Isaiah's Tech

Apple's awaited event has come and gone but it was one to remember. Tim Cook, the new CEO, showed up to announce a bunch of new things. First off, he announced that Lion was downloaded 6 million times which is a great number for digital downloads. Afterwards, Tim boasted numbers for their iPod, iPhone, and iPad devices which are pretty astonishing. An unexpected twist happened when Apple announced the new "Cards" app which will allow you to create a card on your iPhone and Apple will do the rest: print it out and mail it for you. All for $2.99 in the US.

Moving along, they recapped the great parts about iOS 5 which you should already know about: new Notifications, iMessage, Twitter integration, Reminders, Newsstand, improved Camera, Tabbed Browsing, etc. Along with mentioning Find my iPhone, there's also a new feature called Find my Friends which does what it says. Oh yes, of course, they briefly mentioned iCloud again and 5GB of storage will be free!

Apple decided that the first thing they would announce would be a new iPod Nano. Since Apple noticed that a bunch of people last year were using the Nano as a watch, they decided to add 16 new clock faces so you'll be able to stay fresh. The 8GB model will be $129 and the 16GB model will be $149. It'll be available today.

Next up is the new iPod Touch which will, obviously, have iOS 5 at launch. It's touted as having an ultra-thin design, a gyroscope, a Retina Display, and as the number 1 portable game player. 8GB for $199, 32GB for $299, and 64GB for $399. It'll be available in black and white on October 12th. Oh, there's also a new Shuffle which is 2GB and costs $49.

Now, the good stuff! Apple has also announced the iPhone 4S - it's official! This one has a similar design to the 4 and sports an 8MP camera (with a Hybrid IR filter, face detection, better colour accuracy, etc.) with 1080p video recording, HSPA+ (14.4Mbps), Siri (voice control), and iOS 5 with the dual-core A5 CPU - same as the iPad 2. Yeah, it'll reportedly be great at playing games so they demoed Infinity Blade 2 which looked very impressive. Yes, they also boasted battery life, a new antenna system, and the fact that it's a world phone - finally! So, the 8GB iPhone 3GS is now free on a 2-year contract, while the 8GB iPhone 4 will be $99.

On October 14th, the 4S will be available in the US, Canada, Australia, the UK, France, Germany, and Japan for $199 (16GB), $299 (32GB), and $399 (64GB). Yes, it'll hit Sprint, geez! Seriously!? That's it, a mediocre update. I was hoping for more Apple!

[This Is My Next, Engadget]

Apple kicked things off by announcing iOS 4.1 and 4.2 (for the iPad) but that's not what we'll talk about here - you'll have to wait until November for iOS 4.2 on your iPad by the way. We're focusing on the iPod refresh that took place today, and Steve Jobs said that this is the biggest iPod update ever. The first thing he announced was the new iPod Shuffle. After the third-generation failed, they've brought the buttons back in its small factor. It has the clip on the back and comes with 2GB of internal storage. This will cost you $49 and will be available in 5 colours (gray, blue, pink, green, and yellow) each with 15 hours of audio playback. Keep scrolling down for the new iPod Nano.

Next up is the new iPod Nano, which is being touted as a small iPod Touch. As expected, it's a plain (and small) touchscreen with no buttons on the front. On the side there's the volume button and on the back there's a clip which is great if you like to clip it. I put mine in my pocket so that doesn't really matter to me. It has a multitouch display along with 24 hours of audio playback. This reminds me of the third-gen (fat) iPod Nano so let's see how successful this turns out to be. This will come in a bunch of (they say six, I see seven) colours and they're all above for you. The 8GB model will be available for $149 while the 16GB model will only cost $30 more, at $179. iPod Touch next.

Update: The iPod Nano does not have video playback, I repeat does not. You won't be able to watch of your movies or podcasts on this device. Yup, no video playback.

Of course, this event wouldn't be complete without the most important iPod of all, the Touch. This model is even thinner and comes with a flat back. This iPod Touch sports the same retina display you'll find on the iPhone 4 and it also sports the Apple A4 CPU along with iOS 4.1 (with Game Center), 40 hours of audio playback, a front-facing camera, and a rear-facing camera with 720p HD video recording for FaceTime. You can pre-order them right now and they'll be going for $229 for 8GB, $299 for 32GB, and $399 for 64GB. Yes, there's no more 16GB model. They'll be available starting next week in the US (I don't know about the Canadian release dates).

[Engadget]

The latest word on the street is that Apple will be holding their annual September event on the 7th and it'll, of course, be focused on media. This includes the predictable iPod refresh (new Touch, Nano) and could actually be the announcement / release of the next Apple TV, which may or may not include 99 cent rentals. This would be really interesting and would be the start of the next Google and Apple war since they're already competitors on so many different levels. You never know, maybe it'll also be the event where Apple will pull the big unveil on their MacBook Air update as well.

