I am not an Apple user but today I watched the release event of a host of new products including the iTV which will be a new wireless set top box from Apple. Here are the highlights of the event today:
Nano
-All models are 52% smaller in volume than previous nano. new charger, new armband, new lanyard
-8GB is $249 in all colors
-4GB is $199 in all colors but black
-2GB is $149 in silver only
iTunes 7
-3 different views of iTunes
-iTunes will give you cover art for free if you are missing cover art
-TV shows are now encoded at 640×480 (h264), up from 320×240
-New Cover Flow view. (LOOKS LIKE FLIPPING THROUGH YOUR CD RACK)
-You can update your iPod from right inside iTunes
Movies from iTunes
-Near DVD quality. Same encoding as TV shows at 640×480. If you have a 5mb/s broadband connection, it will take approximately 30 minutes to download a movie
-New releases 12.99 preorders and first week, after that up to 14.99
-most titles will be 9.99
-films from Walt Disney, Pixar, Touchstone, Miramax
-75 films online today, more every week and month
-Dolby surround audio in videos
iTV
-Apple is releasing its long-rumored set-top box in Q1 2007. It will be Wireless
-1/2 size of Mac Mini, built-in power supply, USB, Ethernet, 802.11 “wireless component video”, optical audio and HDMI ports, plus old RCA stereo audio ports. Works with Apple Remote
-Like a Mac Mini… iTV is its name
-Apple is now in your den, living room, car, pocket works with iTunes on PC or Mac. price will be $299
-iTV lets you get access to trailers and itunes store selected content from internet