Not only was there an update to iTunes today but there was also a software update for the Apple TV media center box thingee! With it there's a shiny press release and overhauled website.

If you haven't heard of Apple TV, it's their answer to the Windows Media Center -- just plug it into an HD TV, connect to a Mac or PC running iTunes via your local network... and blam! All of those lovely iTunes-bought movies and TV episodes can now be easily streamed to your big screen.

The new functionality being touted with version 3.0 of Apple TV are their two musical technologies: iTunes LP and Genius Mixes. iTunes LP is like some kind of 'immersive experience' -- not only do you listen to your favourite albums through your living room sound system (which is usually the best in the house!), but you also get 'extra footage' displayed on the TV! Presumably this will be liner notes from the album, studio photos and video footage from live concerts.

The update also brings the other new, neat feature of iTunes -- Genius Mixes -- to the Apple TV. Using some kind of match-making algorithm (a la Pandora?), Apple will apparently create smooth-sounding playlists automatically.

Of course, available to you at any time with the Apple TV there's the usual fare of streaming Internet radio and YouTube (though I can't imagine your living room speakers are going to be very kind to YouTube videos...) Also worth mention is the ability to easily get your photos from your hard disk (or Flickr) over to your big TV.

It all comes at a price though -- $230, for a box with a small hard disk and a network adaptor.

At least it's a pretty box.

[via Engadget]

MacScoop reports that it has obtained a document suggesting Apple will release a final version of Boot Camp for Mac OS X Tiger this Spring -- and that it could cost $30.

At the same time, Apple will be launching Mac OS X Leopard, which will include Boot Camp, so if you want the option to dual boot two operating systems, you'll have dual choices: purchase a copy of Boot Camp or upgrade to Leopard.

The beta version of Boot Camp has been around since April of 2006, and should still work for free until September. The final version is expected to support Windows Vista.

This follows news that Apple will be charging users $2 to enable 802.11n support in the Apple TV, and that the company could be charging more than twice the manufacturing costs for the upcoming iPhone. But then, does anybody expect a company like Apple to make money by giving away software or selling hardware with narrow profit margins?

We all saw Bill Gates sell something no one was buying, and Steve Jobs selling many things people really want in their respective keynotes this week. I am always the kind of person trying to find the meaning in it all. So, what do you think? I think Microsoft is putting out some decent software (Vista, Office, etc) but I think they have largely missed the boat on the digital lifestyle. Apple has that covered. I played with a Zune for the first time over the weekend, and I was actually quite impressed with the interface. Microsoft has done a great job of competing with the iPod, and by this I mean from a strictly device capabilities and functionality standpoint. Zune is just taking off, and the iPod has been around a while so you really can't compare sales numbers...yet. What about these "connected experiences" Microsoft is touting big time? I beg to differ, but I have been having connected experiences for ages now, and to me it seems that Microsoft is pushing old products in new wrappers. I remember the same speech about XP, it will do this better, it will do that better...yeah, but where is the new, cool, blow-me-away innovation? I didn't see it. Until I watched Jobs' keynote. Apple TV? Sign me up, good price, good features, works with PC or Mac, wirelessly anywhere in your house. Can you say "living room killer app." Also, despite Cingular's exclusive, required 2 year contract, and EDGE, the iPhone is also one of the best, most user-centered, all-in-one functional devices ever. It is dead sexy. Tell me, what has Microsoft come up with in this vein, something to create a huge demand or something to blow away the PC world? Sure, there is the XBOX 360 for gaming, but what in the computer space? I don't see the drive, the innovation, the passion for customers needs and fixing problems. I must say I was expecting a bit more from Microsoft. Is it enough that Microsoft only delivers a bit of eye-candy as the best innovation in a new product? I know they have the mindtrust to generate great new stuff, so why is it that Microsoft doesn't try to win anymore? Are they always behind the eight ball, or is this just my imagination? Also, what did you think of Apple's new stuff?

The dust is just starting to settle around Moscone West in SF, so while everybody is enjoying their post-Stevenote cigarette ("Was it good for you?") here's some details on Apple's new announcements.

First up - the State of iTunes address. To date, 2 billion songs have been sold on iTunes, current rate is over 5 million a day. Over 50 million TV shows and 1.3 million movies have been purchased and downloaded, yow! So to top all of that good news, Apple announced that Paramount will be bringing their stable of movies to the iTunes store. I don't know about you, but I'm totally psyched to buy Wrath of Khan once it's available.

Second, the Apple TV (formerly iTV). It's a set-top box (rather than an actual TV), will cost $299 and is shipping next month. Lots of goodness packed into a teensy box - USB 2.0, 40GB HD, WiFi & ethernet, HDMI and component video, analog and digital (optical) audio out, 802.11b/g/n, and the ability to stream content from up to 5 computers (Mac and PC). Be forewarned, it only outputs a 720p video signal, so it may be time to upgrade your TV as well.

Third, one for the history books, the iPhone. Yes, it's very real, and it looks very cool. Time to finally put all of those iPhone/widescreen iPod/Mac Tablet rumors to rest. Available through Cingular starting in June it will come in two models, 4GB ($499 w/ 2 year contract) and 8 GB ($599 w/ 2 year contract). The four main functionalities are phone, iPod (including video), mail and web browsing. It features quad-band GSM, EDGE, WiFi, Bluetooth 2.0 EDR, a 2 megapixel camera, an accelerometer to switch to landscape mode as you rotate the phone, full touchscreen display, and it runs Mac OS X. It is capable of running full desktop applications, so I expect to see lots of iPhone 'hacks' and neat things that people come up with. It has IMAP and POP3 support, features Safari as its Web browser, Google Maps support and of course Widgets! Battery life is reported to be 5 hours (ouch) but can run up to 16 hours for just audio. Check out the iPhone gallery over at Engadget for more pictures.

Also check out the keynote coverage from Engadget and TUAW!