Operating Systems

Apple held it's annual music event this week, introducing as expected evolutionary new versions of its iPods, Apple TV, and iTunes. Nothing dramatic, nothing unexpected, and quite a bit less than the rumor mills suggested, as always. In fact, these annual events are getting downright uninteresting in way, since they're so telegraphed in advance. Note: This isn't getting a lot of play (ahem) for some reason, but it's interesting to me how much of what Apple announced this week isn't actually available, or won't be made available, as expected. For example, iTunes 10 was supposed to be available "immediately" but there's a "Coming Soon" note on the web site now. And even the most delayed of the offerings, the new Apple TV, won't ship with all of its announced features whenever it does turn up: The streaming functionality from iPad that was shown off is "Coming Soon" too. This is curious because Apple's annual music event happens at the same time every year, so Apple knew this stuff was coming and still couldn't get it ready in time. Curious. Another note: Apple didn't reveal new iPad sales figures as expected. When you combine this with the sudden immediate availability of the devices, you have to assume that means that sales have dropped off significantly. Apple isn't shy about crowing when products are doing well. But they do get curiously silent when things aren't going their way. So. What did Apple announce? Not much, not if we're being honest about it. New iPods. Apple didn't actually update its entire product line as advertised, the iPod classic soldiers along, again, with no changes. The iPod shuffle from 2007 is being relaunched as the new version of the iPod shuffle, which is funny when you think about. (But not unprecedented; when Apple disapointed iPod nano fans with the "fat boy" model one in 2007, it went back to the old design a year later too.) This is good news, as the UI-less iPod shuffle from last year was functionally retarded. (I gave it one-st

byPaul Thurrott