September 12, 2006, 1:49 PM PDT
Apple previews iTV network digital media player
Posted by: John P. Falcone

In the first quarter of 2007, Apple is set to debut a digital media player that can stream movies, music, and photos from networked PCs and Macs. In an unusual move, Apple CEO Steve Jobs provided a detailed preview of the product at his "Showtime" press conference, which also saw the announcement of new iPods, iPod Nanos, and the launch of full-length movie availability on iTunes. Dubbed iTV, the Apple digital media device will retail for $299 when it hits stores next year.

While the "iTV" moniker is just a temporary code name, the product's features were laid out in fairly explicit detail. Like other network digital media boxes, the iTV will stream video, photos, and audio from networked PCs--and perhaps straight off the Internet--so they can be enjoyed on a big-screen living room TV and home audio system. Unlike all of the previous competitors, however, the iTV will start out with several huge advantages: it will offer seamless integration with movies, TV shows, and music purchased from Apple's iTunes Store. Additional media content on the PC--such as digital photos, video and audio podcasts, MP3 audio, and, presumably, downloaded video files--should be able to be streamed as well.

The box itself looks like a thinner version of the Mac Mini--from a distance, it could easily be mistaken for a Netgear or Belkin network router. It interfaces with home networks via built-in Ethernet and 802.11 wireless and has an impressive bevy of audio/video connections: HDMI and component-video outputs, as well as analog stereo and optical digital audio out. The dearth of S-Video and composite outputs imply that the iTV will be aimed squarely at HDTV sets, while the digital audio output will enable full surround sound when connected to an A/V receiver. Finally, a single rear-panel USB jack is present as well, and Jobs was mum as to how it would be employed--but iPod connectivity is definitely a fair bet.

The little white box may be slick, but it's what users will see on the screen that's really important. Based on the previews at Jobs's press conference, the iTV's onscreen display and navigation looks just as polished and intuitive as that of the iPod, albeit optimized for the larger real estate of a big-screen HDTV--and with plenty of animated eye candy thrown in. The onstage demo had Jobs easily jumping in and out of menus and listings for movies, podcasts, music, and photos, just as simply as one would with the iPod--think Front Row, but with a lot more options. What's more, all of the iTV's onscreen navigation is handled with the same ultrasimple six-button remote that ships with current Macs.

As always, it's tough to judge an unreleased product based simply on a demo--especially a demonstration run by Apple's eminently enthusiastic and persuasive head honcho. That said, the iTV is easily one of the most promising developments in the network-media category that we've seen to date. Competing products have been hobbled by a combination of a lousy interface (nonintuitive, hard to navigate, and/or just plain ugly onscreen menus), underwhelming feature set (HD streaming and HDMI output are still comparatively rare), and lack of content. And it's that last point that may very well be Apple's ace in the hole. The company's iTunes store has been the leading online retailer for music and TV shows, and it's a fair bet that movies will be a popular offering as well. When the question, "Is it compatible with all the songs (or TV shows or movies) I've purchased from iTunes?" is asked, every other network media device has to answer "no;" Apple's iTV will be the first to respond with an enthusiastic "yes."

We'll have more information on the Apple iTV as soon as it becomes available, and a full hands-on review once it's released in 2007.

UPDATE: For a more detailed examination of the iTV--including its long list of unanswered questions--check out our follow-up blog, iTV: Promise and peril.

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September 12, 2006, 1:21 PM PDT
Design Steve Jobs's next wardrobe
Posted by: Rafe Needleman

For today's Apple iPod and iTunes announcements, Steve Jobs wore, not his typical black turtleneck, but a button-down brown shirt. But listen, Steve, as long as you're bringing colors back to the Nano line, how about adding a bit more hue to your own wardrobe? Here's a tip: Use GeekCulture.com's Flash-based Steve Jobs Dress-up game. (It's an old link, but it deserves another look.)

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September 12, 2006, 12:46 PM PDT
Apple's iTunes 7 adds many new features, including movies
Posted by: James Kim

Three new iPods were announced this morning in San Francisco (get the first takes here), and at first glance, they look great from design, features, and price perspectives. But it's the latest version of iTunes that steals the show, or should I say, the movie? iTunes 7 introduces, among a laundry list of new features, movies from Disney, Miramax Films, Touchstone Pictures, and a handful of other Disney-related studios. While other major studios are missing (presumably because they aren't seeing eye to eye with Apple's pricing scheme), the overall value of both iTunes' movie section and iTunes itself has been upgraded.

