• Support for Apple In-Ear Headphones with Remote and Mic
• Support for Apple Earphones with Remote and Mic
• Fixed instability issues when using Nike + iPod Sport Kit
• Added a setting to turn off Cover Flow when rotating iPod nano and a Cover Flow menu item under the Music menu
• When Shuffle setting is set to Songs, pressing play on a song in a saved Genius playlist will now follow the Shuffle setting
• After playing a slideshow with TV out, Cover Flow album art is no longer distorted
• Waking iPod nano after hibernating no longer distorts photos
• Other minor bug fixes

The update can be obtained through iTunes for owners of the iPod nano 4G.

The German version of Amazon.com is also listing a 4GB model for sale and available in all nine iPod nano colours.

The iPod touch advert shows the device off as mainly a gaming device, describing it as the “funnest iPod ever”.

The first set of new headphones are similar to the standard earbuds that ship with all iPods but have the added feature of play/plause/forward/reverse and up/down volume controls as well as a small microphone. The Apple earphones with Remote and Mic are priced at $29 (£19) but are not currently available to purchase.

In addition Apple has updated its in-ear headphone set, these headphones contain two drivers in each earpiece (tweeter and woofer) and ship with three sets of silicone ear tips (small, medium, large). The headphones also incldue the controls described previously.

The new in-ear headphones are listed as “coming soon” and are priced at $79 (£55).

The headphones are compatible with the new iPod classic, 4th generation iPod nano, and 2nd gen iPod touch.

The new lineup includes the iPod shuffle in four vivid new colors starting at just $49 (£32) and the iPod classic in one slimline model with 50 percent more capacity for the same great price - 120GB of storage for just $249 (£179).

During the event company CEO, Steve Jobs introduced, brand new iPod nanos, a revamped iPod touch and iTunes 8.

[Update] A 700MB download is now available to download in Podcast form.

Image courtesy of Apple

The new iPod touch is smaller and lighter than the original, with a sleek new design that features a contoured metal enclosure with integrated volume control buttons and a brilliant 3.5-inch widescreen glass display. With its rounded edges, flush display and curved, more compact design, the new iPod touch is more comfortable to hold and more portable than ever.

The new iPod touch also features built-in Nike + iPod support making it an incredible workout companion. Users simply place the optional Nike + iPod sensor ($19 US) in their Nike + shoe to seamlessly connect with the new iPod touch to track miles run or sync with the latest generation gym equipment.

The new iPod touch is available immediately for a suggested price of $229 (£169) for the 8GB model, $299 (£219) for the 16GB and $399 (£289) for the 32 GB model.

“The iPod nano is the world’s most popular music player and we’ve made it even better for this holiday season,” said Steve Jobs, Apple’s CEO. “We think users are going to love the amazing new design, the automatic Genius playlist creation, as well as automatically going into Cover Flow with just a turn of the wrist.”

View the gallery.

View the gallery.

Image courtesy of The Consumerist

Apple has explained that it will replace for free any affected iPod nanos.

Apple today responded to statements reported by Japan’s METI regarding batteries in the first-generation iPod nanos. Apple has determined that in very rare cases, batteries in first-generation iPod nanos sold between Sept. 2005 and Dec. 2006 can overheat, causing failure and deformation of the iPod nano. Apple has received very few reports of such incidents (less than 0.001 percent of first-generation iPod nano units), which have been traced back to a single battery supplier. There have been no reports of serious injuries or property damage, and no reports of incidents for any other iPod nano model.

Any first-generation iPod nano customers who have experienced their battery overheating should contact AppleCare for a replacement. Any other customers who have concerns about their first-generation iPod nano battery should also contact AppleCare.

Although Apple has offered little information as to what is included with the firmware update, reports suggest that no new features are added, which means that 1.1.5 is likely just a bug fix and stability update.

“With about seven million incremental units being built in [the third quarter] versus [the second quarter], this data clearly has positive implications for iPhone chip suppliers,” Berger said. ‘[Second quarter] build volumes fell by 25 percent versus prior checks in mid-May (now up only 80 percent quarter-over-quater) as Apple pushes production out a bit into [the third quarter].

Q3 iPod build volumes have reportedly been revised by up to 15% since the analysts last checks.

