Apple unveils new products – your comprehensive guide to the new iPod, iTunes and Ping social networking feature

Tech giant Apple has unveiled a suite of updates to its iPod and iTunes line-up, including the introduction of a touchscreen iPod Nano and a new music-based social networking service integrated into a new version of iTunes.

But while some pundits were hoping for the company to announce a long-awaited cloud-based iTunes service, no such announcement was to be found.

Instead, the confirmation of an entirely new Apple TV set-top box priced at $US99 has put the tech industry into a spin.

Leading the conference, and without his trademark turtleneck sweater, chief executive Steve Jobs released updates including a thinner, higher-resolution iPod Touch with two cameras, a new iPod Shuffle with voice-over support and a brand new music-based social network.

He also took the time to brag about some of Apple’s achievements, saying the company is activating 230,000 new iOS-based devices per day, and has recorded 6.5 billion downloads on the App Store.

However, they weren’t the only major announcements made. With so many new products and features to cover, here is your comprehensive guide to Apple’s new product line-up.

iPod Touch

The new iPod Touch comes with a thinner design, the same Retina-screen technology used in the iPhone 4 and is powered by Apple’s own A4 chip.

But the biggest updates are found in the software. Apple claims each iPod Touch now has up to 40 hours of music playback and seven hours of video playback on a single charge.

The new iPod Touch also has two cameras – including a front facing camera and microphone, meaning users can now take advantage of the FaceTime video conferencing feature. This is the same feature available on the iPhone 4. The rear-facing video camera can be used for HD video recording.

However, some of the biggest features on the iPod Touch will be included on…

iOS 4.1

The stepping-stone update to the iOS will be available next week, (free), for iPod Touch and iPhone users. It features a number of updates and fixes including:

• Fixes for problems including the iPhone proximity sensor, Bluetooth connectivity, iPhone 3G performance issues and 3G data reception.
• HD video uploading over Wi-Fi.
• The new Game Centre social network will now be available, although this was introduced earlier this year. You can follow friends and start games through the network, with Melbourne-based games developer Firemint already confirming its involvement on the service.
• HDR photos.

Jobs also confirmed the iPad will receive an iOS update later this year that will bring features including multitasking and wireless printing.

iPod Nano

The new iPod Nano has been given a complete redesign. The gadget is now a mini-touchscreen with no buttons at all, except for two volume switches and a sleep/wake button.

Although the gadget mimics the iOS platform, it actually uses a separate system, meaning users won’t be able to use new versions of apps. Instead, they will be able to access all the normal iPad Nano features like playlists, Genius mixes, etc. Apple also claims the battery will last for 24 hours.

The new iPod Nano also comes with an FM tuner, but has lost the camera available in the previous version. It’s about the size of the previous square-shaped iPod Shuffle, and will come in 8GB and 16GB versions with a starting price of $199.

iPod Shuffle

The iPod Shuffle has gone back in time. The new version will mimic the design of previous generations, using the square shape and four-buttons-in-a-wheel configuration. However, the new device features Voice Over technology meaning users can switch tracks and playlists without actually touching it at all.

The new version contains Genius compatibility, will come with 2GB of storage and cost $69.