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Apple announces long-awaited music service

Yesterday media and Mac users were buzzing with their thoughts about Apple's announcements. After articles by The Wall Street Journal and Fortune last week about the service, Apple made it official with announcements of the new iTunes 4 software which integrates the new iTunes Music Store (as seen above) lets users search from a database of 200,000 songs and after listening to a clip, download them to their computer for a fee of 99 cents. Users can also download entire albums for $9.99. The new service has many advantages to others, including exclusive songs not available online before. The new iTunes also integrates AAC support.

Apple announces new iPods and Quicktime 6.2

Included in the announcment of Apple's new iTunes Music Store was also the announcment of the breathtaking new iPods. The new iPods which come in three storage options; 10, 15 and 30 GB, include great new features including a docking station for the 15 and 30 GB models (optional on 10 GB) as well as the addition of USB 2.0 connectivity. New iPods are noticeable by a new design where the controls, which used to be located around the touch-wheel are now by themselves and have orange backlights. The front of the iPod also is now completely touch sensitive, eliminating any moving buttons. Although this isn't the iPod PDA of the future, it does pack some nice features and looks.

Apple also announced the new Quicktime 6.2 which provides support for the AAC format and the Fairplay Digital Rights standard which prevents piracy of music.