The Apple Core

Jason D. O'Grady & David Morgenstern

Apple’s big day: all new iPods, iTunes and Apple TV

By | September 1, 2010, 10:31am PDT

Apple held its highly-anticipated press event today, and for the first time in recent memory, streamed it live via the Web. Cult of Mac reports that Apple decided to stream the event to test its new new data center in Maiden, North Carolina, slated to go into full operation later this year. (The $1 billion data center is one of the largest ever built).

Some of the announcements:

  • 230,000 new iPhone activations per day - this doesn’t include upgrades (jab at Android with that one)

iOS 4.1:

  • Fixes proximity sensor, Bluetooth, iPhone 3G performance bugs
  • HDR photos standard in iOS 4.1
  • Upload to YouTube
  • TV Show Rentals
  • GameCenter for end users
  • to be released next week

iOS 4.2 (sneak peek):

  • all the features of iOS 4.1, plus
  • Wireless printing via Print Center app
  • AirPlay (formerly AirTunes), stream audio, video and photos over WiFi
  • Coming out in November (free update)

iPods

  • 275 million iPods sold
  • all new iPods, biggest change in iPods ever

iPod shuffle (fourth generation)

  • buttons
  • voiceover
  • playlists
  • Genius mixes
  • $49 - 2GB
  • four colors

iPod nano

  • multitouch-based clickwheel
  • 46% smaller, 42% lighter
  • clip
  • Volume buttons
  • VoiceOver
  • FM Radio, Pedometer, Nike+
  • Six colors
  • $149 - 8GB, $179 - 16GB

iPod touch

  • number one game player in the world (50+% marketshare worldwide)
  • even thinner
  • Retina Display (4x amount of pixels, 326 ppi, 24-bit, LED)
  • Apple A4 chip
  • 3-axis gyroscope
  • front-facing camera and FaceTime (over WiFi)
  • rear camera with HD video recording
  • $229 (8GB), $299 (32GB), $399 (64GB)
  • Available next week (pre-order today)

iTunes 10

  • New icon ditches the CD
  • New social feature called Ping
  • Ping also available on iOS devices

Apple TV (second generation)

  • one quarter of the size
  • includes a remote
  • Music
  • TV shows
  • all HD
  • rentals only, no purchases
  • $4.99 first run HD movies (day and date releases)
  • $0.99 HD TV show rentals from ABC and Fox (commercial free)
  • Netflix streaming
  • streaming from a computer
  • AirPlay (coming in November in iOS 4.2)
  • $99, available in 4 weeks, pre-order today

What do you think of the new announcements?

See more coverage:

  • Ping: Apple should leave social to Facebook, Twitter
  • iPod Nano loses click wheel for square multi-touch display; starts at $149
  • Apple TV upgraded with rental model, no purchasing content allowed; $99
  • Is Apple’s new iPod nano the perfect geek watch?
  • Fourth-gen iPod touch announced with dual cameras, Retina display, FaceTime
  • New iPod shuffle includes voice over playlists and buttons; $49
  • Watching Apple’s Live Special Event Stream from a train
  • Photos: Apple’s special music event
  • Live Blog: Replay Apple’s event
  • Kick off your day with ZDNet's daily e-mail newsletter. It's the freshest tech news and opinion, served hot. Get it.

    Topics

    Jason O'Grady is a journalist and author specializing in mobile technology. He has published six books on Apple and mobile gadgets and his PowerPage blog has been publishing for over 15 years.

    Disclosure

    Jason D. O'Grady

    Jason D. O'Grady is the creator and editor of O'Grady's PowerPage, which has been publishing mobile technology news since 1995. He maintains an advertising relationship with the following legacy advertisers on the PowerPage:

    • Amazon Associates
    • Google Adsense
    • Tekserve
    • Advertising on the PowerPage is brokered by a third-party agency (BackBeat Media) and he recuses himself from these negotiations.

    Biography

    Jason D. O'Grady

    Jason D. O'Grady developed an affinity for Apple computers after using the original Lisa, and this affinity turned into a bona-fide obsession when he got the original 128 KB Macintosh in 1984.

