Apple Keynote: iOS 4.1, New iPods, Apple TV, Ping Social Media Network

Apple's traditionally music-based autumn keynote took place yesterday in San Francisco. So did Steve Jobs announce new iPods, new and improved Apple TV, streaming on iTunes, an update of the iOS 4, iOS 4 and for the iPad as expected? Let's find out.


With the summer holidays now well and truly over, it's back to work for Steve Jobs, who took to the stage in his usual drab get-up, but who did look to be in pretty good shape. He first of all gave a quick overview of the ever-expanding empire of Apple Stores, including Paris, China, Australia, the UK, Switzerland, Japan and soon Spain.

iOS 4.1 & Game Center for network gaming

First up at yesterday's keynote was Apple's iOS. Steve Jobs quoted some impressive figures, with approximately 120 million devices now running iOS throughout the world, and 200 Apps downloaded every second.

The iOS 4.1 update will be compatible with HDR photos for improved results. Game Center will also allow network-based multi-player gaming. Several video games developers then took to the stage to present their projects. The first demo, Project sword by Epic Games, was particularly impressive.

iOS 4.2 for iPad coming in November


The Print Center function will be included in the update. Plus, users will also be pleased to see AirPlay for multimedia streamer over a network.

iPods: a new design for (almost) every model


Steve Jobs then kicked off his presentation of the 2010/2011 iPod range with the new Shuffle.


It'll still be available in a selection of colours and will have an internal memory of 2 GB. It'll be priced at £39 in the UK. The VoiceOver function will still be present.

The iPod Nano has been totally reworked. The rectangular design has been ditched in favour of a compact multi-touch square that's 46% smaller than the current model. It has an FM radio and an accelerometer. Prices are as follows:

• £129 for the 8 GB model
• £159 for the 16 GB model

The new iPod Touch is slimmer than the previous version and, as expected, it's basically an iPhone 4 without the mobile phone functions. The new model with have the Retina display, first unveiled on the iPhone 4, the A4 processor and a front-facing camera for Face Time. It will run on the iOS 4.1 and has an HD photo/video camera (without flash). Battery life is announced at 40 hours of music playback. Prices are as follows:

• £189 for the 8 GB version
  
• £249 for the 32 GB version
• £329 for the 64 GB version

So what about the poor old iPod Classic? Well, the original model seems to have been somewhat side-lined, and although it's still available to buy in the Apple Store, it won't be updated.

iTunes & Ping, the social media network


Steve Jobs reeled off a whole load of figures to underline the continuing success of Apple's online multimedia store, iTunes. The logo of the platform will, however, be changing to get rid of that out-dated CD.

Next, Jobs presented Ping, 'a social network for music,' which he described as something like 'Facebook and Twitter meet iTunes'. Via their iTunes account, Ping will allow users to stay up to date with news about all their favourite artists (news, interviews etc.), as well as keep in touch with friends and share thoughts and opinions on tracks. With 140 million users already signed up to iTunes, MySpace should be quaking in its boots. Ping will be available on the iPhone, iPod Touch, iPad.

'One more Thing': Apple TV for £99



Apple TV was first launched in 2006. Ever since, it has been widely criticised and hasn't proved particularly successful among consumers (on this side of the Atlantic, at least). But Apple doesn't give up that easily. Steve Jobs has now defined a new target audience for Apple TV, aiming the product at those who don't necessarily have a computer, but who still want to access online multimedia content via their TV.

The new version will be smaller than the current model. It'll allow users to rent content (TV shows, films, music), but as there's no integrated storage system, users won't be able to purchase content to keep. Steve Jobs announced that HD films would be available to hire from $4.99 whereas TV shows will start at $0.99 (UK pricing TBC). The Apple TV device will also offer access to certain websites, such as YouTube and VOD via Netflix.

Mac users will be able to access all the content stored on their computer via the TV box, so you could, for example, watch photo slideshows on your TV. Similarly, a film you start watching on your iPad can be beamed over to your TV at the simple touch of a button. Apple TV will be available later this month and will cost £99.

To wrap things up, Steve Jobs then reminded anyone who cares just how much he himself loves music. Cue Coldplay live on stage to play out this year's Apple music keynote.



> Buyer's Guides: Our Pick of The Best Products