Update: iPodNN has just pointed out that Apple has officially announced that they'll be holding their event on September 1st which is on a Wednesday - different from their usual Tuesday-held events.

[Tech Radar]

We already know that Apple is looking to update their MacBook Air notebook soon and it looks like it could be coming sometime in September. Apparently, the notebook will be cheaper than the $1,499 price that it starts out with now which would be a big step for Apple. Earlier rumours pointed that the MacBook Air update would feature an 11.6-inch display along with Intel Core ix ULV 2010 CPU options. That's not all though. We're also hearing that Apple may be trying to get rid of their iPod Shuffle line-up by introducing their first iPod Nano without the famous click-wheel. It's starting to look like that small Apple-branded touchscreen display will be the next iPod Nano somehow.

[Slash Gear]

Early in July, we heard about some small Apple-branded touchscreen and it looks like some more information on what it could be has been swirling around. iLounge has picked up some rumours and, apparently, the 1.7-inch display is actually going be an iPod Shuffle of some sort. The iPod refresh will be coming on a Tuesday in September which isn't surprising so we'll likely see it then along with some other incremental updates. There's also another rumour going around that Apple is working on a 7-inch iPad. The rumour goes on and says that the iPad may sport a Retina Display and could sport an "insane" resolution like 1,500 x ,1920. Front-facing cameras were mentioned as well. Apparently, the next iPhone could launch in January of next year but we don't know what kind (CDMA or an iPhone 4 update). There's also word on bumpers being upgraded - whatever that means. Pretty juicy.

[9 to 5 Mac]

What you see above was leaked this morning and it's said to be Apple-branded. It's a mini-touchscreen display measure 3 x 3cm in size and could be for a bunch of different products. It could be a new iPod Touch Nano, an iPod Shuffle, an iPhone Nano (which doesn't really make sense), an iWatch, or even for a touchscreen-touchpad. The touchscreen touchpad is what I'm betting this will be for. I think that this mini-touchscreen could actually be running iOS and could be implemented somehow. We'll really just have to see what happens because it does seem a bit small to be a touchpad. Maybe it'll be something on the side.

[9 to 5 Mac, iPodnn]

Yes, I'm going to make this one long post of all of the iPods that Apple announced at their event today. First up, we have the new iPod Shuffle. The 2GB model will now go for $59 and the 4GB model will be available for just $79. They also added in a new Special Edition stainless steel model which is $99 for 4GB of storage. The iPod Shuffles are now available in pink, green, and blue models as well.

There were big rumours about the iPod Touch gaining a camera, but that turned out to be false. There is no camera on the new iPod Touches and that's definitely a sad thing for those who were looking forward to it. Nothing entirely too big here, basically. They announced a $199 8GB model, a $299 32GB model, and a $399 64GB model, which is seen above. The look is still the same, and I now hate it because it's been around for too long. Although there is no camera, the CPU did get an upgrade, the 64GB model is said to be "50% faster" and it supports OpenGL, which should make gaming even better.

Apple went on to announce a new iPod Classic that has 160GB of internal storage. Even though the storage was bumped up 40GB, it has the exact same dimensions as the old 120GB model. It's now available for $249.

Last, but definitely not least, it's the new iPod Nanos. These were definitely my favourite iPod announcement. Unlike the iPod Touches, the iPod Nanos do have a camera. The new iPod Nano has: a 2.2-inch display with a 240 x 376 resolution, an FM tuner, a microphone, a speaker, and VGA @ 30fps recording abilities. The dimensions are the exact same as the last Nano but it weighs 1.28 ounces, which is 0.02 ounces lighter than the last model. "Apple claims that the new nano can last up to 24 hours when playing back audio, while video playback should zap the rechargeable battery in just five hours." These Nanos are now available for $149 for the 8GB model and $179 for the 16GB model.

iPod Shuffle: Engadget
iPod Touch: Crunch Gear
iPod Classic: iPod NN, Slash Gear
iPod Nano: Engadget, G4 TV

Computer Choppers is glad to colour your new 3G (3rd Generation) iPod Shuffle. If you get a standard colour in the picture above, it will cost you about $50 USD more than the Apple price, bringing the grand total to $129 USD. The most expensive colours are: White Gold, Rose Gold, and Platinum, costing $200 USD. There is a full list of colours (and prices) over at Computer Choppers' official site if you're interested.

[Gizmodo]

This is Disney's new 20-inch LCD TV. This would be the perfect gift for my girlfriend, but it's reportedly going to be released for ¥100,000 ($1,015 USD), so cross this off my list. That would put a dent in my wallet and my bank account. The monitor itself, clearly has Stitch and his big mouth right at the top of the TV. If you're really interested (like my girlfriend was when I linked the page to her), you will see a nice 1,680 x 1,050 resolution, HDMI and VGA inputs, TV-tuner, "dual five watt speakers and a bundled remote." Now, those specs aren't exactly the worst out there and I actually find it excellent for a Disney-branded LCD TV.

