Apple unveils smaller iPods, other products
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Apple's newest line of its core product -- the music playing iPod line -- just got smaller, and customers will be able to share music preferences with friends over an iTunes-based network.
The company will also release an interactive digital television streaming box for $99 plus a new phone operating system with improved photo technology.
CEO Steve Jobs unveiled the new products at a Wednesday afternoon (Atlanta time) presentation in San Francisco. The lineup includes a shorter Shuffle and Nano, and a thinner iPod Touch, all with more features.
The Shuffle has buttons again like a predecessor, plus play lists. The Nano is now all screen, with multi-touch control like the iPhone and iPod Touch devices. Both are about the size of a saltine cracker.
And the Touch has many of the features of the new iPhone, including a clearer "retinal" display, and a front-facing camera. It also has a high-definition video camera on the back.
Jobs also revealed a new operating system upgrade for the iPhone, iOS 4.1. The free upgrade includes software touted to improve washed out photos and a multi-player gaming center. Another upgrade in November will bring more iPhone features over to the iPad.
And Jobs revealed how Apple will be shouldering its way into the social networking world dominated by the likes of Facebook and MySpace. A new service called Ping will be available on iTunes. It will be a music-based network searchable by name that allows people to share information about the music they like.
It will be available to all of Apple's 160 million iTunes users, on computers, iPhones and iPod Touches, Jobs said.
"We're starting with a very large base of iTunes users, and they can all sign up for Ping immediately," he said.
The TV box will be available in late September. It is smaller than a predecessor, and will stream programs from computers and from Netflix.
For the first time, Jobs streamed the company's September product show in San Francisco live via Apple's website.
Apple stock was unmoved by the hour-long presentation, hovering around $250 a share.
Smart Shopping
starts here!
This week's inserts | Today's Deals | Grocery Coupons
Grad School / MBA a ticket to success? Earning power | How to pay | Atlanta programs
Today's Deal
Get the deal of the day at DealSwarm.
Inside ajc.com
The week in entertainment
Katy Perry isn't the only one paying tribute to America the beautiful -- and the troops.
Can you see the change?
What's altered in the two photos? See how you score when you play the Find 5 Challenge!
Photos of the week
The AJC's photo staff selects the week's best photos from around town and around the globe.
Dog saves lives
A therapy dog is trained to sniff out when it's owner is going to faint, then alert her so she sits down.
Atlanta Jazz Festival
What you need to know for going to the Atlanta Jazz Festival at Piedmont Park this weekend.
