Apple expands iPod range

Every iPod updated and new iPod Touch announced, but no date set for UK iPhone

Andrea-Marie Vassou, Computeract!ve 06 Sep 2007

Apple has overhauled and expanded its range of iPod music and video players.

In a live video broadcast from San Francisco to London, Apple CEO Steve Jobs unveiled updated versions of the iPod and iPod Nano with more storage and larger screens.

He also announced a new addition to the iPod family, the iPod Touch.

The iPod Touch is modelled on Apple’s iPhone. It uses the same touch-screen technology and user interface, but without the iPhone's telephone and messaging features.

Speaking at the launch, Steve Jobs said: "When we announced the iPhone in January, we said it was the best iPod on the planet, so people were asking when we would bring this technology to the iPod."

The iPod Touch has only one physical button, so all other controls are accessed by pushing icons on its touch-screen display. It is just 8mm thick and has a 3.5 inch widescreen display. Apple claims that its battery will last for 22 hours when playing music or five hours when watching video.

It also comes with 801.11g wireless networking and Apple's Safari web browser built-in, so it can be used to surf the web. Like the iPhone, it can display videos hosted on Youtube. Apple also announced the iTunes WiFi Music Store, which will allow users to download music directly to an iPhone or iPod Touch. Downloaded tracks can be copied onto a computer's iTunes music library at a later date.

The iPod Touch will be available in two models. A model with 8GB of storage will cost £199, and a 16GB version - which should hold 4,000 music tracks - £269. Both are expected to hit the shops in Britain this month.

Apple also announced changes to its existing iPhone models. Jobs announced that Apple will discontinue the 4GB model that has been on sale since June, and reduce the price of the 8GB model by $200.

Disappointingly, though, no new information was given on when the iPhone will be available in the UK. Pascal Cagni, vice president and general manager of Apple EMEA said only that "It will come."

Other product announcements included a new version of the original iPod, which has been renamed the iPod Classic. The new version has a metal case, and is thinner than its predecessor. Apple claims that its battery will provide 40 hours of audio playback or seven hours when watching video. An 80GB version will cost £159, and a 160GB model £229 including VAT.

Apple has also redesigned the iPod Nano which, according to Jobs, has been built with "customer recommendations taken into account."

The new Nano is almost square shaped and is smaller and thinner than its predecessor. It has a 2in screen, and unlike previous models it can display video files. A 4GB model costs £99, and an 8GB version is available in five different colours, each costing £129.

The 1GB iPod Shuffle received only a cosmetic makeover. It is now available in five colours, each costing £49.

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