You've probably heard that Apple has "one more thing" planned for later - we'll update this post with information as it happens...
Event:
1. New iMacs; 20" model is thinner than the existing 17" model. It also has an isight built in, and support for a 6-button remote control (bundled?). They will also feature faster processors, will come standard with superdrives (DVD writers) are shipping today, and should be in stores next week. The 20" will cost USD 1699; the 17" will cost USD 1299.
2. iPod colour replaced: slimmer VIDEO ipod, with a world clock, a better calendar UI, a stopwatch, screen lock. Comes with a 2.5" 260k 320*240 display, and supports H.264 video. 30GB and 60GB variants. The 30GB is 21% slimmer than the existing 20GB, the 60GB is 12% slimmer than the existing 20GB. TV output via a dock connector to 3 RCA cable. Both come in black or white, includes a case, and will be shipping next week from factories. The 30GB will cost USD 299, the 60GB USD 399.
3. iTunes 6 available today, with 4 new features. Give someone a song, review songs, personalized recommendation, and music videos for USD 1.99 each. 2000 videos available now, DRM'ed, no burning allowed. Each videos is about the size of 6 songs, and has a resolution of 320*240.
4. Certain TV shows are also available on the iTunes Store. 5 shows: Lost, Desperate Housewives, Nightstalker, That's so Raven and The Sweet Life of Jack and Cody. Will be ad-free, and available the day after broadcast. A one hour show is about the size of 5 albums, USD 1.99 per episode for current and past seasons.
Commentary:
So, the secret sauce this time is the iTunes Music Store (now with Video!). That makes portable video far more palatable option, particularly with the full length TV episodes. Whether this is enough to overcome the inherent disadvantages of a portable format has yet to be determined, but it's likely to be at least a partial success - the Sony has sold 8.2 million UMD movies for the PSP at last count, so there is some market, especially since these are so much cheaper.
Of course, the other upgrades to the iPod are good, if not unexpected. Perpendicular hard disks had to make an appearance sometime, and after upgrading the nano's software Apple could hardly fail to do the same for the iPod.
Deciding between the normal iPod and the nano is hard. I think I'll stick to the N91 - or, actually, the Nokia E70 (reasons here).
[John Gruber has posted some "brief observations" which are well worth reading.]
Pre-event: If you're looking for something to read while you're waiting, iheartapple.org has a nice roundup of speculation, and you can bet (real money!) on what it's gonna be at Bodog. [We've never bet there before; it seems betting has closed.]
