Apple’s new line-up
Apple announced details of its brand new iPod line-up today, and also revealed the latest incarnation of its Apple TV set-top box. Also shown-off was a new version of iTunes with a social network element called Ping.
Ping is a new social network based around music – what you’re listening to, who you are going to see, what you’ve bought. It’s accessed through the new iTunes 10 on your Mac or PC, or though the iTunes store app on your iPhone or iPod touch.
Here’s a run-down of the new hardware announced today.
iPod shuffle
First up was the new shuffle, which looks very much like the old shuffle. The last version – tiny, without buttons – did not sell too well, so the buttons are back. The price is an astonishingly low £39, with 2GB of storage.
iPod nano
The nano is all-new, super-small, and features a multi-touch interface to replace the click wheel of old.
But what’s notable is what’s been taken away, too – the new nano doesn’t even play video, let alone capture, as did the model it replaces.
What Apple gives is the new interface, and the incredibly small size – small enough to clip it to your clothes (like you can with the shuffle). Prices start at £129 for an 8GB model. 16GB costs £159.
iPod touch
The touch looks similar to the old version, but is a bit thinner. It couldn’t be more different feature-wise, though. Added are front and back cameras, the super-sharp Retina display, and the A4 chip that powers the iPhone 4 and the iPad.
So, with a new touch, you can capture and share HD video, and place FaceTime calls to other touches or iPhone 4s. An 8GB touch will cost you £189, all the way up to £329 for 64GB. 16GB costs £249.
Apple TV
The new Apple TV is tiny, and has no internal storage to speak of. All the content it can play is streamed over WiFi – either as rentals from iTunes, or from you computer, iPhone, iPod touch or iPad. The new Apple TV sells for a knock-down £99.
I’ll have more on the new Apple TV, and how it squares up to Google TV, in Saturday’s column, either in our Weekend supplement in the paper, or right here.








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