SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY NEWS

Last Update on September 02, 2010 03:09 EDT

IN THE NEWS: APPLE SEEKS TO CONQUER TV -- AGAIN

SAN FRANCISCO (AP) -- It has already changed the way people listen to music and done much to change how people use their mobile phones. Now, Apple is trying to conquer the way people watch TV -- again. And in doing so, it's taking on a challenge that has had mixed results so far. Apple has introduced a smaller, cheaper version of Apple TV. The device connects to a high-definition TV and can show rented movies and TV shows from Apple's own video service. In addition, Apple TV can show content from Netflix, photos on Flickr, YouTube clips and more. It's considered an upgrade over Apple's first set-top TV box, which went on sale in 2007. It had to sync to a computer and it couldn't record live TV. The new Apple TV still doesn't record TV shows, but it does come at a time when a growing number of people are watching their TV shows online.

Apple TV will be available within a month.

IN THE NEWS: APPLE LAUNCHES NEW iPODS, TWEAKS iTUNES

SAN FRANCISCO (AP) -- Besides relaunching its TV set-top box, Apple is trotting out some new members of the family when it comes to its media players. During a media event in San Francisco yesterday, Apple CEO Steve Jobs showed off a line of revamped iPods. For example, the iPod Touch will get a front-facing video camera -- so it can be used for video chats. That's a wrinkle currently enjoyed by those who own the new iPhone 4. The new iTouch will also get a sharper screen and a camera for taking photos and recording video -- just as the iPhone 4 now has. The new version of the iPod Shuffle will see the return of buttons that Apple did away with in its last incarnation of the device. And Apple is updating the software that runs iPhones, the iTouch and the iPad. The iOS 4.1 will be rolled out next week. Among other things, it will let users upload high-definition video over Wi-Fi and improves the quality of photos taken with the devices. And iTunes is getting a tweak or two. Users will now be able to see what songs their friends are buying and where their favorite bands are playing next.

ON THE WEB: CONAN NAMES HIS SHOW

CYBERSPACE (AP) -- Conan O'Brien will be taking the simplified approach to naming his new show. It will be simply be called "Conan" when it launches on November 8 on TBS. The comedian posted a YouTube video announcing the name of the show to his fans -- doing so by scrawling the name on a white sheet of paper using a black marker.

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Online:

Team Coco site: http://www.teamcoco.com

TBS site: http://www.tbs.com

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