Flippin' Amazing

Steve Jobs' unveiling of the iPhone this week at the Macworld conference in San Francisco probably did not come as a big surprise to a lot of people.

Most of us knew Apple's next big thing was likely going to be a mobile phone device combined with iPod technology, but I don't think any of us could have imagined what the iPhone actually is -- an easy-to-use, intuitive, and attractive megadevice (mobile phone + iPod + handheld computer) with a revolutionary multi-touch interface that runs Mac OSX. Seriously? Yes.

I've been patiently waiting for my 3rd generation iPod to kick the bucket so I can justify a a new toy, and while a memory upgrade has always been a priority for me (20 gigs is not enough!), after watching the demonstration at Macworld, I want an iPhone immediately. It also helps that my current cell phone is on its last legs, so I can justify that upgrade, too! Unfortunately, eager consumers like me will have to wait a while, as the iPhone will not begin shipping until June of this year. It will be priced at $499 for the 4 gig model and $599 for the 8 gig, which sounds like a lot but is actually bang for your buck if you consider the combination of products. My guess is that Apple's exclusive partner, Cingular, will see a surge in subscribers, and the iPhone may even persuade me to make the switch from trusty Verizon.

I don't think I've ever seen a gadget that I find so appealing and just downright badass. The "cover flow" feature is particularly amazing, as it basically allows users to browse their iPod library by album art, essentially turning it into a pocket jukebox. The phone itself boasts visual voicemail and easy conference calling. And as an 'Internet communications device,' iPhone introduces rich-text HTML e-mail, the first HTML browser (Safari) on a mobile phone, Google maps, and automatic WiFi detection.

The iPhone is a sleek 1.6 millimeters thin with a gorgeous 3.5" display, and I could babble on about the rest of its incredible features, but I'll spare you any more of my cultish Apple worship. I challenge everyone with an interest to watch Steve Jobs' iPhone introduction during the keynote address and tell me you're not sold. Even haters have to be impressed with this.

G'bye PC... Hello Mac!

Well folks, I'm excited to announce that at long last, after all my Apple posts and talk of joining the cult, as of today I am officially a member. My brand-spankin'-new Macbook arrived today and I am currently blogging to you direct from the crisp white keyboard of this glorious machine.

Ok, so it's not THAT glorious yet... Even though I've played on these before, everything is foreign, I feel clumsy and awkward trying to navigate around the desktop, the keyboard with its raised letters definitely takes some getting used to, and worst of all, I can't get my Gmail chat to connect and I am having network problems. Sigh... there's nothing like troubleshooting when you first get a new toy.

All the same, I'm excited that I have this new gadget to learn and master, no matter how long it takes me!

Happy early Christmas to me!

How bout 'dem Apples?

Apple today announced its latest update to the iPod line, which includes a newly shrunken Shuffle and a gorgeous new Nano available in five colors in the scratch-resistant aluminum shell made popular by the phased-out Mini.

How many people do you think will accidentally run their Shuffle through the laundry? I know I probably would, so I'm eyeing the Nano as a potential buy right now. With up to 24 hours of battery life, and of course the compatibility with the Nike+iPod software, it seems like Apple's best new product.

Then again, there's always the 80 gig (that's right, 80!!) iPod to support not only your giant music collection, but for all the new movies -- and games!! -- Apple is now offering through iTunes. It was only a matter of time before they got into the movie market, but at $12.99 to $14.99 a pop, what I imagine will be extremely long download times, the potential for battery drain, and of course the idea of watching a 2 hour movie on a 2.5" screen, I'm guessing most people will stick to Netflix. Then again, now that I'm a Metro rider, I can appreciate a good way to pass the time on the morning commute. Tetris, anyone??

Nike and Apple -- more techie toys!

So Kam informed me the other day about the latest partnership between Nike and Apple. The Nike+iPod product is the latest in snazzy technology, this time connecting your shoe wih your iPod Nano to allow you to exercise and store your times, distances, and calories burned and then view it and organize it on your iPod. You can also custom-build playlists that go with your workouts, and apparently you can decide when to "play your power song for an extra boost." But wait, there's more-- your iPod will also talk to you while you're working out, chiming out lines like "2 more miles to go" while also giving you pace information. Pretty sweet stuff. If only it said, "Are you feeling that Mickey D's lunch from yesterday yet? Pick up the pace, you slowpoke."

But seriously, it's kinda awesome. It may seem a bit confusing when you only read about it, but if you visit the Nike website they have a nice video set up to illustrate to you just how it works. Also see the Apple page for more info about the product and the software you need to run it. I guess the only catch is, you have to have a Nano. Oh, and you have to like Nike running shoes. I'm telling you, these big companies really know how to getcha!

