So Apple has released a new Apple TV and has put all its 160GB previous model Apple TVs on clearance. These used to be $329 US and are on clearance for $169 CAN.

• Click here to check out the clearance Apple TVs

Why might you want to get the older model instead of the newly released one? Well, there are some major differences you should be aware of:

Full HD Streaming – The Old Apple TV made it possible for users to watch full HD 1080p movies and videos. Apple has reduced the video rendering capability on the new device to 720p.

Storage & Power Consumption – The new Apple TV has done away with local storage and makes the whole process work over ‘air’. The Apple TV will now require you to keep your computer or Wi-Fi turned on the whole time you watch your movie on TV. You also can’t even listen to music with the Wi-Fi turned off.

There is NO storage, not even to hold a couple of movies on the new Apple TV.

USB Support – The new Apple TV does not have support for USB storage.

Rent vs. Own: With the Old Apple TV you could buy movies on it, and store them on your hard drive. With the new Apple TV you can only rent, there is no buying.

So: that is a rundown on what makes them different, and in some ways makes the older model Apple TV superior, I think Apple was heading in the right direction with the new model, it just took it too far.

The clearance Apple TVs are brand new (not refurbs) and you are saving close to $200 on them. A really awesome deal if you ask me. Apple products rarely go on sale.

Free Shipping.

This freebie is really only for those of you who have an iPhone 4. There was a big furore about reception problems on the latest model of the iPhone, and Apple have decided to offer free cases or bumpers to affected parties.

• Click here for more info @ iTunes

You actually have to download a free app to your phone, in order to get the case, so it might be best to visit the above iTunes page from your iPhone, if you want to order your free case asap. Here’s what the landing page states:

If you are experiencing reception issues with your iPhone 4, you are eligible to receive an iPhone 4 Bumper or other select third-party case from Apple at no charge.  Download this free app onto your iPhone 4 and apply for your free Bumper or case.

I am a Mac Geek, and I have demonstrated this in the past by both owning a macbook, and an iPod touch (itouch we call them), and also subscribing to MacLife, the ultimate Mac Geek magazine. However, with the increasing number of people who own iphones and apple touches I can now put my geeky knowledge to fabulous use!

Apple with be releasing the new operating system for its iphones and touches called iOS-4 on June 21, 2010 and it will be available as a free upgrade for all Iphones and touches excluding first generations.

• Click Here to visit the iPod Touch iOS 4 Software Update page
• Click here to visit the iPhone iOS 4 Software Update page

Here is what MacLife had to say about the new operating system:

“The OS introduces many new features, with a version of multitasking headlining the roster. For example, you could listen to third-party music apps while running other apps. Additional improvements update Mail with a unified inbox and message threading, apps can be organized in folders, and you can choose the Bing search engine.

Enterprise updates include additional data protection and security, Exchange Server 2010 support, the ability to use multiple Exchange accounts, SSL VPN, and mobile device management.

Not all iOS 4 features will be supported on devices prior to the iPhone 3GS. For example, you’ll have to replace your pre-3GS hardware for multitasking.”

Now I think this is fab, because Apple knows how many people own these things and they could easily just say “hey, you have to pay,” but they aren’t. I love Apple!

Ok folks, this is not technically a deal, but I wanted to put up a quick post because of all the hype surrounding the Apple iPad. You can now purchase your very own iPad from The Apple Store online!

• Click here to shop iPads @ The Apple Store Canada

You can buy the iPad from $549 for the 16GB model, and they go right up to $879 for the 64GB model!

I’ve seen so many things on a lot of sites across the web about iPads. I am particularly interested in how good a portable gaming device it will be. I am in love with lots of little puzzle games like Plants vs Zombies, Braid, Crayon Physics, Bejwelled.  I am interested to know if these games would work on the iPad at all, and how well you could play them. I’d love to try them out but I don’t know any friends who own an iPad yet! I need to make friends with some richer people

I also read a lot on my Sony ebook reader, and wondering if it is any way comparable to reading books on the iPad. I hear the e-ink technology used in the Sony reader is a lot better for reading, but I would still love to see some colour books on the iPad.

