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The Apple Store was down this morning. And since this is Apple, one of the high-tech universe's favorite parlor games began: What's really going on?!
As it turns out, not much, unless you're in the market for some new photo editing and organization software. Apple revealed not the new MacBook Pros many expected, iPad pre-order availability, or even a new version of iTunes, but rather Aperture 3 -- a major upgrade to Apple's photo management and editing software, but a minor development for those who don't use the software.
"We are busy updating the store for you and will be back shortly" was all it said at store.apple.com, which was otherwise just a list of local sales telephone numbers. Now that it's back up, in addition to the "buy an iPod for Valentine's Day" promotion Apple has been running, the Apple Store includes a link to Aperture 3 ($200 or $100 as an upgrade).
"Aperture 3 is designed for both professionals who edit and manage massive libraries of photos and iPhoto users who want to take their photos further with easy-to-use tools such as Brushes and Adjustment Presets," said Apple senior vice president of worldwide product marketing Philip Schiller in a statement, clarifying the difference between Aperture and Apple's consumer-oriented iPhoto software.
The company announced this morning that the new Aperture 3 has over 200 new features for managing large photo libraries, including new brush tools, one-click photo effects, and "Faces and Places" features from iPhoto 9, which recognize people in photographs and can place geo-tagged photos on a map.
Normally, when the company pulls its online store offline, the Apple faithful expect something big (especially because MacWorld is in full swing). Apparently, we'll have to wait for news on laptops, iPads, iTunes and the rest.
See Also:
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- Apple iPad's Tiny SIM Is Just There to Mess With You
- Can Apple's iPad Save the Media After All?
- Wondering Why You Can't Pre-Order an iPad? It Isn't Legal Yet
- Apple iPad May Ship With Webcam
- Hands-On With the Apple iPad
- Would You Buy an iPad? Wired Readers Weigh In
