I knew today's Apple announcement would be big: After all, it's been about two years since Apple had performed a wholesale refresh of its iPod line. Plus, Apple was hosting today's event at San Francisco's Moscone Center--a sizable venue befitting a noteworthy announcement.
But Apple outdid itself this time, not only announcing new pricing, capacities, and physical dimensions, but also introducing the iPod Touch. Here are my impressions.
New IPod Touch--Drool City
The iPod Touch is what many people--including me--have been clamoring for. The key reasons:
- iPhone: It's an iPhone without the phone and that pesky phone service contract (and without e-mail messaging).
- Screen: You get the 3.5-inch multitouch screen, which was one of the biggest talking points of the iPhone when it came out earlier this year.
- Touch screen: You enjoy the coolness factor of that pinch-and-squeeze touch-screen interface, which is terrific for watching videos and viewing photos.
IPod Improvements--More Bang for the Buck
Also impressive are the substantial changes that have been made to the iPod Classic--the new moniker for the long-standing full-size iPod.
- Design: The Classic's industrial design is essentially unchanged--the new models are slightly slimmer than before, but not so much so that they will alter your conception of what an iPod looks like. However, the new capacities and pricing are eye-popping. Before, the 80GB model cost $349; now, that model is stickered at $249.
- Size: Apple will offer a whopping 160GB model. That translates into room for up to 40,000 tunes on a single iPod--40 times the number of tunes the original iPod could hold when it was introduced back in 2002.
- Interface: The new Classic has the refreshed user interface found on the also-announced Nano (it turns out that all the rumors were correct). The interface is more visual, with previews of the content a menu item will lead you to, and the popular Cover Flow feature for scanning through your albums by artist.
IPod Nano--Now With Video
Turns out that those rumors about a completely redesigned and re-engineered Nano were true: The short-and-stout Nano has an intriguing new look, and is pleasingly lightweight and compact to hold in the hand. has an intriguing look, it doesn't strike me as being a revolutionary, market-changing product.
- Form and Function: I'm thrilled by the lighter weight and how the device fits perfectly in my small hand. Still, I'm not convinced I'd want to watch a two-and-a-half hour movie on it--even if the 2-inch, 320-by-240 resolution display is the same size as that on the iPod Classic carries.
- Broader Capabilities: The Nano's alterations include adding support for both video playback and casual games (three games come with the unit; more will be available via the iTunes Store). and a lower price ($149 for the 4GB model, and $199 for the 8GB model).
- Evolution, not Revolution: All of its innovations aside, the new Nano somehow doesn't strike me as being a revolutionary, market-changing product. The previous, petite Nano is already the most popular iPod Apple makes; these new features and competitive prices will only enhance its appeal. I've seen other compact multimedia devices, though none quite so small or thin as the new Nano. But truly, size is just part of the equation: The bigger hook with the Nano is simply that it's an iPod variation on the concept.
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