Jobs announces name change, sets release date for set-top device.
Jobs announces name change, sets release date for set-top device.
When he wasn't unveiling the iPhone, Apple CEO Steve Jobs used his time at the MacWorld 2007 keynote address to slam his competitors and report on the progress of the products announced at last September's "Showtime" event.
Jobs told the crowd that the "iTV" device showcased last autumn in the US will be released in February under the name "AppleTV."
He further defined the specifications of the device, which will include 40 GB hard drive and 802.11b, 802.11g and 802.11n wireless connectivity.
Jobs said that the iTV will be able to wirelessly sync with one computer, allowing it to download iTunes music and video files, and wirelessly stream content to up to five computers.
In addition to the wireless connectivity, AppleTV will be able to output content through either HDMI or composite video outputs.
AppleTV is set to ship in the beginning of February. The company is currently taking orders for the device, which will cost US$299 -- currently AUD$383.
In addition to the AppleTV, Jobs lauded the success of the iPod and the iTunes store. The CEO said that Apple had crossed the 2 billion download mark for the iTunes music store, and that the store currently distributes 5 million song downloads every day.
"That's 58 songs every second of every minute of every hour of every day" Jobs said.
Jobs also announced a pair of milestones for the iTunes video store. He said that over 50 million TV shows and 1.3 million movies had been purchased and downloaded through the store.
The Apple CEO did not miss a chance to poke fun at Microsoft's Zune player, which has trailed the iPod in sales this holiday season.
"We always have stiff competition, and that's just part of this business," Jobs said, tongue-in-cheek. He then went on to display a series of graphs touting iPod's marketplace domination over Zune.
At the conclusion of the keynote, Jobs announced a name change, citing the increasing role non-computer devices, such as the iPod, are playing in the company. Jobs that the company will drop "computer" from its name and will now be known as "Apple Inc."