Congress has cut federal funding for public media — a $3.4 million loss for LAist. We count on readers like you to protect our nonprofit newsroom. Become a monthly member and sustain local journalism.
This is an archival story that predates current editorial management.
This archival content was written, edited, and published prior to LAist's acquisition by its current owner, Southern California Public Radio ("SCPR"). Content, such as language choice and subject matter, in archival articles therefore may not align with SCPR's current editorial standards. To learn more about those standards and why we make this distinction, please click here.
Making the early-adopters feel inconsequential
As if I don't feel badly enough for shelling out nearly $600 for my iPhone. Today Apple unveils a bevy of product updates.
()
The iPhone's touch screen, internet browsing glory was jacked for the brand new "iPod touch", a Wi-Fi ready iPod with a 8GB or 16GB capacity. This is essentially the iPhone without the phone capabilities and much more thinner. Great. So, what you're telling me is that I'm not going to be one of the few to tout multi-touch screen abilities? The icing on the cake is the Wi-Fi iTunes Store, enabling you to purchase and download new tunes directly through your phone. The 8GB model costs $299 and the 16GB model costs $399.
The original iPod design now comes in 80GB and 160GB sizes with the moniker "iPod Classic". Sleeker than ever before, the new models are .41 inches or .53 inches thick and they have 30 hours of music playback, 5 hours of video or 40 hours of music playback, 7 hours of video.
Support for LAist comes from
The "iPod nano" is redesigned and much more lavish with a 2 inch color screen. The model sizes are 4GB and 8GB with 24 hours of music playback, 5 hours of video.
The stimulating cover flow, initially an iPhone only, is now available on all iPod models except the shuffle.
Oh and if you went out on that exorbitant limb and bought the iPhone when it came out, then you're going to feel like a real idiot now. The 4GB model has been discontinued, making the 8GB model the standard, and the price has been significantly lowered from $599 to $399. That means the 8GB "iPod touch" is a mere $100 cheaper than the iPhone. I'm sure that makes the iPhone much more accessible to the masses, but damn I feel like the town idiot for not waiting a mere two months.
The most exciting addition to the iPhone is the new version of iTunes, which facilitates ringer purchases. Just add $.99 on top of the cost of a song and you can purchase any song from the iTunes store, select any 30 second clip you see fit, and make it your new ringer.
The most sickening addition to the iPhone is the Starbucks' functionality. Ever walk into a Starbucks and wonder what's playing? No. Well, now you can find out what song is playing with the touch of a button and buy it while you're waiting for your mochafrappawhatever. I've never seen such flagrant cross promotion. What a gross pairing.
What has the world come to? This is what Apple does to their early-adopter customer base. Screws them by lowering prices, introducing better products, and consequently overshadowing all of our best efforts to be the coolest dudes on the block.
As Editor-in-Chief of our newsroom, I’m extremely proud of the work our top-notch journalists are doing here at LAist. We’re doing more hard-hitting watchdog journalism than ever before — powerful reporting on the economy, elections, climate and the homelessness crisis that is making a difference in your lives. At the same time, it’s never been more difficult to maintain a paywall-free, independent news source that informs, inspires, and engages everyone.
Simply put, we cannot do this essential work without your help. Federal funding for public media has been clawed back by Congress and that means LAist has lost $3.4 million in federal funding over the next two years. So we’re asking for your help. LAist has been there for you and we’re asking you to be here for us.
We rely on donations from readers like you to stay independent, which keeps our nonprofit newsroom strong and accountable to you.
No matter where you stand on the political spectrum, press freedom is at the core of keeping our nation free and fair. And as the landscape of free press changes, LAist will remain a voice you know and trust, but the amount of reader support we receive will help determine how strong of a newsroom we are going forward to cover the important news from our community.
Please take action today to support your trusted source for local news with a donation that makes sense for your budget.
Thank you for your generous support and believing in independent news.
Chip in now to fund your local journalism
(
LAist
)
Trending on LAist
-
With less to prove than LA, the city is becoming a center of impressive culinary creativity. -
Nearly 470 sections of guardrailing were stolen in the last fiscal year in L.A. and Ventura counties.
-
Monarch butterflies are on a path to extinction, but there is a way to support them — and maybe see them in your own yard — by planting milkweed.
-
With California voters facing a decision on redistricting this November, Surf City is poised to join the brewing battle over Congressional voting districts.
-
The drug dealer, the last of five defendants to plead guilty to federal charges linked to the 'Friends' actor’s death, will face a maximum sentence of 65 years in prison.
-
The weather’s been a little different lately, with humidity, isolated rain and wind gusts throughout much of Southern California. What’s causing the late-summer bout of gray?
Best of LAist