First off, movies such as A Bug's Life and Good Will Hunting (over 75 at launch-- kind of measly) are available today at a resolution of 640x480, an appreciable increase from the original iTunes TV show offerings of 320x240. TV shows are available at this increased resolution, as well. This means that content downloaded will actually be watchable on a computer or a TV screen. The previous 320x240 made for either annoying small screen viewing or artifact-ridden full screens.

Now back to the iTunes application itself. The iTunes 7 interface been upgraded not only to represent movies in the new "iTunes Store," but new interface, management, and graphical features have been implemented as well to increase both utility and wow-factor. Among the upgrades:

A reorganized Source section
This is the main navigation area on the left-hand column where, in iTunes 6, content genres and playlists spilled down in a semiorganized fashion. Now it's organized into distinct sections, such as Library (Music, Movies, TV Shows, Podcasts, Audiobooks, Radio), Store (iTunes Store, Purchased), Devices (these will be your various iPods or other portable devices), Shared, and Playlists. It's feels scientific. Better organization, yes, but you'll still have to scroll down, as the headers add several lines to the list.

Automatic album art retrieval
Though we've already seen utilities that can do this, iTunes will now add album art from its catalog to tracks you've added to your collection without album art. In other words, your artless-MP3s will most likely have album art once they've gone through the iTunes ringer, and that will make your music collection feel complete. We'll let you know how well this feature works in our full review, but so far it seems it didn't do a good job on my MP3 collection.

New content-view options
This one is rad. In addition to the plain-vanilla listing of your tracks and movies, you get two additional views. First option: A simple list grouped with large album art; we've seen this before in Windows Media Player, so it's not original, but it's definitely an improvement. The second option, dubbed Cover Flow, displays a big window for a "virtual shelf" of album art or movie covers. You can scroll through and watch the graphics whiz by, or select one with a mouse. Down below, the content associated to the graphic appears. The realistic graphics give music an additional dimension. Very useful, very cool, and very Apple.

Device management
Now you can manage your iPod settings within the iTunes interface rather than opening up a new preference window to do the same. Also, you're now allowed to move songs off the iPod as long as the recipient computer is authorized to listen to or view the content. This stuff just rings of user-friendliness.

Download manager
This is a Source option that appears when you purchase content. Basically, it lists your selections along with a progress meter, and it's very useful if you want to reorder the queue to get the song or movie you want quicker.

Gapless playback
Yipeee! Many music fanatics (especially those who like dance music) now can enjoy their music without annoying gaps. I think this is a valuable feature that should be implemented more throughout the MP3 world. The new iPods boast the same feature, which, by the way, was found in the old Rio Karma and in the current Archos 04 series of PVPs.

General interface tweaks plus games
If you look in the iTunes Store, you'll notice that graphics, text, and organization of content is more refined. Also, you'll notice that the iTunes Store now sells games for $4.99--these are definitely better than the old stock games, and they work only on the iPod (not the Nano).

Now if there's an early complaint, we'd love to see movies available at higher than 640x480; these are after all, movies that we're buying for nearly the same price as a DVD. And of course, we'd like to see a better selection of movies, though we have a feeling that we'll see them soon. We'll have a full review of iTunes 7 soon. In the meantime, check out iTunes 7 for yourself by downloading the application for free.

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September 12, 2006, 11:19 AM PDT
Check out the new Nanos
Posted by: Jasmine France

After much refreshing of Apple's iPod Web page, I finally got a glance at the new Nanos (and, yes, the Music Store is still down). I don't know about you, but I think these things are looking pretty sweet. Could they be the iPod to convert me? Hmm, only time will tell. For more info on these snazzy new Nanos, check out James Kim's blog.

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September 12, 2006, 11:00 AM PDT
Apple announcement blow-by-blow
Posted by: Jasmine France

You can feel the buzz of excitement in San Francisco as the collected tech media awaits this morning's Apple announcement. Though we're not completely in the dark about what may be unveiled today, Apple nearly always has a surprise in store. CNET has several editors and photographers posted up at the show, so keep your eyes right here for all the details as they become available. I'll be updating this blog throughout the morning with a blow-by-blow courtesy of News.com. Stay tuned!

