APPLE LAUNCHES 'TALKING' IPOD SHUFFLE

Apple has launched a new 'talking' version of its iPod shuffle music player, which uses VoiceOver technology to speak aloud the titles of songs and the names of artists and playlists. The new stainless steel shuffle, which is half the size of its predecessor and smaller than an AA battery, can store up to 1,000 songs, and provides around 10 hours of music playback on a single battery charge. There are no buttons on the device itself - instead it is controlled by a button on the earphone cord, which enables users to play and pause songs, adjust the volume, flick through playlists, and hear track information. The shuffle can 'speak' 14 different languages, including Czech, Dutch and Mandarin as well as English, and can automatically switch between providing battery or track information in English and pronouncing foreign song titles in the appropriate language. The 4GB device will be available in black or silver.