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Apple has unleashed two very different new iPod models. Just a few short months after the last update, which improved the battery life and click wheel, the iPod Photo and iPod U2 Special Edition have arrived.
The iPod Photo comes in 40GB and 60GB varieties, and includes a 65,000-colour screen (similar to many of the sharper mobile phone screens) which allows it to display, as well as carry, pictures. As well as photos downloaded from your PC or Mac (made easy by the new 4.7 version of iTunes, which can view pics in JPEG, BMP, GIF, TIFF and PNG formats), it can also display cover art from records purchased from the iTunes Music Store.
It can display up to 25 thumbnail pics on the screen at a time, which should make finding the one you want easier, although it can hold up to a total of 25,000 - enough, it comes with an AV cable which allows you to connect it to a TV or projector, as well as your computer, so you can show off your pics, as well as your sounds.
Plus, the iPod's oft-criticised battery has had another update, and now claims up to 15hrs of continuous music play, with up to five hours of continuous slideshows with music.
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The iPod U2 cuts a dash with its jet black livery and crimson click wheel and is enhanced (or devalued, depending on your point of view) by the signatures of the band's four members on the back, and comes with a U2 poster as well as a voucher for a U2 box set of music, coming soon from iTunes. Strangely, the 20GB device also comes with the iPod's signature white headphones, which don't particularly match the rest of the look.
In partnership with Universal Music Group, the iPod U2 is the first of Apple's 'Special Editions' of what has become its most recognisable product. If it takes off, we could well be in for a lot more dedicated to particular groups and stars, and perhaps even customisable versions - myPod, anyone?
Prices: iPod Photo 40GB £359, 60GB £429, U2 20GB £249
For more info on the Apple iPod, go to www.apple.com/uk.
What do you think of the new iPods? Start a discussion by clicking the button below, or tell us about your own iPod or other MP3 player in our reviews section.
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