The analyst added that, “Greater Classic and Nano builds are partially offset by fewer Touch builds,” but, “[Second quarter] build volumes remain largely unchanged, growing 35 percent quarter-over-quarter.”

Mac orders have also apparently shot up, research by Berger suggests anywhere from a 10 to 20 percent increase in Mac system builds.

“These checks also suggest Apple continues to knock the cover off the ball, that its product cycle momentum is ramping, and that any consumer spending malaise in the U.S. or Europe has yet to impact Apple-related product demand,” Berger stated in his report to clients on Thursday.

The tax aims to raise €117.8 million from iPod, mobile phone and other sales this year. MP3 players will see a €3.15 per unit levy, while devices such as printers, ink cartridges and printers will also be taxed under the new law.

Manufacturers can choose to pay the tax from their profits, or to pass the additional costs onto their customers.

The analyst suggests that supplies are likely to be strained due to the current back-to-school promotion, which gives iPod touches away to students for free when buying a Mac.

The analyst also reports that Best Buy has seen reduced supplies of 16GB models, Reitzes offers no explanation to why this could be but does suggest that Apple needs to take action on iPod prices to realign with the iPhone 3G.

“We believe Apple will need to reposition the iPod touch product by September now that the iPhone acquisition price is lower,” the analyst notes in the report. “We expect the iPod touch to experience significant cannibalization from lower-priced iPhones.”

According to Reitzes Apple’s wider iPod sales are faring better than expected, and current data suggests that iPod sales could climb by two percent year over year through early June where they were estimated to have dropped by the same amount.

He adds that his previous estimates of 9.5 million iPods sold in the quarter could be “conservative”.

The new advert is viewable on Apple’s website (direct download link).

High definition (720p) version available on behalf of World of Apple here.

The song featured in the advert is Shut Up and Let Me Go by The Ting Tings.

Use iPod Reset Utility to restore the following iPod models back to their factory settings, when iTunes is unable to do so:

The restore process completely erases all music and data on your iPod, and installs current iPod software on it.

Plugin Manager 1.7.3 - 864KB

This update improves reliability for Apple’s professional applications and is recommended for all users of Final Cut Studio, Final Cut Express, Aperture, Logic Studio and related SDKs.

“The Nike + iPod experience revolutionized running. Now we’re revolutionizing the gym cardio experience,” said Trevor Edwards, Nike’s Vice President of Global Brand and Category Management. “We’re enabling people who go to the gym an opportunity to set goals, track progress, and compete in challenges with their friends and with other members of www.nikeplus.com. It’s a groundbreaking tool for people who want to maximize their workouts.”

“The iPod is an essential part of millions of people’s workouts and now users can easily set goals and track their progress with Nike + iPod,” said Greg Joswiak, Apple’s vice president of Worldwide Product Marketing for iPod. “We’re excited to be working with Nike and leading equipment manufacturers to bring the Nike + iPod experience to the gym.”

At participating gyms, including 24 Hour Fitness nationwide and Virgin Active Health Clubs internationally, members will soon be able to use Nike + iPod to track their workout and log their data on www.nikeplus.com.

Apple has begun airing an advert for the iPod touch, the advert first showed during last nights American Idol.

The advert cleverly shows off almost every aspect of the iPod touch, finishing with the phrase “Everybody touch.”

The advert can be viewed via Apple’s website or on YouTube.

“At just $49, the iPod shuffle is the most affordable iPod ever,” said Greg Joswiak, Apple’s vice president of Worldwide iPod Product Marketing. “The new 2GB model lets music lovers bring even more songs everywhere they go in the impossibly small iPod shuffle.”

The new 1GB iPod shuffle is available immediately for a suggested retail price of $49 (£32). The 2GB iPod shuffle will be available later this month for a suggested retail price of $69 (£45).

“Customers are going to love the gorgeous new pink iPod nano,” said Greg Joswiak, Apple’s vice president of Worldwide iPod Product Marketing. “The pink iPod nano is perfect for people who want a great new color this spring, or who are searching for a special Valentine’s Day gift.”

The new pink 8GB iPod nano is available worldwide immediately for a suggested retail price of $199 (£129) and joins the other 8GB models available in silver, black, blue, green and a (PRODUCT) RED special edition.

