Despite reports earlier this month which suggested otherwise, Apple Chief Executive Steve Jobs appeared during the highly anticipated "Let"s Rock" presentation today, thin but jaunty, where he introduced new iPod nano and Touch music players. The thinner 8GB iPod nano, hailed as the thinnest iPod ever made, will go for $149, and includes a new "shake to shuffle" feature to change song play. The company also announced that that television broadcaster NBC had rejoined online video and music store iTunes.
"I would call it a series of both expected and unexpected announcements. Clearly the new iPod nano in the flesh is certainly more appealing than it"s been. It was expected but I think it will sell well in the holiday season," said Michael Abramsky, analyst with RBC Capital Markets. "NBC is important content for Apple to have on iTunes, especially with the direction it"s taking, which is for iPods to handle more video. Having robust iTunes video is key to their success," said Shannon Cross, analyst with Cross Research.