Apple announced iTunes 9 at today’s “It’s only rock and roll, but we like it.” keynote event, revealing new features such as iTunes LP, Home Sharing, a redesigned iTunes store, and improve syncing to name a few.  iPhone 3.1 was also released alongside with iTunes 9.  Key features include “Genius” for apps, wireless ringtone downloads, and the ability to organize your apps within iTunes.  Some of the minor improvement I appreciate are VoiceControl via Bluetooth and the ability to remotely lock iPhone via MobileMe.

As for iPods, Apple has bumped the 120gb Classic back to 160gb while leaving the price at the previous $249.  iPod Touch 8gb version drops to $199 (down from $229) while maintaing the previous hardware.  Major improvements to the $299 32gb and $399 64gb versions, including OpenGL|ES 2.0., bringing it close to iPhone 3G S performance level.

Not much change to the iPod shuffle except now comes in 5 different colors and 1 Apple Store exclusive polished aluminum.  Now comes in 2gb at $59 and 4gb will remain at $79, although the polished aluminum version will run you a cool $99 to have an exclusive.

Now for the main attraction, iPod Nano 5G with a video camera, speaker, and microphone. Key features:

-VGA quality (640 x 480) H.264, with up to 30fps and AAC audio. Also 15 real-time special effects including Sepia, Black and White, X-Ray, Film Grain, Thermal, Security Cam, Cyborg, Bulge, Kaleido and Motion Blur

-built-in FM tuner with Live Pause and iTunes Tagging

-a pedometer (enhanceNike+ integration)

-VoiceOver and support for voice memos

-larger 2.2-inch display (up from 2.0-inches) with a 376 x 240 resolution.

Will run 8GB for $149and 16GB for $179 available now!

]]> http://alextneil.com/2009/09/09/its-only-rock-and-roll-but-we-like-it/feed/ 0 http://alextneil.com/2009/09/09/090909-090909-itssoweirdwednesday/ http://alextneil.com/2009/09/09/090909-090909-itssoweirdwednesday/#comments Wed, 09 Sep 2009 15:46:06 +0000 Alex http://alextneil.com/?p=293

First things first, it’s 09/09/09 – kinda freaky.

Today marks the tenth anniversary of the Sega Dreamcast in North America.  Boy was that a lovely video game console that suffered an unfortunate 2 year life cycle.  I still have mine from when I picked it up for $49.99 during Black Friday years ago.

Palm just announced the Palm Pixi on Sprint to sell along side with the current Pre.  Now I have a decision to make whether or not to upgrade to Blackberry Tour or  Plam’s Pre or Pixi.  There is also HTC’s Android phone coming to Sprint. Ugh decisions, decisions.

Apple has also dropped the prices on iPods before today’s event. For the Touches, the 8gb model is now $189 (was $229), the 16gb model is $249 (was $299), and the 32gb model is just $279 (was $399). The Classic has been cut to $229 (was $249) while the Nano now starts at $129 (was $149) for the 8gb model or just $149 (down from $199) for the 16gb nano

REDSN0W PROVIDES SIMILAR FUNCTIONALITY TO QUICKPWN.

If you want to build custom firmware files with more flexibility it is suggested that you use ‘PwnageTool’ on Mac OS X.

1. GOLDEN RULE: If you are using a 3G iPhone with yellowsn0w and rely on yellowsn0w to obtain cellular service, then you should NOT use redsn0w right now. Ultrasn0w (the 3G carrier unlock) is not included with this release and therefore your baseband will be locked and unable to use an operator other than the official one it was bought for. UltraSn0w will be released via APT (cydia and icy) soon. If you have an original iPhone (1st generation) then 3.0 carrier unlock works with this redsn0w release.
2. Yellowsn0w in its current form will NOT work with the baseband version that is present in the 3.0 update, you will need Ultrasn0w, which will be released sometime soon, Ultrasn0w will work with all iPhone 3G models (but not 3GS), even ones that were previously unlockable, Ultrasn0w (when available) will be released via APT (this means you will be able to get it via Cydia or Icy).
3. Please read all parts of this post before downloading and using these tools.
4. Read items 1, 2 and 3 again and again.
5. At the bottom of this post are the bittorrent files for the latest version of redsn0w.
6. This app is suitable for the recent 3.0 release
7. redsn0w will NOT work for the iPhone 3GS.
8. redsn0w WILL work for Original iPhone (1st Generation), Original iPod touch, iPod touch 2G and the iPhone 3G (not the iPhone 3GS).

To use redsn0w simply upgrade the device in iTunes to firmware version 3.0 and run redsn0w to activate and jailbreak the device (and if you are using an original iPhone 2G, it will unlock it too!)”

DOWNLOAD reds0nw: MAC | WIN

On today’s agenda, Apple covered MacBook Updates, Snow Leopard, and of course the new iPhone.

MacBook Updates:

First of all, the former 13″ Unibody MacBook has now become a pro, adding the backlight illuminated keyboard standard along with Firewire 800.  Not only did Apple add Pro features to the 13″ but  has also added across the board to all Pro models a SD card read in place of the ExpressCard slot (with the exception 17″ model), a supposed 60% increase in gamut on the displays, and a “non-removable” internal battery boasting a 7hr battery life on the 13″ and 15″ models, while the 17″ retains the previous 8hr battery life.  All models with the exception of the white MacBook have also received a price reduction and/or bump in specs.

Here is the breakdown in pricing and spec updates.