Just when you though the new iPod Shuffle 3G (3rd Generation) was just small, it is also extremely light (surprising). Some consumers gathered up to rip apart the new iPod Shuffle and they ripped out its insides. After they did it successfully, because Apple's products are a struggle to take apart, they came into realization that the insides of the new iPod Touch weighs only 10% heavier than a single piece of paper. Amazing.

A mysterious new HTC phone may be coming to Verizon soon. Boy Genius has their guesses on what it could be, but I don't like guesses so i'll just tell you what it is when they release it or whatever. I just thought I'd tell you before it comes out so that you're prepared for it and it won't be a surprise or anything. By the way, I thought it'd be a good time to mention that I just received my illegal copy of the new leaked Windows 7 RC1. I hope it works well. Shouts out go to Xu, thanks man. Hopefully the CD key works.

This should definitely come to America. I think you should blow up the picture to see a larger one. In Rotterdam, Netherlands they have this amazing ad for Fitness First. This should definitely come to America to show 60% of their population just how overweight they are. This concept would probably be demeaning to the females out there, but whatever. It would be hilarious, in my opinion.

Stitch LCD TV (and picture): http://www.engadget.com/2009/03/13/disneys-latest-lcd-tv-gets-mauled-by-stitch/
iPod Shuffle Is Light Too (and picture): http://www.engadget.com/2009/03/13/ipod-shuffle-teardown-guts-weigh-just-10-more-than-sheet-of-pa/
HTC Phone Coming To Verizon? (and picture): http://www.boygeniusreport.com/2009/03/13/mystery-htc-phone-gets-gsm-certification-headed-for-verizon-wireless/
Bus Ad Reveals Your Weight (and picture): http://i.gizmodo.com/5169348/bus-ad-shames-you-into-joining-a-gym-by-showing-everyone-your-weight

Just like i mentioned this morning, (from left to right) the 5730 XpressMusic, 5330 XpressMusic and the 5030 XpressRadio are now available for €280 (Q3), €260 (also Q3) and €40 (Q2), respectively. I just thought i'd give you a picture of all 3 of Nokia's new handsets.

This small device you see here is a AA battery the new iPod Shuffle from Apple. As you can see, it's extremely tiny and has no buttons on it. The buttons are found on the supplied earphones. The new iPod Shuffle announcement and release was a surprise to everyone and I have some of its specs for you. The new iPod Shuffle has 4GB of storage, comes in silver or black with a stainless steel clip and Apple claims the Shuffle to be the first music player with a "VoiceOver" feature. It also has 10 hours of music playback, but that is actually 2 hours less than the 12 hour music playback that the last Shuffle touted. This Shuffle is extremely small and i can't really stress that enough. It's actually now available for $80 USD, so go and get it online if you want it that badly. This is clearly the "real" iPod Nano, in terms of size.

"When Facebook users login today, they're going to find something new - and, Facebook hopes, addicting - a real time stream of all their friends' updates across Facebook, the Facebook Platform, and Facebook Connect." Clearly this is not the case, since i'm still waiting for the Facebook Home Page to change. It will probably be up tonight before i go to sleep and i'm excited to see it. It looks good and i especially love the use of the 3 columns in the new design. I'm excited to see how it works out and how others react to it. Apparently, this new Facebook Home Page will roll out slowly over the next couple of days to users, so it could be a while before it pops up for you.

Nintendo has reached yet another amazing feat. To be specific, I'm talking about Nintendo shipping out their 100 millionth Nintendo DS. This is amazing and this number is growing at a steady and quick pace. The Nintendo DSi is scheduled to be released in a couple of weeks, so expect those to be sold out at a store near you. The DSi will be a significant upgrade to the current DS. It sports a larger (3.25-inch) screen, has built-in memory, but unfortunately will not be backwards compatible with your old GameBoy Advance games. It also has 2 cameras and has the ability to go on the Internet and stuff. It's only a few weeks away kids!

Nokia XpressMusic / XpressRadio (and picture): http://www.engadget.com/2009/03/11/nokia-outs-5730-and-5330-xpressmusic-and-5030-xpressradio-handse/
New iPod Shuffle (and picture): http://i.gizmodo.com/5167946/new-ipod-shuffle-moves-buttons-to-headphones-adds-text-to-speech
New Facebook Home Page (and picture): http://www.insidefacebook.com/2009/03/11/facebook-launching-new-home-page-today-taking-the-live-stream-mainstream/
Nintendo Ships Their 100 Millionth DS (and picture): http://www.techradar.com/news/gaming/consoles/nintendo-ships-its-100-millionth-ds-581879?src=rss&attr=all