It's Showtime!

Well the moment has finally arrived, It’s Showtime!. The red carpet is unfurled and Steve Jobs is on stage in the Yerba Buena Center for Arts and Theater. The speculation can finally end.

Edit: I’m curious to hear what you all think of today’s announcements. Here is your chance to rack up some comments for our Race to 2000 in talkback. Our pictures are now added below the drop. (You can see all of them here.)

iPod–

Games for iPod cost $4

Brighter screen and longer battery life

80GB model announced

New prices start at $249

iPod Nano–

24 hour battery life

Five new colors

Up to 8GB capacity (only in black)

Prices remain the same

iPod Shuffle–

1 million sold to date

Completely redesigned

Aluminum case comes with dock

Costs $79

iTunes–

1.5 billion songs sold to date

Now fifth largest music seller in the US

iTunes 7 announced

Separate library for music, podcasts, tv, etc.

Now has auto download for album art

Old jukebox styled browsing of artwork

iTunes TV–

Have now sold 45 million TV shows

Features every major network, 220 different shows represented

Resolution now 640 x 480–4x resolution

Can now synch shows on iPod and auto remove old shows

(Michael Arrington gets escorted to the side for disturbing “civilized press”)
iTunes Movies–

Movies!

75 movies are available online today from Disney, Pixar, Touchstone and Miramax

Future releases to be available same the same day as DVD release

$12.99 first week then $14.99 afterward

Pre-ordered titles cost $12.99

640 x 480 resolution

30 minute downloads, can watch movie as it loads

Old titles $9.99

Same rights apply on movies as on TV shows

Only available in the US until 2007

Same picture-based browsing featured with album art

Mac with iTunes can now take over your living room (all your base are belong to Apple)

Films feature tons of movie data such as actor bios, etc.

(Bob Iger CEO of Disney takes stage)

iTV–

Apple has wireless set top box for TV

Working title is “iTV”

Similar to Mac Mini, but 1/2 the size

Features USB, ethernet, 802.11b/g, component video, optical audio and HDMI

Uses apple remote

Intended as a sort of ultimate media center, allows users to play movies, music, photos, etc. on TV

Works with PC or Mac

Price is $299 available in Q1 2007

One last thing–

John Legend takes stage for performance, Michael Arrington swoons, possibly faints

END