes bonkers for a bit. Everyone blogs about whether they like the new stuff or not, and eventually everybody gets over it an moves on.

I didn’t monitor the various live and meta blogging that went on last night, but I did check up on the results when I got home. Ashleigh wasn’t impressed, but here’s my take:

iPod Touch - too expensive, but looks very nice. I quite like the idea of an iPod that I can surf the web on, but being limited to wireless hotspots and my home doesn’t really appeal. I also don’t think 16gb is anywhere near enough for “hardcore” iPod users. That said, if the price dropped, I’d probably get one instead of a Nano. Which brings me to…

Fatboy Nano - There’s something strangely ugly and yet appealing about the new Nanos. I’m totally uninterested, but I suspect they’ll do as well as they ever have and sell by the bucket load.

iPod Classic - I need a 160gb Classic in my life. I’m flat out sold on this one, no convincing needs to be done. Regardless, Apple went an sweetened the deal by throwing in an all metal case and a new interface. Not to mention a forty hour battery life. Niiiice.

I’m currently sporting the original iPod with Video - 60gb - and that’s not really enough. My collection is now around 90gb, and I’m at the point where I can’t carry everything with me. Which I don’t like. I thought about getting the 80gb version when that launched, but it would’ve be full as soon as it arrived. 160gb should last me…well…years.

So, now I need to raise £200 to get myself 160 gigabytes of steel encased mp3 goodness. Ebay beckons…

Found: New (Unmentioned) Feature In iPod Firmware

The recently released firmware for the 5G iPod (you know, the iPod with Video) includes a feature that I don’t think anyone has mentioned before. As far as I know, Mr Jobs didn’t even mention it in the presentation.

Scott has just pointed out that when using the touch-wheel to browse your library, a certain number of revolutions at high speed cause a letter to appear on screen. From this point, keeping your finger on the touch-wheel maintains visibility and scrolling the wheel cycles through the alphabet. Letting go skips straight to the corresponding part of your collection.

It’s a neat feature, and certainly makes scrolling through a large collection quite a bit easier. Perhaps it goes some way to making up for the lack of the search functionality found in new iPods?

Apple’s Show (And Tell) Time

We’ve been here before. Every time Apple - and Mr Jobs - schedule one of their big events we, the faithful, dutifully line up with our browsers, and hang on every word. Prior to the event we’ve discussed, blogged, and flamed about rumours, hopes, and desires.

And do they live up to our expectations any more? Perhaps more accurately: Are our expectations somewhat tarnished by the countless promise of “one more thing”?

Maybe the stakes are higher than they once were. Back when the iPod wasn’t “hip” and digital music was the domain of hardcore geeks and techies, these events weren’t such high profile. These days, they’re important.

And none of Apple’s recent events have been more important than this one. With mounting speculation suggesting that the iPod bubble was about to burst, Microsoft’s competing device on the horizon, and the holiday season approaching, Apple needed to reveal something big.

And, I think, they did. Not big in a “hardcore, techie geek way”, but big in a “continued dominance in the mp3 market” way. And I suppose, these days, that’s what counts for Apple. And what’s this big thing I think they’ve revealed? Coloured Nanos - that’s what.

The Nano is, as Jobs mentioned, the most popular MP3 player in the world. The best way for Apple to make it more popular is to introduce new colours - check - and to improve the range of sizes to suit a wider range of budgets - check. The new, and let’s not forget scratch resistant - Nanos are sure to be a big hit for Apple this holiday season, assuming they can meet the demand. I suspect the new Nanos are the shot in the arm required to carry the iPod line up to the true video iPod.

And what of the Video iPod? Sadly, unsurprisingly, and inevitably there was no sign of such a device. Instead, we’re treated to an updated 5G line of ipods - the iPod With Video. The new line of 5gs (so 5.5gs?) sport a brighter screen, improved battery life, and slightly tweaked hard disk sizes.

I’ve Got Apple Sussed

So, Apple have confirmed their “special event” for September the 12th. The collective minds of the internet are predicting that said event will see the unveiling of the iTunes Movie Store, new iPods, Nanos, a humongous 23 inch iMac, a magic device that streams video across your network, and an attractive range of Apple pyjamas.

But I know what they’re actually unveiling. Oh yes. It’s so obvious.

Apple have sent out invites with the caption “It’s Showtime”. Which can only mean one thing. Forget iTunes, Apple are going to take digital entertainment in a whole new direction.

I give you: ShowTunes.

ShowTunes will feature the classic songs from all your favourite shows: Westside Story, Gone With The Wind, Guys And Dolls; you name it, it’ll be there. Steve Jobs has worked tirelessly, and endured untold horrors to deliver the most complete selection of musicals you could ever wish for.

Not only that, but ShowTunes will enable an unprecedented level of synchronisation with your iPod. You’ll be able to store song lyrics (for those important sing-a-long sessions), dance moves, and video versions of memorable performances.

Mark my words, Tuesday night will see the unveiling of Apple’s most important product yet. You’ll all want one. Now, all together now: The hiiiiiiills are alive…

Things I’ve got on my iPod…

…that I really should listen to…or delete…

• Blue Man Group - Complex
• Beth Orton - Central Reservation
• Ben Folds - Songs for Silverman
• David Byrne - Grown Backwards
• Garth Brooks- The life of Chris Gaines
• Joe Henry - Everything
• June Tabor - An Echo of Hooves
• Mary Gauthier - Mercy Now
• Terry Reid - Everything
• Willy Mason - Where The Humans Eat

Apple does it again

Apple really do have a talent for kicking up a frenzy of internet activity when they decide to make an announcement. Inevitably (and this has been the case for the last three events Apple have staged) this leads to disappointment. I've read several posts bemoaning the lack of a real video ipod at last night's event. There are also people moaning about the lack of Apple's new tablet-style device. Once again, large numbers of people were taken in by the rumour-mongering, the photoshopping, and the speculating. Have we reached a point where Apple cannot possibly announce something that's as significant as the internet expects it to be? Have they become the ultimate victim of their own success?

What's my take on last night's products? The iPod Boombox is, as many other people have said, overpriced, unimaginative, and a blatant attempt by Apple at carving off their own slice of the iPod peripheral market. The iPod leather case is, as many other people have said, overpriced, unimaginative and a blatant attempt by… It's true though, these two products really aren't anything special, and it's obvious that Apple has finally realised that it doesn't like other companies making lots of money out of its products. Now the Mac Mini, on the other hand, is something I could open my wallet for. I always fancied having the diminutive slice of Apple in my life, and the Intel Core Duo version just makes me want it that much harder. I really miss using an Apple machine as my desktop for the tasks that I currently do on my Dell. Web browsing, email, downloading, music, etc all have that extra soupcon of serenity inside Apple's OS. I know there are perfectly serviceable video editing packages for Windows, but I like iMovie; it makes me happy. It gives me that warm and cuddly feeling. It's a bit like Horlicks (or Ovaltine ; name your poison) in that respect. All of which just strengthens my desire for a Mac Mini. If it wasn't for the fact that I do, on the odd occasion, play games on my PC, I'd have already ordered one…