Prior to today's event, most of Apple's events and product announcements this year were focused on the Mac as the company worked to transition it's Macintosh computers to Intel processors.  It should be noted that the iPod is a significant contributer to Apple's overall revenue.  Hence, today's iPod announcements are a welcome development as they will allow Apple to continue to capitalize on the portable music player market.  Not only because the iPod is the leader in the sector but also to take on Microsoft's upcoming Zune music player that is anticpated to hit shelves in advance of this year's holiday shopping season.

Apple continues to have three iPod models the iPod, iPod Nano, and iPod Shuffle.  The revisions however provide users with enhanced specifications and software functionality.

iPod (5.5G)

The new iPods, which come in black or white with a 2.5-inch screen, are available in a 60GB model for $249 and a 80GB version for $349. The new iPod can hold up to 20,000 songs, 25,000 photos, and up to 100 hours of video.

30 GB

• 14 hrs music playback
• 4 hr slideshow
• 3.5 hrs video playback

80 GB

• 20 hrs music playback
• 6 hr slideshow
• 6.5 hrs video playback

Enhanced Specifications:

Also added is the following software functionality:

iPod Nano

iPod Shuffle

At nearly half the size of the original, the new 1GB iPod shuffle comes in a aluminum design with a built-in clip.  At only $79, and weighing just half an ounce, the new model holds up to 240 songs.   It will ship in October.
 

Apple also announced the next version of iTunes, version 7.  The following new features were added:

Apple has also added movies to iTunes with films from Disney (Walt Disney, Pixar, Touchstone, Miramax) owned studios now available.  New releases cost $12.99 as a preorder and during the first week, $14.99 thereafter.  Existing movies cost $9.99.  Other specifications of the movies are: