Steve Jobs, back from medical leave, announces new iTunes, iPhone software

(NECN: San Francisco, Calif.) – Apple Inc. CEO Steve Jobs appeared at a product launch event today for the first time since his nearly six-month-long medical leave. Jobs had a liver transplant this spring. Jobs announced today that in a little over two years, over 30 million iPhones have been sold — largely in part to Apple’s remarkable application store. Jobs said over 75,000 apps are now available and over 1.8 billion apps have been downloaded by users up-to-date — not even including updates! The CEO outlined a new version of Apple’s iTunes software and announced a minor update to the iPhone software. The new iTunes announced Wednesday cleans up the design, gives people more control over what content gets synched to iPods and iPhones and introduces a way to organize applications purchased for the iPhone and iPod Touch from the iTunes store. It also lets five computers on the same home network share – by streaming or copying – music, video and other content. Jobs also said iTunes would now sell albums with photography, cover art, liner notes and other media reminiscent of the days of vinyl. The feature, called iTunes LP, will also come with interviews and other video. Recording companies have been looking for ways to boost album sales as iTunes and other online music stores make it easier to buy songs individually. *Material from The Associated Press used in this report*