Inside Scott's Brain

iTunes 5
Somewhat of a non-event, unless I'm reading things wrong here, the only real update is supporting the new iTunes phone. UI updates, a new Search bar (could be interesting, but the jury's still out), and better iPod shuffle features. reportedly you can synch from Outlook and Outlook Express on PCs, although I've no freakin' clue what that means right now. ;-)
Hype factor: 8
Meat factor: 2

Apple/Motorola/Cingular ROKR E1 Phone
This is the real news, it's been rumored for some time that a Motorola/Apple collaboration would yield this GMS tri-band hybrid device, so although for me it's a slight denouement I can see this as being a HUGE potential seller as the more gadget-aware consumer base starts struggling with the multiple-device fiascos people like myself have been fighting for years. With a ~100 song cap, this phone will act more like an iPod Shuffle, as it doesn't appear you can purchase/search/browse songs on the iTunes music store directly via the phone (my main question: why not??). As a phone, it's reasonably well featured, Bluetooth and Java support, video/still camera, IM/text messaging, all the usual suspects. At $249, it'll be competing with the iPod minis and low-end iPods on the audio player front, so I can see consumers in the market for a new phone taking this option more than those looking to upgrade an iPod specifically. Cingular's the only provider option- which is limiting (but has strong reach). I also am annoyed that Flash Lite isn't supported on the phone, as that's a deal-breaker for me personally- but overall a pretty solid first step into the hybrid phone market. We'll have to see how this pans out in the consumer marketplace, however- I'm still torn on the success potential of this sucker.

iPod Nano
Great form factor and functionality, although with 1" hard drive prices plummeting (with larger capacities just around the corner) I find this a strange move for Apple- as they could be in a situation to make a cheaper unit with much more capacity within the next year. That being said, the size/functionality is very very nice, and the price/performance ratio seems very good, too. I may actually pick up the 4GB nano instead of going the Shuffle route, honestly- have been looking for a smaller option than my 60GB iPod for running/etc and this could just be the ticket.

Overall- good, solid news today, I'm just not seeing this the 'revolutionary' announcement the hype mill was predicting. I'd honestly held out some outside hope that the long-rumored video iPod/device from Apple would surface, but apparently we'll still be waiting (and beating up our PSPs with newfound fervor) until that hits... ;-)