iTunes WiFi Music Store -- and Starbucks

Part of Apple's new product announcements last week was the opening of the iTunes WiFi Music Store. Designed for use with WiFi-enabled iPods (currently, the iPhone and iPod touch), the WiFi version of the iTunes Music Store lets you purchase and download music directly to your iPod/iPhone from any WiFi hotspot, no computer required. Songs you download in this fashion are later transferred to you computer when you sync your iPod.

It's a great idea with some limitations. For example, you currently can't download DRM-free iTunes Plus tracks. Neither can you download videos. Maybe at a later date.

Apple also announced a partnership with Starbucks. If you hear a song you like playing at your local Starbucks, just tap your iPod's new "Starbucks" button to display information about the track and, if you like, to purchase and download it. Good deal for Starbucks, I'm sure, and an interesting application of the new iPod/iPhone WiFi capabilities.

New iPod Models

Just in time for the holiday gift-giving season, a totally revampted iPod lineup. Here's what's available:

• iPod touch, more or less an iPhone without the phone. The touch has the iPhone's form factor, touch screen, Cover Flow navigation, Wi-Fi capability, and web browser, but at a fraction of the price. Two models are available: 8GB for $299 and 16GB for $399. Memory is flash-based, of course, and the touch plays both music and videos.
• iPod classic, more or less the current iPod Video but with a thinner case, more storage capacity, and a lower price. The 80GB model runs $249, and the double-capacity 160GB model runs $349. Both are available in black or silver.
• iPod nano, completely revamped for this generation. The new nano is shorter and wider than the older model, with a 320 x 240 pixel display. The display is perfect for viewing videos, which the new nano (unlike the old) lets you do. Both the nano and the Classic come with a new Cover Flow interface, which works well on the larger screen. It's available in 4GB ($149) and 8GB ($199) versions; the smaller one is silver only, the larger one comes in silver, blue, green, black, and red.
• iPod shuffle, essentially unchanged from the previous model except for new color choices: silver, turquoise, red, green, and blue, all priced at $79.

I expect the new iPod touch to be the big seller, along wth the revamped nano; the classic will continue to appeal to those with extra-large music collections (up to 40,000 tracks for the larger model).

iPhone Price Cut

You knew it was going to happen, you just didn't know it would happen this fast. Apple has lowered the price on the ridiculously overpriced 8GB iPhone from $599 to $399. It also dropped the once-lowerpriced 4GB model. At $399, that makes the iPhone somewhat more appealing; the price is closer in line to that of competing smartphones.

And what if you already purchased an iPhone for $599? Tough luck, chump. Apple will give you a $100 credit for the Apple Store, but past that you just paid $200 to be an early adopter.