Join us for Apple's 09/09/09 event

Apple wrapped the Yerba Buena Center for the Arts with its trademark iPod look Tuesday in preparation for Wednesday's music-related event at the San Francisco venue.

(Credit: Stephen Shankland/CNET)

After a long summer of swirling rumors, Apple's now-annual September music event is finally just around the corner.

It's happening Wednesday at 10 a.m. here in San Francisco, and CNET will have full, live-blogging coverage for you. I will be joined by CNET Reviews' Donald Bell, who will be offering his own commentary on all the music-related product announcements. What exactly that will be isn't a complete mystery, but Apple could have a few interesting surprises for us.

It looks like we won't be seeing a touch-screen tablet at this event, but there's plenty left to speculate about. The event, as per the invitation above, is obviously about iPods. Our money is on an updated iPod Touch with a camera, and ready-made ringtones. Plus, we've also heard that the new interactive album format--referred to as "Cocktail"--will also get a lot of play.

But what else? Some are saying there could be cameras in the iPod Nano as well, and even an update to the seemingly forgotten Apple TV. Then there's CEO Steve Jobs. Will he or won't he make an appearance? If he doesn't, the buzz about why he wasn't on hand, when he's been officially back at work since July, could threaten to get louder than whatever his stand-in does end up announcing.

We'll be there to chronicle it all, of course, so be sure to come back to CNET News Wednesday at 10 a.m. PDT.

[Mark_Anderson]

Does anyone really care any more?

[Perry_Clease]

Yes people care, you are one of them. In fact you care so much you made a post about it.

[cvaldes1831]

As an Apple shareholder (as well as customer), I care. Most of the big box retailers care as well.

[LaTene_Man]

Why do you feel the need to troll Mark?

[Renegade Knight]

This is the first year that I actually do. I hoping they announce a 120gb touch. That said, I won't be hitting refresh on the website. I'll find out before my budget is ready to take the plungs.

[Ray180]

Of course people care -- that's what they're told to do.

[shycelticwitch]

Intelligent, educated people care.... but YOU don't ... nuf said. LOL

[myles taylor]

Yes, millions and millions of people care. Also, it was clearly labeled and Apple article, so why did you click it if you don't care. Why did you read it? If you didn't read it, why did you comment on it.

[solitare_pax]

Actually, it is not an Apple article - it is an article about how CNET will cover the event live.

[Gold_Storm_Mac]

yes, ppl do.

[Mark_Anderson]

Yup, all the livebloggers will be there to tell us that...

*gasp*

There will be a third generation iPod Touch with a camera
There will be new iPod Nanos with a camera
There will be *shock* a new version of iTunes with soem features that you'll never actually use
You might possibly be able to download songs from a group whose catalogue has been available through every other outlet for the last thirty years through iTunes.

Awesome. Well worth the usual hordes of techbloggers - who should under no circumstances be confused with journalists - descending upon the 'event'.

I mean, seriously, after last year's 'Let's Rock' - and what a horrific misnomer that was - you'll all get fooled again?

Sometimes I don't know whether to laugh or cry at you guys.

[Devo2011]

I don't understand why people want an iPod to have camera so bad. I understand the iPhone because every phone on the market has a camera, and MMS, but is that going to bring the people out of their shells and into Best Buys? I might be out of touch though, it's very possible that everyone that hasn't upgraded their iPod Classic/Nanos has been holding out for a camera attached.

[myles taylor]

Well, I can understand it on the iPod Touch. You can use the Facebook App and WiFi to upload pictures and for multiple other things. I don't really understand it on the Nano but I guess if they're cutting into the camera business maybe.

[EvanSei]

I really want a camera because then I would never have a moment were I say I really wish I had a camera, I don't always have my camera or blackberry but I always have my iPod touch

I am all excited looking forward to installing ( Snow Leopard ) Cannot wait for it to arrive

[myles taylor]

I'm wondering if the Beatles are doing something with them and that's why it's all about Rock and Roll. I'm expecting cameras in the iPods but other than that, I don't have a lot o expectations.

[d4nowar]

I thought it was pretty obvious that it was going to tie in to Beatles Rock Band by allowing Beatles songs on iTunes.

[rmosster333]

Maybe Apple is finally adding a FM tuner to their iPod.

[Perry_Clease]

Yeah, that would make it a Zune killer because the dearth of iPod sales is a direct result of it not having an FM tuner.

[Mark_Anderson]

Thanks for your relevant input, Perry!

[Perry_Clease]

"Thanks for your relevant input, Perry!"

Your welcome kid, have a great week!

[kevsmail]

Kinda weird they are using a Stones' song reference for a Beatles iTunes love-fest.

[Perry_Clease]

It being a Beatles centric event is speculation. It may be, but maybe not, we will know tomorrow.

[reighman]

I can only hope it comes in brown.

[Perry_Clease]

"I can only hope it comes in brown

Norwegian Wood?

[iLBAN8]

Im so ready to see what Apple has to bring.. More then likely there gonna have a Camera on the touch, Fm Radio would be killer, and live streaming of video (on the touch) would be Awesome.. yada yada yada.. its just a Day away just wait and see (thats how i feel about it) =]

[free_fight49]

At the moment I'm waiting on this so i can get a new iPod Classic, at least i hope they come out with a new one

[ecotopian--2008]

Millions of people love Apple products and are excited about what this event might have in store. Apparently, some loser trolls can't stand this, although why they'd even care is beyond me. Why try to tear down other people's happiness? Got nothing better to do?

[Ray180]

We're trying to enlighten you, but some people can't see the forest for the trees.

[Pixiedrops]

Seconded on the iPod classic, mine is an old iPod video that's beginning to show it's age. I own an iPhone, so an iPod touch is superflous to me. I can only hope they do something cool with the Classic, though all the evidence seems to be pointing at then discontinuing it at this stage. We can only wait and see.

[EvanSei]

I can't wait for this, I really want to see the new iPod touch, really want to play with the new iTunes, and really want to download some beatles tracks (rockband 9/9/09, re-realese of the old beatles CD's, apple event 9/9/09 coincidence I don't think so) REALLY bummed that I will be in school when it is all happening and will have to wait till 3 to see what happened.

[AppleSuxLeo]

Who cares ?
And Steve Jobs is really just Ron Popeil. Spray paint some hair on the old skeleton.

[Perry_Clease]

You care Leo, you care more than Mark Anderson.

[iceberg2009]

Hope someone recorded the Apple event and post it on youtube. Don't really care about the iPod touch unless it has OLED screen. About the iTablet, not really exciting about that, I love my 15" MacBook Pro Unibody, when it come to serious mac users, I don't they want to work on a tablet, it just good for traveling and eyes catching.

[gandari]

It´s all about the content and the ease of interacting with it.
It´s not about the hardware anymore. It´s the PLATFORM.