Apple Adds Media Center to New iMac

At a special event for members of the press Wednesday morning, Apple CEO Steve Jobs took the stage to finally end the rumors about "One more thing..." First up on his list of announcements was a new iMac, which is thinner than previous models and includes a built-in iSight camera and Media Center-like capabilities.

A new application dubbed "Front Row" provides a 10-foot interface that lets iMac users control music, video and pictures while relaxing on a sofa. Text and graphics are enlarged for viewing at a distance.

The refreshed iMac comes also with an iPod-like remote control, which includes only 6 buttons and a slim design. In his keynote Jobs said the remote is much easier than Microsoft's 40-plus button remotes designed for Windows XP Media Center Edition.

Also included with the iMac is a new program called "Photobooth" for making fun pictures.

The new iMac is priced at $1,299 USD for the 1.5 GHz model with 17-inch widescreen LCD display and $1,700 USD for the 2.1 GHz model with 20-inch widescreen display.