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):