    He started writing one of the first Web sites about Apple (O'Grady's PowerPage) in 1995 and is considered to be one of the fathers of blogging. He has been a frequent speaker at the Macworld Expo conference and a member of the conference faculty. He also co-founded the first dedicated PowerBook User Group (PPUG) in the United States.

    After winning a major legal battle with Apple in 2006, he set the precedent that independent journalists are entitled to the same protections under the First Amendment as members of the mainstream media.

    O'Grady is the author of The Nexus One Pocket Guide, The Droid Pocket Guide, The Google Phone Pocket Guide, and The Garmin nuvi Pocket Guide (Peachpit Press), the author of Corporations That Changed the World: Apple Inc. (Greenwood Press), and a contributor to The Mac Bible (Peachpit Press). In addition, he has contributed to numerous Mac publications over the years, including MacWEEK, Macworld, and MacPower (Japan).

    When he's not writing about Apple for ZDNet at The Apple Core, he enjoys spending time with his family in New Jersey.

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    RE: Apple's big day: Sept 1 event (in progress)
    liezelee1109 14th Oct
    Apple Co-Founder Steve Wozniak rides a Segway as he holds the Apple's latest iPhone 4s he just purchased in Los Gatos, California on October 14, 2011. - Dr. Jerry M. Foster
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    It's the simplicity that people like about the devices. But what bothers me is the lack of multitasking. And being on the phone is not multitasking. You need to be able to run multiple programs at once. So, in my opinion, the iPhone is just an updated Palm. Also, there is no coverage where I live. To me, Android is still a better OS.
    0 Votes
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    Go whine under a related article.
    @Maarek
    @Maarek - where have you been?
    0 Votes
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    @Maarek

    What do you mean no multitasking - did you miss iOS 4?

    Yes this wasn't about the iPhone - but Multitasking was even demonstrated on the iPad.

    Your opinion about the iPhone is yours - pretty stupid and ill informed one, but it's yours so you might as well have something of your own.
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    @Maarek

    They didn't reinvent the wheel. In fact they got rid of it on the iPOD nano. They evolved.
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    @Maarek
    YAWN..............
    0 Votes
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    NICE JOB, ZDNET JAGOFFS
    dgurney 1st Sep 2010
    Do you all enjoy a company that steals from its users?

    For example, ZDNet allowing you to type a potentially lengthy comment in here, and THEN telling you "Woops, you have to log in!" But they DISCARDED WHAT YOU WROTE.

    How offensive can you get?
    @dgurney So you've been on the net for oh, about three hours now? How is it? Most of the rest of us have had these problems before, so we have ways around it. Better yet, don't write too much, especially if you don't have anything relevant to say.
    0 Votes
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    is or has failed. Now I've never known Apple to hang onto a looser for very long. So can ANYONE give me any data on Apple TV sales and profit margins to date? Seems if Apple is still developing the product it must be making money but to be honest I don't know.

    Pagan jim
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    It's A Loser! .....no doubt!
    Monarky 1st Sep 2010
    @James Quinn Especially when compared to other Apple products. Here they didn't evolve Apple TV, they demoted it! Less features is just going to reduce sales even more. It's now just a subscription box and there are too many things out there to replace it. From Xbox 360, PS3 and Boxee that do far more.

    Talk about a joke.... there is nothing in this "Apple's Big Day" that's anywhere near Earth Shaking!
    0 Votes
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    From what I have heard
    John Zern 1st Sep 2010
    they won't release sales figures of under selling products (like they boast with iTunes, iPhones, iPods where they tell you how many they sold), so the estimate was along the lines of 400,000 units to date. They were embarasing enough to have Steve Jobs re-label it later down the road as "a Hobby".

    The problem is that it's likely losing money, so Apple, like many companies, may be pushing it until it recoupes R&D back from it. If it doesn't do well beyond that point, then they'll probally dump it at no loss, as the refinements are nothing all that special, so still not a large drain.

