Notes on iTunes biz, App Store, iPod biz, Jobs, new iPod hands-on

[AppleInsider]

Apple today provide updates to some key statistics surrounding its music business and the App Store. Jobs later appeared on CNBC to address concerns about his health (again). And the first hands-on encounters with the company's new iPod line touch on some finer details of the new iPod touch, its Nike+ integration, and the fourth-generation iPod nano.

iTunes

More than 65 million people worldwide have created accounts on the iTunes Store, enabling Apple to become the No. 1 distributor of music, period, ahead of Wal-Mart and Best Buy. The services vast content library now includes over 8.5 million songs, 125,000 podcasts, 30,000 television episodes, and 2,600 movies.

iTunes' stronghold on digital distribution may have been enough to compel NBC Universal to end its bitter feud with Apple over pricing. Tuesday marked the network's returned to iTunes, where all of its programming will be made available in both standard definition for $1.99 per episode and high-definition for $2.99 per episode. Back-catalog episodes from at least NBC are now appearing at 99 cents per episode.

As part of its renewed friendship with Apple and iTunes, NBC will offer one free download from each of its top series over the next two weeks.

The Genius function of iTunes 8.0 released today works by uploading -- anonymously and voluntarily -- a user's iTunes data to the iTunes 'cloud,' where it is then combined with knowledge of millions of other users' iTunes libraries. The more people that use Genius, the smarter it will get, said Apple chief executive Steve Jobs.

App Store

Meanwhile, users have downloaded more than 100 million applications from Apple's new App Store since launched less than two months ago. More than 3,000 applications -- including approximately 700 games -- are currently available on the store, with over 90 percent priced at less than $10 and more than 600 offered for free.

Apple's iPod business

During July, the last month for which data was available, the iPod registered a 73.4 percent share of the US digital media player market. Sandisk has 8.6 percent of the US digital media player market, while Microsoft has 2.6 percent, and “Others” have 15.4 percent.

Over 160 million iPods have been sold to date, supporting a thriving ecosystem of iPod accessory makers who've brought to market over 5,000 add-ons. "They announce products even before we want them to," Jobs said, referring to early leaks of third party cases for the fourth-generation iPod nano. "It's so funny."

Jobs' health

Responding to ongoing concerns over his health and, more specifically, the inadvertent publication of his obituary last month by Bloomberg, Jobs kicked off his speech Tuesday with a quote from Mark Twain: "The reports of my death are greatly exaggerated."

He later told CNBC during an interview that he's healthy, but could stand to gain 10-15lbs. "I'm doing just fine," he said. "I'm healthy."

Steve Jobs at Apple's "Let's Rock" event on Tuesday.

New iPod touch

Apple has posted a guided tour of the second-generation iPod touch. Gizmodo had some hands-on experience with the new Touch following Apple's presentation and said the most noticeable thing "is just how thin it feels in your hand."

"The tapered edges make it feel like last year's iPod nano, and it isn't as heavy or dense feeling as the 1G iPod touch," Giz said. "As Jobs stated in the keynote, the built-in speaker really is for casual listening, as it's not loud enough to cut through the crowds here. But when held to the ear, it sounds decent enough for what it is."

The volume switch reportedly feels the same as the iPhone's, and while the dimensions of the new iPod touch are the same as the first generation, the new model "almost feels narrower compared to the original." The black Wi-Fi radio antenna cover is now oval shaped and "less conspicuous than before."

Separately, Apple is preparing to release iPod touch 2.1 firmware for first-generation iPod touch owners through iTunes.

Nike+ and first-gen iPod touches

Gizmodo also confirmed with Apple reps onsite in San Francisco Tuesday that Nike+ integration will only work with the second-gen iPod touch because "because of the technology required to connect the device to the receiver in your shoe" was not included in the original model (or iPhone).



New iPod nano

Apple has also posted a short video of the iPod nano's new features. According to Giz, the new nano is the first nano that uses USB charging only, so older FireWire chargers from docks a few years old will not charge the new model.

The blog's hands-on report adds that the new "shake to shuffle" function will not activate unless screen is active and the hold button switched to off. Also, the click wheel orientation will not shift when you use the accelerometer to switch to landscape mode.

Apple vice president Greg Joswiak reportedly noted that the menu button is always in the same position, and that it's not a problem that the controls don't shift because users are typically only scrolling in landscape mode.

Software Updates

Also, noted on our blogs, Apple has just released updates to Front Row and QuickTime for use alongside iTunes 8.

[ View this article at AppleInsider.com ]

[Superbass]

Originally Posted by AppleInsider

Also, noted on our blogs, Apple has just released updates to Front Row and QuickTime for use alongside iTunes 8.

