Apple overhauls iPod Shuffle, Nano and Touch

The iPod Nano now has a touch-screen interface

Apple has unveiled the latest generation of its iPod Shuffle, Nano and Touch portable media players.

The iPod Shuffle update brings back the button controls and rectangle design which had been replaced in the previous model. The 2GB player will be available in several colours at a cost of £39.

The most dramatic of the updates is for the iPod Nano. The ultra-portable player has had its iconic click-wheel replaced by a touch-screen interface similar to the iPod Touch, and the case design has been turned into a square roughly the size of the screen with a clip on the back.

The new Nano range costs £129 for the 8GB model and £159 for the 16GB model.

Meanwhile, the iPod Touch now has Apple's Retina display screen and a forward-facing camera allowing the device to run Apple's FaceTime video chat service.

The Touch includes an updated version of Apple's iOS 4 mobile operating system. In addition to normal bug fixes, the update adds a new multi-player gaming service known as Game Center.

Apple has also released an iTunes 10 update which adds a social networking tool known as Ping. The service allows users to share information on recent music purchases and obtain concert details directly from performers.

Gartner analyst and research vice president Van Baker told V3.co.uk that Ping will allow Apple to introduce social networking in an area of strength, rather than attempt to take on a larger, established company such as Facebook or Twitter.

"This is a very safe choice because it focuses on adding social networking capabilities around music, where Apple is already popular," he said. "Being a music-specific offering and built into iTunes makes a whole lot of sense."