h2g2 The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy: Earth Edition

In September 2007 Apple revised most of its iPod range.

The original iPod, now in its 6th Generation, will be known as the iPod Classic. Remaining at the same price as the 5th Generation, it receives a new, more graphical interface and an anodised aluminium case. Available in 80 GB and 160 GB () models.

The iPod Nano was updated in order be able to play videos. Its interface and casing was changed in a similar was to the Classic's and prices were dropped slightly. 4 & 8 GB models.

A new model, the iPod Touch was introduced. The big gimmick here is the widescreen, touch sensitive interface first seen on the iPhone. Apple has stripped away some of the phone functionalities but retained the Wi-Fi functionality, allowing the user to surf the Internet and download songs and videos on the move.

Battery life (the official, not the actual one) was also boosted across the range: 24 hours of audio for the Nano, 40 hours for the Classic and Touch.

Microsoft cut the prices for its Zune player to remain competitive.

I'm predicting the "Classic" iPod will go to 64 gigabyte flash within the next generation, though the gigantic one will probably still be hard disk drive.

This is mainly based on the current generation of iPod Touch, which are available in 8, 16 and 32 gigabyte, while not much larger (and thinner, so the volumes may be similar).

also, I think the iPhone is probably the neatest electronic invention so far, and should be mentioned somewhere, if not in this article, then in its own.

Yes, the iPhone certainly has a very clever interface. I only mention it briefly in this Entry because it wasn't actually out when it was written. I agree: ideally it deserves an Entry of its own.

The iPhone's apps have something for everyone, it is amazing the things people come up with, I could spend all day reading up on the various apps available.