Posts Tagged ‘iPod’

Steve Jobs named CEO of the Decade

November 5th, 2009

Steve Jobs - KeynoteSteven Paul Jobs, Apple CEO and co-founder, the 43rd richest man in America and largest individual Disney shareholder, is according to Fortune named ‘CEO of the Decade‘ for his role in turning Apple into a groundbreaking technology leader.

Youthful founder gets booted from his company in the 1980s, returns in the 1990s, and in the following decade survives two brushes with death, one securities-law scandal, an also-ran product lineup, and his own often unpleasant demeanor to become the dominant personality in four distinct industries, a billionaire many times over, and CEO of the most valuable company in Silicon Valley.

One reason why Jobs is named as CEO of the decade is that he, after his return to Apple, introduced the iMac that became a breakthrough with its all-in-one computer system, and it reestablished Apple’s economy, and in 2001 he and Apple launched iTunes as a music software and later the same year Apple released the first iPod, but those events didn’t seemed to help in an established market, and takeovers were rumored.

Steve JobsAt this time, Macintosh computers were mainly used by students and artists, but Steve Jobs had a plan and he convinced the rest of Apple’s board that it would be a great idea to build retail stores, and at the same time it was realized that Apple had to become different on designs compared to the successful blandness of Microsoft, Dell and Intel. That difference proved to be a breakthrough and after a short while, people came to Apple begging for the next iPod.

In 2002 Apple made iTunes Windows compatible, and it became another huge step forward for Apple and just a year after, iTunes Store was opened and became pioneer in digital music. 5 years later another brilliant idea was realized: the App Store. But wait, isn’t something missing? Of course. The iPod became an astonishing success, and in 2007 Apple reinvented the phone. In other words, they introduced the iPhone – an iPod and a phone in one single device.

In January 2009, Steve Jobs took a 5 months leave of absence from Apple to undergo a liver transplant, and fans of Apple didn’t saw him until September 9th, when he returned as first keynote speaker and presented among other a new iPod Nano lineup.

At AppleLunch we couldn’t agree more to Fortunes decision of naming Steve Jobs as ‘CEO of the Decade’ and without him, Apple news and rumors wouldn’t be that interesting to follow.

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9th September “Rock and Roll” media event – Round up

September 26th, 2009

Users have requested an overview of the updates Apple introduced in the “It’s only Rock & Roll, but I like it” media event the 9th of September, so here is a Keynote round up summary.

iPod updates

The entire iPod lineup has been refreshed.

  • iPod Nano – received a camera along with video recording and voice over functionality. FM radio and the new Genius Mix have been integrated as well. The display is slightly larger (now 2.2 inches). It’s got a microphone and speaker and is available in 8 GB and 16 GB versions for $149 and $179.
  • iPod Touch – better hardware, making it about 50 % faster, capable of running OpenGL ES 2.0 and is now available in 32 GB and 64 GB for as low as $199.
  • iPod Shuffle – more colors (pink, green, blue and stainless steel) and is available in 2 GB and 4 GB for $59 and $79. The stainless steel version costs $99.
  • iPod Classic – now comes in 160 GB instead of 120 GB for $249.

Read the entire article here: Apple gives us a new iPod family

New iPhone OS – 3.1

Introduces Genius for Apps and native ringtones. Genius for Apps works just like the original genius, and recommend Apps which might interest you.

Read the entire article here: iPhone OS 3.1 released

iTunes 9 released

Entirely new look in the iTunes Store, making it easier to navigate and use. Album ratings and social networking (Facebook and Twitter) have also been integrated in the new look. Home Sharing is a new feature which lets you share your media between other computers in your home.

Read the entire article here: iTunes 9, new store, home sharing and sync improvements

Steve Jobs returns

The Apple CEO, Steve Jobs, was Keynote speaker for the first time since his leave of absence. He officially returned to Apple in June, but hadn’t appeared much publicly before this Keynote.

Read the entire article here: Steve Jobs returns as Apple keynote speaker!

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Apple is the 20th best global brand

September 21st, 2009

Apple logoAccording to the English branding consultancy Interbrand, Apple has moved from being the 24th best brand in the world and is now the 20th best brand. Research from Interbrand valued Apple’s brand $15.4 billion, which is a 12% growing since last year.

Interbrand reported that the growth was caused by “a record high iPod sales, doubling sales of the iPod Touch, and all-time high market share for Mac OS software.” The recession hasn’t taken out Apple, who lowered their prices of many products, such as the $99 iPhone and the new iPod Shuffle.

Apple has been placed in the “Computer Hardware” section, and only Intel and HP are above Apple in the Best Global Brands List 2009. The best brand in the world though, is Coca Cola right in front of IBM and Apple’s all time rival, Microsoft. Last mentioned’s brand value though, has decreased by 4% since last year, despite Microsoft Bing’s launch in June and a $300 million ad campaign, featuring Jerry Seinfeld and Bill Gates.

