iPod

"It is another good day for Microsoft."

Microsoft spokesman Mark Murray famously used that line seven years ago, briefing reporters at the company's landmark antitrust trial, right after the software giant took a beating in court.

The Zune folks didn't use that specific wording, but they did try to shrug off the latest crop of iPods.

"This may come as a shock to folks, but today's Apple Computer announcement doesn't actually change any of our plans," Zune unit blogger Cesar Menendez said in a blog posting on Wednesday. "Of course we … Read more

Wednesday's Apple announcements included some significant market advances, particularly the iPod Touch and the iTunes Wi-Fi Store. The new lineup of devices should keep the company clearly in the digital-media drivers' seat through the end of 2007, at least, and the pricing strategy is rock-solid. (Microsoft tried to pre-empt Apple's announcement with a $50 price cut on the 30GB Zune to $199, but with an 80GB iPod available for only $249, Microsoft's going to have to cut the price further.)

Even so, a few things that Apple didn't announce might leave some room for other innovators. … Read more

The Wall Street Journal says that the iPhone price drop spooked Apple investors. Clearly something did, but if that really is why, it's some slightly goofy thinking on investors' part. But it also gets back to a point the Macalope was making a few months ago about why Apple might not want to release a touch-based iPod too soon. It bears repeating:

If Apple shows gigantic iPhone sales that drop off dramatically, expect howls of "I told you so!" from the usual collection of clowns, but also some serious questions from serious analysts wondering if that toe … Read more

I didn't attend the Apple event yesterday, but I watched the liveblogging by Tom Krazit here on CNET and by Ryan Block on Engadget. Not the same as being there, but still fun.

As everyone knows by now, Apple introduced three completely new iPods along with minor updates for the iPod Shuffle and iPhone:

While the rest of the blogosphere is looking forward at the new iPods launched Wednesday, I want to take a look back and say goodbye to the now-outmoded version of the iPod Nano.… Read more

Again, the video here tells most of the story for this new sixth-generation version of the iPod, now called the iPod Classic. Still, there are a few specific details worth focusing some extra attention on.

Capacity

The iPod Classic is now the only iPod Apple makes with a storage capacity over 16GB. In fact, the base model ($249) starts with a whopping 80GB of storage, and the next model up ($349) jumps to 160GB. These are serious numbers that are bound to excite those of us who carry huge music and/or video libraries. Many people were worried that Apple would ditch high-capacity players altogether with their latest line of iPods, but maintaining a high-capacity legacy MP3 player makes sense. After all, the iPod at this point has become an icon of industrial design and a symbol (for better or for worse) of our current digital music economy.… Read more

At less than $200, the new 4GB and 8GB iPod Nanos will surely be the most popular tech stocking stuffer this year. While the updated iPod Classic and iPod Touch are equally drool-worthy, the new Nano is obviously priced to move.

I was fortunate enough to get some hands-on time with the all the new iPods at the launch event, and even though the iPod Touch is clearly the star of the show, the new Nano is really the one to watch for. The 2-inch screen packs a dense and crisp 320x240 video resolution that looks very nice. The revamped graphic user interface (shared with the iPod Classic) is graphically rich and uses both a Cover Flow method for browsing music content, as well as a split-screen view used for browsing music, videos, photos, and more.

There's lots of small touches included on the new Nano that are easy to miss. For instance, Apple's music shuffle function has evolved. With this latest generation of iPods, after launching the player's shuffle function, users can now access the shuffle mode settings (shuffle song/shuffle album/shuffle off) from within the Now Playing pane by pressing the center button four times. This might seem insignificant, but it effectively gives users the ability to steer the shuffle function--randomizing song selections until they find something they like, then effortlessly disengaging the shuffle function once they've found an artist or album they'd like to hear more from. Accomplishing the same effect using… Read more

The video here sums it all up quite nicely, if I dare say, but here's a few key points worth noting about the iPod Touch.

Standard headphone jack

It may seem like an insignificant detail, but after the iPhone threw us for a loop with its recessed headphone jack, everybody wants to know if the iPod Touch has the same issue. The answer is no. Despite the fact that the iPod Touch looks nearly identical to the iPhone, the headphone jack is a standard plug that accepts any 3.5mm stereo headphone connection. The jack also distinguishes itself from … Read more

Today Apple refreshed its iPod lineup, introducing four iPod options in the process. For roughly $400 you can buy a 16GB iPod Touch with Internet capability, a 160GB iPod Classic or a combo of iPod Shuffles and Nanos.

But you could also splurge on something else entirely.

Overheard here at CNET, ideas include:

• 100 dozen doughnuts.

• One-way plane ticket to Paris.

• Hire a dog walker.

• The Beatles albums on vinyl.

• Garmin eTrex Vista HCx GPS receiver, plus a high-capacity microSD card.

• A newly cheaper iPhone.

• An external hard drive with more space to … Read more