Apple Announces Major Software Upgrade for iPod touch
MACWORLD SAN FRANCISCO–January 15, 2008–Apple today announced a major
software upgrade for the iPod touch, making the best iPod into even
more–the world’s best Wi-Fi mobile device. iPod touch customers already
have the most advanced mobile web browser in the world with Safari, and now
Apple is adding five more great mobile applications–Mail, Maps, Stocks,
Weather and Notes. The iPod touch software upgrade also includes new
features such as Web Clips, a customizable home screen and beginning today,
the ability to watch iTunes Movie Rentals. New iPod touch products shipping
from the factory will include the software upgrade and existing iPod touch
customers can get the software upgrade for $19.99 by purchasing and
downloading it from iTunes (www.itunes.com).
“These amazing new mobile applications make iPod touch not only the best
iPod, but the best Wi-Fi mobile device in the world,” said Steve Jobs,
Apple’s CEO. “With its revolutionary touch interface and software, plus its
stunning 3.5 inch screen, iPod touch is evolving into the first mainstream
Wi-Fi mobile platform of the 21st century.”
Mail on iPod touch is a rich HTML email client that fetches email in the
background from most POP3 or IMAP mail services and displays photos and
graphics along with the text of the email. Users can configure Mail for
Google’s Gmail, Yahoo! Mail, .Mac Mail or most POP or IMAP based mail
services with just a few clicks.
Maps on iPod touch features the ability to automatically find your current
location using nearby Wi-Fi base stations*, and use it as a starting or
ending point for directions or to find local points of interest. Users can
get real-time traffic conditions, and view maps in map or satellite view,
or a hybrid view which combines map and satellite views so you can see
major street names overlaid on satellite imagery.
Stocks and Weather allow users to access live stock and weather reports at
their fingertips, and Notes lets you jot down information on-the-go using
the intelligent keyboard.
The iPod touch home screen can now be customized, allowing users to reorder
and add new icons, with support for up to nine different home screens which
they can easily flick between. With the new Web Clips feature, you can even
create custom icons on your home screen for your favorite websites. Web
Clips are a great way to easily track web sites that you frequently check
such as news, blogs, sports sites, movie listings and more.
With Apple’s new iTunes Movie Rentals, movie fans can rent movies on their
computer, easily and quickly transfer them to their iPod touch, and watch
them anywhere on iPod touch’s gorgeous 3.5 inch screen. Users can also now
navigate forward or backward through their movies by chapters, select
alternate language tracks and view subtitles, if available.
Pricing & Availability
The software upgrade for iPod touch is available immediately. New iPod
touch products shipping from the factory will include the software upgrade
and existing iPod touch customers can get the software upgrade for $19.99
by purchasing and downloading it from iTunes (www.itunes.com). iTunes Movie
Rentals are available in the US only. Further information for iPod touch
can be found at www.apple.com/ipod.
*Availability and precision of Maps positioning features will vary
depending on actual location.
Apple ignited the personal computer revolution in the 1970s with the Apple
II and reinvented the personal computer in the 1980s with the Macintosh.
Today, Apple continues to lead the industry in innovation with its
award-winning computers, OS X operating system and iLife and professional
applications. Apple is also spearheading the digital media revolution with
its iPod portable music and video players and iTunes online store, and has
entered the mobile phone market with its revolutionary iPhone.