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Apple reveales new models

Apple has launched new versions for all its iPods, revealed updates for iOS and introduced a new media streamer.

Apple has held its annual music event that is held every year in the beginning of September today. During the event, the company has revealed new models for the iPod and details regarding iOS.

The biggest change in the iPod line is the nano model that loses in its sixth generation the touch wheel and receives a square multi touch screen. “It’s smaller by 46% and lighter by 42% than its previous one” says Jobs. The back of the device now holds the belt clip. The new Nano has 24 hours battery time, includes a radio, podcast program, clock and steps counter. The new Nano arrives in six colors and will be priced at $149 for the 8GB model and $179 for the 16GB model.

The new iPod touch includes the Retina screen which was first introduced on the iPhone 4, the A4 processor which is included in the iPad and iPhone4, a front camera with support to video chats FaceTime, and back camera with HD video recording. The new touch will come in three models: 8GB at $229, 32GB at $299 and 64GB at $399.

The iPod Shuffle, that doesn’t include a screen, did not receive any buttons in its third generation but the fourth generation brings them back although in a smaller package. The new device has a 2GB memory and will be sold at $49 with a battery life of up to 15 hours.

Apple’s TV is renewing

Steve Jobs admits that Apple TV that was launched in 2006, was not a big hit. According to him however, the users of the service were happy with what they had, when what they want now is movies and Hollywood programs, HD and lower cost of content. What they don’t want is to manage their hard disk and full synchronization with the computer.

His answer: the second generation of – Apple TV, a small box (a quarter of the size of the previous model) with HDMI connection and built in wireless network that will be sold at $99. The new Apple TV will not include a hard disk or allow buying content, only renting and streaming from a computer. In countries where there’s an Apple video store, HD movies will be offered the day they are out on DVD for $4.99 and renting episodes of TV series from ABC and FOX for 99c. The new box also supports the rental service on Netflix, YouTube and Flicker as well as MobileMe.

A social network for music lovers

The new version of iTunes 10, includes a built in social network called Ping dedicated to music. Using Ping, iTunes users can be tracked (according to Steve Jobs) artists can be tracked as well), and receive a personalized playlist based on the people you follow. When referring to artists, integration also includes information on favorite songs and updates about their performances. Beyond that the program will include design innovations, and will be launched as early as today, but Ping will only operate in 23 countries.

120 million devices in the family

Apple is updating iOS which runs the iPod Touch, iPhone and iPad. According to Steve Jobs, 120 million devices with iOS have been sold since the launch of the first iPhone in 2007 and 230 thousand devices are operated every day.

In the new version of the 4.1 OS which will be launched next week, malfunctions that pertain to the proximity sensor, Bluetooth and the iPhone 3G were repaired. The first innovation introduced by Steve Jobs is the ability to take HDR (High Dynamic Range) photos which is a combination of 3 photos taken in different exposure terms to one detailed photo.

Beyond that, this new version will include a GameCenter application, a games social network, that includes competitive elements and matching capabilities between players. Epic which is responsible for the Unreal series and War Gear revealed its first game for the iOS. The temporary name for the game is Project Sword and is a 3D action title based on Unreal Engine for a full integration with GameCenter and two control units.

Jobs also revealed that in November of this year, the iOS 4.2 will be launched with all the innovations to the companys tablet computer – the iPad. Beyond that, the iPad will receive the option to print documents wirelessly and receive the AirPlay application that allows streaming audio and video content from the net to the iPad to Apple TV.

Apple is proud

Steve Jobs began the press conference with updates regarding Apple stores, presenting three model stores. The first in Paris, the second in Shanghai and the third in London. Thus the number of Apple stores around the world increases to 300 in 10 different countries (USA, Canada, UK, France, Germany, Italy, Switzerland, Japan and China) and soon the first store will be opened in Spain.

275 million iPods have been sold since the device was first launched in 2001. “Every year we try to improve iPods and make them better for users” said Steve Jobs. “This is the biggest changes for the iPod line ever”. Beyond that, Steve Jobs says the iPod Touch is the most popular gaming device in the world.

And what about the iOS applications store? Six and a half billion downloads of Apple Sphere since the launch of the store in 2008 when each second 200 additional applications are downloaded from a variety of 250 thousand application. 25 thousand of these are for the iPad. The multimedia store is also succeeding with 11.7 billion songs, 450 million TV episodes and 100 million movies.

[Thanks: http://www.ifreshnews.com]