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Apple refreshes iPod lineup with new colors and major upgrades to iPod touch

Apple refreshes iPod lineup with new colors and major upgrades to iPod touch

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Apple hasn't given up on the iPod yet, announcing substantial upgrades to the iPod touch today alongside new color options for the iPod nano and iPod shuffle. The devices are being made available in dark blue, hot pink, and gold, in addition to the existing silver, black, and red options. Apart from these cosmetic options, nothing else has changed for the nano and shuffle, but the iPod touch is getting some new innards: a 64-bit chip for faster performance and gaming (Apple's A8); a motion co-processor to track physical activity (the M8); and an 8-megapixel camera on the rear — all updates that bring the touch more in line with the iPhone 6. The touch starts at $199 for a 16GB model and now goes all the way up to $399 for 128GB model.

Updates to the iPod touch line have certainly been due. Though the iPod is by no means a priority any more for Apple, the touch hasn't been touched in nearly three years. With today's changes, it's once again a capable counterpart to the iPhone, which is good news for consumers who still want an iPod and for developers who'd like their apps and games to work on it. With no changes to the iPod nano and shuffle, it seems like those lines could be on a slow path out. New colors could bring Apple a sales bump in the short term, but there's little chance of these products once again becoming best sellers.

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