As expected, Apple, the maker of the world’s most popular digital media players, on Wednesday unveiled its new lineup of iPod players that reinvent the whole family of devices by either adding a new type of interface, higher storage capacity, high-resolution screen that allows watching videos or all of the above.

Apple Releases Highly-Anticipated iPod Touch

“The iPod touch is a landmark iPod, ushering in a whole new generation of features based on its revolutionary multi-touch interface and built-in Wi-Fi wireless networking. People are going to be amazed at how thin it is and how much it does,” said Steve Jobs, Apple’s chief executive.

The new iPod touch – the device which introduction was anticipated for more than one year – features 3.5” touch-screen with 480x320 resolution, 8GB or 16GB of flash memory, 802.11b/g wireless network controller, Apple Safari web browser as well as YouTube application to access videos from the Internet. The new Apple iPod touch can playback music as well as videos in various formats.

Apple iPod touch has a built-in accelerometer that automatically senses when the device is rotated into its landscape position. When the player plays music, it automatically switches to Cover Flow so that users could browse their music collection by album cover artwork with just a flick of a finger. When it displays photos, it automatically displays the photo in its landscape aspect ratio; and when in Safari it displays the web page horizontally. iPod touch also has a built-in ambient light sensor that automatically adjusts the display’s brightness. iPod touch features up to 22 hours of audio playback and up to 5 hours of video playback.

The new Apple iPod touch is scheduled to be available later this month. The 8GB iPod touch model will cost $299 and the 16GB iPod model has suggested retail price of $399.

Apple’s iPod Nano, iPod Classic Get New Design, Features

In addition to the new iPod touch, Apple introduced new versions of iPod classic and iPod nano. From now on, the only difference between the classic and nano will be sizes and storage capacities. Both iPod classic and nano will feature 320x240 screens and will be capable of both music and video playback.

“We’ve taken the most popular music player in the world and added stunning video playback just in time for the holiday season. The iPod nano just keeps getting better and better with each new generation,” Mr. Jobs said.

Available today, the 4GB iPod nano comes in silver for $149 and the 8GB model is available in silver, black, blue, green and a red special edition for $199. Both iPod classic models are available immediately worldwide in silver and black. The 80GB iPod classic model has manufactured suggested retail price of $249, while the even more capacious 160GB iPod classic will cost $349.