Normally, when Apple announces a new iPod, things get a little tricky around here. After lining up with hundreds of other journalists and attendees, I file into the conference hall, scribble notes furiously through the whole event, and then scurry back to MP3.com headquarters to try to tell our readers what the new iPod is, and whether it's worth their money.

Not so this time around. Instead, I elected to relax on the couch, watching Celebrity Poker Showdown. See, I was laid up at home with Lyme disease, which you get from a tiny deer tick. It causes all sorts of symptoms, including the inability to attend iPod press events.

A lot happened to digital music while I was out. Here's what I think it all means.

The iPod Nano Unveiled

I've been claiming for quite some time that we won't see a "video iPod" from Apple, at least in the foreseeable future, and once again, I was proved right. Apple, which usually debuts a new generation of its iPod line around this time of year, chose this time to unveil what I believe will be another massive success: the iPod Nano.

Flash memory is ideal for MP3 players due to low power consumption, non-skip operation, and small size. Apple timed the Nano perfectly, since 2GB and 4GB flash capacities are now economically feasible at the prices consumers are used to right now.

To me, the big deal here is another big Apple first: the first flash memory MP3 player with a fully fledged navigation system (large color screen, clear menu structure, and of course, the excellent scrollwheel control). Now, users looking for something that never skips, handles being dropped repeatedly, and is easy to use will have an option. Unless you need specialized stuff offered by the competition (audio recording, pulsometer, rock bottom price), there's simply no good reason to buy any other flash player than the iPod Nano.

iTunes 5.0 Stumbles out of the Gate

Unfortunately for Apple, its newly released iTunes 5.0 software suffered from a crippling bug (and believe me, I know the feeling). For many Windows users, installing the program caused computers to crash, iPods to go unrecognized, playlists to vanish, and more. Today, Apple posted a patch (iTunes 5.0.1), which should fix the problem (download it now).

I'm actually surprised it took so long for Apple to release buggy iTunes software for Windows. When Apple tries to write software that runs on Windows--especially when, like iTunes, the software tries to create a certain level of security between a device and an application--there are going to be a few bumps in the road. I suspect Apple's iTunes coders ran afoul of some sort of security layer in the Windows operating system. Although that's pure speculation. Hopefully the truth will come out eventually.

In the meantime, please report any difficulties you had with iTunes 5.0 on our MP3.com message boards.

The iTunes Phone...Yawn

I really tried to find something non-Apple-related to write about here, but as with so many things digital music, this story is all about the iPod. Well, not really…in this case, it's about the so-called "iTunes phone," the Motorola ROKR.

This is a big deal on paper, because it points the way toward a future where cell phones and MP3 players might become one. This is not a big deal in reality, among other reasons, because music people take their music too seriously for it to become a small, awkwardly designed feature on their cell phone. There are many other reasons why it's too soon for cell phones and MP3 players to merge, but that's a different column.

So until next time, enjoy the music, and please, remember to check for ticks.