Apple New iPod nano, touch, iTunes 8 and MORE

New design for the nano, iPod touch gets thinner, "gem" called Genius playlist and then some. Apple has just announced updates to their iPod lineup and other important stuff surrounding the iTunes, App Store, etc. Plus, we've a brand new version of iTunes to download giving access to a new feature called "Genius" - which helps you create a playlist of related songs instantly from your own library. iPod nano:
Also announced were the fourth generation iPod nano - the thinnest iPod ever till date with a sleek new design, curved aluminum and glass enclosure. Available in 8GB and 16GB version, there are nine vibrant colors to choose from ...including a (PRODUCT RED). 4G iPod nanos will incoporate Genius playlist feature and Cover Flow while still offering 24 hours of audio, 4 hours of video battery life. It also includes a built-in accelerometer, eco-friendly components, voice recording capability and 'shake to shuffle' awesomeness. Shipping as you read, the 8GB and 16GB 4G nano will retail for $149 and $199 respectively. But video to iPod nano is H.264 video, up to 2.5 Mbps, 640 by 480 pixels, 30 frames per second, Baseline Profile up to Level 3.0 with AAC-LC audio up to 160 Kbps, 48kHz, stereo audio in .m4v, .mp4, and .mov file formats.

iTunes 8:


Available for both Mac & PC immediately, iTunes 8 includes the new breakthrough Genius feature, allowing you to automatically create playlists from songs in your music library that go great together with just one click. You can even create Genius Playlists on-the-go with the new iPod classic, iPod touch, iPod nano and iPhone. The Genius sidebar appears right in iTunes and recommends music from the iTunes Store that you don’t already have, based on the songs you select. iTunes 8 also offers a new visual browsing interface which displays your music and video libraries using your album and video covers, and also provides a great way to navigate your movies, TV shows, iPhone apps, podcasts and audiobooks.

iPod classic:


Apple has discontinued the thicker 160GB iPod classic and even the older 80GB model. Now there will be only a single 120GB iPod classic available in either black or white. Design is more or less similar to the older 80GB model but the new 120GB unit will support the Genius playlist feature and Cover Flow. Pricing is firm at $249 a pop for both the 120GB black and 120GB white models. Still cool to convert DVD to ipod classic.

iPod touch:


Second-gen iPod touch also went official featuring a thin contoured metal design compared to the predecessors. The screen, WiFi, Multi-touch, accelerometer, etc. are still intact but Apple has thrown in the much needed volume control buttons and built-in speakers (already found on iPhone). More interesting and graphic intensive games should be hitting this new "console". And so as DVD video to iPod touch, it supports for 480p and 576p component TV out, H.264 video with 640 by 480 pixels and AAC-LC audio.

The new iPod touch also features built-in Nike + iPod support making it an incredible workout companion. Users simply place the optional Nike + iPod sensor ($19 US) in their Nike + shoe to seamlessly connect with the new iPod touch to track miles run or sync with the latest generation gym equipment. As you'd except, the iPod touch also works with the new iTunes 8 Genius feature. 2G iPod touch will also come in 8GB, 16GB and 32GB models for $229, $299 and $399 respectively.

Other minor tit bits:
NBC Universal returns to the iTunes store. So you can now enjoy Heroes, The Office, Battlestar Gallactica and other great shows through iTunes. Pricing - $1.99 per episode for SD and $2.99 per episode for HD.
Also revealed that App Store has gone through the abuse of 100 million app downloads from iPod touch and iPhone users.