万花筒 kaleidoscope2007-09-09&09-11, 与新iPod亲密接触

You know, when we introduced the iPhone in January, we said it was the best iPod ever. And iPhone owners agree with us. It's incredible with its multi-touch user interface¹, its incredible album artwork and video. It is the best iPod ever. And people have been asking us and wondering when are we going to bring this technology to an iPod. Well the answer to that question is we are going to do it today and this is what the product looks like.

It's called ……It's called the iPod touch. I happen to have one right here. It's just about the same size screen as the iPhone, but it's even thinner. It's 8mms thin. It's unbelievable, the new iPod touch.

Steve Jobs is one of the few CEOs with rock star status，the Apple co-founder's every word is followed closely.” It’s a revolutionary mobile phone." And there is even a fake blog dedicated² to things Steve didn't say. But why? Why did people line up for days ahead of the iPhone launch even though it's a niche³ gadget⁴ and why do Apple's computers so highly-regarded still make up just a tiny fraction of the overall market? Analysts⁵ say when it comes to Apple's luster⁶, it's not only the quality and profits but the passion that matters.

"Microsoft,Dell,HP,Sony even,you don't kind of feel that about them you don't feel that individual passion that you get from Steve Jobs and everyone that works in Apple."

Of course much of Apple's recent success comes from the iPod. A hundred million and counting sold to date. No niche product there. Speculating how and when the various iPods will get upgraded drives the bloggers crazy. But all products get upgraded. People seem to care a lot more about a new iPod's screen or more memory when players from Microsoft and Samsung go largely unnoticed.

"I think it is because Apple remains⁷ tight lipped as often as possible. I think that's part of the fun, really, as everyone likes to have a guess. Everyone has their own ideas about how they would do their own Apple products. And obviously when people get it right, they get very excited and then when they get it wrong, they get very annoyed, so."

Analysts say Apple still fights in the market like an upstart even though it's a 30-year-old multibillion-dollar firm.

"It's a dangerous time for Apple. Apple is now the Goliath, so it's a danger and there are certainly lots of competitors trying to knock them off."

But any fears about competitors certainly haven't hurt Apple's shares, up more than 40% since May.

Jim Boulden, CNN, London.

1 interface   

n.接合部位，分界面；v.(使)互相联系

参考例句：

• My computer has a network interface,which allows me to get to other computers.我的计算机有网络接口可以与其它计算机连在一起。
• This program has perspicuous interface and extensive application. 该程序界面明了，适用范围广。

2 dedicated   

adj.一心一意的；献身的；热诚的

参考例句：

• He dedicated his life to the cause of education.他献身于教育事业。
• His whole energies are dedicated to improve the design.他的全部精力都放在改进这项设计上了。

3 niche   

n.壁龛；合适的职务(环境、位置等)

参考例句：

• Madeleine placed it carefully in the rocky niche. 玛德琳小心翼翼地把它放在岩石壁龛里。
• The really talented among women would always make their own niche.妇女中真正有才能的人总是各得其所。

4 gadget   

n.小巧的机械，精巧的装置，小玩意儿

参考例句：

• This gadget isn't much good.这小机械没什么用处。
• She has invented a nifty little gadget for undoing stubborn nuts and bolts.她发明了一种灵巧的小工具用来松开紧固的螺母和螺栓。

5 analysts   

分析家，化验员( analyst的名词复数 )

参考例句：

• City analysts forecast huge profits this year. 伦敦金融分析家预测今年的利润非常丰厚。
• I was impressed by the high calibre of the researchers and analysts. 研究人员和分析人员的高素质给我留下了深刻印象。

6 luster   

n.光辉；光泽，光亮；荣誉

参考例句：

• His great books have added luster to the university where he teaches.他的巨著给他任教的大学增了光。
• Mercerization enhances dyeability and luster of cotton materials.丝光处理扩大棉纤维的染色能力，增加纤维的光泽。

7 remains   

n.剩余物，残留物；遗体，遗迹

参考例句：

• He ate the remains of food hungrily.他狼吞虎咽地吃剩余的食物。
• The remains of the meal were fed to the dog.残羹剩饭喂狗了。