'Best' Apple iPod touch now on sale

This composite product image provided by Apple shows varieties of the new iPod Touch, available for sale on Wednesday, July 15, 2015. Apple is refreshing its iPod Touch music player for the first time in nearly three years, as the company seeks to make music a central part of its devices once again.

In a statement late on Wednesday, the Cupertino, California-headquartered company worth over $700 billion said that among the key features of the new and 'best' version media player cum pocket computer are the Apple-designed A8 chip with 10 times faster graphics performance, a new eight-megapixel iSight camera, an improved FaceTime HD front camera and better fitness tracking with the M8 motion coprocessor.
Also, with the newly-launched Apple Music service, members can enjoy playlists from the most talented music experts globally, stay up-to-date on music culture with a global 24/7 broadcast on Beats 1 radio - Apple's first-ever live radio station - and comment on or like backstage photos and videos shared directly by artists on Connect, where artists can directly communicate with fans. Apple's iTunes boasts the world's largest music catalogue.
The A8 chip - which is also used in the iPhone 6 devices - allows users to enjoy more immersive games - from a wide collection of titles - with longer battery life, complemented by its four-inch Retina display.
The iSight and FaceTime improvements on the new iPod touch's cameras allow users, for the first time, to utilise popular features such as slow-mo and burst mode. Furthermore, three times faster Wi-Fi lets customers stay in touch with friends and family through FaceTime calls, and easily download movies and TV shows.
"iPod touch gives customers around the world access to Apple Music, the App Store and iOS, the world's most advanced mobile operating system," Greg Joswiak, Apple's vice-president of iPhone, iPod and iOS product marketing, said in the statement.
"With big advancements like the A8 chip and the eight-megapixel iSight camera, customers can experience next-level gameplay, take even more beautiful photos and enjoy their favourite music, TV shows and movies."
Apple Music is available on the iPod touch through the Music app; a three-month trial is being offered to users, after which a membership fee of Dh19.99 a month will apply. A family plan is also available for up to six members for Dh29.99 monthly.
The new iPod touch starts at Dh799 for the 16GB model, Dh999 for 32GB and Dh1,199 for 64GB. It is now available on through the Apple Online Store, Apple retail stores and select Apple Authorised Resellers. For the first time as well, the iPod touch is available in a 128GB model for Dh1,599 through Apple retail stores and the Apple Online Store.
- alvin@khaleejtime.com