The new iPod family

Its amazing how the rumor mills got everything about the new iPods dead on. iTunes 8 and the iPod line refresh was unveiled to the public today. However, I feel somewhat incomplete… since aside from the refreshed iPod classic, everything else was known way before.

Nano-chromatic

The name, taken from Apple’s website gives an idea as to how the new iPod nanos are. A host of colors, curved dimensions, its very own accelerometer and a new shake to shuffle feature is definitely a welcome change from the fat nanos of old.

Best of all, this new iteration of the nano offers more bank for the buck. With prices ranging from A$199.00 for the 8GB and A$279 for the 16GB version, it will be hard not to have these colorful players on someones Christmas wishlist.

The new touch

A sleek new contoured stainless steel design, physical volume controls and a built-in speaker joins the ever-growing list of features the new iPod Touch has. Now pack than in an even thinner enclosure and what you have is something even more enticing.

Just like the new nanos, the price has gone down as well for the 8GB, 16GB and 32GB versions which is now at A$329, A$419 and A$549 respectively.

New packaging

It seems that the 2nd generation iPod Touch has gone the way of the shuffle and nano by using a plastic case instead of the box the 1st version came in. That leaves only the Classic with the not-so-green packaging.

The Classic

Aside from a thinner enclosure and a storage bump to 120GB, nothing much has changed with the iPod Classic. But then again, if you’re just into music (and a huge collection at that), then this latest entry at A$339 would definitely fulfill your pack rat fantasies. I wonder though, whatever happened with the 160GB version?

Do the shuffle

Let’s not forget the iPod Shuffles. Although aside from the 4 new colors based on the new colors of the nano, absolutely nothing else is new. But still, sporting new colors is better than nothing.

iTunes 8

With new iPods comes a new version of iTunes. There is a lot of emphasis on the Genius Playlists which lets you rediscover the music you already have by creating a playlist of other songs from your library that “go great together”.

The new Grid View allows you to see your album collections ala iPhoto, by using cover art. You can create groups of albums and skimming through a group will allow you to see what albums are inside. Clicking on the cover art allows for single click playing of songs.

High definition television shows are also available for purchase in the iTunes store.

New in-ear headphones

Apple also introduced a new in-ear headphones that now showcases 2 separate high performance drivers, a woofer and tweeter. A carrying case for the extra ear tips and a new cable control case for the headphones are included wit the USD$79 package.

2.1 software update

Consisting mainly of bug fixes, the 2.1 software update handles issues regarding dropped calls on the iPhone, a more improved battery life, and faster backups. Only time can tell if the US$10 price tag (for iPod Touch owners upgrading from 1.x, free for those using 2.x) is well worth it.

Related posts:

1. Using the iPod Touch
2. iPod addiction
3. Anticipation
4. iPod Touch: January update
5. New iPods on my birthday!

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