So the Apple event has happened… lots to talk about, I shall start off with the obligatory iPods (and my crushing disappointment because of the lack of one product update) and then move on to the brand new features. Most notably, the new iTunes and the social network which they intend to create, called ping.

So, we have new iPod shuffles. Not much to say about them really other than they have put the buttons back onto the device and give you voice control too. Saves users from buying Apples extortionate headphones now. Moving swiftly on from this, we have the iPod nano.

The new iPod Nano

This device has been revamped completely, moving to a more iPod shuffle design it is now clip-able onto clothing. It is also remarkably square… and missing the click wheel. This is to be replaced by a touch screen. So, they are a few things which I hate, but I can completely see why they are moving in this direction. Firstly, Apple has a ridiculous obsession with making everything smaller. The only way to do this further now (since they have reached a point now where the materials can’t get any smaller without making the ergonomics and usability impossible) without removing the click wheel. But the screen should and could be a higher resolution… in addition, why is they a big, black boarder around the screen. It looks fine on the iPad. But on a handheld like this, it looks bloody awful. It also pops-out slightly. Thus, making it look out of place. But then they is one final thing which, well, is an annoying division on the part of apple. This is the removal of video playability and the camera. The camera removal was not a huge surprise. It was dreadful on the previous version. But the video; why would apple do this? It seems part of what people have come to expect from the whole range of iPods with a screen. But, it seems to me that they are starting to aim this at the running market… much like the iPod shuffle. With the shuffle been the cheaper, low-end option.

The iPod touch… again nothing amazing. It has a retina display and two cameras (front and rear facing). Has iOS 4.1 (pronounced by Jobs as “Four, DOT, One” when it should be “four, point, one”… anywhere). It also has the A4 processor found in the iPhone and a variant (as is the iPhone) of the iPad version.

Also Apple TV… which, as predicted (by everyone in the United Kingdom), it isn’t called iTV. Its tiny and its £99; odd to say that it’s $99. Strange currency conversion there (even with extra shipping fees and VAT, its odd). But nothing major here. However, it is running iOS which is interesting. I would like to point out that the iPhone didn’t have apps at launch. Are we to expect new applications for this platform? I am going to say absolutely.  The trick is (in my opinion) is to focus on getting a huge install base first, then after this you have two things; a huge install base, great for iTunes streaming revenue and a target for developers because of this huge install base.

Finally, the most significant is Ping. Somewhat overlooked by everyone. I think that this is the most significant stab at both Google (which Apple hate now, this is and iTV prime example of beating Google to the gate) and creating a huge social network. This service is basically a social network based around music and in the iTunes store. But all the features seem to be aimed at giving the ability to music artists to bypass the music-idiots (the record labels) and allow them to sell directly to its users though the store. So both aspects make this a potential for a huge social network, however, they have something amazing up their sleeve to ensure that this is a success. That is the 156 Million accounts (with payment I might add) that use the iTunes service. So this will help ensure it doesn’t suffer from the empty social network disease. One which you may find on MySpace. On this point, I will make one more. That is about MySpace also. It is now utterly dead. MySpace attempted to re-define its self as a music centric service. Who is going to use this now? No one.

So, a mixture of events at the Apple press conference. New iPods (as to be expected) and some new features and launches. Most of which, because it is Apple, will be hugely successful.

(This will be discussed on the next GMCRF fm podcast.)