Apple’s annual unveiling of its new iPods always creates some excitement, even when the changes were minimal.

Last year’s announcement saw the arrival of the iPod touch, however this year there are no new models - only updates to the existing iPods.

The new fourth generation nano is the most dramatically different of the bunch. First and foremost it has undergone a total redesign from the current generation model. Apple has abandoned the short, squat form factor and returned to the long, slim design of the second generation models. In fact, the fourth generation nano iPod is the slimmest iPod ever. Then there are the colours - nine of them in fact (silver, purple, blue, green, orange, yellow, pink, red and black).

The new nano now includes Cover Flow as well as Shuffle modes - you can switch between the two by lightly shaking the player. It also works with the brand new iTunes 8 Genius feature, allowing you to automatically create playlists on-the-go.

The iPod nano comes in either 8GB (RRP $199) or 16GB (RRP $279).

Also announced today was the second generation iPod touch. The new model comes with all the old functions plus built-in volume controls. The new version is slightly thicker than the old touch and will retail for $329 for the 8GB version.

Other updates to the iPod range were minimal: the shuffle comes in four new colours and retails for $65 and the classic is now available in one version only (120GB), which will retail for $339.

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By Caroline Warnes