San Francisco - Apple CEO Steve Jobs is back: 11 months after his last public appearance, the 54-year-old recently took the stage and presented new models from the iPod family to the applause of crowds. Among the highlights: a video camera added to many models. Jobs also presented a new version of the iTunes music software used by Apple to distribute music, videos, and programs for the iPhone. "We are now the world's largest music retailer," Jobs said. "We have sold 8.5 billion songs in 23 countries over iTunes."
Serious health problems forced Jobs to take a leave of absence in early 2009. He gave public thanks for his life to a liver donated by a young man who died in a car accident. He returned to his work in June but had avoided public appearances until now.
With the video camera in the iPod nano MP3 player, Apple is going directly after its competitor Cisco and the spectacular sales results that company has achieved in the US with its "Flip" compact camcorder.
"The nano is the world's most popular player," Jobs said. "Over 100 million units have been sold." The player, which now also includes an FM radio, will now be offered in two versions: the 8 gigabyte (GB) model costs 139 dollars, while the 16 GB model costs 169 dollars.
Apple also presented a redeveloped iPod touch family. The line of devices resembles Apple's iPhone but contains no cell phone functionality. The top model for 379 dollars will now contain 64 GB of storage and a quicker processor. The previous 8GB model has dropped in price to 189 dollars.
Apple is positioning the iPod touch, itself sold over 20 million times, not just as a music player, but also as a portable gaming console like the Sony PSP or Nintendo DS. Some 21,000 gaming applications are now available for the iPod, compared with just 607 for Sony's PSP and 3,680 for the Nintendo DS, says Apple marketing head Phil Schiller.
Software makers EA, Gameloft, Ubisoft, and Tapulous all showed their latest gaming titles at the event. They all run on both the iPod touch and the iPhone.
