Apple chief executive Steve Jobs announced a new rental-based version of Apple TV, an overhaul of the iPod lineup and the introduction of an iTunes-based social network called Ping at a product announcement in San Francisco Wednesday.
Jobs said Apple has learned many lessons from the debut of Apple TV in 2006, admitting that thus far the device has been a hobby and not a hit. He said consumers want Hollywood movies and TV shows in HD and on demand, with lower prices and maximum ease of use.
The new Apple TV box is a quarter of the size of its predecessor and will offer TV show rentals from Fox and ABC for 99 cents. First-run HD DVD movies can be rented for $4.99. The device itself will cost $99 and will be available in four weeks.
The box is also compatible with streaming movies from the online rental service Netflix and from YouTube. Other studios have yet to agree to participate, but Jobs said he thinks the rest will eventually "see the light and get on board with us."
Jobs also said Apple has sold 275 million iPods, and announced significant upgrades to every version of the portable music players. He said the high-end iPod Touch is now the most popular portable video game device, while unveiling a new version that strongly resembles the iPhone 4 without phone capabilities. He also showed off new versions of the iPod Nano and iPod Shuffle.
Finally, Jobs announced an update to Apple's online media store iTunes, which he said is about to surpass CDs in terms of music sales. Available today, iTunes 10 will include a music-centered social network called Ping that will allow users to track what their friends and favorite musicians are listening to. Users can choose whether or not to share their playlists and will be able to purchase songs directly from the network. It will be available to all 160 million users of iTunes.
Apple's stock was up more than 3 percent at the time of this posting.
没有评论:
发表评论