10 a.m.--Steve Jobs takes the stage in his signature black mock turtleneck and jeans. "We've got some great stuff to share with you this morning," he said, launching into a discussion of the iPod. Jobs highlighted the fact there are now 3,000 iPod accessories and showed off a toilet-paper-roll holder/iPod.
Jobs also also mentioned the fact that 70 percent of new U.S. cars now offer iPod connectivity.

10:05 a.m.--Jobs announced a new video iPod. "We're going to enhance it today quite a lot," he said. The new model is 60 percent brighter, he said. The iPod will have new searching abilities, allowing users to search by keyword using the scroll wheel. Consumers will also be able to play games on the devices, including Bejeweled, Tetris, Zuma, Pac-Man, and Cubis.

10:10 a.m.--The new iPod will come in two models--a 30GB version for $249 and an 80GB for $349. "This is the lowest price for the iPod line and we're very excited. It does video and a whole lot more," Jobs said.

The company is also out with a second-generation aluminum Nano, which is thinner than the original model. "It's beautiful," Jobs said. "We're bringing back colors." The MP3 player will come in blue, pink, green, silver, and black, and battery life will be increased from 14 hours on the original Nano to 24 hours.

The new Nano will come in three models--a 2GB in silver only; a 4GB in silver, blue, pink, and green; and an 8GB model in black only. The new Nanos and video iPods are available today.

10:15 a.m.--Jobs moved on to a new iPod Shuffle. "It is a fraction of the size of the first generation," he said.

It will come in a 1GB model for $79 and it's "the world's smallest MP3 player," Jobs said. The new Shuffle will ship in October. "As you know, iPod is only part of the story, 'cause it's iPod plus iTunes that makes this all such a magical experience," he said.

10:20 a.m. -- Jobs moves on to iTunes, announcing iTunes 7.

iTunes 7 has new ways to view library beyond traditional list. Adds a view by album view and an option to view by album cover. "It allows you to rediscover music." New feature--free missing album-cover art for all the music in your library if you have an iTunes account. "The chances are pretty good we've got what you need." Jobs said, noting iTunes has 3.5 million songs' worth of album art.

10:25 a.m.--Apple customers have downloaded more than 45 million TV shows; iTunes now has more than 220 shows after starting with 5 last October. Apple is adding a NFL Network, 2006 game highlights. It will cost $1.99 to download a game or $24.99 for a team's season pass.

Apple is also boosting resolution of video being sold to 640x480 pixels--that's four times the original resolution, Jobs said, adding that it will now be easier to move purchased content among different PCs authorized on same account.

10:30 a.m.--A trusty reader with a better seat than [Ina] writes in to note that Jobs is not, in fact, wearing his usual turtleneck, but rather a button-up shirt[...]it may be more reddish-brown than black.

10:35 a.m.-- iTunes 7 is available today; the download is free. "But there is one more thing, and that is movies," Jobs said. "Today, I am going to talk about adding movies to the iTunes store and the whole iPod iTunes experience." The new offerings will be available on the same day as they come out on DVD. New releases will cost $12.99 for those who preorder or buy in the first week and will then go up to $14.99. Most library titles will cost $9.99. When you decide to buy a movie, it will be downloaded in near-DVD quality, Jobs said. Consumers with broadband speeds of 5Mbps broadband will be able to download movies in 30 minutes.

10:40 a.m.--For now, the movie downloads will be available only in the U.S., but "we hope to take this international in 2008," Jobs said.

10:45 a.m.--Disney CEO Bob Iger, who, as part of ABC, helped launch iTunes' move into TV shows last year, appeared onstage. "We're here today to take the next step," he said.

As one would expect, Disney chooses its partners very wisely, Iger said. The move to sell TV shows through iTunes was considered a breakthrough. "We knew we were in business with a great partner." Of course, it probably doesn't hurt that Jobs now sits on Disney's board, thanks to its purchase of Pixar.

10:50 a.m.--"There is one last thing," Jobs said. Consumers need a box to drive that big flat-screen TV to play movies, and thus there will be a box to talk to the Mac, he said, showing off a device that looks like Mac Mini, only smaller. "Internally, we call it iTV,"--that's a code-name.

