Apple release an iPhone; without the Phone…

September 6, 2007 by mike · 2 Comments

Apple have announced today the first major redesign of the iPod. Introducing, the iPhone-without-the-phone-pod:

The new iPhod Touch

This device, in an iPhone-style form factor, will replace the outgoing jog-wheel iPod models. In fact, it makes the current iPods look 30 years old - the new one is stunningly beautiful.

If you want one of these, you’ll need to start saving now. They are due for retail at $299 and $399 for the 8GB and for the 16GB version respectively. The new iPod also sports some of the features from it’s bigger brother, the iPhone: Multi-touch (use more than one finger on the display at a time) and Wi-Fi, as well as support for YouTube videos.

However, you can’t make or receive phone calls, or watch live internet-enabled content (WebTV, YouTube, etc), you’ll need an iPhone for that. But more great news - Apple have slashed the prices for the iPhone models too!

Just hours before the Apple announcement, in an attempt to maintain competitiveness, Microsoft slashed the recommended retail price of it’s latest Zune by $50.00.

There is no official word yet on an SDK (tools to create third party software) for either the iPhone or the iPod. Microsoft have historically held the lead in providing developer tools and basic hardware for the community to create the innovation. I’m keeping my eyes open for this one, and hoping to persuade my better half that a new not-quite-an-iPhone would be a good present for not-quite-Christmas