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Apple held it's "Let's Rock" media event today and introduced updates across their iPod product line, among other announcements including iTunes 8, and the iPhone 2.1 software update.

Before I talk about the new iPods it's important to note that the new iPods do not qualify for Apple's edu Back to School promotion which runs through September 15.

How do I know this is true? I called an Apple Retail store and asked.

[Update 2008_0913 11:20p]: Just wanted to ad a blurb from Apple's online education store which clearly states that the new iPods are not included:

For those of you unfamiliar with the promotion, it promises students that they can 'get a free iPod' with the purchase of a Mac. The specifics of the offer are a little different than the promotion might suggest. The deal is this:

Educational customers are eligible to receive a rebate of up to approx $200 when they purchase an qualifying Mac and iPod together from June 3 to Sept 15. That $200.00 rebate is equivalent to the price of a 8GB iPod nano, which is the justification for the promise of a 'free iPod with a purchase of a Mac'. Both products must be purchased together, with the charges for both appearing on the same receipt.

Though the new 16GB nano is available for the same $199 as the previous gen 8GB model and price of the iPod Touch is unchanged none of the iPod's introduced today at Apple's "Let's Rock" event qualify for the promotion.

You can still take advantage of the Back to School offer through the Sept 15 but you'll need to pair your qualifying Mac with one of the older iPods.

So, what are the major changes to the iPod line up?

I'll post additional details about all of the new iPods and the rest of what was announced at the event within the next couple of days. Of course you can find all of this information available online from any number of sites. You may want to try gizmodo or one of the Apple/Mac oriented news and information sites.

The iPod Classic

Previously there was an 80GB and 160GB version. Those two models have been consolidated to a single 120GB model.

If you are familiar with the iPod Classic you may be aware that the 160GB model is quite a bit fatter (i.e. thicker) than the 80GB version. The new 120GB model is very similar in dimension if not identical to the thinner 80GB model.

Also, the price for the new 120GB is the same of the previous 80GB model at $249 (US).

The iPod Nano

The Nano is dramatically different. The squat dimensions of the previous gen Nano are gone in favor of a longer, less wide form factor very similar in dimension to the 2nd generation model. Though the basic dimensions are similar, this time the Nano has a curved aluminum design, with a glass display. It is thinner than any previous iPod, has improved battery life, comes in new colors, and includes an accelerometer so that the interface can switch between landscape and portrait mode automatically in response to orientation (there are some other gimmicky uses for the sensor as well).

The Nano is available in 8GB and 16GB capacities.

The iPod Touch

The Touch has seen some significant changes as well, although more subtle than the Nano. It is thinner than the previous Touch (which was already very slender, so this is not going to be a huge difference).

Otherwise as far as hardware the new Touch features:

volume controls (dedicated physical controls were sorely missed in the first gen iPod), and a built-in speaker (which Jobs seemed almost apologetic about so don't expect too much)

The new Touch is also the only iPod to integrate the receiver necessary for Nike+ functionality (paired with a transmitter worn on a runner's sneaker an iPod with Nike+ functionality functions as a training computer offering data including pace, time, distance, and calories burned though visual feedback and audio cues).

The iPod Shuffle

The Shuffle is essentially the same but available in new colors.