Apple announces IPhone (been rumored for some time) and Apple TV:
IPhone link Consumers will finally get the chance to own an iPhone, a mobile phone that plays iTunes and surfs the Web, electronics maker Apple said Tuesday. The device will retail for between $499 and $599.
Company chairman Steve Jobs, speaking at the company's annual Macworld expo, called the iPhone, which will be available in June, a "revolutionary mobile phone" that will feature an iPod, phone and what he called an "Internet communicator."
Jobs also disclosed that Apple's iTunes will sell Paramount films, and that the long-awaited AppleTV device to view downloaded videos will be available beginning in February.
The phone is rectangular, and the entire front surface is a touch screen. All of its functions are activated by touch, but when you bring your iPhone to your face, a proximity sensor will turn off the touchscreen so you don't accidentally face dial.
The phone, which runs the Mac OS X, will come in two models -- a $499 version with 4 gigabytes of memory and a $599 one with 8 gigabytes.
"This is a day I've been looking forward to for two-and-a-half years," Jobs told the crowd at San Francisco's Moscone Center.
Jobs was particularly enthusiastic about the iPhone's Web-browsing capabilities."It's bad out there today," says Jobs of mobile Web browsers. "It's a real revolution to bring real Web browsing to a phone."
Despite all these bells and whistles, Jobs said the "killer app is making calls." The iPhone will operate on the GSM protocol, but won't have third-generation broadband initially. Jobs said that 3G capability is coming. It will also sync with the Mac's Address Book application.
Cingular will be Apple's sole U.S. partner. It's an exclusive multiyear agreement, which means no other carrier will be able to sell the iPhone through 2009.
In a move that could hurt BlackBerry maker Research in Motion, Apple will offer free push e-mail from Yahoo on the phone device. RIM currently charges for its e-mail service.
APPLE TV link On Tuesday Jobs also unveiled the product formerly known as iTV, which will now be called Apple TV. This device has a wireless connection that will let up to five computers stream or download video content to a television. It can connect to a large-screen high definition television, and with 40 gigabytes of memory can store 50 hours of movies and television shows.
Apple TV will ship next month, and will sell for $299. Jobs said the company is accepting orders.
Jobs announced that there have been 2 billion iTunes sold for iPods. He said it took 3 years to sell the first billion and ten months to sell the second billion. He added that 1.3 million movies have been sold for video iPods.
The company also disclosed that it is changing its name to Apple Inc. from Apple Computer Inc. to reflect the changing nature of the company's product list.
Apple shares surged nearly $7, or more than 8 percent, to $92.44 on the announcement.
F@#K!!!! I can’t believe that 2006 is over. Where did the year go!!! Yesterday was just going to the driving range with Jimmy & Chuckles, gaming with the boys, FriarFest at Petco, my time at Van Vechten, meeting new women outside of tanning salons, the Y conference, meeting new women at pilates class, my time at Sony Online, OBEY events, seeing the Foo Fighters twice, Del Mar Race Track, baseball playoffs (damn Padres), EPIC Halloween party, Culture & Cocktails, watching the Chargers win, Drunkapalooza-2006, and so much more. Great shows, movies & tv.
Personally - All is great. I have been hanging out with SD for 2 months and she is really great. We have a ton in common from pop culture, art & music to design and our way of thinking.
Professionally – I have been busy marketing myself and looking for more (& more) clients.I got my new business cards in and they look great!! Still hoping that word of mouth from my friends and associates will drum up even more business. [If you know ANYONE that is starting a new business, revamping their existing business or have ever said “ My business is slow”, be sure to drop my name & website visualHYPE (point out that it has my e-mail address). Tell them I do marketing, design – print & web, and advertising. I thank you in advance.].
For 2007 I have decided not to make Resolutions and Goals but instead to turn it upside down and do all the things I never have time to do, or keep putting off – like this year’s resolutions. To make a difference in not only my life, but others as well.
Revolt against the norm. Stand up to mediocrity. Bend the rules.