Everything You Should Know about Apple's New iPod Touch

Just as we predicted, Apple's newly revamped iPod Touch is now official, and we won't blame you if your credit card is at the ready. iOS 4, FaceTime, Retina display and the all-familiar A4 chip are set to reinvigorate the aging Touch lineup, bringing it up to par with the iPhone 4.

When it was first released, the Touch became what many users had been waiting for — an iPhone without the phone. Since then, the iPhone has changed drastically, both in terms of power and design, while the Touch has largely been left behind. Apple must have noticed too. 

So what does today's update mean for consumers? The Touch is back, and it's shaping up to be a damn good device, if first impressions are to be believed.

A camera-capable iPod touch has long been rumored, but a FaceTime-capable model is another thing entirely. That means two cameras, on both the front and back of the device, just as you'd expect. After all, limiting FaceTime to the iPhone would have never made sense. Apple knows they still have a large user base invested in their entry-level iOS devices, and the iPod Touch is natural fit. FaceTime only works over Wifi anyways, at least for now, so there's little difference between the two models. 
 
The inclusion of a camera means we also have access to the 5MP sensor first introduced with the iPhone 4. You should know by now that the improved backlit-illuminated sensor is leaps and bounds better than previous iPhones, and now that same capability is making its way into the lower-priced Touch. That means impressive photos, and HD video recording.

Thankfully, bump to iOS4.1, giving the Touch access to all of the impressive apps and features of the new OS. That means you'll be streaming Netflix right alongside your iPhone and iPad counterparts, but without spending nearly as much cash. It also means that we now have three very different, and yet scalable devices — all powered by the same hardware, more or less, but functionally different. That's an impressive feat, and means that the iOS experience stays consistent across devices — something that Apple's competitors may need to reevaluate.  
 
But perhaps most interesting is how Jobs positioned the Touch on-stage. This isn't just another portable media player — it's the best portable gaming device money can buy. Hardcore gamers may take issue with this claim, but it's clear the company is making a serious push here. Game Center, which was first unveiled back in April, is included, and all of the hardware-intensive titles available for the iPhone 4 are playable here too.
 
3G was rumored by some sources, however, though we can't say we're surprised to see its exclusion. The Touch is a capable enough media device over Wi-Fi, and adding 3G capabilities into the mix would simply make the device too much like the iPhone 4 — both in functionality and cost. 3G works on the iPad because the device has been positioned for consuming content on the go, such as websites, news feeds and articles. The Touch, however, is intended for consuming media, something for which a persistent, 3G connection is far less important. 
  
Three models — $229 for 8GB, $299 for 32GB, and $399 for 64GB — are available to order in the Apple Store now.