Apple Goes 'Wild' Over New iPods

Sept. 1, 2010— -- Calling it the biggest change to the iPod line ever, Apple CEO Steve Jobs today unveiled a whole new line of Apple's iPods.

"Every year, we try to improve iPods, to make them better than ever for our users. This year, we've gone wild," Jobs said at the company's fall event in San Francisco's Yerba Buena Center. "It's the biggest change in the iPod line ever."

Jobs kicked off the event with updates about new international retail stores, the latest operating system and a new gaming feature. But then he moved on to what he called the "entree."

He wowed the audience with an even tinier iPod shuffle, a smaller, multitouch iPod nano and an updated iPod touch that includes a front-facing camera that can be used for video chats.

Similar to previous nanos, the new version includes FM radio and a pedometer. But the updated version, which is 42 percent lighter and 46 percent smaller, no longer relies on a clickwheel for control.

Instead, the square-shaped device features multi-touch control that lets users tap buttons on the screen to choose songs, control volume, display pictures and more. The new device will cost $149 for the 8 gigabyte version and $179 for 16 gigabytes.

The revamped iPod Touch includes several features already on the iPhone 4, including a front-facing camera that lets users video chat with Apple's FaceTime. The video conferencing tool can only be used over Wi-Fi networks and with others who have the newest iPod Touch or the iPhone 4. Prices for the iPod Touch start at $229.

Jobs also announced that Apple updated the baby of the of iPod family -- the iPod shuffle. The new device still speaks names of songs and artists, but now is smaller and speaks names of playlists.

"It's really cute," he said, adding that the device will cost $49. All devices on the iPod line will be available next week.