Apple Finally Releases iPod Video - No Widescreen Yet

May the rumors be silenced, Apple finally released an iPod with video support. Available in white and omg-its-scratched black, the new iPod can playback any MPEG-4 or H.264 video at 30fps on it's 320x240 QVGA color screen. If you're too lazy to re-encode your own collection of DVDs and TV programs to that resolution, then you can purchase music videos and ad-free ABC television shows for $1.99 each in the iTunes 6 Music Store. And here we thought music videos were free.

Spec-wise, the new iPod comes in 30 and 60 gigabyte capacities for $299 and $399 each, both of which can output video on a TV with an optional composite video cable. The 30GB has enough power for 14 hours of music, 3 hours of slide shows and 2 hours of video playback. The 60GB model boasts a larger battery pack that can play 20 hours of music, 4 hours of slide shows, and 3 hours of video.

While the iPod's new screen may not be as hi-res as the Sony PSP's, there is some speculation across the web that Apple's easier to manage interface for syncing video and the built in hard drive could force Sony to rethink their strategy and start producing more games for their handheld console. Here's hoping it's true!

Minor update: Thank god! The width of the new video iPod is the same as its predecessors... We almost lost some sleep over some possible accessory incompatiblity, because fearing our recent purchase of the Bose SoundDock may not be designed to fit the new iPods.