Apple's new G5 and two new iPods

/companies/companies_a/Apple/images (713 bytes)Mumbai: Apple has launched a new iMac G5 computer and two new models of its bestselling iPod mobile music player in India, simultaneously with their global release. The iMac G5 features a built-in iSight video camera for instant video conferencing and Apple's new breakthrough 'front row' media experience. The new iPod has a 2.5-inch colour screen, and can play video as well as songs and store photos and other data. The iPod nano, is a full-featured iPod with a colour screen that holds 1,000 songs yet is just about the size of four credit cards held together. All three products can be purchased from any Apple dealer in India.

The iMac G5's new 'front row' technology is a simple-to-operate software that plays music, photo slideshows, DVDs and iMovies, as well as popular movie trailers from apple.com. It can be controlled from up to 30 feet away using the new Apple remote, which has only six buttons (Microsoft's media centre remotes typically have over 40 buttons). The new iMac G5 is much thinner than its predecessor. The built-in iSight video camera enables video conferencing using iChat AV software. The new iMac G5 also includes 'photo booth', which lets users take photos with the built-in video camera, add effects and share them via email or use them as icons.

The new iMac G5 is half an inch thinner and 15 per cent lighter than before. The 17 inch model has a 1.9GHz G5 processor, while the 20 inch model has a 2.1GHz processor. Both models have a DVD writer, 512 MB RAM expandable to 2.5GB, 160GB and 250GB hard drives, a 10/100/1000 wireless Ethernet card, Bluetooth and an ATI Radeon graphics card with 128MB of video memory. RAM is easily upgraded via a flap on the bottom edge.

Apple's new Mighty Mouse features up to four programmable buttons and an ingenious Scroll Ball that lets users scroll in any direction — vertically, horizontally and even diagonally. Bundled software includes Mac OS X Tiger, iLife '05, games, Apple Works and a 2006 World Book.

Video iPod The new iPod with its 2.5-inch color screen can display artwork and photos, play video — including podcasts and home movies — and can hold up to 15,000 songs, 25,000 photos or over 150 hours of video. Both are available in white or black.

The new iPod is 30 per cent thinner and has 50 per cent more storage than its predecessor, for the same price. It features a click wheel for one-handed navigation. It can play video on a television set using optional accessories. Apple's new iTunes6 software is now available as a free download from apple.com. The 30GB model has up to 14 hours of battery life and the 60GB model up to 20 hours.