Apple’s most ironically named event, ever
Filed under: Apple Fanboyism, Cynicism, That's Weird..., Updates, iPhone, iPod Touch, iPod nano, iPod shuffle
Well, Apple’s “It’s only Rock ‘n Roll, but I like it” event has come to a close, and it had virtually nothing to do with Rock ‘n Roll, or even music in general. Sure, just about every announcement made today had something to do with the iPod, iPhone, or iTunes, yet it was all about apps, video cameras, price drops, and pedometers.
So, what did Apple announce? Well, new iPod touches with more capacity, faster processors (presumably matching the iPhone 3G S) and bigger storage (even bigger than the iPhone). New iPod nanos – also with video cameras – as well as a built-in pedometer for workouts and an FM radio (what? No AM!?!?!) The shuffle got no love, but did receive a price drop, so maybe someone will buy it now.
But the big news is iTunes 9, which got a major revamp to accommodate music apps. Yes, new Genius features for recommending apps you might like based on your buying preferences, new iPhone/iPod touch application managing from within iTunes, and new application ranking charts to make developers happier. Top it all off with the new iPhone/iPod touch OS 3.1, and you have a music-less announcement rivaling a Mac Pro unveiling. Even the much rumored Beatles announcement was a no-show. Sure, Apple announced they would now offer LP bundles for some albums which will tack on music videos and photos to Album purchases, but since iTunes pretty much single-handedly killed the album format, this two-minute announcement hardly warranted taking over the event poster.
All in all it was a pretty decent (albeit expected) series of nice hardware updates, and a nice update to iTunes (that should have come 2 years ago).
One more thing
But of course to any true Apple fan, the fact that we got to see Steve Jobs back on stage and standing on his own power was the biggest thrill of the afternoon (although I would have personally preferred to see him walk through some sort of hoop or something to prove there were no wires controlling him).
Not a good sign?
The new iPod shuffle has been one of the most polarizing products Apple has ever released. And whether you hate it, or are just pretending to love it because of an over developed sense of brand loyalty, one thing is for sure, it was a risky move on Apple’s part to simplify its most simplified iPod to the point of making it complicated.
Well, it looks like even Apple may not have drunk its own Kool-Aid this time, as it is still selling the 2nd Gen iPod shuffle on its site.
Apple almost always times its iPod releases perfectly with regard to its inventory, so odds are this is not simply Apple trying to clear out old stock. Is Apple afraid to commit to the new shuffle?
Thanks to faithful Macenstein reader Kyle for the tip!
New iPod Shuffle is a double threat
Filed under: Apple Fanboyism, Celebrity Mac Chick, iPod shuffle
Revision3’s Veronica Belmont and gdgt’s Ryan Block found an interesting use for the new iPod Shuffle, and they didn’t even have to click the inline remote 30 times to do it.
Thanks to faithful Macenstein reader John for the tip!
Looks like someone over at Apple forgot to update one of their iWeb templates
Apple DOES use iWeb, right?
Check out this “Welcome to your new Shuffle” e-mail faithful Macenstein reader Harry Mylonadis received after placing his order for the new iPod Shuffle.
As if owning the new Shuffle wasn’t bad enough… to be reminded of the older, more reasonable model in your confirmation e-mail… that’s just cold. (I kid, Harry! I’m sure it’s awesome).
Did Jobs fake a health illness to avoid announcing the new Shuffle?
Filed under: Cynicism, Opinion, Steve Jobs, design, iPod shuffle
Wow. Today’s announcement of the new iPod shuffle was really something, wasn’t it? Just push a button 10 times, and your iPod will speak a list of playlists. Press 11 times, hold once, then press again, and you can turn it off. It sounds a little too much like this parody of the Mactini by Peter Serafinowicz.
I remember more than once I had a report to give in school that I knew was going to be lame, and trying to convince my parents I was too sick to go to school that day. It never worked, of course, and I’m not saying Steve is faking an illness to get out of announcing a lackluster series of products - but boy, I sure would have.
Looking back at the last couple months’ worth of announcements, the timing of Steve Jobs’ leave of absence sure is looking like a blessing in disguise for Steve (aside from the obvious non-blessing of apparently being quite sick, of course). First we had Read more
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