    And they have the money to wait another year or two.
    0 Votes
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    @John Zern,Monarky
    I have no doubts that it's sales numbers do no compare to the iPod or iPhone but then again what does? What I'm curious about is despite this.. Is it possible that Apple might still be making money on it? I don't think it has been established that the Apple TV has EVER had to sell at iPod volumes to make money for Apple. Does anyone have a guess as to the volume needed for this product to make money? I don't think you do.. Do you so I'm guessing this is all speculation based on what you yourself admit to John as guesses.

    Pagan jim
    0 Votes
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    with half hearted attempts to confuse the subject? What does comparing sales to the iPod matter?

    Windows has outsold the iPod very easilly, should we use that as a metric against the iPod? No, that would be as illogical as your argument for AppleTV.

    Steve Jobs mentioned that "We introduced it four years ago, but it's never been a huge hit", and Apple's history of offering sales figures only for sucessful products would indicate that AppleTv may not have made any money yet.

    I would imagine that the Zune, which has sold more units then AppleTV, has made a profit yet many like you will claim that is likely not the case. Going on that logic, one would have to assume that it is likely that AppleTV has not made a profit, either.

    You must learn to remove your emotional attachment to Apple products in order to discuss such items logiclly.

    You may not enjoy where the facts on Apple products lead you, but you must accept them if they are facts, whether good or bad.
    plain
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    Wish Apple actually had something to talk about.
    0 Votes
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    I will never load anything on my computer again that requires that resorce and net hog Bonjour Service. I know you can remove it but most people do not realize that and just live with the degraded responce and performance.
    0 Votes
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    @Baer I totally agree with you!
    I work for a medical software company and we get support calls for poor performance, just to find out some Doc loaded his apple on his machine and Bonjour Service is in the background quietly slowing everything down...
    0 Votes
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    @Baer
    Hmmm...intersting. I don't and never have any issues with that being on my laptop, or two other computers. I even play WOW on one box have everything maxed on the graphics and still no slowness issues all while using email, browing the internet and doing other IT related stuff.
    0 Votes
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    @Baer
    ALso i find it funny how people complain about Itunes but still have junk like goole search or yahoo search on their system and think that that doesnt affect thier computer. Try cleaning it up from other garbage and then check itunes....or just dont use itunes...whatever floats your boat. Whatever the case, i've never had problems with it.
    @Baer & jtollack..

    There are utilities to check performance, resources, etc...

    I allow my users (hundreds) to run iTunes and sync iPhones and iPods On Windows XP, Vista, and Windows 7 PCs as well as Macs)... No issues with any of them running iTunes and bonjour... Perhaps you two need to learn how to use a PC the right way and stop loading crapware on your PCs.

    Millions run itunes, all around the world, and guess what brainiacs??? It works great for everyone else...

    I guarentee you that if you did a fresh install of your OS (and not the crapware and stupidity) and loaded iTunes, it would work perfectly, just like it does for 99.9999999999999999% of the world.
    0 Votes
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    RE: Apple's big day: Sept 1 event (in progress)
    Loverock Davidson 1st Sep 2010
    New iTunes? Oh boy, how long will it take to open the application up now? 10 mins, 20 mins?
    0 Votes
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    @Loverock Davidson

    Seconds usually for me.

    Maybe you need a better computer?
    @richardw66 This guy was only speaking the truth about a lousy program that is filled with corruption with Apple, RIAA and developers picking your pockets. Talk about fools..... you seem to think Apple made the Window's version to help sell the actual majority computer users on Apple's ability to build fine programs. NOT! If iTunes is what Apple calls quality code work, it's a mystery to every Windows user out here. By crippling it on Windows they only unsell Mac ill quality software & hardware to the masses. People know the truth and that's, that Apple is only using it as a gypsy "Come On" ploy, in an attempt to fool only fools into buying Mac hardware. Come on iTunes only runs better on a Mac with same hardware sold last generation to Windows users with less features, games and programs you can actually run on NEW PC hardware, at a fourth of the price!!! ahaha..

