14 DAY TRIAL // Ever since the iPhone was announced an iPod version has been awaited and despite protests that such a device would cannibalize iPhone sales, Apple has actually unveiled it. The iPod Touch is essentially an iPhone without the phone part, offering not only music and movies but also internet access on the go via WiFi.
The device looks identical to the iPhone with its large screen and a customary 'home' button at the bottom. Apple is offering two versions, one at 8GB and another at 16GB, both being identical in other aspects. The iPod Touch's 3.5-inch widescreen display displays photos just like the iPhone and supports Apple's "pinch-to-zoom" technique as well as the customary slide for unlocking the device. "It features our revolutionary multi-touch interface that you've come to know and love on the iPhone," said Jobs. "If you've used an iPhone you'll feel at home, it's exactly the same."
Featuring CoverFlow technology and including a WiFi meter in the top-left corner of the screen to monitor signal strength, the new iPod's wireless capability includes 802.11 b/g support and utilizes the company's Safari Web browser to login to public wireless networks as well as surf the Web. Much like with the iPhone, the iPod Touch supports YouTube and boasts a battery life of 22 hours for audio playback or five hours of video playback. The company also unveiled a new application specific to iPod touch and the iPhone, the iTunes WiFi music store. The new store allows users to preview and download songs via WiFi in the same fashion as the original iTunes software.
Apple will offer the iPod touch in two configurations for $300 and $400m and both models are slated for shipment "in just a few weeks" but before the end of the month. The iPod was already considered far ahead of competitors, but with this latest device, the Cupertino company has left everyone else far behind.