New iPods

alanp · September 09, 2009, 11:45:00 AM

Today here are the announcements.

The shuffle, New colors a silver one that looks like a zippo.

The classic, gets a price cut. Now $249 for a 160 gig.

The touch, gets a price cut and new software. Now $199.

The nano, gets a video camera (why?) and an FM tuner (why?)

And an update to iTunes.

Rico · September 09, 2009, 11:50:50 AM

I like the idea of an FM tuner on any media device, but what kind of storage is on a Nano to hold video now?

alanp · September 09, 2009, 11:54:56 AM

8 and 16 gig. Not much room for video.

billybob476 · September 09, 2009, 12:07:43 PM

I'll say a big "meh" about that whole show. iTunes 9 was moderately interesting but the the rest is not really impressive. I don't see why Apple has to have a media event for what is at best an evolutionary release.

Bryancd · September 09, 2009, 12:08:56 PM

I like the radio tuner as well. Look for the camera to make it's way to the Touch for Christmas.

Feathers · September 09, 2009, 12:18:34 PM

Quote from: Bryancd on September 09, 2009, 12:08:56 PM
I like the radio tuner as well. Look for the camera to make it's way to the Touch for Christmas.

FM Tuner is the one thing I'd love on the iPhone. Nothing too special here I think although I'm always in favour of OS updates for my devices.

alanp · September 09, 2009, 12:33:32 PM

Looks like a decent annual upgrade.

The rumor is they were having a problem with the chip on the camera of the touch so it didn't happen in time for the announcement.

I gave up on the FM tuner a while back thinking it would never happen. I almost never listen to commercial radio anyway.

What did need to happen in my opinion was a huge update to the Apple TV giving it a digital TV tuner and recording capabilities as well as hulu/netflix compatibility. It would be a tough deal to get inked since hulu was created as an iTunes video alternative but I think Jobs could get in if he wanted it bad enough.

Bromptonboy · September 09, 2009, 01:40:14 PM

bummer - Guess we have to wait till later for the looked for tablet machine that Apple is rumored to be working on.....

Rico · September 09, 2009, 01:58:25 PM

Quote from: AlanP on September 09, 2009, 12:33:32 PM
Looks like a decent annual upgrade.

The rumor is they were having a problem with the chip on the camera of the touch so it didn't happen in time for the announcement.

I gave up on the FM tuner a while back thinking it would never happen. I almost never listen to commercial radio anyway.

What did need to happen in my opinion was a huge update to the Apple TV giving it a digital TV tuner and recording capabilities as well as hulu/netflix compatibility. It would be a tough deal to get inked since hulu was created as an iTunes video alternative but I think Jobs could get in if he wanted it bad enough.

For that last part, you can get all that (and more) on HD TIVO right now.

alanp · September 09, 2009, 02:16:11 PM

Does TIVO do podcasts? I've never used it. I still don't even have an HDTV. Nor any cable channels. I have my Roku, my DVD Player/Recorder and VHS. And my digital over the airs...

The Apple TV was intended to be an ipod for the TV. Now that the ipod touch/iphone uses apps (hulu app coming) the Apple TV really needs these apps for a lot of reasons.

I think just about everyone who wants an Apple TV just to watch video bought from the iTunes store already has one and everyone else is using everything else. This product can only do one of 3 things: grow in market share, upgrade the existing customers, or die out.

Rico · September 09, 2009, 02:29:20 PM

TIVO records, does podcasts, Netflix, I can move any video content either from my PC to my TIVO and play it there or vice-versa. There is nothing better in DVR's today. I love it! Awesome to be able to record two HD programs at once and watch a third. Easy to expand the storage too or just off-load it to your PC. Plus the programming and schedule guide like Season passes is most excellent.

alanp · September 09, 2009, 02:43:01 PM

That sounds really good Rico. And it does Hulu?

Do I buy it all at once or have to subscribe to something?

Rico · September 09, 2009, 04:12:10 PM

http://www.tivo.com

Hulu is coming, from what I have read. You buy the TIVO and then subscribe monthly. You can also pay more I think and get a lifetime membership.

Rico · September 09, 2009, 04:16:23 PM

Hehe...

Hulu - How I Met Your Mother: Prayer To Tivo God

Omra · September 09, 2009, 08:44:57 PM

This is the phone I want...

Mobile phone giant KDDI has teamed up with Tokyo-based Flower Robotics to develop a new concept mobile phone/robot system designed to monitor and learn the user's behavior and communicate via a home TV set.

Called "Polaris," the prototype system consists of a mobile handset that monitors the user's daily activities and an artificially intelligent robot sphere (it looks a lot like Sony's Rolly music player robot) that charges the handset and displays data on the user's TV.

When the phone is held near Polaris, the robot opens up to reveal a cradle for the handset. And when it is placed aboard, the robot automatically steers itself toward the contactless charger connected to the home TV set. Polaris then proceeds to analyze the most recent information collected by the handset, and it displays various data on the TV screen and offers advice, if necessary. Like an artificial life form with a bit of personality, Polaris can physically respond to the data with a series of lights, sounds, and movements
iidaコンセプトモデル「Polaris」。
According to Flower Robotics, the Polaris system — which was unveiled in Tokyo today along with a host of other KDDI "iida" brand products — is designed to learn the user's lifestyle by collecting data, analyzing activity, and identifying trends. The robot keeps a database of information accumulated through the handset, such as the user's daily travel and walking habits, calls and email messages sent and received, and online transactions. Using this data, Polaris learns to predict the user's behavior and offer relevant advice and information

Still in the concept phase, Polaris needs a number of improvements to prepare it for the real world. In particular, the robot's navigation system needs further attention. At the demonstration, the robot was placed on a large table that had magnets embedded along the edges, and it used sensors to detect the magnets and stop itself from falling off. According to the developers, future versions of Polaris may achieve greater autonomy by communicating with sensors embedded in the walls of the home.

In addition, the developers plan to make the handset more secure by equipping the touch-screen with finger vein sensors.

Flower Robotics has been working with KDDI on the Polaris concept model since joining the au design project in 2007. The developers hope to have a commercial version of the robot ready next year, although the price and final design have yet to be decided.