    Don't you think Windows users get it? Why do you think OS-X after 10years is only sitting at measly 8% of Sales? Elementary my dear Watson.... People know the truth!!! wink
    0 Votes
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    You are a moron Monarky...
    i8thecat 1st Sep 2010
    @Monarky

    Actually.. if you had a clue, you would know the hardware is not the same... Try taking a graphics card out of a Mac Pro and popping it into a PC that "support the same model) graphics card... Guess what.. It doesn't work.. Because while the mac and the PC cards may share the same model number, they are not the same, otherwise ther would be a mac version and a separate PC version... And if you had the slightest clue about hardware, you would know that... It's what we call a no brainer, which is totally different than when we call you a no brainer... Similar, but different...

    If you had a clue how to run a PC, then you would know iTune runs fine on PCs with all flavors of windows... But you are an idiot and don't have a clue about how to troubleshoot anything... You would have to be extremely low functioning retarded to thing iTunes picks anyone?s pockets... It's software dude... I have friends with full iTunes libraries and tons of Apps (free) on their iPhones that have never spent a dime via iTunes... But you wouldn't know anything about that because in reality, you have never even seen it in person and you are simply spewing lies...


    Ripping CD audio with iTunes strips DRM... So you can take that music and do anything you want with it... Take any music cd and rip it into iTunes and you haven't spent a dime (other than on the actual CD)... So riddle me this batman, aka Monarky... Just how is iTunes picking a pocket??? Exactly... It isn't..

    It's simply offering convenience and people like it... Or do you think all those billions of songs sold were a result of a massive mind ray, and Apple forced everyone to make purchases, and you and a few other tards are the only ones who know the real truth... Yeah.. Time to take your meds dude....

    And did you miss all the hundreds of price comparisons that have been done??? Mac cost the same and sometimes less than equally spec'd PCs... So the only thing that is a fourth of anything is your IQ.
    0 Votes
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    @Loverock Davidson

    Sounds like you are having computer issues. Let me know where you live and I can get you in touch with someone who knows something about computers.

    Can't complain about speed on any of my computers and one is an old AMD running Win7 with 1 GB of RAM.

    We'll help you out. No one should walk alone. First step is admitting you know nothing about computers. Second step is admitting you need help.
    0 Votes
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    @maskman01

    iTunes is a dreadful program. Why not compare it's start-up time to Zune Marketplace. The two programs do the same thing and one is far faster (not to mention looks better and works nicer).... a hint it's not iTunes. I finally gave up on iTunes last month and uninstalled it (6 or 7 different programs to uninstall the whole thing properly believe it or not!). I haven't missed it.

    For the record my PC has 4Gb ram and a quad core processor.
    0 Votes
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    @stephen@...

    Speed is not an issue with me which is good because I'm Canadian and we have no Zune Marketplace. Last time I looked.
    0 Votes
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    I agree - on my Windows box
    use_what_works_4_U 1st Sep 2010
    @Loverock Davidson
    It's great on my Mac, but I already dislike iTunes on Windows. As far as I am concerned they did very little of value with the new version.
    Ping? Puhlease!! NO!
    New album UI? - OK, I like that.

    They say that iOS 4.1 will improve the performance of my 3G iPhone. Maybe they took that attitude and actually coded the Windows version of iTunes for decent performance. Somehow I doubt it, though.
    0 Votes
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    @Loverock Davidson
    You've got to be kidding. I just opened the current version of iTunes (version 9.2.1) on my 6-year-old Power Mac G5 in less than five seconds using the ancient OS X 10.4.11. I can't vouch for the operation of any version of iTunes on any Windows machine because I can't be bothered trying - and yes, I do have a Windows machine that I use occasionally.
    0 Votes
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    @Loverock Davidson
    12 seconds on a Dell Precision 390 running XP, with a dozen other apps/instances open already.
    @Loverock Davidson
    And how big will this piece of bloatware be , 120Meg??
    0 Votes
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    @Loverock Davidson As usual, unqualified, unverified, and unexciting Loverock comments.
    0 Votes
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    Hardware woes
    lefty.crupps 1st Sep 2010
    I wish there was a more consumer friendly, FLOSS friendly company that made good hardware like Apple, without the Apple premium prices and locked-in software
    0 Votes
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    @lefty.crupps

    There is one. It's named "Microsoft". Maybe you've heard of them?

