Week in review: Apple unveils...Steve Jobs
Apple CEO makes first public appearance in nearly a year, while Motorola unveils an Android-based phone and Palm thinks small with the new Pixi. Also: Facebook Lite.
While there were no tablet computers or an updated version of the Apple TV, and not even the long-rumored Beatles-iTunes deal, Apple's CEO Steve Jobs surprised everyone by anchoring the keynote, making it his first public appearance since October 2008.
Though technically he returned to work two months ago, it was as the host of Wednesday's Apple music event that Jobs publicly retook the reins of the company he founded. Jobs was the first person to emerge on stage to open the now-annual September iPod introduction. Appearing notably thin, he received a prolonged standing ovation from the audience, much of it composed of members of the media, but also a range of guests including app developers, entertainers, and music industry types.
"I'm very happy to be here today with you all," he said. "As you may know, I had a liver transplant. So I have the liver of a mid-20s person who died in a car crash, and was generous enough to donate their organs. And I wouldn't be here without such generosity."
Apple announced the release of OS 3.1, which will be a free update to both iPhone and iPod Touch owners, as well as a new version of iTunes, which offers iPhone and iPod Touch users a way to better organize applications they have added to the device.
iTunes 9 refines still-clunky buying experience
New iTunes LP format is live
iPhone 3.1 brings Genius changes, ringtones
iPhone 3.1 firmware reversing iPhone jailbreaks
Facebook, Twitter integration comes to iTunes
With the popular Flip Video camera squarely in its sights, Apple introduced an updated version of the iPod Nano that sports a built-in video camera and microphone located on the lower left-hand side. It also features a slightly larger 2.2-inch display, up from 2 inches. Like the Flip, the Nano is supposed to have easy video uploading right to YouTube.
• Full coverage: Apple iPod
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