10:55 a.m.--The new device, which Jobs demonstrated onstage, has 802.11 wireless built in, wired networking, USB, an HDMI connector, and also component video, analog audio, and optical audio. It will be controlled with an Apple remote and hooks directly to a TV or to a set-top box or a home-theater system.

The point of iTV is to allow movies and TV shows downloaded to a computer to play on a TV in another room. The device is coming in the first quarter of 2007, Jobs said.

11:05 a.m.--iTV will sell for $299 and works with PCs and Macs. "We think it completes the picture here," Jobs said.

11:07 a.m.--But wait, there's one more thing. Jobs notes that it really all comes down to artists, because if they don't create content, consumers don't have anything to listen to or watch. R&B artist John Legend, whose debut album went triple platinum and won three Grammy awards, is performing. He has a new album coming out next month called Once Again.

Courtesy of Ina Fried at News.com

A note from CNET editor James Kim: Feature-length films from Disney, Touchstone, Miramax, and others will now be available on iTunes to purchase the same day as the DVD release. Debut titles include Cars and Pirates of the Caribbean.

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September 12, 2006, 11:00 AM PDT
Apple launches the diminuitive aluminum iPod Shuffle
Posted by: James Kim

You might as well call the second-generation Apple iPod Shuffle "the iPod Microscopic." Still screenless, the silver anodized-aluminium iPod Shuffle is, according to Steve Jobs, the smallest MP3 player in the world. While we can't confirm this claim just yet, we can say that this "wearable" player continues the Shuffle tradition of blind control while listening to music. While we aren't huge fans of a screenless MP3 player, this model will definitely appeal to those who like their players small, cheap (1GB, $79), and easy to use.

The new iPod Shuffle, which features gapless playback, measures 1.62 by 1.07 by 0.41 inches and weighs just 0.55 ounces. It is extremely durable and scratch resistant and the power and "shuffle" switches are tiny but easy to use. However, it does not have an integrated USB interface, as the previous one did. Instead, you'll have to use the tiny bundled USB dock.

The Shuffle has a built-in clip, so naturally it will be worn, often as a fashion item. It will have a rated 12 hours of battery life, which is actually still disappointing. At this price point, there is stiff competition from the likes of Sony, Samsung, and SanDisk, all of whom have players with screens and more features. However, Apple's style and simplicity will make the new Shuffle an excellent stocking stuffer. It will be available in October.

Pros: Super compact and wearable; simple tactile control; gapless audio playback; nice price.

Cons: No display; no integrated USB; rated battery life is subpar, especially for an audio only device.

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September 12, 2006, 10:41 AM PDT
The hot new Apple iPod Nano
Posted by: James Kim

As expected, Apple announced the second-generation iPod Nano, and, yes, it does have a maximum capacity of 8GB. That brings it in line with the current market rate--before today, the 4GB iPod Nano cost as much as the 8GB SanDisk Sansa e280--$250 (ouch). Well, here's Apple's retort, and while the new Nano still doesn't play video, it is much improved in many ways, including the price, which gives you twice the gigabytes for the same price. The 2GB model will cost $149, the 4GB $199, and the 8GB $249.

The second-gen iPod Nano looks and feels better. Its body is now made of anodized aluminum, rather than the scratch-prone polycarbonate of the original. It's also thinner, believe it or not. Five new bright colors bring us back to the iPod Mini days: silver (2GB/4GB), green (4GB), pink (4GB), blue (4GB), and a fresh-looking black full on with a black Click Wheel (8GB)--thinner, more durable, and colorful. However, for those who want an 8GB green, pink, blue or silver Nano, you're out of luck.

What's more, you get up to a rated 24 hours of battery life now (vs. a rated 12 hours from the 1st gen), plus gapless playback of audio files (like in the new 5G iPod and iTunes 7). Other features include instant search by first letter, the "new and improved" headphones, and a 40 percent brighter screen. Even the iPod Nano packaging is improved, with 52 percent less volume. Unlike the flagship iPod, you won't get the improved gaming option.

So, in addition to the boost in capacity, the new Nano is all about improvement: improved durability, sleekness, and battery; some wish-list features such as gapless playback; and of course, an array of color choices. While the value of this model isn't as great as for the $349 80GB iPod (you can get a 30GB iPod or the much thicker but more feature filled SanDisk for the same price), the thin design and incremental improvements should continue the Nano's claim as the world's most popular player. We will update our opinion on the design, sound quality, and lab-tested battery life once we get our hands on one. Also check out our first take on the new 5G iPod.

Pros: Up to 8GB at market price; thinner and more durable body; gapless playback; instant search; improved battery life; brighter display

Cons: 8GB version is same price as 30GB iPod; not all color options available for all capacities; no major feature additions like FM radio or video.

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September 12, 2006, 9:56 AM PDT
Updated 5G Apple iPod--same stuff but better
Posted by: James Kim

At Apple's media event, Steve Jobs jumped right into introducing an updated fifth-generation iPod. Not a tremendous surprise here, as we believed the sixth-generation "true video iPod" would not be announced until later in the year or even early in 2007. But the new "enhanced" iPod looks like a tremendous improvement over the last one, which debuted last October. The iPod has many incremental improvements, including a brighter screen and better battery life, but probably the most appealing aspect is the new price points of $249 for the 30GB version and $349 for the huge 80GB version (available in both white and black). Okay, it's nowhere near as exciting as a potential widescreen version, but these updates should feed the masses through the holidays.

Let's talk about battery life first, since the pre-enhanced iPod has been dogged for its 2-plus hours of video battery life. Now you'll get 75 percent more battery life with both sizes--that means you'll get up to a rated 3.5 hours of video battery life for the 30GB version and up to 6.5 hours for the 80GB. Boosting battery life will always make a product more appealing, and it looks like Apple responded to all the complaints. Basically, this brings the iPod in line with other players, such as the Creative Zen Vision:M and the Toshiba Gigabeat S, in terms of video battery life. And now you can watch a couple of movies on a plane trip, plus have some extra juice for music and photos.

The new iPod also has a brighter screen--by up to 60 percent. Not that the iPod had a dim screen in the first place, but brighter is always better, especially when it doesn't come at the cost of battery life. You can even adjust brightness during movie playback. Still, especially with the launch of feature-length movies, the 2.5-inch screen is a bonafide pain to watch for more than 30 minutes. Movies were made for bigger screens (that's why the iTV will be cool).

Gapless playback is probably one of the most requested features in any MP3 player. Those with dance mixes can now rejoice, and the feature works well (it's easy to tag tracks as gapless in the new iTunes). Previously, the now-defunct Rio Karma had this feature. Today, the Archos 04 series of PVPs has gapless playback. While this should have been added a long time ago, we commend Apple for turning the corner (the new iTunes 7, Nano, and Shuffle also have gapless playback).

The iPod's software has been enhanced as well, and these new features definitely make the iPod better. First, you can search tunes using an alphabet-style instant search. OK, we've seen this on Creative and other products for a while, but it's nice that Apple has observed the market and integrated this useful feature. Another "borrowed" feature is that as you scroll through tracks, the first letter of the track section appears as a graphical button overlay. Remind you of the Toshiba Gigabeat S? Finally, Apple has added a refined games section, which includes titles such as Bejeweled, Tetris, Texas Hold 'Em, and Pac-Man. New games will be available online today at the iTunes Store and will cost $4.99.

Just about every reviewer despises the bundled headphones. So Apple responded and will be shipping better-designed headphones--we can't vouch for their comfort level and performance at this point, but any improvement is appreciated. While we are dying to test sound quality, we're pretty sure Apple hasn't improved the iPod's poor EQs. Apple should be able to implement a good one- why don't they?

So that's it--while the 6G "true video" iPod will still be a figment of the tech world's imagination (check back at Macworld 07), the enhanced 5G iPod looks more attractive than ever with its incremental updates. It looks the same as the original (accessory companies breathe a collective sigh), but underneath the hood, you have an iPod that makes the original 5G iPod look very rusty. Pricing is a huge aspect here; $249 for the 30GB iPod, as far as I know, is the best price for a 30GB player I've ever seen. And for another $100, you get 80GB! Nice job there, Apple. For me personally, the gapless playback and better battery life make the iPod the most attractive one to date, and it's certainly a better value than the similarly priced but much smaller 8GB Nano.

Check out our other first takes of the second-generation iPod Nano, the new iPod Shuffle, and iTunes 7.

Pros: Better video battery life and brighter screen; up to 80GB; instant search, improved games, and gapless playback; excellent value.

Cons: No major functions added, such as FM radio, wireless, recording; small-screen movie viewing stinks.

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