Apple's iPod Touch, iPod Nano receive updates, price cuts

Lost a bit in all the commotion surrounding Apple's iPhone 4S announcement Tuesday was a bit of news regarding Apple's iPod Touch and iPod Nano.

Apple's iPod Touch -- its best selling iPod -- will now be available in black and white at a price of $199 with 16-gigabytes of storage, $30 less than before. The Touch is also available with 32-gigabytes of storage for $299 and $399 for 64-gigbytes.

The new iPod Touch ships Oct. 12 running iOS 5.

The iPod Nano is receiving a nano-sized update of 16 new digital clock faces that will likely please those who use the clip-on mini-touchscreen iPod as a watch of any sort.

One of the coolest choices, in my opinion, is a Mickey Mouse design that features Mickey's arms and hands as the hands of the clock.

Another software update will enable the Nano to work as a pedometer for walking and running without added-on gadgets such as the popular Nike+ sensor. Instead the Nano can make use of a Nike+ app.

The Nano is getting a smaller price as well, down to $129 for 8-gigabytes of storage or 16-gigabytes for $149. The two-gigabyte iPod Shuffle remains at $49.

Not mentioned at all Tuesday was the iPod Classic, with its iconic click-wheel design and no touchscreen to be found. Rumors have persisted almost all year that Apple would end production of the iPod Classic, but the ol' music player persists with 160-gigabytes of storage for $249.