The coolest part about all of this is that the initial link Kam sent me was directly linked to the original press release issued by Nike. Who sent it out, you ask? Why, PR Newswire. Oh, what a shameless plug.

Happy Memorial Day weekend, all!

Apple-mania

By now most of you have heard about this weekend's big opening of Apple's Fifth Avenue store. The thing is basically like New York City's Louvre now, wouldn't you say? Instead of a pyramid, a cube, and instead of rare works of art, popular technology for the masses?

In classic Apple form, if you are bored/obsessed enough, you can visit the website to watch fast-forwarded Quicktime video of the first 24 hours of the store opening. That's right, in case you weren't one of the crazy people who camped out to get into the store, you can be one of the people to watch those people as they waited in line as the sun rose and fell. Anyway, it's so cultish and true to Apple form, but also totally cool. I'll be first to admit that I'm excited to check it out. After all, I'm the loser girl who loves to go to Apple stores in every city, even though I know all the products are the same.

This one will be open 24/7, 365 days a year, so in case you have a severe case of insomnia on, say, Christmas, or the bars have kicked you out but you're not ready to call it a night, you can stroll into the Apple store and play with iPods and check your e-mail. Apple probably hopes that you'll be drunk enough to throw down your credit card for some new headphones or maybe even a MacBook Pro.

Gothamist has a nice article wrapping up the grand opening weekend...

Sweet Golly Goodness!

Thanks to Steve Jobs, I have another exciting reason to post. After much anticipation surrounding Apple's new product announcement today (I mean really, the nano is brand new, and now unveiling something else, so soon?), it seems Apple has once again taken the iPod to the next level. And I am officially jealous. Introducing... the new iPod.

Incidentally, this post comes almost exactly a year after one of my first crazy-iPod blogposts in which the 60 gig photo was first unveiled. Ok, while I was always one to snub the iPod extras (photos, color, etc.), I now realize that I want it all.

Here's the deal:

The new iPod has 150 hours of video storage capability, and through the new iTunes 6, you can download your favorite music videos or TV shows (Only ABC or Disney, for now...) for $1.99 a pop. I mean, that's pretty damn cool, right? Sure, the screen is a mere 2.5 inches, but that's still an improvement from the old version. And hell, if I can catch up on a missed episode of "Lost" while waiting at the doctor's office or sitting on the metro... well, I'm not going to complain. It's sure to beat those little handheld rabbit-eared Sony TVs I remember from a decade ago!

Ok, for those of you unimpressed by these add-ons that detract from the music, here are other practical bonuses:

The new iPod boasts up to 20 hours of battery life, five hours more than before. Plus, you get a bigger display and one more iPod color — sleek black. But here’s the kicker: At under half an inch thin, the new 30GB iPod takes up about 45 percent less room than the original iPod. Even the new 60GB model is 10 percent thinner than the fourth-generation 20GB iPod. More features in less space? Sounds like iPod.

Just the other day Auddie and I were in the Apple store, and when we saw the old 60 gig, we were like "Geez, this thing is a monster! Look how thick!!"

Anyway, I'm a bit overwhelmed right now, jumping from page to page to catch up on all the new details. I'm a little annoyed that I just upgraded to iTunes 5 only about a month ago and they've already updated. But if there's any lesson we can learn from Apple, it's that you should wait. Yep, let you jaw drop in awe over all these new gadgets, but sit back and let it all settle in before you pull out your credit card. Sometimes I think about all those folks who have given into the initial hype...the ones who own a Mini, a Shuffle, a Nano, and are currently drooling over the newest iPod. Then again, they're probably broke. It's a nice thought, though! As for me, my 3rd gen. 20 gig is still doing the trick, but I know it won't be long 'til I give in... all extras aside, 20 hours of battery life sounds pretty appealing right now.


Current Music: Pipe Dreams, by Travis

The incredible shrinking iPod

Just when you thought Apple was taking it easy for a while, they unveil yet another new iPod design. While I wasn't crazy about the iPod shuffle, the release of the iPod nano looks to be pretty cool. Basically, it's a mini mini. It's about the size of a business card and pencil-thin, but it packs up to the same amount that a mini can store (4 gigs, or 1000 songs).

[addendum: The more I look at this thing, the more I love it. So sleek, so cool. It's by far the best iPod update Apple has come up with since they ditched that primitive first and second generation design. Even now the third and fourth gens are starting to look like the equivalent of Zack Morris's cellphone compared to the nano.]