[ View this article at AppleInsider.com ]

Who's going to take the plunge and be the first to have their system crash? Anyone?

[digitalclips]

Originally Posted by Superbass

Who's going to take the plunge and be the first to have their system crash? Anyone?

you you you

[teckstud]

He later told CNBC during an interview that he's healthy, but could stand to gain 10-15lbs.

Someone get Steve some steroids then. Can't he call the Gov-e-nay-tah?

[Superbass]

Originally Posted by digitalclips

you you you

Ok. I did Quicktime only. I was afraid of being stuck in FrontRow until hell freezes over, so i unchecked that box. So far, VLC still works great!

[Foo2]

I guess the Nike+ receiver in the Touch II is the feature that will cut into profit margins but no one else will have.

Big woop.

[minderbinder]

Originally Posted by Foo2

I guess the Nike+ receiver in the Touch II is the feature that will cut into profit margins but no one else will have.

Big woop.

Actually, I don't think any of the ipod announcements are things that would cut into profit margins. After today's event, it seems much more likely that he was talking about computers or some other product other than ipods.

[Kasper]

Originally Posted by minderbinder

Actually, I don't think any of the ipod announcements are things that would cut into profit margins. After today's event, it seems much more likely that he was talking about computers or some other product other than ipods.

I agree with this. I think it has to do with the notebooks. That's why we mentioned it in our report about the mysterious chipset that will supposedly come in the new models.

Best,

K

[skottichan]

Updated everything.

No problems with iT8, QT or Front Row on; Late 2006 iMac, Early 2008 iMac, Early 2008 Macbook, Early 2006 Mac Mini and a Late 2004 14" iBook.


Had a brief moment of issue with the 2.1 update for my iPod Touch (couldn't find the resource, that was fixed 10 minutes ago).

[kerryb]

I don't want to appear insensitive but it looks like Steve is wearing the same clothes he wore before his illness. A better fitting shirt and trousers would help him from looking like he is shrinking. Steve please go shopping for a better fit at least until you get some of that lost weight back.

[Superbass]

Originally Posted by kerryb

I don't want to appear insensitive but it looks like Steve is wearing the same clothes he wore before his illness. A better fitting shirt and trousers would help him from looking like he is shrinking. Steve please go shopping for a better fit at least until you get some of that lost weight back.

I vote for topless. I bet he has some cool scars.

[jwdawso]

Originally Posted by Foo2

I guess the Nike+ receiver in the Touch II is the feature that will cut into profit margins but no one else will have.

Big woop.

But on a serious note - maybe there are upcoming accessories that will take advantage of this capability. Hope so!

[shanmugam]

Originally Posted by Kasper

I agree with this. I think it has to do with the notebooks. That's why we mentioned it in our report about the mysterious chipset that will supposedly come in the new models.

Best,

K

i am kinda feel that the new macbook may be pused all the way to MWSF 2009. there is not enough time for another event going to happen now till end of the sep (to take 30% margin into consideration)

i think something went wrong with the product transition, it will better to hold off and finish the product (considering how much trouble we are having with iPhone )

there will be speed bumps in between now and January.

[sandau]

I've been shaking my macbook, but all i get are lightsaber sounds.... I shook my apple TV, but all that happened was the HDMI cable popped off. shake shake shake...shake your booty.

[Superbass]

Originally Posted by sandau

I've been shaking my macbook, but all i get are lightsaber sounds.... I shook my apple TV, but all that happened was the HDMI cable popped off. shake shake shake...shake your booty.

I'm afraid of what'll happen if I buy the new nano. I can just picture it.

Standing in a crowded men's bathroom listening to Motorhead, then I shake my wang so I don't drip in my pants, and then the music switches Glass Tiger, and I start looking at everyone else's schlongs. Could be a big problem.

[sandau]

Originally Posted by Superbass

I'm afraid of what'll happen if I buy the new nano. I can just picture it.

Standing in a crowded men's bathroom listening to Motorhead, then I shake my wang so I don't drip in my pants, and then the music switches Glass Tiger, and I start looking at everyone else's schlongs. Could be a big problem.

well, probably if you start shaking them too... but one man's problem is another man's...

yikes..

[ALPICH]

I purchased an iPhone only 2 months ago and it won't have the ability to use Nike +? What a stuffed up job by Jobs. Clearly he likes to frustrate. If Microsoft wants to point out the failures of Apple I would be glad to do a rang of spoof commercials talking about the stuff ups on my Mac, my iPhone and my AirPort Extreme device. I would also love to do some spoofs on how things just work like needing to run VMWare Fusion so I can run Windows on my Mac to use Internet Explorer to access government sites. Maybe I am just having a bad hair day. But seriously. A two month old device that will not be compatible with Nike +. Get real. This is no way to distinguish the products. Its just down right rude.

