iPod Touch with Retina Display and FaceTime - our first review

What is it?
The iPod Touch with added features

What's new?
The new iPod Touch is thinner and lighter than its predecessors, despite the addition of a front-facing camera and mic. This camera makes FaceTime - video calling that was first introduced with the iPhone 4 in July - possible between other iPod Touch devices but also between iPod Touch and iPhone 4 handsets over Wi-Fi.

Apple has also bought over Retina Display from the iPhone 4 to the iPod Touch, making images clearer and crisper. Apple claims these are "so dense that the human eye is unable to distinguish individual pixels".

The rear-facing camera can record in HD and videos can be shared via YouTube or MobileMe.

Apple has also added an A4 chip to improve graphics and help with battery life - which now claims to give 40 hours of music playback or seven hours of video. Online-gaming service Game Center also comes as standard.

The new iPod Touch operates on the new operating system iOS 4.1. 

What colours does it come in?
Black

What sizes does it come in?
8GB, 32GB and 64GB

How much is it?
8GB model is £189
32GB model is £249
64GB model is £329

When is it available?
Pre-orders are available from Wednesday 1 September, with the release coming next week.

Web User's first impressions:

The way that Apple can add features such as a camera while making the overall design more compact is baffling sometimes.

The new iPod Touch is noticeably lighter than its predecessor but, like all Apple products, doesn't feel fragile as a result. The Retina Display - as seen on the iPhone 4 - is still as striking as when we first saw it and FaceTime is still as embarrassing.

Calls are made over Wi-Fi, so a weak signal could possibly cause interference. Moreover, voice calls are already battery-heavy so video calls will be even more so - despite the boost in battery life on this model. Game graphics do look better on the display and A4 chip but not dramatically so.

All these additions have become more crucial than ever, now that the iPod Touch has ostensibly become an iPhone without the calls – and without the lengthy contract.