The full list of the 100 best global brands can be found here.

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Apple gives us a new iPod family

September 9th, 2009

iPod familySo, Apple’s “It’s only Rock and Roll” media event has finally ended, and we must admit our high excitement about the newly announced updates. Some of the iPod rumors were true and some weren’t, but read about it below, where we cover all iPod updates Apple gave us today.

iPod Nano

As we have reported much evidence on, the entire iPod lineup has been completely refreshed. Especially the iPod Nano, which as received some pretty large updates, such as a camera with video recording capability, as well as voice over, FM radio and Genius Mix. The video recording is a huge feature for a music player of that size, which may put the iPod Nano in close competition with many other small and handy video cameras. The screen of the device is also slightly larger, now in 2.2 inches. It’s also got a microphone and a speaker to support the video recording, and a pedometer to make it compatible with Apple’s increasingly successful Nike+iPod program. iPod Nano is available in 8 GB and 16 GB versions for $149 and $179.

Go to the official iPod Nano page

iPod Touch

Oh boy… Many rumors were right about the upgrades integrated in the new iPod Touch, but the most significant one wasn’t. So here we go: The iPod Touch did not receive a new camera. So what does that mean? That the iPod Touch is meant to be a gaming device and mustn’t receive a camera because it could take away some iPhone customers? Maybe, maybe not, but chances are that Apple is still working on integrating a camera to the iPod Touch, just not for this new version.

Anyway, the iPod Touch has received some major hardware and capacity upgrades, making the new models 50 % faster than the previous ones, and capable of running OpenGL ES 2.0. They now come in 32 GB and 64 GB models, and the cheapest one can be acquired even cheaper now – $50 down from $249 to $199.

Go to the official iPod Touch page

iPod Shuffle

The new iPod Shuffle will be available in both 2 GB and 4 GB versions, priced from $59 and $79. Apple is also working with other companies to make even more headphones which are compatible with all of the iPod Shuffle features.

All that besides being available in new pink, green and blue colors. There is also a new stainless steel version, which can only be purchased through the online Apple Store. The stainless steel model will be priced at $99.

Go to the official iPod Shuffle page

iPod Classic

Some sources claimed to believe that the iPod Classic would also receive a camera, but that hasn’t happened either. However, it is now available with 160 GB instead of 120 GB for $249. That’s it for the Classic.

Go to the official iPod Classic page

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iPod problems may cause arrival delay

September 8th, 2009

There is much ongoing speculation of which products are to be announced at the upcoming keynote, but so far it’s been pretty certain that a new line of iPods will be introduced. However, many sites are reportedly claiming to believe that Apple is experiencing technical issues with the new models, and that it will delay their date of arrival. A suspected technical issue is integration of camera in the iPod Touch, which is one of the new features anticipated to arrive in both the iPod Touch and the iPod Nano.

If a delay is in fact realistic, then many retail stores and iPod resellers face an inventory based problem, since Apple seems to have held back distribution of current iPod models lately. This means that the resellers won’t be able to offer iPods before the new arrival, unless they fortunately are not yet sold out.

The “It’s Only Rock ‘n’ Roll (But I Like It)” media event will take place tomorrow the 9th of September in San Francisco at the Yerba Buena Center for the Arts. We will cover the event with summaries and follow-ups. Remember to check back later to get recommendations for where to read live commentaries of the keynote.

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Pre-made ringtones and The Beatles to be introduced at next Media Event?

September 6th, 2009

If you want a new ringtone for your iPhone, you are able to choose one of the built-in ringtones, or you can create a custom yourself. To create a custom ringtone, you have to find a song that you like and pay to be able to trim it to the length and at the time you want. Now though, reports are coming in that Apple may be planning to release pre-made ringtones for the upcoming 9th September media event. This is still rumor and speculation, but there is reason to believe that these rumors deserve mentioning, because of the fact that Apple recently obtained the rights to offer ready-made ringtones. According to our sources, the company is trying to make the new ringtones ready for the press event, but Apple personal have refused to comment. The pre-made ringtones will most likely be priced under $3.

Photo: Michael Ochs

Photo: Michael Ochs

Furthermore, as we all know; new iPods are to be introduced at the Keynote, and especially the iPod Touch and iPod Nano are highly believed to receive cameras. It’s all being setup for the yearly music event, which Apple has traditionally held over the recent years. But also, traditionally on Tuesdays and not on Wednesdays, which is the day the next event will take place. So discussion has of course risen and many analysts claim to know the reason for the change of day. Even though the event will be under the slogan “It’s only rock and roll, but we like it” which appeals to the Rolling Stones song called “It’s Only Rock ‘n’ Roll (But I Like It)” analysts think Apple will introduce the first ever music album by The Beatles in the iTunes Store. The claims are based on the fact that Apple is expected to release a new digital album cover codenamed “Cocktail” and that the 9th September is actually the same day The Beatles Remastered Digital Albums will be released (along with the Rock Band video game). What a coincidence…

We hope to follow up on the rumors mentioned in this post, so we get even more clue of whether they are true or not. The 8th of September will consist of recommendations to where you can read live feeds of the keynote itself, so keep checking in while enjoying your lunch!

