The New iPod Family

Is it just a coincidence that new Apple merchandise starts dropping on store shelves each year just as real apples start dropping from the trees? Three updated versions of popular Apple products are part of the latest harvest available to consumers hungry for the tastiest new high-tech gadgets along with the new iPod touch, which is coming out in just a few days.

Which iPod is right for you? If you just like to have a few tunes to take along when you travel or work out, then the iPod shuffle might fit your needs—and it’s available in great new colors. If you’re looking to add some video to the mix, the iPod nano now features a 2-inch video display on a thinner body (6.5 mm). It also gives you an enhanced interface with Cover Flow, which lets you search through your music by album artwork. This is a great feature that’s sort of like flipping through a CD collection. All you have to do is click on the artwork and the music starts playing.

Are you the type who wants to take your entire music and video collection wherever you go? With the new iPod classic, you get a bigger hard drive (up to 160GB) for the same price as before, along with Cover Flow and a sleeker new design.

iPod touch

Some people I’ve talked to recently have said they really like the new iPhone’s features but don’t really want or need the phone part. Apple must have heard or anticipated the same reaction, because the iPod touch gives you just about everything the iPhone has, but of course without the phone. You get the multi-touch interface, 3.5-inch widescreen display with Cover Flow, and Wi-Fi web browsing. With all its great features, it’s going to be hard to put this touch down.                     —by Graham W.