    0 Votes
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    @aureolin Other than some music players etc, M$ is a software company.
    And don't give me grief about the $ in M$..........
    0 Votes
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    @aureolin Microsoft doesn't make PC hardware besides keyboards and mice. Try to keep up.
    @lefty.crupps
    My last MBP was free in a cornflakes box, England won the World Cup and I bonk Charlize Theron every night.
    0 Votes
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    RE: Apple's big day: Sept 1 event (in progress)
    coachgeorge Updated - 1st Sep 2010
    @kenift
    O O O!!!!!
    I know, I Know,

    Dreams you have had!!!!!!
    Once again I see the NEW iTunes TEASE but no facts! I do NOT buy music/movies/etc - I use iPOD for work! Will anyone at Apple iTunes think about the work use?

    Will the new iTunes address the lame one PC to one iPOD restriction? What if you have a Desk PC at home, a traveling Notebook, and a Desk PC at work - can I merry my Calendars or update the PC calendar form the iPOD - NO. Can I use any of my PC's to edit/move Icons - nope.
    0 Votes
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    Yawn......
    0 Votes
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    Apple's Big Bust
    bionicbub 1st Sep 2010
    It will be Apple's Big Day when they get thrown out of the United States and all their products banned worldwide for using the infamous slave-labor Foxconn manufacturing facility in China, which has the highest suicide rate among workers anywhere in the world.
    0 Votes
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    @bionicbub
    Yawn......
    0 Votes
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    Along with
    use_what_works_4_U 1st Sep 2010
    @bionicbub
    Dell, HP, Asus, etc...

    Basically kiss the PC industry goodbye.
    Apple TV no rca or component outputs, that basically screws all those people still using standard definition tube tvs. Roku has them along with HDMI and is a lot less expensive.
    0 Votes
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    @SixBox It is unlikely people with antiquated TV's will buy any media player, let alone this one. Get a new TV, then a media player (like the Asus Oplay, same price, but much more versatile).
    0 Votes
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    Apple TV confuses me
    trickytom3 1st Sep 2010
    I have to buy broadband, then I have to buy the set-top box, then I have to buy the movies for $4.99?

    Boring and expensive.
    0 Votes
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    Trade in your horse and buggy...
    i8thecat 1st Sep 2010
    @trickytom3

    Trade in your horse and buggy and you might want to splurge and get a automobile as well... It's still a far cry from being modern, but every journey begins with a single step.

    P.S. You also have to buy a TV and then get electricity run to your log cabin as well.
    0 Votes
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    Hillarious!
    trickytom3 1st Sep 2010
    @i8thecat

    You are the man! Seriously, that's the funniest post I've ever read! Did you write this yourself, or did your retarded nephew help you?

    OMG, I had some friends over and I absolutely insisted that they read your reply...they freaked out! You, sir, are a master of the witty retort...a comedic genius of monumental proportion, and you deserve to be lauded for this material.

    Your quip about my buying an automobile was pure gold. Reading that sentence was like staring into the eyes of God.

    Kudos to you, good sir, for a replay well-crafted!
    • Flagged
    0 Votes
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    @trickytom3:
    I guess I can understand the "boring" sentiment, but how else would you stream movies (purchased, rented, or free) over the internet without broadband? Other than a computer, how could you stream anything onto your TV without some sort of set-top box? I'm not necessarily an Apple fan, but did you expect Apple TV, broadband, and the movies to all be free?
    0 Votes
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    @thealias38

    My point is that I ALREADY have cable and broadband, so why would I pay $4.99 for a move and .99 for a television show?

    You might want to look into a more remedial blog.
    0 Votes
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    Was this necessary?
    trickytom3 1st Sep 2010
    Another Apple "non-event".

    Seriously, every media outlet was speculating and surmising all sorts of interesting possiblities about this event, only to be presented with crap that is better left to a press-release.
    0 Votes
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    Apple Co-Founder Steve Wozniak rides a Segway as he holds the Apple's latest iPhone 4s he just purchased in Los Gatos, California on October 14, 2011. - Dr. Jerry M. Foster

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