Apple Introduces New iPods

September 5th, 2007 • General

It isn’t fun to “watch” an Apple event from a distance. I have much respect to Steve Jobs, but I haven’t had a chance to see him live yet.

I was eagerly waiting for today’s Apple event. Now that iPhones are shipping, placing iPods in their market segments has become tricky. Apple pulled it off.

I had a long discussion with Rida once regarding the iPhone. He’s a Rails developer, and by extension, an Apple fan (you know, TextMate is one killer product). But I don’t think he was surprised when I told him that the iPhone is one of the worst phones in the market, especially for gadget junkies. I knew Apple had to release an iPhone-sans-phone, and lower iPhone prices, which is exactly what happened at todays event. Apple cleverly tagged both 16GB iPod Touch and 8GB iPhone with $399; in their minds, phone components are worth 8GB.

Apple’s site was updated immediately after the event ended. And here’s an overview of the latest changes:

iPod

• Now known as iPod Classic.
• 30GB and 80GB both were replaced by 80GB and 160GB models, both got 0.5mm thinner, and battery life pumped from 14 to 30 hours.
• CoverFlow, for eye-candy lovers.
• Slight price drop to $249 and $349 respectively.

Nano

• Video playback, despite the tiny screen.
• Redesigned body now 10 grams heavier, 11.5mm wider.
• According to CrunchGear, Fat Nano is an exaggeration, so let’s now call it Chunky Child.

Shuffle

• Now available in different colors.
• Slight price drop.
• No change in specifications.

Touch

• Available in 8GB and 16GB.
• WiFi support, Safari included.
• No built-in camera.
• Slick, slick, slick.

Here’s how these sweet gadgets are priced (courtesy of John Biggs of CrunchGear):

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