CARISSA MARSH
A&E Editor
I can never seem to get ahead in the rat race. First there’s school. Even though it’s only the third week of classes, I’m already behind on my homework. (But who isn’t?). This fact overflows into the second that I am not quite caught up on my sleep. Can I get an “Amen?” And then there is Apple.
No, not Gwyneth Paltrow’s daughter. I am talking about that little computer company that announced Tuesday a slew of iPod and iTunes improvements.
First in its line of “remastered” products is the iPod, the uber-popular portable music and video player, known for its dancing silhouette ads. The new jukebox, available in 80 GB, has a 60 percent brighter screen and a vibrant 2.5-inch color display that allows for clear viewing of music videos, TV shows and now movies.
Apple’s iTunes also got an upgrade with iTunes 7, which will offer more than 75 movies from film studios. With a click, movie buffs can purchase films to watch on their computers and iPods, as well as the upcoming iTV player (which is a little too complicated for this tech novice to explain). Look for iTV in early 2007.
Another new addition is Cover Flow, a 3-D Rolodex of your library’s cover art. Ever wanted the album art for the CD you put on iTunes? Well, Version 7 will automatically download and display art for your existing music, and that is something even this technologically challenged chick can appreciate.
Apple also refined the smaller music players: the iPod nano and the iPod shuffle. The nano now has a sleek all-aluminum body, 24 hours of battery life and double the music capacity. However unbelievable, Apple stated the nano features an even smaller, thinner and lighter design, and it is available in silver, pink, green, blue and black so there is no excuse not to color-coordinate.
According to Apple, the new shuffle is the world’s smallest digital music player as the company’s product designers somehow managed to make it half the size of the original. Though it is about the size of a matchbook, the shuffle doesn’t skip a beat as it offers 12 hours of continuous music (that’s about six classes). Appealing to our desire to accessorize, the shuffle also includes a built-in clip so we can “wear” our music.
While no one would describe me as being on the cutting edge of technology — my digital camera and photo iPod came courtesy of a past boyfriend, as well as my cell phone come to think of it — I was disheartened to learn that I was behind yet again.
As the host of Bravo’s “Project Runway,” Heidi Klum famously says “one minute you’re in, the next you’re out.” The same is true with technology. Even the most savvy techie cannot possibly keep up. In a way, technology is constantly in motion, always moving forward in fast paced steps.
And I guess that’s a good thing. But for people like me — who has never once uploaded a photo on their photo iPod and has downloaded a mere 700 songs — we just don’t need “amazing new features” as Apple’s Web site touts. I have yet to use the old ones.
But society keeps moving forward, and one day I will have to catch up. For now, I am content with not being on the tech frontier. Who knows, next month there might be an even smaller iPod. I’m thinking toothpick size has to be next as it could serve a dual purpose (musical dental picking anyone?).
Until then, I am going to focus on getting ahead, I mean, to bed.
09-14-2006
