Apple launches iPhone, appletv
Telecompaper writes…Apple has launched the much anticipated iPhone and the earlier announced IPTV device on the Macworld Expo in San Francisco. CEO Steve Jobs first outlined an IPTV device called appletv, earlier codenamed iTV, during his keynote speech. The device allows users to watch movies or television programmes on their TV sets streamed from their computer. The appletv, which runs on an Intel processor, is capable of displaying 720p HD video, incorporates its own 40GB hard drive and uses the new 802.11n draft standard. It allows users to sync content from one computer and can stream content from up to five computers. It works directly from iTunes but can also be used to display photos and play music. Apple has also struck a deal with Paramount for its movie catalogue, Jobs said. The appletv will be shipping from February for USD 299. Concerning the iTunes store, Jobs added it sold more than 2 billion songs to date.
The company then presented the iPhone: an internet communicator, a widescreen iPod, and smartphone in-one. The 11.6 mm thick device runs on Mac OS X and uses a touch screen to offer users access to its functions, using new, patented, Apple technology called Multitouch which ignores unintended touches and supports multi-fingers gestures. The device can sync with the iTunes application, similar to an iPod, and also synchronises media, contact information, calendars, photos, notes, bookmarks, and e-mail accounts. The device comes with a 3.5 inch screen, headset jack, speaker, 2 megapixel camera, the Safari web browser, IMAP and POP e-mail support, and Wi-Fi and Bluetooth connectivity. The phone is a quad band GSM/EDGE phone that runs on the Cingular network. Apple intends to make 3G phones in the future as well, Jobs added. The iPhone also incorporates a proximity sensor that automatically deactivates the screen and turns off the touch sensor when users raise the device to their face. An ambient light sensor will sense lighting conditions and adjust brightness levels accordingly, and an accelerometer can tell when users switch from portrait to landscape mode. Apple collaborated with search giant Google to add built-in search and Google Maps functionality as well as with Yahoo! for its Yahoo! Go services. Apple also introduced accessories for the iPhone, including stereo headphones that come with a microphone, switch and a Bluetooth headset.
The iPhone will be shipping in June in the US, as FCC approval takes at least two months, Jobs said, and will cost USD 599 for the 8 GB model and USD 499 for the 4 GB model (with a two year Cingular contract). The phone will be launched in Europe in the fourth quarter and in Asia in 2008. The stock market reacted favourably to the product releases with the stock trading up more than 5 percent, briefly hitting USD 90.30 during the event.
