First and foremost, iPhone 2.1 firmware will be out on Friday, September 12.  Steve said it's a big update that includes many bug fixes, addressing dropping calls, crashing apps, long-backups, and battery life.  And it's free to all owners! I am quite excited for this update, and have my fingers crossed that it will work as promised and that the issues many users, including me, have been experiencing are addressed.

Kevin Rose was spot on with iTunes 8, including the new grid-like view and Genius functionality. HD TV shows has also come to the iTunes store, though they are only viewable on your computer or through your Apple TV - there goes putting HD shows on my iPhone to output to our home entertainment center! Shoot!

iPods continue to kick ass in marketshare with 73.4%, with "Other" players a distant second at 15.4%. The iPod Classic is now offered in one size only - 120GB at the same price as the previous 80GB model, $249. The new iPod Nano is indeed like the leaked pictures that have been circulating on the internet - tall and skinny with a curved front and back. It features a new UI and has an accelerometer like the iPod Touch and iPhone, allowing you to turn it sideways to switch automatically to cover mode view. And the new Genius functionality works right on the Nano without needing to be connected to iTunes, and shaking the Nano puts it in Shuffle mode.

A nice accessory upgrade is a pair of headphones that have functionality similar to that of the iPhone's - a control button that allows you to double-click to get to the next song, and a microphone that will work with the built-in voice recording function. And it has volume controls! I sure hope those will work on the iPhone too.

The new Nano comes in 8 colors and is priced at $149 for the 8GB model and $199 for the new 16GB model. The 8GB ones should be available in stores in the next few days, with a slightly longer wait for the 16GB ones.

The iPod Touch gets some expected upgrades - volume buttons on the side like the iPhone, and a speaker. And the Nike + iPod software is built in - you no longer need a receiver like you did with previous iPods. Its UI has also been updated and includes the Genius feature from iTunes 8.  And it now has the same shape as the iPhone 3G, but with a metal back and it's even thinner than before. The 8GB model costs $229, 16GB is $299, and the 32GB model is $399 and they are available today. The 2.1 firmware update is free for all iPod Touch owners currently running 2.X firmware, and a $9.95 upgrade for those on 1.X firmware, and it's available today through iTunes.

Steve said that 100 million apps have been downloaded from the App Store in the past 60 days. I think it's safe to say that it's quite popular. Phil Schiller demo'd some new games, including Need for Speed Undercover by EA and Real Soccer '09 by Gameloft.

Those are the major details. Now we'll just have to see how patiently I can wait for Friday and the iPhone firmware update.  This is going to be a very long week.