Apple Launches New iPod Nano with FM Radio, Multi-Touch UI

Alongside the new iPod touch, Apple unveiled a completely redesigned iPod nano featuring a Multi-Touch interface, a combination of features typical to the existing shuffle and nano lines of Apple players, as well as built-in FM radio.

The new Multi-Touch nature of Apple’s 6G nano allows users to navigate their music collection by simply tapping or swiping a finger on the display, Apple explained during yesterday’s media event.

The device is nearly half the size and weight of the previous nano, but retains the polished aluminum and glass enclosure.

Borrowing some design from the iPod shuffle, Apple’s new nano boasts a built-in clip, “making it instantly wearable.”

It comes with the ability to create and edit playlists, a feature called Genius Mixes, as well as a built-in FM radio with live pause, Apple said.

The player is capable of some 24 hours of continuous music playback on a single battery charge.

“This is the biggest reinvention of the iPod nano since its debut in 2005, and we think users are going to love it,” said Steve Jobs, Apple’s CEO.

“Replacing the click wheel with our Multi-Touch interface has enabled us to shrink the iPod nano into an amazingly small design that is instantly wearable with its built-in clip", added Mr. Jobs.

Apple also markets the new nano as a great piece of workout gear, saying “With an amazing new design that is nearly half the size and weight of its predecessor, the new ultra-portable iPod nano is a natural workout companion.”

With the help of a built-in pedometer, Apple’s new iPod nano can track the user’s steps. Naturally, it also supports Nike + iPod.

Just like the new iPod touch, the sixth-generation iPod nano will be available next week.

It will retail for $149 (US) for the 8GB model, and $179 (US) for the 16GB model, and will shp in six different colors (silver, graphite, blue, green, orange and pink).

Pre-orders are already available at Apple’s online store, while customers can also opt for the (PRODUCT) RED version - a portion of each sale goes to fight HIV/AIDS in Africa.