[walshbj]

Has anyone been able to download the free NBC content? It's in my cart, but listed as unavailable.

[Zandros]

Originally Posted by shanmugam

i am kinda feel that the new macbook may be pused all the way to MWSF 2009. there is not enough time for another event going to happen now till end of the sep (to take 30% margin into consideration)

Don't say that. In 2005 we had an iPod event at September 7, and a Mac event at October 12. It's not in September for sure, but there is time for another event before MWSF09.

Originally Posted by ALPICH

I purchased an iPhone only 2 months ago and it won't have the ability to use Nike +?

Does not the current version of Nike + work with iPhone and iPod touch?

/Adrian

[teckstud]

Originally Posted by ALPICH

I purchased an iPhone only 2 months ago and it won't have the ability to use Nike +? What a stuffed up job by Jobs. Clearly he likes to frustrate. If Microsoft wants to point out the failures of Apple I would be glad to do a rang of spoof commercials talking about the stuff ups on my Mac, my iPhone and my AirPort Extreme device. I would also love to do some spoofs on how things just work like needing to run VMWare Fusion so I can run Windows on my Mac to use Internet Explorer to access government sites. Maybe I am just having a bad hair day. But seriously. A two month old device that will not be compatible with Nike +. Get real. This is no way to distinguish the products. Its just down right rude.

You must be new here. Steve giveth and taketh away- always. But in this case it's technology that's ever changing- why the whine? The iPhone can't do everything- I suppose you would also like a print wheel attachment as well?

[teckstud]

Originally Posted by sandau

well, probably if you start shaking them too... but one man's problem is another man's...

yikes..

I think the "shake my iPod" is a little too much like the "cruise my Zune"- not quite sure if I like it.

[TenoBell]

Originally Posted by shanmugam

i am kinda feel that the new macbook may be pused all the way to MWSF 2009. there is not enough time for another event going to happen now till end of the sep (to take 30% margin into consideration)

i think something went wrong with the product transition, it will better to hold off and finish the product (considering how much trouble we are having with iPhone )

there will be speed bumps in between now and January.

The last two major notebook updates were 8 months apart. Next month will be 8 months from the last update.

[urbansprawl]

Originally Posted by Superbass

Who's going to take the plunge and be the first to have their system crash? Anyone?

Please, why do I never experience any of these crashes people complain about? Ran all the updates and everything went smoothly.

Genius is interesting. I'll have to get into a store to see the new nanos. I miss the fatty...incredibly cuter.

[Ste]

Updated to iTunes 8 this evening. No problems so far; loving the new grid view.

One question: what happened to the Mini Store? Does Genius replace it? I used to enjoy springboarding off the reviews into new music, but I don't fancy Apple having access to my entire library information. What gives?

[skottichan]

Originally Posted by Ste

Updated to iTunes 8 this evening. No problems so far; loving the new grid view.

One question: what happened to the Mini Store? Does Genius replace it? I used to enjoy springboarding off the reviews into new music, but I don't fancy Apple having access to my entire library information. What gives?

yeah, the right hand Genius bar takes the place of the MiniStore, the sending of our library info seems to make Genius a little more intuitive that MiniStore. If the sending library info with Apple bothers you, I'd suggest turning off Genius.

[AjitMD]

Under the current economic conditions, Apple's margins should stay the same if not expand. The dollar has shown some strength and that should lower the cost of assembly and some components. In addition the global slowdown will lower the price of commodity items like batteries, memory, camera, and even the Samsung proprietary CPU. Even with the price drop.

I wish Apple would add more functionality to the iPhone touch. The speaker and mic do help... especially with a VoIP service. For a fee the user could get a phone number and be able to make phone calls anywhere in the US. Best would be when traveling overseas and be able to receive and make phone calls especially back to the US.

[shanmugam]

Originally Posted by TenoBell

The last two major notebook updates were 8 months apart. Next month will be 8 months from the last update.

ok, but next month will be next quarter. let us see what next couple of weeks brings ...

[Kolchak]

Originally Posted by kerryb

I don't want to appear insensitive but it looks like Steve is wearing the same clothes he wore before his illness. A better fitting shirt and trousers would help him from looking like he is shrinking.

I think Steve buys black turtlenecks by the gross, so it'll be a while before he buys new shirts. Maybe he should take a cue from the Apple Geniuses and change colors. You know what they say about black having a slimming effect. Give the man some soy protein drinks.