What do you think of the iPad?

Another back to school deal now, but this one is for the bigger kiddos! If you are in education (uni or college), or even if you are a staff member and you want to buy a new Apple Mac computer, there’s a special offer right now in that you can claim a free iPod Touch!

• Click here to shop online @ Apple Canada

The deal is described fully in this blurb:

If you’re a university or college student or a faculty or staff member at any grade level and you buy a new Mac with Apple education pricing from May 25 through September 7, 2010, you can get a free 8GB iPod touch.

On the Apple Canada site, the 8GB iPod Touch is worth $199 so it’s a really nice gift with your purchase. Of course, you are going to be spending at least $999 on a new Apple Mac, so that’s a big spend to start with.

I’ve never really used a Mac, I’m a PC girl. But I hear that once you go Mac, you never go back!

(BUMPING post – offer ends soon – make your purchase before the 8th September 2009)

Macs and music – good combination, eh? Apple Canada seems to be advertising this promo quite early, for it to be considered a “back-to-school” event. From now until the 8^th of September 2009, there’s a great rebate offer when you buy a brand new Mac from Apple.

• Click here to buy online @ The Apple Store Canada

• Click here to print out the mail-in rebate

When you buy the Apple Macbook or desktop computer, you should buy an iPod music player in the same transaction. If you do so, you can send in a mail-in rebate to get back the full value of the mp3 player!

If you are a student or staff member at certain educational establishments, you will be eligible for this offer! Even if you are not eligible, you might know a student who would be eligible to get you the discount?

Rebate possibilities:

• iPod touch – $259
• iPod classic 120GB – $259
• iPod nano 16GB – $219
• iPod nano 8GB – $169
• iPod shuffle 4GB – $99

As you can see, the ipod Touch is the highest value device.

Unfortunately, the deal from Apple.ca doesn’t apply to items from their refurb store. Brand new Macs aren’t cheap! A friend of mine recently bought a new Macbook, and he absolutely loves it. Like me, he’s always been a PC user but finds the Macbook excellent. I might be tempted to switch sides too!

UPDATE 24th March 2009 – Apple have re-stocked and these are available again, I’m bumping this thread.

The Canadian Apple Store has a great deal on their little refurbished iPod shuffles right now. The 1GB shuffles are only $35, and that includes free shipping from Apple! You can choose the sleek silver, groovy green, or basic blue. These are the slightly older generation. If you’d like the newer generation with the newer color schemes, you’d have to pay $44 instead, but you can then choose from pretty pink or bright blue. Even the 2GB models are showing at pretty decent prices – starting at only $45!

How to get this deal:

1. Go to Apple.ca
2. Scroll to bottom
3. Look under “Special Deals” @ left
   
4. Choose “Refurbished iPods”
5. Buy buy buy!

You’ll note that these are refurbished electronics. As far as I know, you cannot even tell – there wouldn’t be any damage to the units or anything, and they come with a full warranty too. I’ve read reports on other forums that the only real difference is the packaging – it might come in a plain brown box, rather than Apple’s fancy schmany packaging. If you don’t mind that, then you’re onto a good deal here.

I had seen the iPod shuffles in pictures on the net quite a few times, but I only ever saw one in reality a few months ago. I was really surprised how small it was! It was so small, I reckon I could fit about 5 of them into my mouth… but I never tested that theory. I’ve tried to show you the actual size by using an in-hand photo to illustrate this blog post. Hopefully they didn’t use a model with particularly big hands to make their device look smaller.

I am not a fan of Apple products in any shape or form. However, I must say that I am impressed by how they have created such customer loyalty and dedicated fans of the brand. I do admit that their products are pretty well designed and fairly ergonomic too. But IMO they are too expensive, especially when first released. They should reward their loyal fans and early adopters by not charging them so much for new products!

P.S. If you are an Apple fanboy, You might be interested in Dealguild Canada for free cashback from the Apple Store.