Knowledge is power

During a special event held in San Fransisco, Apple CEO Steve Jobs announced a whole bunch of new electronic gadgets including a new iPod with the iPhone’s touch screen and Wi-Fi capabilities. So, if you wanted access to the latter functionality but you were happy with your current mobile phone (or you just plain hate AT&T) then you can now get it in the Touch iPod. The new iPod is one step closer to being the Newton replacement/upgrade I have been wishing for.

Jobs also announced price drops for the iPhone; in addition, Apple will stop selling the lower-end device that only has 4GB capacity. I guess people really like to have as much music on them as possible so this model was probably not as popular.

Another important announcement was the new iTunes store that for 99 cents will allow users to create ring tones for their iPhones. Interestingly, we have to pay extra for the ring tone even though we have already paid for the song on iTunes. Thanks for this one Steve!

Finally, Jobs also announced a new partnership with Starbucks. The iTunes software, including the version installed on your new Touch iPod and iPhone, will automatically give users the option to purchase the song that is currently playing in the coffee shop annoying the hell out of you. All this happens via the magic of Wi-Fi which thankfully one won’t have to pay extra for; at least when it comes to buying music from iTunes. For any other Wi-Fi use at the local Starbucks be prepared to pay some heavy usage fees as is currently the norm; obviously, if you find a free hotspot then you can go to town with your new toy and the build in and fully functional Safari web browser.

There were some other announcements of upgrades to products such as the third generation iPod Nano. You can read more about Apple’s new products here and here.