[PeopleLikeFrank]

So the special Apple event just wrapped up, here's some of the details:

iPod touch now comes in 8/32/64GB for US $199/299/399. New version of the iPhone OS released (3.1 includes Genius, probably other stuff). No camera on the new iTouch?

iPod Classic now 160GB / $249.

Nano now has a built in video camera, speaker, and FM tuner. Integrates with Youtube, records voice, and does the Shuffle speaking bit.

Shuffle is now 2GB for $59 or 4GB for $79, with a special edition ("stainless steel") for $99.

iTunes 9, which includes some more Genius-type functionality, iTunes LP which allows more content included with music purchases (lyrics, liner notes, videos, etc.). You can also put shared items into your own library? I think? Something like 5 computers in one household can share content. Apps can be rearranged.

So no camera in the Touch (odd), and no Tablet (but then this might not be the venue to announce something like that). Was personally hoping for the (totally unlikely) rumour of the 3G antenna in the Touch, since I'm not big on mobiles, but would love mobile internet access. But that was never gonna happen.

[Janichsan]

Ugh... what have they done to the iTunes interface? The buttons and scrollbars now look like one of the uglier versions of the Windows Media Player.

[Sneaky Snake]

I really wanted a camera on the iTouch. I know the quality would suck, but it would be extremely handy for those times when you wouldn't have expected you'd need your camera, and I always have my iPod in my backpack, as opposed to my camera which is there very rarely.

That said the new nano is looking very appealing, I really like the new FM tuner and Video Camera option, does it take stills as well?

[teflon]

I think the general overhaul of the Nano's internals and capabilities is great. Radio (finally, and with a 15 minute rewind/pause buffer and tagging of songs that you like, both good features), camera (640x480, fair enough, but no stills, which is stupid), and a pedometer (pointless for most, but nice to have in there since its basically just software for the accelerometer).

Shame the Touch didn't get a camera, because that move actually makes more sense than on the Nano. A cheaper price is all well and good, but the Zune HD's capabilities actually one up it in a few areas.

As to iTunes 9, Apple love to keep screwing with stuff for no reason. The buttons once again don't match the rest of OS X anymore, and 10.6 has only been out 13 days!
On the plus sides, some of the new features and gimmicks are quite good.
-LP and Extras both give us all the making of videos and pointless things that were missing from film releases, but also adds them to albums, which is actually damned clever.
-The Store is now rendered using Webkit, and on the whole feels quite a bit more responsive whilst adding a decent amount of sparkle to proceedings. -You've also got the hotlink drop down menus at the top. Only downside is that everything is just bigger compared to before.
-The library sharing feature makes syncing your purchases from one computer to another much easier.
-Columns! My favourite widescreen view has finally made it to another programme in Apple's collection, the Browser is now on the left hand side (should you turn it on) and finally lets us use the width of these screens that Apple's had as standard for what seems like forever. There's a glitch, though, where old playlists will keep the browser up top if you had it enabled before 9.0

But unfortunately, its still Carbon, and its still 32-bit only.

On the whole, then,
iTouch = no progress
Nano = semi-pointless but nice new features and playing catch up with the radio
iTunes = stupid stupid with the interface changes, but otherwise some good evolutionary progress.

[Sneaky Snake]

Well there's some progress in the Touch. I heard that it got the same internals as the 3GS, and the 64 GB option is nice

[Eric5h5]

Only the 32/64GB models; the 8GB is the same.

Best feature in iTunes 9: arranging apps with a kind of iPhone/iPod touch simulator. This was always kind of a pain on the device when you had a bunch of them, and while OS 3.0 improved this a little, it's just way faster in iTunes now.

Unfortunately you need Safari 4 to use the store now...I wasn't planning on upgrading from 3.2.3 since a couple of things about 4 annoy me a little, but no choice now I guess....

--Eric

[Sneaky Snake]

Eric5h5, on September 9th 2009, 05:47 PM, said:

Only the 32/64GB models; the 8GB is the same

Good to know! I was thinking of getting the 8 GB if I ever manage to sell my old PC, but now the 32 GB is looking a lot more attractive

I heard something about issues with the cameras in the iTouch prior to release. Maybe that's the reason why they are missing in this update

[Janichsan]

teflon, on September 9th 2009, 11:32 PM, said:

-Columns! My favourite widescreen view has finally made it to another programme in Apple's collection, the Browser is now on the left hand side (should you turn it on) and finally lets us use the width of these screens that Apple's had as standard for what seems like forever. There's a glitch, though, where old playlists will keep the browser up top if you had it enabled before 9.0

I wouldn't call that a glitch. The playlists simply preserve the view settings they had before the update, and that includes the browser on top of the window. I like that setting much better and was appalled when I saw that column on the left hand side of my main music list. Luckily, I found the appropriate option 5 seconds later.

