iTunes gets social networking service

APPLE HAS unveiled a new line of iPods, including an iPod Touch with a video camera that can be used for video calling and a new social networking service for iTunes.

A new version of its mobile operating system will bring multitasking to the iPad, while the company also showed off an improved Apple TV device.

At an event in California, Apple’s chief executive Steve Jobs showed off what he said was its “strongest” line-up yet for the media players. The tech giant has sold more than 275 million iPod devices to date.

The new slimmed-down iPod Touch will include a high-definition video camera, similar to that found in the iPhone, and the iPhone 4’s Retina display.

“We’ve put our most advanced technology inside the new iPod touch,” Mr Jobs said.

The Apple boss also showed off a touchscreen iPod nano, a redesigned shuffle and new features for the iPad that include wireless printing, the long-awaited game centre and access to the new AirPlay service, which replaces the Airtunes service on Mac systems.

The new iTunes social networking feature, dubbed Ping, will be rolled out to 160 million iTunes users immediately.

“It’s a social network for music – sort of like Facebook and Twitter meet iTunes,” Mr Jobs said. “It’s a social network all about music and it’s built into iTunes.”

Ping will allow users to follow friends and favourite artists, and gain access to a customised chart of what people they follow are downloading from iTunes. “With Ping you can follow your favourite artists and friends and join a worldwide conversation with musics most passionate fans.”

Mr Jobs also stressed the privacy aspects of the service, with users able to restrict who can see their updates.

Mr Jobs said Apple TV had not been as successful as he had hoped, but the company is hoping that a price cut to €119 will help stimulate demand. The Apple TV device has also been reduced in size, has a high-definition port and built-in wireless access to allow users to stream content directly to the device.