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More evidence of new generation iPod Nano and iPod Touch

September 5th, 2009
Possible 5G iPod Nano cases posted on Engadget

Possible 5G iPod Nano cases posted on Engadget

As you already know, we have commented on various reports indicating that Apple will renew at least two of their iPod models. Among these are the iPod Nano and the iPod Touch, which both are rumored to receive a 3.2 megapixel camera each. However, the iPod Classic also remained subject for discussion, since it would seem logical to many that the traditional iPod (which is notably larger than the iPod Nano as well) would receive a camera. Please note that the rumors of the iPod Classic refreshment are not reported by previously reliable sources.

So on to the evidence: there are even more cases leaked of potential new iPod Nano and iPod Touch cases. They were posted in an Engadget gallery and is reportedly coming from sources which also leaked real upcoming iPod cases for the last year’s iPod updates.

We have also mentioned earlier, that the iPod inventories at many Apple resellers where thinning out, and that Apple doesn’t seem to be distributing “old models” as new ones are likely to be introduced at the Apple media event the 9th of September.

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New Apple TV to be announced next week?

September 2nd, 2009

As many would have guessed, Apple is preparing its shipping schedules for new launches in the Apple Store. Among the changes is however a new speculation coming up, because Apple has changed the shipping date for Apple TV to 1 to 2 weeks. So we get a new Apple TV, right? A new lineup perhaps? Which refreshments should we expect? It’s a fairly new rumors, but also a highly probably one, so it’s difficult to tell exactly what a new Apple TV might feature.

The 1 to 2 weeks would fit the keynote schedule nicely, which is to be held the 9th of september. So if a new Apple TV is to be introduced, which upgrades and changes would follow? Rumors have indicated that iTunes and Apple’s musical software in general, will being integrating social networking services, such as Facebook and Twitter. It is likely that many products would follow up on this, and who knows… surfing on Facebook on your TV doesn’t sound too bad.

We do expect the iPod models (and iTunes?) to receive refreshments as well. One of the largest updates we are almost sure of, is a brand new camera for some of them, including the iPod Touch, iPod Nano and maybe also the iPod Classic. There may be an additional feature coming up in connection with the Apple TV or social networking services as well. If so, this is probably a software update.

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Apple confirms the 9th September media event

August 31st, 2009

Apple Keynote 9th September 2009And finally the show is revealed! Apple has just confirmed the ongoing rumors of the media event’s date to be the 9th of September. The Keynote will be presented under the slogan “It’s only rock and roll, but we like it”, which appeals to the Rolling Stones song called “It’s Only Rock ‘n’ Roll (But I Like It)”. The invitations were issued earlier today, and it appears the event will take place in San Francisco at the Yerba Buena Center for the Arts, which has been used for former Apple events several other times.

And just to mention it, the theme does indeed seem to be much about music and iPods, maybe even an entire refreshment of the current iPod lineup. If so, we’re very excited about the upcoming Keynote, as there are many rumors indicating several of the iPod models to receive camera functionality.

One of the more mystic speculations is whether the legendary CEO Steve Jobs will be the keynote speaker or not. If he won’t, the most likely person to do so is Philip Schiller, the current Senior Vice President of Worldwide Product Marketing at Apple. However, if Jobs intends to participate as keynote speaker at the media event, this will be the first time since his leave of absence, in which he received his liver transplant.

Remember that we will cover the entire media event with summaries of rumors before the event, and follow-ups just after. You will also get a list on the site, with the most reasonable live reporting of the keynote.

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Current iPods thinning out

August 30th, 2009

You want an iPod? Wait until Apple releases new models, because honestly it’s getting pretty difficult to acquire them at the moment. As we may have expected, many iPod selling stores report of limited iPods for purchase, and of little hope to get more of them before the next media event, which is to be held around the 9th of September. This is a sign that the rumors of the iPod refreshments could indeed be true. It has even sparkled old discussions of an iPod Classic with a camera. Most rumors and facts have indicated that the iPod Touch and the iPod Nano will leave the new Apple Stores, filming everyone one their way, but the iPod Classic could just as well receive a camera, according to newer reports.

We are still very excited about the upcoming keynote, and since we are not really sure who will be presenting it (Philip Schiller or the legendary CEO Steve Jobs), we would like to hear you guys who you believe gets to enter the scene at the Apple media event. Any ideas or guesses? And if you have, please also tell us what music you think the speaker will choose to play at the keynote. For example Steve and Philip tend to have pretty different taste of music. And after all, this event is most likely to be about music.

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