Apple today released iTunes 9.02 adding support for the also released Apple TV 3.0.

iTunes 9.0.2 adds support for Apple TV software version 3.0, adds an option for a dark background for Grid View, and improves support for accessibility.

Apple TV supports a new welcomed interface with a new menu and additional features such as photo viewing and face and events recognition similar to that offered by iPhoto ‘09.

“The new software for Apple TV features a simpler and faster interface that gives you instant access to your favourite content,” said Eddy Cue, Apple’s vice president of Internet Services. “HD movies from iTunes have been a huge hit with Apple TV customers, and with Apple TV 3.0 they get great new features including Genius Mixes and Internet radio.”

Full details on the Apple TV 3.0 release can be read here; http://www.apple.com/au/pr/library/2009/10/29appletv.html

More information on Apple TV in general can be found on the Apple’s website here; http://www.apple.com/au/appletv/

You can download the latest to iTunes via Apple’s software update.

1. Improved Syncing with the iPhone/iPod Touch

The most welcomed improvement by Apple is the ability to not only synchronise your applications (we could do that already) but the ability to re-arrange our applications on various home screens via the virtual interface that is provided within iTunes 9.  iTunes will then automatically sync your new Home screens with your iPhone or iPod Touch when it is docked.  I’m a classic example of most iPhone/iPod Touch users who may have dozens and dozens of applications spread across 5 or more home pages and re-arranging these in the past was a cumbersome and tedious task and limited to the actual hand set’s touch screen interface.

2. Home Sharing

iTunes 9 now allows you to share and browse through your iTunes library with up to 5 authorised computers in your house.  I was quite surprised at how easy this was to setup allowing me to have a central store of all my music and videos without necessary duplication on my other PC’s.  As an example, my home Mac contains my Music Library which can now be accessed by my Windows 7 Toshiba laptop without copying any music across.  This is all accomplished by the inbuilt Home Sharing feature of iTunes 9.  The Home Sharing feature will only work on PC’s and Mac’s that are located on the same network, whether it’s wireless or wired and all computers participating must be running at least iTunes 9.  Oh, and you will also require an iTunes Account which is pretty much a given if you have purchased anything from the iTunes store.

Once you have created your Home Share, you can then navigate to the second PC or Mac and do the same.  It will recognise that the host home share has already been setup and should begin synchronising the library as per the below screen captures.

Below is the official video from Apple showing Home Sharing in Action.  It’s definitely worth the watch.

Is there room for improvement? Sure there is, but iTunes 9 is a good start in introducing some of these new features and am sure there will be improvements to these in later revisions.

Have you updated to iTunes 9 yet?  You can access the download from the Apple website here, and why not? It’s free!

• iPod nano now shoots video.  Yes the rumours were right!  The new iPod nano lineup now comes with a video camera, a larger screen and FM radio!  I think the latter feature is kind of a surprise as FM radio tuners are beginning to be phased out, but nonetheless a welcome addition.  iPod nano also adds a pedometer.  You can find more information and a full list of features on the iPod nano directly from the Apple website here.
• iTunes is now version 9. You either like it or hate it, but iTunes goes hand in hand with you iPod or iPhone and today comes with many new features including the welcomed feature of Home Sharing allowing you to transfer your music and or movie collection between your home PC’s or Macs.  Amongst other features that are advertised on the Apple’s website here, iTunes has also gone “social” with Facebook and Twitter integration.  So what are you waiting for, download your free iTunes update now.
• iPhone/iPod Touch Software update.  Whilst not a major upgrade to the operating system, 3.1 for iPhone and iPod Touch provides a number of handy enhancements including the ability to organise your applications through iTunes.  You can now drag applications onto virtual home screens through iTunes which once synced will update your iPhone or iPod Touch seamlessly.  This is a welcome addition especially for those that have pages and pages of applications…hmmm sounds like someone I know.  Word of note, you will need to download iTunes version 9 first before the software update becomes available when you plug in your device.  You can download iTunes version 9 from here.  Instructions for updating your device to 3.1 can be found here.
• iPod touch is now cheaper.  The 8GB now starts at A$269 and a 64GB version has been added to the line up at A$549.

In summary, Apple continue to be innovative in the MP3 market, and whilst this event may have been a non-event for many (where is my updated Apple TV and the rumoured Tablet), there are still some worthy upgrades just in time for Christmas.

Below are some pictures from Apple’s Rock & Roll event, September 9, 2009.

Mac OS X version 10.6 “Snow Leopard” is the seventh major release of Mac OS X, Apple’s desktop and server operating system. (Wikipedia)

You can only have guess which definition I will be talking about today.  Yes you guessed right! Today I will be talking about the Mac OS X operating system that was released by Apple yesterday.  I was lucky and pre-ordered my copy of “Snow Leopard” and received it in the mail yesterday, kudos to Apple’s online store and customer service perfection which I can’t fault!

So what does all of this mean to Mac owners?  For $29 US or $39 AUD you can upgrade to the latest and greatest operating system offering from Apple.  Apple defines Snow Leopard as “The worlds most advanced operating system, finely tuned” and I would definitely consider it as a minor as opposed to major update, but nonetheless it is well priced for the featureset that you receive.  So what is it that Snow Leopard enhances over the current Leopard?

• 64 Bit native support allowing the operating system to address and use more memory breaking the 32 Bit 2GB limit.  What does this mean to the average user?  Greater performance and notable speed improvements from startup to shutdown.  This also includes faster pdf and jpg rendering and refreshes.  If your Mac is equiped with more than 2GB RAM it will use it!
• Native support for Microsoft Exchange 2007 and connecting to your mail, calendar and address book at work.  The organisation will need to be running the current version of Exchange being 2007.
• New look, new features for Exposé and Stacks.  Expose can now display all windows for a single program by left clicking and holding its icon in the dock (a feature that has always been in Windows Vista and now further enhanced in Windows 7). Stacks will now display subfolders!
• Do you use Time machine backup?  This is now 80% quicker!!
• Higher resolution and greater stability with iChat.
• QuickTime X is the next version of the well known QuickTime player which comes with a new streamlined interface and performance improvements for media streaming.
• We all love Safari 4 and its great speed in rendering websites.  Well with the 64 Bit support in Snow Leopard, Safari 4 now delivers up to 50 percent faster JavaScript performance.

As you can see, Apple have taken a secure already robust operating system being Leopard and fine tuned it even further in Snow Leopard.  This is an approach that Apple are renowned for doing with other product releases such the most recent 3GS upgrade.

I will plan to update my Mac during this week and let you know how I go with a few screen shots along the way.

Do you own a Mac? and will you be updating to Snow Leopard anytime soon?