Macworld '06: An overview of Apple's big day

Computerworld - SAN FRANCISCO -- Today's Macworld San Francisco keynote by Apple Computer Inc. CEO Steve Jobs was filled with the same twists and spectacular announcements we've come to expect, including his now infamous "One more thing…." The biggest news: New iMacs are shipping today and running on Intel Core Duo processors, and the MacBook Pro, an Intel-based replacement for the PowerBook G4, is slated to ship next month. (Apple will continue to sell G4-based PowerBooks.) Other announcements included a new version of the iLife suite of applications (which now includes the accidentally leaked iWeb application), iWork, additional video content for the iTunes Music Store in the form of a number of "best of" Saturday Night Live collections and a new iPod accessory that includes a remote control and FM tuner.

Jobs started his keynote address with a review of Apple's retail performance during the past quarter, which turned out to be the first $1 billion quarter for the company's retail store operations. He also reported that Apple had a record-setting quarter, with total revenue of $5.7 billion.

He then turned to the music department, pointing out that 14 million iPods were sold during the holiday season this year (up from 4.5 million in 2004), which works out to 100 iPod sales every minute over the quarter. That brings the total number of iPods sold since 2001 to 42 million -- three quarters of them in the past year alone.

As for the iTunes Music Store, Jobs said 850 million songs have been purchased and are selling at a rate of 3 million songs per day. To date, 8 million videos have been sold, with the top seller so far a condensed version of the Rose Bowl. And despite all the talk about the iTunes Music Store being surpassed as a source for online music buying, Jobs reported that it still holds 83% of the market.

Despite rumors of a replacement for the iPod shuffle, the only piece of iPod hardware announced was a $49 remote control/FM radio tuner device. The device attaches through the dock connector of fifth-generation (video) iPods and iPod Nanos. When connected, a new choice appears in the menu for FM, allowing users to listen to FM stations with their iPods. It also functions as a wired remote control, can clip to clothing and is available now.

Jobs also touted an initiative by DaimlerChrysler AG to offer iPod support across the company's Chrysler, Dodge and Jeep vehicle lines. He pointed out that while Chrysler is the first automaker