The iPod Nano, a smaller version of the iPod with a color screen, and the long awaited Motorola iTunes phone debuted today.
Apple shut down its online store for a brief period today while CEO Steve Jobs unveiled a couple of new pieces of choice hardware. The little brother of the classic iPod, called the Nano, measures a tiny 3.5″ x 1.6″ x 0.27″. It’s small.
Now we know why Apple wanted all of that Samsung NAND flash memory. The little hard drives used in the iPod would never fit in the Nano. Two versions of the Nano, 2GB and 4GB capacities, have become available for $199 and $249. There’s even a color choice of white or black for this model.
Also, Motorola sees its frustration end at the lengthy delays in getting the ROKR phone announced. Cingular will sell the Motorola ROKR camera phone, which will be compatible with iTunes. The phone has a capacity of 100 songs, with a color screen. Songs can be purchased from iTunes and downloaded from a Mac or Windows PC to the phone.
Apple released an update of its iTunes software, making version 5 available. They have also become the first seller of digital audiobook versions of the Harry Potter series, with Jim Dale doing the reading. Previous versions have only been available as CD or cassette tapes. A complete “digital box set” includes a digital booklet as well as previously unreleased readings by Potter author J.K Rowling.
David Utter is a staff writer for Murdok covering technology and business. Email him here.
