Apple September 1, 2010 Event Coverage

With Apple restricting the ability to watch its live-streaming keynote to Macs and iOS devices, the rest of the world needs to rely on other methods to get their latest updates from the Yerba Buena Center for the Arts in San Francisco, California.

“Apple will broadcast its September 1 event online using Apple’s industry-leading HTTP Live Streaming, which is based on open standards,” Apple said in an announcement.

“Viewing requires either a Mac running Safari on Mac OS X version 10.6 Snow Leopard, an iPhone or iPod touch running iOS 3.0 or higher, or an iPad,” the company outlined for those eager to see Apple’s next-generation products.

As such, Softpedia will offer timely updates of Apple’s latest announcements in this report, following with more detailed posts, as the event ends.

Users will need to refresh this page every once in a while to get the latest updates, while the event in question kicks off at 10:00 a.m. PDT (just half an hour from now).

For over a week now, the tech blogosphere has been buzzing with rumors of a revised iPod touch, a new Apple TV, a sixth generation iPod nano, and perhaps new software unveilings, such as a cloud based iTunes and a new iLife suite.

Here are the expected announcements:

(major announcements)

New iPod touch – the device is expected to boast a revised design, front and rear cameras, Apple’s Retina Display, the A4 processor, an option for 3G networking, and a built-in VoIP app

New iPod nano – borrows design elements from both the nano and shuffle lines; features 3x3 cm square display, a 30-pin dock connector, and ships with 8/16GB capacities;   New Apple TV – shaped much like an iPhone; runs a variant of iOS; integrates with the App Store; has Apple A4 CPU, 16GB of storage and retails for $99;

(other announcements) - iTunes to gain$0.99 TV show rentals - 1-minute song previews on iTunes store (a departure from 30-second previews) - A preview of iOS 4.0 for iPad, which Apple promised would drop this Fall

Update #1: Steve Jobs is up on stage, giving updates on Apple's retail stores.

Update #2: Jobs starts to provide some updates on iOS, hinting that the event is going to be focused on expanding the number of devices running the software (new Apple TV?)

iOS 4.1 adds enhancements, bug fixes (proximity sensor fixed), new abilities for photos (HDR Photo feature)

Jobs showcases Game Center, invites game developer on stage - showcases title codenamed "Project Sword."

iOS 4.1 launches next week.

Update #3:  Sneak peek of iOS 4.2 which focuses on iPad.

Update brings many new features, including Wireless Printing and a function called Airplay.

Steve provides iPad iOS 4.2 demo.

iOS 4.2 will be a free update for all iOS device users.

Update #4: iPods!

Apple has gone "wild" with iPods this year - "biggest change in the iPod lineup ever", Steve Jobs claims.

- New iPod shuffle that combines VoiceOver and buttons - New, Multi-Touch iPod nano (sixth-generation)

- New, fourth-gen iPod touch: Retina Display, front-facing camera, rear camera with HD video recording Apple A4 chip, 3-axis Gyro, iOS 4.1 with Game Center, FaceTime support (8GB, 16GB, 32GB options); available next week (pre-orders available today).

Update #5:

iTunes 10 announced!

- Software has new logo (pictured below) - Aesthetic updates (new "Hybrid" view) - New feature called "Ping" - social network for music (described as a combination between FaceBook and Twitter); users can have a "circle of friends" - iTunes 10 available today as a free download

Update #6: One more thing!

"Actually, it's one more hobby", Steve Jobs jokes.

New Apple TV unveiled!

- one fourth of the size of the current iteration - power, HDMI, Ethernet ports - ships with new remote in the box

Key features: - movies, TV shows & movies; all HD (when available); all rentals (no purchases); no storage management (no storage, period); streaming (no syncing); photo slideshows; silent, cool & tyny.

(additionally)

- Deal struck with Fox and ABC - $4.99 rentals of first-run HD movies - 99-cent rentals of HD TV shows - support for Netflix, YouTube, Flickr and Apple's own MobileMe

Apple's new set-top-box costs just $99.

Update #7:

In what is already customary at Apple, the company's CEO invites an artist up on stage to perform for the attending crowd.

This time around, it's Chris Martin of Coldplay!

And the event is a wrap.