Apple introduces new iMacs, software and Web tools

(08-07) 13:52 PDT CUPERTINO -- Apple CEO Steve Jobs unveiled three new sleeker and cheaper iMac desktop computers today, along with an updated line of software and Web tools that the company hopes will build on its momentum in the consumer market.

The announcements, about six weeks after the launch of the iPhone, reasserts the importance of the traditional desktop in Apple's universe, which will increasingly integrate its iPod, Apple TV and iPhone products. The software additions, including a major overhaul of the iLife suite, also build on the broader trend of user-generated content, allowing consumers to more easily edit and broadcast their media to a wider audience.

The most immediately noticeable change was for the iMac, which now will be sold with only 20- and 24-inch displays, couched in a brushed aluminum case with a fully glossy screen. The 20-inch computer will sell for $1,199, $300 less than its predecessor and the same price as the old 17-inch iMac, which has been discontinued. A second 20-inch model with a faster processor and more storage will sell for $1,499, while the 24-inch iMac will now sell for $1,799, $200 less than the previous model of the same size.

"The iMac has been really successful for us, and we'd like to make it better," Jobs said at a press conference at the company's Cupertino headquarters.

The computer comes in about 38 percent thinner and also has a slimmer keyboard, just .33 inches at its front edge. The iMac continues to sport Intel Core 2 Duo processors that can now run up to 2.8 GHZ with up to 4MB of memory and up to 1Terabyte of storage.

The design of the iMac was not only aimed at aesthetics and usability but also the environment, Jobs said; the aluminum and glass were chosen because they're easy to recycle.

Jobs said the latest models should continue Apple's success in the personal computer market. While the PC industry has grown by about 13 percent annually, Apple's growth has hit 33 percent in the latest quarter.

The iMac will get an updated version of Apple's suite of digital lifestyle applications called iLife that features a new version of iMovie. The application now features a new "skimming" feature that allows users to run their mouse over a clip to see its contents. Combined with easier editing tools, iMovie offers the ability to create sophisticated movies in a short time. Jobs said the movies can be uploaded with a click to YouTube or to a user's .Mac web gallery, which now supports movie clips.

The iPhoto application also offers new features, including the skimming tool as well as a new way of organizing pictures by events so they can be easily viewed. The service works seamlessly with a user's .Mac Web gallery, which now features almost all of the same computer-based tools on the Web.

Other additions include a new spreadsheet for iWork, Apple's productivity suite of tools. IWeb now supports easy integration with Google's AdSense, allowing users to place ads on their own Web site easily. Garage Band also received an update, allowing users to create songs using templates from nine musical genres.

Jobs said the new applications are "obsoleting" previous versions, but said he believes consumers will respond to the beefed-up slate of tools.

"Most people agree (these applications) are dramatically better than what you get in the PC world," said Jobs. "We think a lot of PC consumers will switch because of this stuff."

E-mail Ryan Kim at rkim@sfchronicle.com.