Apple Announces Touchscreen iPod, and A Little Video for Everyone

Apple made a number of product announcements today. Among those announcements are huge changes to the iPod line. Here’s the run-down:

• A new version of iTunes is available tonight with custom ringtone capabilities.
• The iPod Shuffle gets some new colors.
• The 4GB iPhone is history, and the price of the 8GB iPhone has been dropped to $399.
• The iPod classic gets it’s storage pumped up to 80GB for $249, and 160GB for $360.
• iPod Nano Updated
• Video capabilities on a larger, brighter display.
• Bundled games include Sudoku and Vortex.
• Available in a silver 4GB model for $149, or an 8GB version in all colors for $199.
• New iPod Touch
• Features an intuitive touchscreen interface, just like the iPhone.
• Available in an 8GB version for $299, or a 16GB version for $399.
• 5 hours of video playback, 22 hours of music playback.
• WiFi enabled.
• Featured applications include iCal, Clock, Calculator, Contacts, Music, Movies, YouTube, Safari.
• Ability to make iTunes purchases directly from your iPod and sync them back to your computer.

Apple has also struck up a deal with Starbucks to introduce a different way of purchasing music. Whenever you are in the vicinity of a Starbucks, your iPod Touch will automatically discover their currently playing song and offer you the option to purchase it on the spot.

From the looks of it, Apple is trying to reel in the people who have been wishing for an iPhone but remain unwilling to switch their mobile carrier. Basically, the new iPod Touch is an iPhone minus the phone. It’s capabilities seem pretty impressive, but maxing out at 16 gigs of storage seems pretty weak to me. I suppose Apple feels the need to keep the iPod Touch relatively affordable, and decided to make up for the cost of the new hardware and software by reducing storage capacity.