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Apple's Big Announcement -- Steve Jobs Is Back
Some people expected a new camera-packing iPod. Others expected an Apple e-reader. Still others expected the rumored Mac Tablet. What they got yesterday was even better than all of those combined -- Steve Jobs was back.
Gasps were heard when Jobs walked onto the stage in Apple's press event yesterday, and the standing "welcome back" ovation lasted for a good full minute. Jobs appeared in his traditional black mock turtleneck sweater and jeans, and looked like he was as happy as everyone else to be back where he belonged -- onstage.
But eventually it became clear that cancer has really taken its toll on the Apple head honcho. He had lost a lot of weight, and his movements and speech were softer and more measured. At the beginning of his talk, he explained his condition, which has been kept under wraps for several months -- he had recently undergone a life-saving liver transplant, and was very thankful for the generous young individual who donated his organs after passing away.
But as he said himself, "But I'm vertical, and I'm glad to be back."
Later on, Jobs gave one of his signature keynote speeches, unveiling the new iPod. The 8GB version could hold 2,000 songs, 7,000 photos, and up to 8 hours of video -- the 16GB version could hold twice those numbers. And taking its cue from the latest iPod Shuffle, menus and song titles can also be spoken, letting users navigate the iPod without looking at the screen.
What's more, the new iPod now comes with the highly-anticipated camera, which is capable of recording VGA (840x480p) videos at up to 30 fps. Video-editing is also possible, with 15 special effects built into the software. The 8GB and 16GB versions should sell for around $149 and $179 respectively.
There was still no word about a "Mac Tablet", and Jobs basically dismissed the idea of an Apple e-reader to compete against Kindle at a later interview. The response at the stock market was also muted, closing at only a fraction of a percent up from the previous day.
But hey, we're just glad he's back.