13″

• $1,199: 2.26GHz Core 2 Duo, 2GB DDR3 RAM, GeForce 9400M graphics, 160GB HDD, SD card slot, no ExpressCard
• $1,499: 2.53GHz Core 2 Duo, 4GB DDR3 RAM, GeForce 9400M graphics, 250GB HDD, SD card slot, no ExpressCard

15″

• Starting at $1,699 (down from $1,999 )
• $1,699: 2.53GHz Core 2 Duo, 4GB DDR3 RAM, GeForce 9400M graphics, 250GB HDD, SD card slot, no ExpressCard
• $1,999: 2.66GHz Core 2 Duo, 4GB DDR3 RAM, GeForce 9400M + 9600M GT graphics, 320GB HDD, SD card slot, no ExpressCard
• $2,299: 2.8GHz Core 2 Duo, 4GB DDR3 RAM, GeForce 9400M + 9600M GT graphics, 500GB HDD, SD card slot, no ExpressCard

17″

• $2,499 – maintains same specs but received a $300 price drop

MacBook Air

• $1,499: 1.86GHz Core 2 Duo, 2GB DDR3 RAM, GeForce 9400M graphics, 120GB HDD
• $1,799: 2.13GHz Core 2 Duo, 2GB DDR3 RAM, GeForce 9400M graphics, 128GB SSD

I was a bit bummed when news broke that the 15″ MacBook Pro has dropped in starting price only to later realized it does NOT offer the dedicated 9600M GT found on the $1999.00 and up models.  I had recently purchased a new 15″ MacBook Pro the day of the Back-to-School promotion but not longer feel depressed about it when I read the removable battery is no longer a feature as long as the ExpressCard slot.  Having the extra bump in specs is nice but not necessarily a deal killer for me unless I had bought the previous Unibody MacBook.

Take advantage of the Back-To-School promo now through September 8th to receive up to $200 off your Mac and receive a free iPod (up to $229 off) and a free printer (up to $100 off).

Snow Leopard

Dated to be released September 2009, Snow Leopard will be available to all current Leopard users for the low price of $29. All features and details can be found at - http://www.apple.com/macosx/refinements/enhancements-refinements.html

iPhone 3.0/ iPhone 3G S

The much rumored and anticipated iPhone 3G S  was announced by Apple today, featuring faster processor speed, a much improved camera including built-in video capture and editing, voice dialing and voice command, and a built-in compass. Here are the details:

Price (new): 16GB — US$199, 32GB — US$299
Capacity: 16GB or 32GB
Case color: Black or White
Dimensions: 4.5 inches x 2.4 inches x 0.48 inches (115.5 mm x 62.1 mm x 12.3 mm), 4.8 oz. (135 gms)
Camera / Video:

• 3 megapixels
• Autofocus
• Tap to focus
• Video recording, VGA up to 30 fps with audio
• Photo and video geotagging
• iPhone and third-party application integration

Cellular and Wireless:

• UMTS/HSDPA (850, 1900, 2100 MHz)
• GSM/EDGE (850, 900, 1800, 1900 MHz)
• Wi-Fi (802.11b/g)
• Bluetooth 2.1 + EDR

Location:

• Assisted GPS
• Digital compass
• Wi-Fi
• Cellular

Power and Battery

• Built-in rechargeable lithium-ion battery
• Charging via USB to computer system or power adapter
• Talk Time: 3G – Up to 5 hours, 2G – Up to 12 hours
• Standby time: Up to 300 hours
• Internet use: Up to 5 hours on 3G, Up to 9 hours on Wi-Fi
• Video playback: Up to 10 hours
• Audio playback: Up to 30 hours

Available Friday June 19th while the current iPhone 3G will now be available in 8gb for the low, low price of $99 with a 2yr contract of course

iPhone 3.0

Set to release June 17th, two days prior to the release of iPhone 3G S.  This update will be free for all iPhone users and $10 for Touch users. Details include

• Ability to now rent and purchase movies from the phone, along with audiobooks.
• MMS – 29 carriers at launch, with AT&T sometime this summer
• Cut-n-Paste of course
• Tethering via Bluetooth and USB for Macs and PCs – available on 22 carriers but AT&T was no where to be seen.
• Safari will process JavaScript 3X faster and support of HTTP streaming of audio and video.
• Find My iPhone – GPS tracking via MobileMe from any browser. Ability to locate phone, send messages/alerts (even when set on vibrate), and remote wipe
• Other dev features have also be announced including push notifications.

More details can be found at - http://www.apple.com/iphone/softwareupdate/

It’s that time a month again where I order another pair of headphones to feed my addiction.  I have chosen Head-Direct’s RE2s due to their special promotion they are currently offering.  Now I have plenty of IEM but I just had to check this out at the price they were currently selling them for.  They are often said to have the clarity of Etymotics but with great bass.  I can see where people are coming from on that one but I am currently in the process of burning in the the dynamic driver.  At the current promotion of $49 +$5 worldwide shipping, there is not doubt you could find something close to what these headphone can offer.  I have yet to try out the various size tips since I have four other pairs of headphones I am constantly switching between.

Shure SCL4

Just recevied my backorder Shure SLC4 – White yesterday.  They feature a balanced armature driver with an extended bass port.  So far they seem pretty good with only about 4 hours of burn in.  I can agree with people who say it lacks a bit of bass but its still very apparent.   They are not nearly as bright as my Etymotic ER6i but the detail and clearity of the mids and highs are great!

+a.neil

+a.neil