Apple launches new iPods

Apple boss Steve Jobs took centre stage yesterday for the launch of a new version of iTunes, a new iPod Nano and a new iPod Touch.

Before getting down to business he first announced that reports of his death were greatly exaggerated.

The new iPod Nano is a return to the original slender version, launched three years ago.

The oval-shaped model is the thinnest iPod Apple has ever made. New features include the Genius playlist creator which intelligently makes a playlist with the click of a button.

An accelerometer, which flips the display from portrait to landscape mode depending on the way it is being held, is another new feature.

The new model will automatically 'shuffle' with a light shake. The 8GB model retails at £109 and can store about 2,000 songs.

Since its introduction in 2001 Apple has sold more than 160 million iPods.

Jobs also showed off three new versions of the iPod Touch, which is slightly thinner than its predecessor. The 8GB model will sell for £169; the 16GB costs £249 and it's £289 for the 32GB model.

Apple also announced the launch of a new version of iTunes.

www.apple.com/uk