So in my last blog I said that I would be back to update on what is going on over at Apple - especially for Xmas retailers...OK so what was hot at the Apple Conference in San Francisco! You can watch it all HERE!
Apps Store - I said in some of my previous blogs just how significant the Apps store is to Apple and to the iPhone and iTouch consumers - and sure enough Apple announced that it has downloaded 100Million Apps since launch. That is a phenomenal figure in UNDER 3 Months!!! This is an exciting area that companies such as Conchango should be involved in by creating rich immersive apps for our clients - only thing really holding anyone back is imagination!
iTunes 8 - Yes iTunes returns this time it's loaded up with "Genius" technology that, with one click, automatically creates a playlist from songs in your music library. iTunes 8 also features new ways of viewing your music and video libraries, and it adds television programs in HD - however looks like some of the gremlins have crept back into the machine as you can see below after trying to get my hands on iTunes8...
New Nano: Product refresh in more colours and now includes the "genius" - which now makes your nano a personal DJ that will create a playlist that it thinks will go together - Also included in the new nano is the iPhone & iTouch "accelerometer" which means that when you turn your nano the screen turns with you. Oh yes and now in 9 funky new colours.. for a snip at $149
New iTouch - adds the new curve as seen on 3G iPhone now delivered to the touch. They have also added a built in speaker so that you can annoy the commuters on the bus / tube while playing TapTap - and of course the new iTouch range get the Genius touch as well - for $229
New Shuffle - well new colours - not much else you can punch into a small MP3 player that can hold 500 tracks for $49!!!!
Finally - the other announcement was that NBC Universal are back on iTunes - read between the lines here if you like - NBC decide that they do not want to be dominated by iTunes and think that they can do the job themselves by delivering and distributing content via their own web site - what happens? They stream catch up programmes (just like iPlayer) for FREE and then the writers guild kick back and ask where they get their re-run $$ from and royalties? Well it's free? erm.... streaming free = $0 (apart from the ad revenue that they kept quite about) - so go back to Apple cap in hand "it's all been a bad nightmare can we sell our content on iTunes please Mr Jobs....?"
And at last Firmware 21. update for iTouch & iPhone users where a free upgrade from 2.0 to 2.1 is expected to be released for the iPhone on Friday, September 12, 2008.The new upgrade will fix bugs, and reduce the number of drop outs during a call. Some other key stats on 2.1 were “significantly improved” battery life, less crashes, and should make back up to iTunes “dramatically faster” there were other performance enhancements that have also been included. Will let you know how this upgrade works across both post 12th!
So no mention so far of the new MacBook Pro and MacBook - coming later we now hear..
Steve however looked gaunt and tired and hope that he can now finish the rest of the year in somewhat calmer and relaxed environment - now that Apple have launched and delivered their Christmas assault on us all.
