Jobs Laughs Off Health Rumors, Talks New iPods - Page 2

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The iPod Touch also received a model-specific enhancement: It will include Nike+iPod functionality built-in.

Nike+iPod, an existing product, is designed for people exercising, since iPods are as common at gyms as headbands and water bottles. The system uses an iPod-compatible pedometer to measure workout time and distance. Previously, a user needed the software, a transmitter attached to their sneaker and a receiver on the iPod.

However, the new iPod Touch will not require a receiver, since it now comes built-in.

iPod "Touches" games

Exercise features weren't the only new focus for the iPod Touch.

During his presentation, Jobs brought out Phil Schiller, Apple's senior vice president for worldwide marketing, to demonstrate a handful of games that looked every bit as capable as something seen on a Sony PSP or Nintendo DS Lite handheld gaming console.

Schiller showed off titles including a version of the hotly anticipated Electronics Arts game "Spore", and a mobile version of "Need For Speed", another EA title. He also demonstrated the game-controlling capabilities of the iPod Touch's movement-sensing accelerometer.

Added Jobs afterwards, "The iPod Touch is the best portable device for music. It's the best for playing video, and now you can make a pretty good argument it's the best for playing games on."

Baker said Apple's focus on games -- downloadable through the Touch's new iTunes Store capabilities -- could give it a presence in the booming gaming market, but only slightly.

"There are some people who are not gamers but do like games a little bit, and they might find the iPod Touch gives them all they need, rather than getting a dedicated game console," he said.

The iPod Touch is getting a software upgrade, which will be free for some users. The 2.1 software update is free to anyone running the 2.0 software, but users already had to pay $9.95 for that upgrade. First-generation iPod Touch users still running the 1.x software will gave to pay $9.95. The upgrade is available today.

Accessorizing

The iPod lineup already has more than 5,000 available accessories, Jobs noted. But that didn't stop Apple from introducing a few more.

First was a new in-ear headphone that has a small remote control on its cable, as well as a built-in microphone to record voices on compatible models. The headphones' price will be $29 when they ship next month.

Apple also has more advanced in-ear headphones in the works, with a built-in woofer and tweeter for higher-quality sound. They also will include a set of three earpieces to help users find a more comfortable fit. The new headphones are expected to sell for $79.

iPhone fixes

The last bit of news was for iPhone users, who have been a little cranky lately due to the less-than-smooth launch of the iPhone 3G.

Jobs said Apple would release version 2.1 software on Friday, and promised that the update "fixes lots of bugs [and] will mean fewer dropped calls and significantly improved battery life for most customers."

He also said that the update would also provide performance enhancements and faster backup to iTunes, a common complaint on iPhone enthusiast sites.

It will be a free update to iPhone users, he added.

Like last year, Jobs closed out the event with a musical guest. This time it was Hawaiian singer Jack Johnson, who Jobs said was the top selling male artist on iTunes this year.

Apple's big day comes on news from England that Apple had acknowledged it was a British inventor came up with the idea for an iPod in 1979. The patents expired in 1988 and the inventor was unable to renew them.