iPhone OS 3.1, iTunes 9, iPod nano With Video Camera And More

Apple updates its key iPhone OS, iTunes and iPod products during its Sep 9 “annual iPod event”. Here is a quick summary:

iPhone OS

• Version 3.1 is out today free for iPhone and iPod touch with OS 3.0.

• App Store app will include a new Genius feature that will recommend apps based on your past purchase.

• Over 30,000 ringtones from 4 major music labels now available for $1.29 each.

iTunes 9

• iTunes 9 is released today and has a “beautiful new look” that makes exploring the vast music, movies, TV shows, apps, games easier.

• New Genius Mixes feature that plays endless mixes of songs from your iTunes library that are great together.

• New options to select what you want to sync for your music, based on playlists, genres, artists etc.

• App Management – arrange your iPhone home screens and move apps around using iTunes.

• Home sharing: allow you to copy your music, TV shows etc for up to 5 computers in your home.

• iTunes LP – digitizes the era before CD with lyrics, liner notes, essays, photos and video together with music album.

iPod touch 3rd generation

• New iPod touch has new hardware to power Open GL.

• $199 for 8GB version, $299 for 32GB and $399 for 64GB

• There is no camera for new iPod touch as rumored.

iPod Classic

• New iPod Classic bump the capacity to 160GB with same $249 price.

iPod shuffle

• New colors for the shuffle, pink, green, blue, silver and black.

• There will be a special edition which is in black stainless steel and polished.

• $59 for 2GB and $79 for 4GB.

iPod nano 5th generation

• New features: video camera, larger 2.2-inch display, microphone and speakers, VoiceOver for voice memo, FM radio, built-in pedometer.

• Video is VGA (640 x 480) in H.264, with up to 30fps and AAC audio. Need to sync with computer before uploading video.

• Comes in bright glossy colors. Two models: 8GB for $149, 16GB for $179.