It's been 10 years since the Apple iPod changed the face of musical and chart history - bringing digital songs in an instant to millions of people around the world.
Of course, some MP3 players existed back then but the ease over the last decade with which the gadget has opened up the music industry saw it become a cultural icon like no other, selling more than 320 million globally.
Usually every September Apple refines its iPod line and re-launches new models in time for the Christmas rush. This didn’t happen this year and instead Apple offered a few tweaks and a price drop during its iPhone 4S launch, hosted by new chief Tim Cook.
The latest models see the iPod touch offered in white and black with a starting price of £169 for the 16GB version.
The iPod nano will now cost £115 for the basic 8GB version but it comes with a redesigned touch scrolling menu system and a series of interesting new clock faces to take advantage of the craze for using a strap accessory to wear it on the wrist.
But while the headlines will be stolen with this Friday’s launch of the iPhone 4S going on sale on October 14, the iPod touch should not be underestimated.
It will benefit from the same iOS 5 upgrade as the iPhone 4S and the iPhone 4 and if you don’t want to make calls on it, then you won’t see much difference. Well, apart from the Siri voice control exclusive to the iPhone 4S.
If you’re still undecided, then here’s 10 reasons to take a look and consider having a touch within arm’s reach.
With the 8GB version of the iPod touch now costing just £169, you'll save hundreds to get the same experience as an iPhone 4S or iPhone 4 without obviously phonecalls. The 32GB is very good value at £249 while the 64GB one costs £329.
You no longer need a computer to own an iPod touch. This major new innovation called PC Free allows over-the-air updates through Wi-Fi and set-up as soon as you buy it. You then simply download music through the iTunes app and it all gets backed up to your new iCloud.
Talking of which, iCloud is a web-based storage system to do away with a physical hard drive. It’ll hold music, documents, videos, your calendar details, and much more. Even better it will sync it to any other iOS 5 device you own to ensure they’re all as up-to-date as each other.
iOS 5 brings 200 new features to the device. Some of them you won’t see, they’re under the hood to improve basic functions, which is good enough in itself, but there are plenty of key additions. They include...
For those who love BlackBerry Messenger and always wondered why the iPhone or iPad or iPod touch didn’t have their own system, wonder no more. You can now send texts, pictures, videos and all your thoughts to friends between iOS 5 devices using iMessage.
The current iPod touch sports two cameras, one on the front and one on the rear for making video calls and recording HD video. It’s not got the same quality as the iPhone 4S version but tweaks through iOS 5 make it easier to use.
The Safari internet browser on the iPod touch will be exactly the same as on the iPhone 4S. That includes a new Reader function to banish the ads on a page and simply concentrate on the words and pictures. Using it through Wi-Fi is a better full browsing experience than on most mobile phones.
Who needs a pricy handheld games console when you’ve thousands at your fingertips from the App Store. You can instantly download everything from Angry Birds to FIFA football and with many costing less than a Pound, you can treat yourself far more often than you could when buying a single cartridge. Apple’s Game Center has also been improved with the addition of overall achievement scores among other things.
Whether it’s a train, plane or automobile, the iPod touch offers the chance to download and watch the latest hit movies and TV shows whenever you’re on Wi-Fi and wherever you are. Thanks to iCloud, you’ll also only have to buy it once too if to own it on other iOS 5 devices. If you have the download on an iPad or iPhone, it’ll be automatically matched up and sync'd.
Finally there’s one more note on the music. After all, that’s what it’s made for. Thanks to apps you can have millions of tunes and hours of radio chat available whether you’re using apps like Last.fm, Spotify or those streaming internet radio.
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