Apple's Sept. 1 event in San Francisco unveiled a new line of iPods, a revamped Apple TV, a music-oriented social network called Ping, and two upcoming revisions to its iOS mobile operating system. Together, these updates offer a fairly detailed picture of Apple's short-term mobile strategy: Extend its strength in multitouch, as well as features such as multitasking, to devices beyond the iPhone 4. Apple TV and Ping also hint at Apple's interests in both cloud-based services and social connectivity. In addition, these advances place Apple in fiercer competition against Google, which is developing a Google TV; Microsoft, which plans on launching its own consumer-oriented mobile platform, Windows Phone 7; and Facebook, which might take issue with Apple starting a social network, music-centric or not. Trust that those companies are already busy analyzing the following Apple products-and judging how to best respond.
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Apple TV, iOS Updates, iPods, Ping Show Company Direction
by Nicholas Kolakowski
Apple TV
Apple introduced a revamped Apple TV, with a smaller form factor, HDMI connector, Ethernet and WiFi. It will retail for $99.
iPod Nano
The radically revised iPod Nano includes a multitouch screen, a built-in FM radio, a 46 percent smaller body and a clothing clip.
iPod Shuffle
The new iPod Shuffle features a clickable control pad, a "voice over" button to hear a song or playlist, and the ability to sync multiple playlists.
iPod Touch
The revamped iPod Touch includes the FaceTime video conferencing app, high-definition Retina Display, HD video recording via a rear-facing camera, and Apple's proprietary A4 processor.
Apple Ping
Apple's new Ping social-networking service, integrated into iTunes 10, allows people to set up profiles displaying their music tastes and connect to artists' pages.
iOS 4.1
Next week, Apple will introduce iOS 4.1, with a number of bug fixes, followed later by iOS 4.2 for iPad. These operating system revisions include Games Center, a multiplayer-centric games hub designed to compete against Xbox, Nintendo, and Sony's current or upcoming mobile offerings.
Uploading Video
The iOS 4.1 update will enable users to upload HD video to YouTube and MobileMe from their iPhone 4.
TV Show Rentals
The iOS update will also allow for 99-cent TV show rentals.
Accessing Ping
Users will be able to access iTunes Ping through their Apple mobile device, allowing them to receive updates on their friends' terrible music tastes virtually anywhere.
iPad Wireless Printing
Apple's iOS 4.2 update for iPad will allow wireless printing, a feature the device lacked.
iPad Multitasking
The iOS 4.2 update will also bring the same multitasking currently available on the iPhone.
App Folders
The same app folders currently available on the iPhone will be available on the iPad, with the release of iOS 4.2.
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Apple's Sept. 1 event in San Francisco unveiled a new line of iPods, a revamped Apple TV, a music-oriented social network called Ping, and two upcoming revisions to its iOS mobile operating system. Together, these updates offer a fairly detailed picture of Apple's short-term mobile strategy: Extend its strength in multitouch, as well as features such as multitasking, to devices beyond the iPhone 4. Apple TV and Ping also hint at Apple's interests in both cloud-based services and social connectivity. In addition, these advances place Apple in fiercer competition against Google, which is developing a Google TV; Microsoft, which plans on launching its own consumer-oriented mobile platform, Windows Phone 7; and Facebook, which might take issue with Apple starting a social network, music-centric or not. Trust that those companies are already busy analyzing the following Apple products-and judging how to best respond.