New from Apple: New iPods; major iTunes update, including Movies and Games!

Today came Apple's big "It's Showtime" press event.

First, changes across the board to the iPod lineup.

• iPod nano: new external designs, 5 colors, in the style of the popular predecessor Mini. Though prices remain the same, capacity is doubled. Brighter screen, improved battery life. Should be less scratch-prone than the previous nano model.
  
• $150: 2 GB - silver only
• $200: 4 GB - silver, green, pink, blue
• $250: 8 GB - black only
• iPod shuffle: totally redesigned, aluminum, with built-in belt/pocket clip - dock included.
• $79: 1 GB
• iPod: brighter display, improved battery life. Prices lowered by $50 compared to previous predecessor. Both models still have choice between black and white. The 5th Generation iPod now plays full-feature movies and games!
  
• $250: 30 GB
• $350: 80 GB - Holds approximately 20,000 songs. Increased capacity great for movies!

Next, major updates to iTunes and the iTunes Music Store!

• iTunes 7 released today
• Seperate library for music, podcasts, TV, etc.
• Auto download for album art
• Jukebox-style browsing of artwork
• Still a free download - looks great on my iMac!
  
• Online store now known as "iTunes Store"
• Music
  
• TV Shows
• Growing selection - over 45 million shows have been sold
  
• Features every major network, 220 different shows represented
• Resolution now 640 x 480–4x resolution
  
• Movies
• NEW!
• 75 features now available from Disney, Pixar, Touchstone and Miramax
• Future releases to be available same the same day as DVD release
• $12.99 first week then $14.99 afterward; pre-ordered titles $12.99
• 640 x 480 resolution
• 30 minute downloads, can watch movie as it loads
• Old titles $9.99
  
• Same rights apply on movies as on TV shows
  
• Only available in the US until 2007
  
• Same picture-based browsing featured with album art
  
• Mac with iTunes can now take over your living room (all your base are belong to Apple)
  
• Films feature tons of movie data such as actor bios, etc.
• Games
• NEW!
• 9 games now available, including Tetris, Pac-Man, Bejeweled, Vortex, Mini Golf
• $4.99 each or $44.91 for all 9
  
• Compatilbe only on 5th generation iPods - can't be played in iTunes.

Apple is also venturing into the home media center sector with iTV.

• Apple has wireless set top box for TV
• Working title is “iTV”
• Similar to Mac Mini, but 1/2 the size
• Uses Apple Remote
• Intended an ultimate media center, allowing users to play movies, music, photos, etc. on TV
• Works with PC or Mac
• $299, available in Q1 2007

Missing was the long-rumored widescreen, virtual touch iPod with wireless connectivity, as well as an iPhone - but never say never!

Photos and more at CrunchGear.