Another thing about iTunes 9 apart the new look of the buttons that I'm not really fond of is that I now have to hold down the option key when clicking the green window button to switch to the mini player. I usually use the mini player when I'm listening to music whil working on my Mac and that extra keystroke seems an unnecessary annoyance.

The new Genius Mix function is at least interesting, but appears to be extremely unflexible. I can't seem to find any possibility the influence what kind of Genius Mixes I'm offered.

[Eric5h5]

Janichsan, on September 10th 2009, 03:42 AM, said:

Another thing about iTunes 9 apart the new look of the buttons that I'm not really fond of is that I now have to hold down the option key when clicking the green window button to switch to the mini player. I usually use the mini player when I'm listening to music whil working on my Mac and that extra keystroke seems an unnecessary annoyance.

I'd say it was the correct decision, because it makes iTunes consistent with every other app as far as how the green button is supposed to work normally. (Personally I've never used it; I always hide iTunes and use the Dashboard widget, which is pretty much the same as the mini player.)

--Eric

[DaveyJJ]

Sneaky Snake, on September 9th 2009, 09:36 PM, said:

I heard something about issues with the cameras in the iTouch prior to release. Maybe that's the reason why they are missing in this update

That's what the rumour says but I think different. It's because in January (or soonish) the tablet's coming ... in three sizes, iPod touch size (small), medium and large. The camera that Apple wants in it will be in that version with the spiffy new hardware/technology that will have trickled down into the touch size from it's larger cousins. Why put a half-decent camera in a dying technology when a really wow! replacement is coming soon.

I suspect that anyone who buys a new touch today will be kicking themselves four months from now (it's Apple, remember? They've axed seemingly decent hardware lines before without warning. They create the future.) At least I saved myself some money yesterday ... no upgrade for me, my trusty 1st gen 8GB touch will soldier on for a bit.

[teflon]

Quite possible. But then again, I don't really see the appeal of an oversized Touch. It'd surely have to have a hybrid OSX/iPhone OS on it, otherwise there's a lot of wasted potential.
Whatever, Im sure Apple know what they're doing.

Sneaky Snake, on September 10th 2009, 02:36 AM, said:

I heard something about issues with the cameras in the iTouch prior to release. Maybe that's the reason why they are missing in this update

I don't understand why people think Apple would use anything other than the iPhone 3G's or 3GS' camera. Simply Apple aren't going to let the Touch supersede the iPhone's functionality (outside of memory), because its the iPhone that's the flagship device.

Janichsan, on September 10th 2009, 08:42 AM, said:

I wouldn't call that a glitch. The playlists simply preserve the view settings they had before the update, and that includes the browser on top of the window. I like that setting much better and was appalled when I saw that column on the left hand side of my main music list. Luckily, I found the appropriate option 5 seconds later.

I hadn't spotted the On Top/On Left menu item, so thought it was a glitch. Im glad they didn't ditch the old view, cos that wouldn't have made sense.

[DaveyJJ]

teflon, on September 10th 2009, 07:24 AM, said:

Whatever, Im sure Apple know what they're doing.

And that good sir, is the key! I agree completely.

I've read countless forum postings by raving fanboys like ourselves, and not a few tech writers on well-known news sites, claiming that Apple made a mistake or dropped the ball or don't know what the customers want. Wrong on all counts.

Apple knows exactly what they're doing and why they did this. Just because no one except a handful know what Apple's plans and roadmap are, doesn't mean they don't. Apple is thinking about the future here ... not short term. They will wow us with something that will completely erase this bad memory of no cameras in the touch, I assure you. And many of us will go right out and buy it.

But since I have saved myself $300 ... should I get a MobileMe subscription, do you think?

[The Liberator]

Exactly, Apple know what is good. Just like the the not matte screens, and part of the new iTunes, and everything else.

Liberator.

