4th-Gen iPod touch Launches with Retina Display, FaceTime, HD Video, iOS 4.1

Apple has announced the fourth version of its popular iPod touch, which comes packed with the company’s new Retina Display, FaceTime video calling, HD video recording, Apple’s A4 chip, 3-axis gyro, iOS 4.1 and Game Center.

Apple crammed all this in an event thinner and lighter enclosure, with an all new design, as showcased by Apple CEO, Steve Jobs, during yesterday’s event in San Francisco.

“We’ve put our most advanced technology inside the new iPod touch,” said Steve Jobs, Apple’s CEO.

“Whether you’re listening to music, playing games, making FaceTime video calls, browsing the web, capturing HD video or watching TV shows and movies, the new iPod touch with its Retina display, A4 chip and 3-axis gyro is more fun than ever,” Jobs added.

Leaving the Retina Display aside (which Apple fans are well acquainted with), a notable addition is the video-calling function to the iPod touch.

Known as FaceTime, it is an Apple-developed standard for video chatting and was introduced with the company’s iPhone 4 this summer.

With a new front-facing camera and mic, the iPod touch can now make FaceTime video calls over Wi-Fi just as well. The feature works between iPod touches, as well as between an iPod touch and an iPhone 4.

The device also boasts a rear-facing camera, which allows users to shoot HD video. The $5 iMovie app from Apple will make a great companion, the company claims.

Thanks to the new A4 chip, iPod touch now boasts exceptional processor and graphics performance, as well as longer battery life, Apple said.

Finally, Game Center is now enabled in iOS 4.1, which comes pre-loaded on the new iTouch.

The fourth-gen iPod touch will be available next week for $229 (US) for the 8GB model, $299 (US) for the 32GB model, and $399 (US) for the 64GB model, Apple confirmed.