Apple announced the death of the iPod photo yesterday and the birth of an exciting new line that merges it with the iPod, and adds a colour screen.

The new simplified line will feature 20GB and 60GB iPods with colour screens.  Apple is also updating the iPod U2 Special Edition to come equipped with this feature. 

All the new full-sized iPod models will support the photo and album artwork features of previous iPod photo models, allowing users to view their photo libraries on the iPod or on a TV screen. It will also allow users to play slideshows in stunning colour.

The technology giants also announced that all iPods will now feature an “easy to use Podcast menu” to coincide with the release of iTunes 4.9.

“iPod customers love to enhance their listening experience with colour,” said Greg Joswiak, Apple’s vice president of iPod Product Marketing.

“By simplifying our iPod lineup to include 20GB and 60GB models with colour screens and the new Podcast menu, iPod and iTunes provide the world’s easiest and appealing way to discover, subscribe, manage and listen to Podcasts.”

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