[AjitMD]

How hard would be for Apple to add GPS receiver capability to the iPod Touch? I know it would need a map database since it may not be connected to internet most of the time. It would increase the value of the device.. as far as I am concerned.

[NasserAE]

Originally Posted by AppleInsider

The Genius function of iTunes 8.0 released today works by uploading -- anonymously and voluntarily -- a user's iTunes data to the iTunes 'cloud,' where it is then combined with knowledge of millions of other users' iTunes libraries. The more people that use Genius, the smarter it will get, said Apple chief executive Steve Jobs.

[ View this article at AppleInsider.com ]

Anyone want to guess when MS will be announcing Guru for Windows Media Player?

[Mac-sochist]

Originally Posted by AjitMD

How hard would be for Apple to add GPS receiver capability to the iPod Touch? I know it would need a map database since it may not be connected to internet most of the time. It would increase the value of the device.. as far as I am concerned.

The iPhone uses assisted GPS: instead of waiting for the satellites to spoonfeed you your ephemeris data at 50 bps, it pulls the info in off the internet at 3G (or at least EDGE) speeds. An iPod Touch with GPS would take forever to get a reading. (Unless, of course, you're in a WiFi hotspot and online at the time.)

[ecking]

Originally Posted by Superbass

I'm afraid of what'll happen if I buy the new nano. I can just picture it.

Standing in a crowded men's bathroom listening to Motorhead, then I shake my wang so I don't drip in my pants, and then the music switches Glass Tiger, and I start looking at everyone else's schlongs. Could be a big problem.

Note: I had no idea appleinsider had a blog!

[noirdesir]

Originally Posted by Mac-sochist

The iPhone uses assisted GPS: instead of waiting for the satellites to spoonfeed you your ephemeris data at 50 bps, it pulls the info in off the internet at 3G (or at least EDGE) speeds. An iPod Touch with GPS would take forever to get a reading. (Unless, of course, you're in a WiFi hotspot and online at the time.)

Some more detail:
GPS (and Maps on iPhone/iPod touch) needs three kinds of data
(a) a time signal from the satellites
(b) information where the satellites are exactly in orbit at that moment
(c) the actual maps

(c) could be stored on the device (that is what traditional GPS devices do, (b) is received via the internet on the iPhone, receiving it from the satellites can take up to a few minutes, that is also how traditional GPS devices do it, (a) has to come from the satellites.
The GPS antenna and receiver in the iPhone are probably less sensitive than those of traditional GPS devices (they are smaller for sure) which probably would make (b) take longer than on those devices.

[AjitMD]

Originally Posted by noirdesir

Some more detail:
GPS (and Maps on iPhone/iPod touch) needs three kinds of data
(a) a time signal from the satellites
(b) information where the satellites are exactly in orbit at that moment
(c) the actual maps

(c) could be stored on the device (that is what traditional GPS devices do, (b) is received via the internet on the iPhone, receiving it from the satellites can take up to a few minutes, that is also how traditional GPS devices do it, (a) has to come from the satellites.
The GPS antenna and receiver in the iPhone are probably less sensitive than those of traditional GPS devices (they are smaller for sure) which probably would make (b) take longer than on those devices.

I think the iPhone Touch product would need wide are data reception to be a compelling purchase. Even if somebody would offer a small add on that offers EVDO data reception from Verizon or Sprint.

I just think that wireless voice plans are too expensive. What I need is access to data that allows me to run VoIP as well. May be WiMax one day.

[NasserAE]

Originally Posted by AjitMD

I think the iPhone Touch product would need wide are data reception to be a compelling purchase. Even if somebody would offer a small add on that offers EVDO data reception from Verizon or Sprint.

I just think that wireless voice plans are too expensive. What I need is access to data that allows me to run VoIP as well. May be WiMax one day.

That's why they have the iPhone (wireless data, a phone, can even become VOIP device with future apps such as iCall). The iPod Touch is an iPod! They have been marketing it as an iPod and since yesterday as a gaming device. Today, everyone carries a cell phone so you are paying for the Voice plan anyway. What Apple trying to say is if you don't want to carry a cell phone, a PDA, and an iPod then you can get the iPhone. However, if you like your phone a lot then an iPod Touch is the best choice for you. Most of my friends who have iPod Touch got them because they are already on cell phone contract or don't want to deal with monthly data plans and the 2 years contract with AT&T.

[PBG4 Dude]

I saw the QT & iTunes update, but wasn't offered a Front Row update? Was the FR update released much later?

[solipsism]

The Shake to Shuffle mode is inactive when the screen is off.