alexander thomas neil | photoblog

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!

I’m not much of a reader, but I just pre-ordered Dan Brown’s The Lost Symbol about an hour ago. I figured if I’m going to read a book, why not go for the most highly anticipated one?

No, no, no, all the rumors of me disappearing off the face of teh internet(s) are false. I am very well alive and healthy. I continue to live the amazing life of Alex T. Neil since the original Fuq The Amazing Life of Alex T. Neil. All my seconds, minutes, hours go to my all mighty ego. Unfortunately Marwa and I has yet to speak another word since our first conversation on our cellular devices baq in June. Oh well, life happens. (btdubs: the whole marwa thing is an inside joke)

Anyways, I have had a fantastic summer! Since my last post in July, I’ve vacationed in Panama City, enjoyed Chicago, and worked in Charlotte; clocking in a little under 3,000miles of driving within a span of 3 weeks.

Now that school has started, my mind has been set on one date, December 29th. I have reserved my seat on Frontier Flight 557 non-stop service to Denver, where I have plans to ski Copper Mountain through January 4th.

Okay, I’m off for now. Figured I give a long needed quick update.

Only a few things in life deserve an ‘Epic Fail’, this is one of them. . .

The company picnic on Saturday, the 18th. How can you have #SoberSunday without alcohol on #AllHomoSaturday? EPIC FAIL.