“These amazing new mobile applications make iPod touch not only the best iPod, but the best Wi-Fi mobile device in the world,” said Steve Jobs, Apple’s CEO. “With its revolutionary touch interface and software, plus its stunning 3.5 inch screen, iPod touch is evolving into the first mainstream Wi-Fi mobile platform of the 21st century.”

Mail on iPod touch is a rich HTML email client that fetches email in the background from most POP3 or IMAP mail services and displays photos and graphics along with the text of the email. Users can configure Mail for Google’s Gmail, Yahoo! Mail, .Mac Mail or most POP or IMAP based mail services with just a few clicks.

Maps on iPod touch features the ability to automatically find your current location using nearby Wi-Fi base stations*, and use it as a starting or ending point for directions or to find local points of interest. Users can get real-time traffic conditions, and view maps in map or satellite view, or a hybrid view which combines map and satellite views so you can see major street names overlaid on satellite imagery.

Stocks and Weather allow users to access live stock and weather reports at their fingertips, and Notes lets you jot down information on-the-go using the intelligent keyboard.

The iPod touch home screen can now be customized, allowing users to reorder and add new icons, with support for up to nine different home screens which they can easily flick between. With the new Web Clips feature, you can even create custom icons on your home screen for your favorite websites. Web Clips are a great way to easily track web sites that you frequently check such as news, blogs, sports sites, movie listings and more.

With Apple’s new iTunes Movie Rentals, movie fans can rent movies on their computer, easily and quickly transfer them to their iPod touch, and watch them anywhere on iPod touch’s gorgeous 3.5 inch screen. Users can also now navigate forward or backward through their movies by chapters, select alternate language tracks and view subtitles, if available.

The software upgrade for iPod touch is available immediately. New iPod touch products shipping from the factory will include the software upgrade and existing iPod touch customers can get the software upgrade for $19.99 by purchasing and downloading it from iTunes.

A report from Reuters notes that an increasing shift to flash-based storage has forced Fujitsu and Hitachi out of the ultra-small rotating hard drive business.

Both Fujitsu and Hitachi had supplied micro hard-drives for Apple’s iPod in the past but even Apple has begun moving across to flash-based storage with the iPod classic being the last remaining hard-drive based iPod.

Toshiba continues to make micro hard-drives.

Icon Wiggle in Patent

Hrmpf.com has noted that the recent icon wiggle seen in the recent videos of iPhone Firmware 1.1.3 are reminiscent of that in a recently published patent.

The patent filing for a reconfigurable touchscreen interface notes in detail the wiggle of the icons when a user selects them.

The patent does include some details of the ability to “toss” icons which appears to have not made it to the iPhone in firmware update 1.1.3.

Final Cut Meeting Holds Answers

AppleInsider writes that a collection of Final Cut Pro user groups will hold a meeting at Macworld Expo later this month.

According to the rumour site Apple will have a surprise for the attending guests.

The meeting which will take place on January 16th; the day following Steve Jobs’ anticipated Keynote will feature “something super secret” from Apple.

Apple has debuted a new iPod + iTunes advert featuring musical artist Mary J. Blige. The ad is in the style of the long running iPod silhouette adverts.

The advert which can be seen on Apple’s website (direct QuickTime link) features Blige’s newest single ‘Work That’ from the album ‘Growing Pains’.

The biggest feature of the update is that iPod touch users can now Add Calendar Events to the iPod touch calendar.

The update is now available via iTunes.

The advert was touched up and made ready for broadcasting by Apple’s long standing adgency, TBWA/Chiat/Day.

MobileTechNews writes that recent data from Strategy Analytics on 3rd quarter 2007 marketshare data for mobile phones showed that the iPhone was the 4th op selling handset in the U.S.

The iPhone was also the top selling device for AT&T accounting for 13% of all AT&T phone sales.

Apple Faces Class Action Over Capacity

Apple faces yet another class action lawsuit, this time over the figures it publishes regarding iPod storage capacities.

iPods are sold in varying storage capacities, such as 4GB, 8GB, 80GB etc. But the final size varies from that advertised due to not only the pre-installed operation system but also the method of measuring the capacity.

