meddlingBanter

Apple
Apple announced a new video iPod today as well as an all new iMac.

Now I’m not sure if I want the new iPod, or should I stick with my present plans to get a nano. It’s a tough choice. The nano would meet my current needs as I see them now, but I might be kicking myself later for not spending $50 for all that extra space you get with an iPod.

One cool new feature with iTunes 6 is the ability to purchase music video’s, short films, and TV shows all through iTunes. I must say Apple made a bold and smart move to be the first company out there to offering such a service. I love that I can download TV shows commercial free the day after they come out on TV and now that Apple is offering this service (for a small price) many people will be able to experience what I and many others around the world already do. I suppose the only downside is that with iTunes the shows are in limited numbers as of right now, and they cost $1.99 to buy. The other downside is the format each TV show is in. All video bought through iTunes is 320×240, which is ok for viewing on an iPod, but on a computer, I think not.

As for apples new iMac, I think its a pretty sweet system. Sure, it doesn’t have the best graphics on the market, but we all know people aren’t buying macs for their super sweet video game experience. You buy a mac because it’s a sexy machine, easy to use, and if you’re a little geeky, has a powerful command line behind all it’s GUI goodness. Back to the iMac. Besides the regular system upgrades in the processor, graphics, networking, and iSight now included with each iMac, Apple has released a program called FrontRow. FrontRow turns your iMac into a media center. You even get a nice little remote. With FrontRow you have access to all your movies, music, dvds, and photos with the click of button. The interface seems similar to that of the iPod, using a click wheel to navigate through the menus. Jobs showed a picture of apples remote for FrontRow next to a couple of Media Center PC remotes included with microsofts Media Center PC’s from Gateway and HP, the Apple remote has 6 buttons, where both Gateway and HP remotes had over 40 buttons.

If you have an hour to spare, check out the webcast of today’s annoucements