Apple unveils the new iPod Nano 4G - the 'thinnest iPod ever'

Apple has unveiled its thinnest ever iPod nearly seven years after they first introduced the revolutionary MP3 player.

The fourth generation Nano features a new Genius function which allows you to create automatic play lists from the iPod’s library with the click of a button as well as a ‘shake to shuffle’ mode sending the gadget to shuffle mode with the flick of a wrist.

Steve Jobs, CEO of Apple Inc, introduced the gadget yesterday via a live press conference from California, describing it as the ‘thinnest iPod ever made’.

Mr Jobs spelt out the device’s environmental credentials, including arsenic-free glass and a mercury and PVC-free body that is ‘highly recyclable’.

He said: ‘We think these new Nanos are the cleanest toxic-free iPods we've ever built.’ They come in aluminium and a range of colours from purple to lime green.

The new Nanos are expected to sell in the UK for £109 for the 8GB version and £149 for the 16GB version.

The Nano was one of a number of announcements and updated models revealed by Apple.

An updated iPod Touch is thinner than previous models and has integrated volume controls and a built-in speaker for ‘casual listening’ and will also include the Genius function.

Range of colours: It will cost £169 for the 8GB version and £289 for a 32GB model

It will sell in the UK for £169 for the 8GB version through to £289 for a 32GB model.

iTunes, which now boasts 65million accounts, will feature High Definition television shows and an updated browser allowing users to skim through album covers.

Mr Jobs said the new Genius function worked by taking one song and creating a play list based on the user’s play list library and could also give suggestions of other songs the user might want to buy.

He said Apple had sold more than 160 million iPods since the MP3 player was introduced seven years ago.

Finally, he announced new software for the iPhone that would be free to all users and would ‘fix a lot of bugs’ including dropped calls and connection problems reported by customers.

He said: ‘We’re really, really excited about all these products. We think people are going to have a lot of fun.’

Apple founder Steve Jobs said: 'It's the cleanest toxic-free iPod we've ever built.’

Joe Svetlik, news editor of the T3 gadget magazine, said: ‘The new Nano is the big announcement, with the oval shape and new accelerometer that lets you look at pictures or videos in landscape by flipping it on its side.

‘The other announcements seem to be cosmetic tweaks but no major overhaul.

‘It’s obviously aimed very much at Christmas shoppers.

‘The new Nano will help sales. People who are into Apple are pretty obsessive so I’ve no doubt this will boost sales, but it won’t change the market.’