Apple announced new iPods today and the biggest part of the announcement is the new iPod Touch. The Touch is essentially an iPhone minus the annoying shackles of AT&T phone service. It sports the same multi touch interface as the iPhone, Wi-Fi capability, access to the iTunes Wi-Fi music store and more. An 8GB model will sell for $249 and a 16GB model will put you back $349.
The Nano will now come in a stumpier form with a 2-inch screen and support video playback, the Shuffle is getting some new colors, and the original iPod (now known as 'iPod Classic') will be available in 80 or 160GB models.
In big non-iPod news, Apple slapped early iPhone purchasers across the cheek before backhanding them soundly to the floor. The 4GB has been retired and the 8GB model will now retail for $399 - that's a $200 price drop less than three months after release. I'm betting there are a lot of 8GB iPhone users fuming right about now.
I love the iPod I have now, but I think a Touch will be working it's way onto my wish lists for all future holidays - I've been a fan of the interface all along, but haven't been in a hurry to part with my Treo or my current service provider just for a gadget. Now I don't have to.
