Apple announces new 3rd gen iPod nano

Filed under: Portable Audio, Portable Video

El-Jobso just dropped news that the whole iPod lineup is getting a refresh or replace — including the nano. Apparently those “spy photos” weren’t too far off, as the new nanos look almost identical to the stout, squat player we’ve come to know and love. The new units will include 2-inch, QVGA, 320 x 240 screens that are 65-percent brighter than previous models and have the highest pixel density the company has ever shipped (204 pixels per inch). In addition to the new screens, the extra-wide player will sport an “enhanced” UI (which looks a lot like the video we saw recently) and its own version of Cover Flow. The nano will come bundled with three games, including a circular-Arkanoid rip-off called Vortex, and apparently you’ll be able to purchase more from the iTunes store. The player’s battery life has also been extended, with Apple touting 24 hours of playback for audio, and 5 hours for video. The 4GB model will be selling for $149, though it’s only available in silver, while the rainbow-colored 8GB will leave you $199 lighter in the wallet. Both models will be in stores “by this weekend.”

Gallery: new iPod Nano