Next up is something we all knew was coming: iTunes for your cell phone. Apple has joined with Motorola to create the ROKR E1, the first mobile phone compatible with iTunes, capable of storing up to 100 songs. This one I'm not so crazy about. I like my iPod to do what it does and my phone to do what it does. To combine them wouldn't be so bad, but at only a 100 song storage capacity, it seems rather pointless to me. I suppose, though, that the idea here was to essentially combine the iPod shuffle with a cell phone, which may appeal to some people. Also, as Cingular is the exclusive carrier for this phone, if you're interested you may have to switch wireless providers.

I also just upgraded to iTunes 5, which was also unveiled today and probably introduces the most drastic change of the "digital jukebox" since its inception. New features include a new interface (I'm still deciding if I love or hate it), better search options, folders for playlists, album reviews, and apparently lots more.

Finally, in a hilarious effort to appeal to everyone under the sun, Apple has a special Harry Potter collector's iPod available--complete with engraved Hogwarts crest--along with the complete set of all 6 audiobooks. All for the bargain price of $548. Classic.

All this new technology is overwhelming me. Will it ever stop?


Current Music: Speaking Confidentially, by Cowboy Junkies

iPod update

Apple announced today, in conjunction with the launch of iTunes 4.9, that they will offer free Podcasting through iTunes. (Let's just hope it stays free...) Now, I'll admit, I haven't quite caught on to the whole podcasting phenomenon, in part because I was afraid I'd get completely overwhelmed by the possibilities and I also didn't want to deal with having to download new software. But this new and easier way to access thousands of different radio shows sounds like it could be very appealing and addicting; I just might have to check it out. To think, I could listen to shows like Morning Becomes Eclectic & All Things Considered, or even ESPN or BBC News, all on my iPod! Very cool.

In other news, they've simplified the iPod family. The 40 gig has been eliminated, leaving only the 20g & 60g, both boasting color screens & photo capabilities. (The mini & shuffle remain the same.) KRAZY!!

Alright, glad I could fit in another Apple/iPod pitch. It had been a while ;)


Current Music: All We Have Is Now, by The Flaming Lips

Apple redeems itself!

After all the bickering over battery life, Apple is finally trying to please the customer and offering $50 credits for anyone who purchased an iPod before May 2004. Now, if only I could find that old receipt... I appreciate the gesture, though!

(See www.appleipodsettlement.com for more info.)

New iPod toys...

Just what we need, more iPod gadgets to spend money on... See the Klipsch iFi iPod Speaker System, coming soon to a dealer near you.

In other thoughts, my natural high for the moment is when you've got your whole music collection on shuffle and a song you didn't know you desperately wanted to hear randomly comes on.

Current Music: Run, by Collective Soul
Current Mood: the lyrics to aforementioned song aptly describe my current mood. see below.

Are these times contagious
I’ve never been this bored before
Is this the prize I’ve waited for
Now with the hours passing
There’s nothing left here to insure
I long to find a messenger

Have I got a long way to run
Have I got a long way to run
Yeah, I run

Is there a cure among us
From this processed sanity
I weaken with each voice that sings
Now, in this world of purchase
I’m going to buy back memories
To awaken some old qualities

Have I got a long way to run
Have I got a long way to run
Yeah, I run
Yeah, I run

Have I got a long way
Have I got a long way
Have I got a long way to run
Have I got a long way to run

Yeah, I run...

The iPod people.

Here's a link to a great article about "the iPod people." You know who I'm talking about, you pass by them on the sidewalks everyday... they're the ones with the white strings coming out of their ears, and if you're like me you're always wondering what they're listening to. Unless you're that girl who has the volume up too loud just to prove to me that you like "rap" music. And then you've just thrown out the mystery I hold so dear. This really is an amazing phenomenon, though. I personally like to alternate my iPod sounds with the sounds of the street. On certain days it's nice to hear the cars honking and people chatting; on other days, certain songs like Interpol's "Specialist" become perfect walking music... the beat matches up with my footsteps and everything seems to be in sync--no pun intended of course.


Current Music: So Says I, by The Shins
Current Mood: same as ever these days.

Apple is at it again

Just in time for the Holidays, eh?

http://www.apple.com/ipod/u2/

Pretty cool, but I actually dig the classic white.

Edit: Oh, and this one too
http://www.apple.com/ipodphoto/

The 60 gig is official, and now with extra bells & whistles (iPhoto). I find that part to be a little much, but I think it would be cool to have a color display with album cover art. You can also hook it up to a TV to do a picture slideshow, which I guess is kind of neat and gives it more use than just looking at the thumbnails on the small screen.

This is just another chance for me to make my iPod pitch. Chuck Klosterman, in Spin Magazine, said that "the iPod is the only piece of technology that has improved my life without any downside whatsoever." Well put, Chuck. It's the best thing I own. Ok, bye bye.


Current Music: Somebody Told Me, by The Killers