Apple: Sept 5th Announcement Recap

I’m running very late on the Apple music announcements of September 5th, but I’ve bulleted the main items below followed by my own commentary.:

• iTunes status update and new iTunes version release;
• Custom ringtones in iTunes for 99 cents;
• iPod Shuffle refreshed colors with a product red version (donate to aids research);
• iPod Nano totally redesigned for video playback with larger (2in), brighter display, cover flow, games, more storage, and metal design. Also product red version.;
• iPod “Classic” is the new name for the original iPod. They are now thinner with more storage (80-160Gb) and increased battery life. They also have the new interface that the iPod Nano has. Prices per Gb have also dropped.
• iPod Touch is the new iPod based upon the iPhone. It’s the iPhone without the phone. Thinner (8mm) then the iPhone and retains the multi-touch interface. The iPod touch has Wifi (802.11b/g), Internet browser (Safari), calendar, etc. Models will include 8 and 16Gb versions.
• iTunes Wi-Fi Music Store is a new application that allows purchase of digital music via Wi-Fi using the new iPod Touch. Same selection and prices as the iTunes store. When syncing the purchased/downloaded music syncs back up with iTunes on your computer. This feature will be added to iPhone later this month.
• Starbucks Coffee and Apple have struck a deal where you’ll be able to view the current song playing and purchase it via Wi-Fi when you visit Starbucks. This should be completed for all Starbucks Wi-Fi stores during ’09.
• iPhone 8Gb price reduced by $200 to $399. (Apple has since offered $100 credit to prevous purchasers) The iPhone 4Gb will be sold while stock last.

Most of us have felt for some time that the Apple iPod product line needed refreshing. I think that Apple did a exceptional job of redesigning the old and introducing the new.

The iPod Touch was the model everyone was hoping for, and we we’re disappointed. It retained Wi-Fi, perhaps the most hoped for feature. The Wi-Fi Music Store is also a bonus to utilize Wi-Fi.

There doesn’t appear to be any major gaps within Apple’s their line-up.

I believe the Starbucks deal is good for both for Starbucks and Apple and should help both brands. Their brand images are very compatible and target many of the same demographics.

Usability, including storage and battery life, has been enhanced while maintaining a reasonable price point.

The $200 price cut on the iPhone is a hard hit for those who paid $599 but with Apple’s $100 credit it’s a little easier to swallow. It’s a case of new user/adopters tax I guess.

With this new iPod line-up I would hate to be a competitor trying to market a music/video player.

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