So it’s finally, officially official: Steve Jobs just introduced Apple’s new iPod lineup for 2010, including a completely redesigned iPod shuffle, iPod nano, and iPod touch. No updates for the iPod classic, but since it’s still up on the store page, it’s safe to assume that our hard drive-based music player of choice hasn’t gone extinct yet.
Nothing much by way of big surprises (thanks to a load of early photo and info leaks), but a lot of stuff—stuff that we all just naturally assumed—was definitely confirmed. In fact, we’ll just go go ahead and say that all the iPod touch leaks totally ruined the surprise, because apparently, all the rumors were true: it’s kind of like the iPhone 4, but with less bulk (it’s around 2mms slimmer), no phone (of course), and since it doesn’t come with a wrap-around antenna, no antennagate issues (we’re almost certain of it. Kind of).
After rolling out the cam-toting 5th-gen iPod nano, Apple also updated the iPod shuffle with new colors and the iPod classic with a larger capacity.
The new iPod shuffle is certainly a wonder of design, as well as a nice demonstration of just how much simplified tech you can pack into a sliver of space. It did away with everything, including all the buttons and controls, to leave us with what looks like a silver bubble gum packet with a switch and a 3.5mm hole on top. Problem is, when Apple placed the controls along the earphone’s cable, people have been complaining about being stuck with the proprietary earbuds that were packed with the shuffle. Accessory makers Belkin and iLuv have both come out with a simple workaround by coming out with shuffle adapters.