[teflon]

I didn't say that Apple don't make mistakes and questionable decisions from the consumer's point of view. Just that they know exactly what they're doing.
And most of the time, when they've messed up, and there's a big public outcry, they'll fix what everyone is screaming for. Hence why we can now get matte screens, why Firewire is back on the 13" MBP.
Of course, sometimes Apple is actually right. The longer battery life in the sealed MBPs is a substantial improvement over the replaceable batteries, for example.
Yet other times, Apple is ridiculously stubborn. The Mighty Mouse still sucks balls, Matte screens should be free, etc. etc.

So yeah, on the camera front, Apple knows what they're doing. It might well be that they chose a different camera to the iPhone (though I don't see why they'd do that) and had to scrap its inclusion at the last minute, but surely its a good thing that they held off since the product wasn't ready.

[The Liberator]

DaveyJJ, on September 10th 2009, 11:28 PM, said:

…I've read countless forum postings by raving fanboys like ourselves, and not a few tech writers on well-known news sites, claiming that Apple made a mistake or dropped the ball or don't know what the customers want. Wrong on all counts.

Apple knows exactly what they're doing and why they did this. Just because no one except a handful know what Apple's plans and roadmap are, doesn't mean they don't. Apple is thinking about the future here ... not short term. They will wow us with something that will completely erase this bad memory of no cameras in the touch, I assure you. And many of us will go right out and buy it…

teflon, on September 11th 2009, 09:46 AM, said:

I didn't say that Apple don't make mistakes and questionable decisions from the consumer's point of view. Just that they know exactly what they're doing.
And most of the time, when they've messed up, and there's a big public outcry, they'll fix what everyone is screaming for. Hence why we can now get matte screens, why Firewire is back on the 13" MBP.
Of course, sometimes Apple is actually right. The longer battery life in the sealed MBPs is a substantial improvement over the replaceable batteries, for example.
Yet other times, Apple is ridiculously stubborn. The Mighty Mouse still sucks balls, Matte screens should be free, etc. etc.

So yeah, on the camera front, Apple knows what they're doing. It might well be that they chose a different camera to the iPhone (though I don't see why they'd do that) and had to scrap its inclusion at the last minute, but surely its a good thing that they held off since the product wasn't ready.

Just to make sure, I was joking about what I said. I agree, normally Apple do know what they are doing; abandoning the floppy drive.

Liberator.

[dojoboy]

DaveyJJ, on September 10th 2009, 09:28 AM, said:

But since I have saved myself $300 ... should I get a MobileMe subscription, do you think?

Did you actually save $300 prior the media event, or are you using "smoke and mirrors" to make us believe you've saved $300 when actually you just mean the $300 you were going to spend is now "saved?"

No, no MobileMe subscription. Use the free stuff out there. That's the only way we can get Apple t drop the subscription rate. Everyone, scrap your MobileMe accounts ASAP!!!

[Sneaky Snake]

For $300 bucks you could get a nice external monitor for your laptop, or a nice set of speakers

[Silver Samurai]

I was thinking of getting a Touch, but after that lackluster update, I'm just going to wait.
I was hoping they would bump the entry level Touch, but only dropping the price $20 and including the newer OS is not enough to sway me. I don't really care about the camera to be honest .
I think I might end up getting a refurb 16GB model.

And unlike many other companies, Apple tells you what they think you want. I'm not bashing them since they're obviously successful in what they do, but no mid range headless Mac, not being able to customize OSX without a 3rd party app, the lack of updated drivers in various cases and, not being able to upgrade your machine how/when you want, wouldn't fall under the giving the user what they want category.

[dojoboy]

Silver Samurai, on September 12th 2009, 11:56 AM, said:

I was thinking of getting a Touch, but after that lackluster update, I'm just going to wait.

Same here. I was so excited to make the purchase, but nothing worthy (over my current iPod touch) was introduced. For me to get a new iPod touch, I'm gonna need the camera, video, and mic of the iPhone 3GS. I'll also grab the 16Gb, since the 8Gb is getting a bit tight these days.

[DaveyJJ]

Sneaky Snake, on September 11th 2009, 05:13 PM, said:

For $300 bucks you could get a nice external monitor for your laptop, or a nice set of speakers

I have a nice ViewSonic external monitor, don't ever bother with speakers anymore. $300 also buys me an Xbox 360 or PS3 ... hadn't thought about that one.