Okay, the Apple media event isn’t even over as I write this, so what you are about to read are very early first impressions. Enough with the formalities of an introduction, let’s get to it:

Ringtones

Why this wasn’t there when the iPhone was released is beyond me, though I think we all saw this coming eventually. .99 cents isn’t bad compared to some other ringtone services out there, but it strikes me as lame that in order to have the song and the ringtone, you need to pay $1.98. So it goes, I guess.

I wonder what other features itunes will sport, and whether Apple will continue the 7.x numbering or jump to 8.0.

iPod shuffle

All right, new colors, but no capacity boost?

iPod nano

Okay, this event was just the worst-kept secret in Apple’s history! Yes, the new nanos are exactly what was rumored. The new user interface looks quite slick (it was time for a refresh), and I appreciate the longer battery life for video playback, but, man, those poor nanos look so squished! I also find the colors to be a little bland. Classy, but bland. I’m sure my eye will adjust in time, however.

iPod Classic

I was not expecting the older iPod form factor to survive, however, but it makes sense considering the fact that the iPod Touch doesn’t have as high a capacity. Speaking of capacities, 80 and 160 GB? At the same prices as before? That’s just insane! Too bad I bought a new iPod back in May. Bonus points for the aluminum casing as well; say goodbye to iPods that look like they’ve been attacked with sandpaper after only a couple months of use! I just have one concern regarding the name: iPod Classic? I know they want to make it clear which model this is, but somehow calling it “Classic” may send the wrong message. Or then again, maybe not. It worked for Coca-Cola, didn’t it?

iPod Touch

The iPod Touch was another poorly-kept secret, as rumors of its existence have been floating around for well over a year now. Good call on Apple’s part to include WiFi and Safari, though I would have liked to see Mail come along for the ride too. About the only thing I’m disappointed with--well, not disappointed with, more like surprised about--is the fact that it has almost the same exact form factor as the iPhone. Sergio pointed out to me that it would cost them less to use the same form factor, which is a good point. I would have expected Apple to differentiate the two. Pricing isn’t too bad, either, starting at $299, though capacities aren’t too high since it is based on flash storage and not on a hard drive.

iTunes WiFi Store

Why Microsoft didn’t include this in the Zune is beyond me. This wasn’t something I was expecting necessarily, but if you’re going to include WiFi on the iPod, it’s a no-brainer. I can’t comment on it much yet, but judging from the photos at Engadget, it looks more or less how one might expect it to look--like an iPhone app.The Starbucks feature is, um, interesting, I’ll give it that much.

iPhone price drop!

Nobody was expecting this! Apple slashed the price of the 8 GB iPhone by $200, bringing it more in line with the rest of the smartphone market. Nice move on Apple’s part. And considering the iPhone was already the best-selling smart phone in the US in July, it doesn’t take a rocket scientist to figure out that this should bolster Apple’s position in the market.

I’ll write a more comprehensive blurb later. See ya then.