Tagged: Steve Jobs

You can hear Laura Sydell, NPR's Digital Culture Reporter, talk to All Things Considered's Melissa Block about the announcement by clicking on the audio link above.

On Monday afternoon, Apple announced the introduction of iCloud, a music service that will allow users to listen to their music from almost any Internet-connected device. (Update: Initially we called Apple's service a streaming one. We're not sure exactly how iTunes Match will work, and we're getting in touch with Apple. We'll update again as soon as we hear back.)

Recap at 2:57: Apple CEO Steve Jobs emerged from medical leave to introduce the new iPad 2. This post was updated as details came out at the event unveiling the new tablet.

Updated at 2:50: The Apple Store is back online, featuring the new lineup of iPads. In addition to the new tablets, Apple also introduce "Smart Covers" for the device, which are thin covers that use magnets to align themselves on the iPad. Pulling back a sheet of fabric or leather wakes the iPad up; closing the sheet puts it to sleep.

Apple CEO Steve Jobs is taking another medical leave of absence. Jobs said he'll continue to be involved with major strategic decisions. Day to day running of the company will be left to Chief Operating Officer Tim Cook, a longtime Apple executive who's been at Jobs side during the roll-out of some of the company's most successful product launches.