The New iPod:Apple Does It Again…Again.

Apple redefines phenom once again with new capabilities; TV shows and music videos available at iTunes Music Store; iTunes 6 released

Just when you thought it was safe to chill out and relax with your iPod nano, iPod shuffle, or iPod Photo, Apple Computer reinvents their category-defining, world-beating personal media player.

Some weeks back, Apple sent out exclusive invitations which very simply and tantalizingly said “One more thing…” with a red theater curtain in the background. On 12 October 2005, he introduced the world to the new video savvy iPod. Thinner than its predecessor, with more space for more songs, photos, and now video-enabled with a 2.5-inch diagonal backlit screen, it promises to make entertainment even more personal than ever before, and equally promises to be the next ‘must-have’ toy for hip creatives.

The dimensions of the future

The new iPod looks like the old iPod, but the dimensions are clearly different. At 2.4-inches in width, it’s slightly wider than its predecessor, to make room for the new larger screen. At .55-inches thick, however, it’s 45% slimmer than the past model. The familiar Click-Wheel™ occupies the same familiar position.

The new age in iPod also coincides with more storage than ever before. The larger of the two models boasts a 60GB hard drive, which can hold up to 15,000 songs with album art, 25,000 photos, or 150 hours of video playback. And with a 20-hour battery life, you’ll be able to enjoy more of this content for longer stretches between charges.

It’s a beautiful model, with iTunes to match

Announced the same day as the new iPod is the latest release of the free iTunes 6, for Mac or PC platforms. Naturally, iPod synchs with iTunes, and iTunes providing not only the songs that users have enjoyed, but also new content to match the new iPod possibilities.

As a result of a deal with Disney, past and current episodes of two of the most popular ABC-TV series of this and last season, Desperate Housewives and Lost, as well as current episodes of the new series Night Stalker, will be made available for $1.99 per episode, with new episodes available the day after broadcast. That’s not all; 2,000 music videos are available for download, as well as six short films from CG animation giant Pixar Studios, also for $1.99 each.

Apple has not yet announced what content will follow, but if iTunes Music Store adds video content the way it has added audio content, it seems reasonable to expect to see plenty of hip entertainment offerings in fairly short order.

Capabilities leap upwards, but not price

The prices match up with the costs of preceeding models. The 60GB model goes for $399.00, the 30GB, $299.00. They are available in the cleanly executed white or black that the iPod nano comes in, and we can well expect that accessories should quickly follow that will allow one to case and/or color the iPod in any way they want.

iPod competitors come and go, and the “iPod killer” is constantly rumored to be just around the corner. But with Apple constantly improving and innovating, redefining cool as they go, it is any wonder they stay on top of the market they created?

The new iPod is, as some might say, “teh new coolness”.

Follow this link to Apple’s new iPod page.