McNutt Against the Music

Is it just me, or was that one of the more underwhelming Steve Jobs’ press conferences in a while?

Today was Apple’s announcement of the Fall iPod lineup, an event that’s become a yearly tradition for the white-coated empire of cool. Last year saw only minor changes to the family line (mostly the new shuffle design), but Steve threw in price drops and iTunes gapless playback to send everyone home happy. This year’s conference is the first since Apple announced and released the iPhone earlier this year. This might have led some to think that the iPod lineup wouldn’t get much attention this year, but Jobs instead revealed the biggest changes to the iPod brand since the Mini was ditched for the Nano two years ago. Yet there’s something that rings hollow about this year’s new toys.

Part of the problem lies the redesigned iPod Nano. I don’t envy Apple’s position, trying to make improvements to the most popular iPod model ever, but I have my doubts as to how well their solution is going to be received. They’ve been able to build a larger, more functional screen into the Nano, but their tradeoff in doing so is that they’ve exchanged the slim sleekness of the original model for a shorter, square-shaped design that some are already calling the “iPod fatty.” I think that sleek design was a big part of the model’s appeal, and I wonder how people are going to react now that it’s gone. I also question Apple’s decision to allow for video playback without increasing the Nano’s storage capacity (they’re still going to be 4 and 8 GB models). At least they’ve been able to drop the prices.

Then there’s the worst worst-kept secret since the iPhone: Apple’s widescreen, touch-screen version of the iPod, which is going by the “iPod Touch” moniker. What took me by surprise is just how many of the iPhone’s features it shares: it has wi-fi Internet access, Safari web browser, digital camera…basically, it’s an iPhone without the phone (well, and the cellular Internet access). But when Jobs followed up its reveal by announcing a price drop on the 8 GB iPhone to $399 US (the same as a 16 GB iPod Touch), I can’t help but think that this is all just a clever tactic to get more people to sign up for the iPhone. I can see people asking “Why would I get a iPhone with less features when I can just get an iPhone for almost the same price?”

Then again, I was the person who thought that people wouldn’t buy an iPod without a screen in it, and look how well that turned out. (Only Apple could successfully promote the REMOVING of features from a product as an actual feature.) Plus, there are lots of people who can’t get an iPhone yet – either because they’re with another cell phone company or because they don’t live in the States – and those with money to burn probably won’t have any qualms about laying down the cash for an almost-iPhone until they can get their hands on the real deal.

To check out the rest of the announcements from Apple’s press event – including iPhone ringtones, iTunes mobile and the christening of the “iPod Classic” models – check out full coverage over at Engadget or visit the Apple website and check out this Fall’s new status symbols for yourself.

(Oh and despite the fact that the press event was called “The Beat Goes On” – the final words in the Beatles break-up press release – no announcement was made about the Beatles catelogue coming to iTunes, which has reportedly been in the works ever since the two Apples kissed and made up.)