Living Critic

Apple rolled out probably it’s biggest updates ever today. The new iPod line-up is incredible even if it was expected.

This time virtually all the rumors, and leak sites were pretty accurate about what new toys Apple was brining to the table.

We now have new Nanos that are incredibly thin personal media players. They still work with Nike+iPod which is was a question I had. They now play games and video like the 5.5 iPods. Vortex and Sudoku will come prebundled.

The current 5.5g iPod is sticking around and getting a larger hard drive. With up to 160 gigs, you can now carry around over 40,000 songs and up to 40 hours of battery life Steve Jobs tells us, that’s incredible for the price at 349.

Both the Nano and the iPod classic have updated firmware allowing for more of a cover-flow type interface and a split screen selection menu.

My question her is will a firmware update come for current 5.5g iPods that allows for the split screen? I doubt it but it would be a nice bone to throw consumers who’ve just purchased their iPods.

Lastly we have what I wish Apple didn’t even call an iPod, the iPod Touch. This is essentially an iPhone with the phone, email, camera and bluetooth (for now?) removed.

This is really your portable internet WiFi device. That’s how it should have been portrayed. It comes with Safari, Youtube, iCal, and Addressbook built in. It’s got the same photo and video apps that the iPhone comes with. I’m surprised they didn’t include the camera and I’m really surprised there’s no email application. I have no doubt the hacks will come in soon. There is also room for a lot more icons, so when Leopard launches I’m sure we’ll have some applications updates for this device.

One amazing feature coming to these devices is the iTunes WiFi music store. You’ll be able to find, preview and purchas songs directly on your iPod Touch and iPhone. Watching the tool in action is pretty incredible.

Starbucks and Apple have teamed up to offer free WiFi and music purchases from Starbucks stores which I’m sure means we’ll see a lot of iPod users sipping Late’s as they read their NYTimes.com on their WiPods and iPhones.

The WiPod sells for $300 and $400 for 8gb and 16gb versions. It is now available for pre-order only.

The iPod Classic sells for $250 and $350 for 80gb and 160gb versions.

The Nano’s sell for $150 and $200 for 4gb and 8gb versions.

Shuffles are still available for $80.

I’d like to see:

• a firmware update that enables some of the split screen and coverflow features for 5 and 5.5 generation iPods.
• bluetooth added to the WiPod.
• an email app that syncs with apple mail and your online mail accounts.

In any case this is going to push a lot of innovation on the part of companies like Nokia and other competitors. These features are definite Zune killers.

I have no doubt we’ll be seeing some pretty interesting stuff happening in this space in the next 2 years. Palm has really got to do something as the WiPod (iPod touch) has the potential to be an amazing PDA.

I’m waiting to see the hacked apps that will have WiPod support.

Go hackers!