The majority of hard drive manufacturers, including Apple define 1 gigabyte as 1,000,000,000 bytes, but the majority of operating systems and software calculate a gigabyte by dividing the bytes by 1,073,741,824. This causes a hard drive which is advertised as 250GB would most likely appears as 232.83GB.

Montreal law student, David Bitton, first noticed this discrepancy when he took a look at his new ‘8GB’ iPod nano - a device in which actual capacity was 7.45GB.

Bitton has filed a class action lawsuit in the Quebec Superior Court, a lawsuit that notes all Apple products offer on average 7.5 per cent less storage than claimed. He’s demanding a full refund or a 7.5 per cent refund on the product price to compensate for the ‘missing’ data space.

Apple appears to have little to worry about because the company states on all iPod and Mac related materials that “Actual formatted capacity” is “less” than advertised.

Letter reproduced for convenience:

Let me just say it: We want native third party applications on the iPhone, and we plan to have an SDK in developers’ hands in February. We are excited about creating a vibrant third party developer community around the iPhone and enabling hundreds of new applications for our users. With our revolutionary multi-touch interface, powerful hardware and advanced software architecture, we believe we have created the best mobile platform ever for developers.

P.S.: The SDK will also allow developers to create applications for iPod touch. [Oct 17, 2007]

The PC Mag review favours the iPod touch over many other media players and gave the device 5 out of 5 stars.

The relatively hefty $300 and $400 price tags for 8 and 16 GB, respectively, don’t bug me either. Why? This is probably the best portable media player ever made.

The magazine also writes that the iPod touch is “much skinnier” than the iPhone, a tad shorter and a bit wider. The review also looks at the iTunes W-Fi Music Store which is said to be well integrated into the device.

One feature of the iPod touch which is demonstrated in Apple’s Guided Tour is the “double-click” home button.

Pressing the only tactile button on the player twice makes music controls appear over whatever screen mode you happen to be in—Safari, YouTube, etc. Even if the player is locked, double-clicking will bring up a set of music controls that features track information, play/pause, forward and backward within a playlist or album, a Music button to take you directly to the Now Playing screen, and a Close button to escape.

The magazine rounds off the review with:

At $300 and $400 for 8 and 16 GB, respectively, these are not cheap devices, especially considering the storage limitations. Still, factor in the slick interface, elegant Web browser, the beautiful glass display, the seamless integration of the WiFi music store, and the iPod touch is worth the price. No portable media player has ever done this much so easily, or looked so good doing it.

iPod touch Unboxing | Courtesy Flickr

One user over at Flickr has posted a few pictures of the iPod touch unboxing process, it is very similar to that of the iPhone.

Gizmodo also offers a selection of pictures and a video of the iPod touch.

Apple has met the early release of the iPod touch by unleashing the support website which comes with a Features Guide (PDF).

• Refreshed iPod shuffle
• New iPod nano
• New iPod classic
• Introducing iPod touch
• Price drop for iPhone
• iTunes Wi-Fi Music Store
• iTunes now with iPhone ringtone support
• Apple and Starbucks partnership
• iPod Hi-Fi discontinued

iPod touch

Apple has also posted a few further prices of interest:

• iPod nano advert
• iPod nano Gallery
• iPod touch Guided Tour Video
• iPod touch gallery
• iPod classic gallery

“The first iPod put 1,000 songs in your pocket-this new iPod classic can put 40,000 songs in your pocket,” said Steve Jobs, Apple’s CEO. “With a thinner, all-metal enclosure and an enhanced user interface, the iPod classic is ideal for people who want to hold everything on their iPod.”

The new iPod classic holds up to 160GB of storage in an all-metal anodized aluminum and polished stainless steel enclosure. iPod classic works seamlessly with iTunes® so you can import, manage and then easily sync your favorite content. You can buy music, video and games for your iPod classic from the iTunes Store with more than six million songs available for preview and one-click purchase.

The new iPod classic features up to 40 hours of music playback and seven hours of video playback in the 160GB model, and up to 30 hours of music playback and five hours of video playback in the 80GB model on a single charge,* letting users enjoy their entire collections of music, audiobooks, audio and video podcasts, music videos, television shows and movies wherever they go.

Both iPod classic models are available immediately worldwide in silver and black. The 80GB iPod classic model is $249 (US) and the 160GB iPod classic is $349 (US).

