Apple's latest update of its flagship product is more about what's inside than what's on the surface. The new iPod touch doesn't look much different from previous versions - although it is a tad thinner at a svelte 8.5mm.
It comes with all the features of previous versions, such as multi-touch and big 8.9cm display. But there's now a bigger focus on fun and games, especially with a new technology called 'Accelerometer', which senses how you are holding the iPod touch.
This feature allows you to control games by tilting the iPod touch - it's like balancing a round ball on the palm of your hand - and has resulted in a whole new genre of games. Examples on Apple's website show users guiding a ball along a maze to a goal, and racing games where you tilt the iPod to turn left or right.
For those of you who are more interested in more serious features, you can now buy a software upgrade for the iPod touch that will turn it into the latest iPhone - except it will have to rely on Wi-Fi networks instead of cellular coverage. This upgrade, (US$9.95) will give you lots of productivity software, including Microsoft push e-mail, calendar, keypad and support for services such as maps, news, weather and MobileMe.
Other impressive new features include a battery life of 36 hours for audio and six hours for video, meaning the iPod touch is more powerful than even the iPod nano. The iPod touch is priced at: HK$1,850 (8GB), HK$2,400 (16GB) and HK$3,100 (32GB).
Pros: large screen, tactile games, Accelerometer, multi-touch interface, upgradable to iPhone ,long battery life