Let’s Rock Unveils iTunes 8.0 (w/Genius), Brand New iPod Nano, Firmware 2.1

Posted by Andrew Robinowitz on: September 9th, 2008, 10.59 am

lets rock Lets Rock Unveils iTunes 8.0 (w/Genius), Brand New iPod Nano, Firmware 2.1

Steve Jobs just took the stage of Apple’s “Let’s Rock” event today, unveiling some slammin’ new goodies fresh from the labs of our favorite Cupertino company.

Here’s a breakdown of the main takeaways:

1. iTunes to carry HD TV Shows

($2.99 for HD and $1.99 for SD)

The Office, Monk, Battlestar Galactica, 30 Rock and Heroes will be offered.

2. iTunes 8.0 Upgrade

(available for download today: HERE)

New Genius Feature: pairs up songs that “go together,” using an algorithm to create intelligent playlists.

Genius Results will be uploaded anonymously to help refine its algorithm and improve results (you can opt-out, Genius will be updated every week based on uploaded data).

3. iPod Revamp

(currently holds 73.4% market share)

letsrockipods5 Lets Rock Unveils iTunes 8.0 (w/Genius), Brand New iPod Nano, Firmware 2.1

New iPod Classic – 120GB model @ $249 (80 and 160GB discontinued)

New iPod Nano – complete redesign:

  • 8GB model available today, 16GB next week at the latest (most likely this weekend)
  • aluminum casing
  • curved glass
  • thinnest iPod ever
  • now supports video
  • ACCELEROMETER added (screen rotates to landscape)
  • “enhanced user interface”
  • “shake to shuffle” mode, shake the nano to engage shuffle for songplay
  • can attach microphone for recording options
  • 24 hour battery life for music, 4 hours for video
  • environmentally friendly: highly recyclable with toxin-free internals

    • New iPod Touch – some new changes:

  • all models available today: 8GB for $229, 16GB for $299, and 32GB for $399
  • brand new contoured stainless steel casing
  • “improved UI” with better artwork
  • integrated with Nike+ (pedometer), no dongle needed, just transmitter for shoe
  • supports Genius Playlist Creation
  • 36 hour battery life for music, 6 hours for video
  • environmentally friendly, just like the nano

    • 4. App Store

    Available in 62 countries, saw 100 million downloads in the first 60 days, over 700 games now available.

    5. Firmware 2.1

    Available today for iPod Touch, this Friday for iPhone.

    Jobs calls it a huge update that fixes a lot of bugs: “”Fewer dropped calls, big battery life improvements. No crashes with Apps, backing up is faster.”

    5 Comments

    1. jbird
      September 9, 2008 • 1:59 pm

      where’s the copy and paste? the turn by turn GPS? WHY MORE BUG FIXES?!?!?!

      Reply
    2. Ron L.
      September 9, 2008 • 2:04 pm

      Just downloaded iTunes 8.0 and playing with the Genius feature. No doubt the best thing to come out of todays news.

      Reply
    3. Stephen
      September 12, 2008 • 3:14 pm

      So how do we opt-out from Genius? This and many websites just repeat what Apple says that people can opt-out once they have tried Genius. But I don’t see any that bothers to tell how to do so. Reminds me of Hotel California…You can check out anytime you like. But can never leave……..!

      Reply
    4. Nic Elder
      September 12, 2008 • 3:41 pm

      @Stephen: in iTunes… Store -> Turn Off Genius

      Reply
    5. jerry
      September 18, 2008 • 3:27 pm

      why when enabling Genius via Itunes, it prompt me to key in my credit card information which makes me feel uncomfortable. Can someone verify that it is free?

      Reply

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