“We’ve taken the most popular music player in the world and added stunning video playback just in time for the holiday season,” said Steve Jobs, Apple’s CEO. “The iPod nano just keeps getting better and better with each new generation.”

The all new iPod nano features a 204 pixel per inch display that is 65 percent brighter than the previous generation and delivers 320×240 resolution that is perfect for watching your favorite movies and TV shows on the go. iPod nano also features an enhanced user interface that shows off album artwork and photos like never before, and now includes Cover Flow, so you can scroll through your entire music collection by album cover artwork using the Click Wheel.

The all new iPod nano is perfect for playing iPod games and comes pre-loaded with iQuiz, the entertainment trivia game; Vortex, a fast-paced 360 degree brick-bashing game; and Klondike, the popular solitaire card game. Additional games will be available for iPod nano later this month from the iTunes Store, including Sudoku and Tetris from Electronic Arts and Ms. PAC-MAN from NAMCO.

Available today, the 4GB iPod nano comes in silver for just $149 (US) and the 8GB model is available in silver, black, blue, green and a (PRODUCT) RED special edition for just $199 (US).

“The iPod touch is a landmark iPod, ushering in a whole new generation of features based on its revolutionary multi-touch interface and built-in Wi-Fi wireless networking,” said Steve Jobs, Apple’s CEO. “People are going to be amazed at how thin it is and how much it does.”

The iTunes Wi-Fi Music Store lets you browse the iTunes Top Ten lists of songs and albums overall or by genre, check out new releases and “What’s Hot,” or search for your favorite songs, albums or artists. You can preview any song for free, then purchase and download the ones you like directly onto your iPod touch over Wi-Fi. The music you download will be automatically uploaded into your iTunes library the next time you sync your iPod touch with your computer.

The new iPod touch is scheduled to be available later this month. The 8GB iPod touch model is $299 (US) and the 16GB iPod model is $399 (US)

The invitation features a cover flow style front with the foremost album cover containing a silhouette iTunes dance holding an iPod.

Unlike the event earlier this month, this event will be held at the Moscone Centre which contains far more seating than Apple’s Town Hall.

Currently you can get a 30GB or 80GB iPod for about $20 off at Amazon, Best Buy, Circuit City and J&R online stores.

Notably the online Apple Store, Target’s online store, and Wal-mart are not showing the same discounts.

Run the table — on your iPod! Create and customize a Sim, select a game mode, and enter the pool hall for exciting action. Play 9-ball, 8-ball or fun trick-shot mode. Hit your Sim’s goals by playing the right angles and sinking smoot hshots. With one-thumb ease, use the Click Wheel to set cue ball position, select cue angle, add spin, adjust power, and then shoot. The Sims Pool comes alive with vibrant graphics, realistic physics, multiple game modes, and immersive sound effects.

The game is available for $4.99 (£3.99) from the iTunes Store.

Sims Bowling for fifth-generation iPods

“Join The Sims for fun bowling action! Enjoy challenging, realistic bowling anytime,” reads a description of the title. “Use the Click Wheel to control, aim, adjust your power, add spin, and then send the ball screaming down the lane.”

“The Sims Bowling party comes to life with vibrant graphics, sound effects, and multiple game modes,” the description continues. “Enjoy ‘Sims Life,’ in which you create a Sim and compete in a popularity contest, or bowl against a friend in ‘Pass-n-Play.”

The game costs $4.99 (£3.99) and is available from the iTunes Store. The game is compatible with fifth-generation iPods running software version 1.2 only, the game is not compatible with the iPhone.

Join your favorite castaways in their quest to seek the truth and survive in the official iPod game of the hit television series Lost. Help Jack search for dynamite, tend to the wounded, and avoid the black smoke. Relive the crash scene, open the hatch, and ultimately try your best to escape from the Others. Immerse yourself into their mysterious world with authentic settings and a genuine storyline created by the writers behind the hit show.

The game costs $4.99 and is available from the iTunes Store.

The iPod shuffle which used to cost £55 now costs £49.

Back in April Apple UK reduced prices of its larger video iPods. The 30GB iPod now costs £179 down from £189. The 80GB version saw a £20 price cut down from £239.