Lavishly describing it as the “seventh wonder of the world” Apple CEO Steve Jobs last night unveiled an 8mm ultra-slim touchscreen iPod device based on the technology used in the iPhone. The device also boasts wireless connectivity and 3.5-inch display.
The multi-touch technology sported on the iPhone has now been harnessed for use in iPods and the result is a new music and video player that boasts a Safari browser and allows users to use Wi-Fi to view web pages as well as featuring Google Search and Yahoo oneSearch.
An Apple YouTube application will allow users to harness Wi-Fi to watch over 10m free videos and access to the iTunes Wi-Fi Music Store will allow users to wirelessly browse, preview and buy songs and albums.
The device, which will come in 8GB and 16GB models, will go on sale in the States for US$299 (€219) and US$399 (€292) respectively.
“”The iPod touch is a landmark iPod, ushering in a whole new generation of features based on its revolutionary multi-touch interface and built-in Wi-Fi wireless networking,” said Jobs. “People are going to be amazed at how thin it is and how much it does.”
To coincide with the launch of the new iPod, Apple has carved a deal with Starbucks in the US that allows users use their Wi-Fi services for free to access the iTunes Wi-Fi Music Store.
“The iTunes Wi-Fi Music Store is really fun–you can browse, search, freely preview, buy and instantly download music right onto your iPod touch or iPhone,” Jobs explained. “Innovative products like this keep iTunes at the forefront of the digital music revolution.”
Also unveiled yesterday was the new iPod Nano, which will come with a 204 pixel per inch display that is 65pc brighter than the previous generation as well as the Cover Flow software that allows users scroll through their entire music collection by album cover artwork using the Click Wheel.
The 4GB iPod nano comes in silver for US$149 (€109) and the 8GB model is available in silver, black, blue, green and a red special edition for US$199 (€149).
Also introduced yesterday was the sixth generation iPod Classic featuring 80GB or 160GB of storage that holds your entire collection of music, photos, video, podcasts and games–up to 40,000 songs or 200 hours of video.
Jobs said that both iPod classic models are available immediately worldwide in silver and black. The 80GB iPod classic model is US$249 (€182) and the 160GB iPod classic is US$349 (€255).
“The first iPod put 1,000 songs in your pocket–this new iPod classic can put 40,000 songs in your pocket,” said Jobs. “With a thinner, all-metal enclosure and an enhanced user interface, the iPod classic is ideal for people who want to hold everything on their iPod.”
By John Kennedy
