Apple has announced its new iPod touch featuring Apple’s multi-touch user interface already released on the Apple iPhone. The user interface enables users to find their music, videos and more on a widescreen display with just the touch of a finger.

The multi-touch interface uses new software to present what the company says is the perfect user interface for each application. The iPod touch also includes Wi-Fi wireless networking, the first on any iPod, and three applications that use it, including Safari, an advanced web browser that lets users wirelessly view web pages just as they look on their computer. Other applications using the wireless connection are Apple’s YouTube application that lets users wirelessly watch free videos from the popular video website; and the new iTunes Wi-Fi Music Store that lets users wirelessly browse, preview and buy songs and albums directly from the device.

With a 3.5-inch widescreen display, iPod touch can be used for watching movies and TV shows, as well as viewing photos and album art. iPod touch has a built-in accelerometer that automatically senses when you rotate it into its landscape position. When you’re in music, it automatically switches to Cover Flow so you can browse your music collection by album cover artwork with just a flick of a finger. When in Photos, it automatically displays the photo in its landscape aspect ratio; and when in Safari it displays the web page horizontally.

iPod touch also has a built-in ambient light sensor that automatically adjusts the display’s brightness. iPod touch features up to 22 hours of audio playback and up to five hours of video playback.

The iTunes Wi-Fi Music Store lets users browse the iTunes Top Ten lists of songs and albums overall or by genre, check out new releases and “What’s Hot,” or search for favorite songs, albums or artists. You can preview any song for free, then purchase and download the ones you like directly onto your iPod touch over Wi-Fi. The music you download will be automatically uploaded into your iTunes library the next time you sync your iPod touch with your computer.

Apple iPhone users can also access the new iTunes Wi-Fi Music Store.

Apple has also announced an exclusive agreement with Starbucks that allows users to access the iTunes Wi-Fi Music Store for free in participating US Starbucks stores starting next month. When you enter a participating Starbucks location, your iPod touch, iPhone, or PC or Mac running iTunes will automatically recognize the iTunes Wi-Fi Music Store. You can see what song is currently playing or has recently played in the store, and immediately preview, buy and download it over Wi-Fi.

The new iPod touch is scheduled to be available later this month. The 8GB iPod touch model is US$299 and the 16GB iPod model is US$399.

__________________