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The lights are off, all of the reporters and live-bloggers have gone home to hunch in front of their laptops… So that can only mean one thing… It’s time for a roundup of today’s ‘Let’s Rock’ Event! If you’re big into music, movies and any sort of digital download for that matter, chances are you’ll want to take note of the new iPod’s and iTunes 8. Let’s get started…

Of the less-important news, the iPod Shuffle now comes in 4 colors… And Apple is also now selling in-ear headphones with in-line volume control. They look purty nice, but I think I’ll hold off on purchasing them for now. They go for $79. (more…)

Well the rumors have been true so far.  I have been religiously watching the Gizmodo liveblog and let me tell you I am sooo excited for the new releases.

Steve jobs announced iTunes 8.0 with the rumored Genius feature that takes the info from your library and sends it to “the cloud” and then collaborates with other users and creates a list.  It is opt-in and not a mandatory function.

The main announcement right now is the new iPod Nano third generation.  It is the thinnest iPod and lokos just as it was rumored to.  It has a re-vamped UI and works to view photos, videos, and coverstream in ladscape with the accelerometer. There is even a voice record feature!!!!!

They are coming in a rainbow of colors and available for $149 the 8gb model $199 for the 16gb

Stay tuned for more news, this event is rockin!

The event is just getting underway… and if you haven’t found a list of those that are live-blogging the event, I’ve compiled a shortlist for you below:

• Gizmodo
• Engadget
• ArsTechnica
• Macworld
• iLounge

I think I’ll follow Jason Chen over at Gizmodo today. Looks like he’s having fun getting ready to provide full coverage. Stay tuned here at Mactropolis for a full event roundup once it is over!

Here is a picture of the banner going up for the Let’s Rock event this Tuesday outside of the Yerba Buena Center in San Francisco. It features one of Apple’s famous iPod silhouette figures, suggesting this will be a music orientated event, as if there was any doubt.

This event is expected to announce new iPod’s, in particular iPod nano and iPod Touch news, and iTunes 8 which is expected to include new visualizers and “genius” playlists. The event will take place on September 9th, 2008 at 10 a.m. Pacific, 1 p.m. Eastern.

[Image courtesy of Andrew Mager via iPhoneSavior]

It’s been nothing but rumors around the possible September 9th Apple event. Well, today Engadget claims that the event is proceeding as rumored on the 9th. As you can see above, the event info is displayed on an iPod classic / iPod Nano interface. I wonder what the event will be about!???

I wonder what new product or products are going to be introduced into the product line? Anyone care to guess? Speculating is so much fun, isn’t it? Leave a comment!

[via Engadget]

Macworld is reporting that Apple is aware of the recently discovered security hole that allows someone to circumvent the passcode lock by pressing “Emergency Call” and then double taping the home button. Apple also said that a fix for the problem would be included with the growing list of fixes in a September software update.

As of right now users are being urged to set double tap preferences to direct the user to the home screen instead of favorites to mitigate the problem.

[via MacWorld]

If your a regular in our forums you might have seen the so-called new Macbook Pro advertisement that has been circulating the internet. Well, sure enough its a fake, created by MacRumors forum member. But, for what its worth it is a pretty good fake. The ‘fake’ Macbook Pro features an aluminum case, MacBook Air-style backlit black plastic keyboard, tapered edges and a thinner design. It could actually be very close to the final Macbook Pro Apple churns out. Ah but, what will be under the hood I hear you ask? Well.. You’ll just have to take that up with Mr Jobs because we have absolutely no idea.

In other news; it seems that all sources are pointing to September 9th for Apple to launch their new product line. Will it be the iPod Nano 4th-gen, Macbook Pro or a Macbook Touch (iTablet)? Who knows, neither the date or the product is confirmed or denied by Apple. I’m guessing we’ll just have to wait this one out guys…

In the mean time though, head to the rumor mill in our forum to discuss possible products, dates and specs.

Kevin Rose founder of Digg and Pownce has fueled the current Apple rumor speculation in stating that we will see a huge overhaul in hardware and software updates over the next 2 - 3 weeks. Rose has not only suggested that we will see a completely new iPod Nano (resembling the stylistic features of the Macbook Air) but we will could also see iTouch updates, iPhone firmware updates, current iPod price drops & the new iTunes 8. Wow, big promises Mr Rose! Lets see how close your predictions are this time…

Check out his full blog post here.

Think he’s on the money? Discuss in the forums!

Seems China has a habit of blocking web content that they do not agree with.

The latest news out of the country is that the Chinese government is now blocking access to the iTunes Store. Why? Well because of all the pro-Tibetan content of course!

Word is the Chinese government learned that Olympic athletes have been downloading an album called Songs for Tibet… which they obviously did not appreciate. My guess is they would frown upon the athletes downloading anything from The Dalai Lama Audiobook Collection.

My only question is… When is the Chinese government going to start blocking Mactropolis.com!?

[via iPodNN - Image Courtesy YoPeace.org]

Apple has released knowledge base and statement for two different product defects. The first statement addresses the first generation iPod nano battery over heating issues. In some rare instances the battery in the first generation iPod nano has failed or cause deformation of the iPod itself due to overheating. The first generation iPod was sold from September, 2005 - December, 2006. If you think you are affected by this issue contact AppleCare for replacement.

The second statment addresses the issue with MagSafe Power Adapter insulation fraying and exposing bare wire. The knowledge base can be found here. Affected customers may still be eligible for replacement even if their MagSafe adaptor is out of warranty.