Apple updates and lowers the price for iPods

Apple announced a few improvements to the iPod nano and iPod touch today. The improvements are software and price related, they will retain the same hardware as last years models.

The nano is getting a new user interface with larger icons that users can swipe through (instead of a grid), and sixteen new digital clock faces for all the people that’s been turning the nano into a watch. They are also adding a new built-in run tracking capabilities to the nano that does not require Nike+.

The iPod touch software updates will be coming with iOS 5, which is also compatible with the 3rd and 4th generation iPod touch.

The best update is the price drop. The 8GB nano is $129 (was $149) and the 16GB version is $149 (was $179). The iPod touch now starts at $199 (was $229) for the 8GB, $299 for the 32GB and $399 for the 64GB. The iPod nano ships starting today and the iPod touch ships starting October 12th.

The iPod shuffle and iPod classic were rumored to get axed today but they both remain available for order, however, they did not receive any updates.

Update: Sixth generation iPod nano users can download the same software updates that were unveiled today. Just plug the device into your computer and update the software to version 1.2 in iTunes.

Originally posted 2011-10-04 21:10:15.