Apple has unveiled a completely redesigned iPod nano featuring a Multi-Touch interface that lets users navigate their music collection by simply tapping or swiping a finger on the display.

Nearly half the size and weight of the previous generation, the new iPod nano features a polished aluminum and glass enclosure with a built-in clip, making it instantly wearable. The teeny iPod features Genius Mixes, the ability to create and edit playlists, a built-in FM radio with live pause and up to 24 hours of music playback on a single battery charge.

“This is the biggest reinvention of the iPod nano since its debut in 2005, and we think users are going to love it,” says Apple CEO Steve Jobs. “Replacing the click wheel with our Multi-Touch interface has enabled us to shrink the iPod nano into an amazingly small design that is instantly wearable with its built-in clip.”

The new iPod nano with Apple’s Multi-Touch interface allows users to access their songs, artists, albums and playlists with a tap or swipe of their finger on the display. Holding down a finger returns the user to the Home screen, and users can use two fingers to rotate the screen if it's clipped onto their clothing upside down. Users can also customize their Home screen by dragging icons from other screens onto the Home screen.

iPod nano also features Shake to Shuffle, giving music lovers the ability to shake their iPod nano to shuffle to a new song in their music library. With its built-in FM radio, iPod nano lets you listen to your favorite radio stations, and live pause lets you pause and resume playing your favorite FM radio shows without missing a beat.

The iPod nano features a built-in pedometer that lets you track your steps and also supports Nike + iPod, giving users the ability to track runs and workouts.

The new iPod nano will be available next week for a suggested price of US$149 for the 8GB model and $179 for the 16GB model. Both models are available in silver, graphite, blue, green, orange and pink through the Apple Store (http://www.apple.com), Apple’s retail stores and Apple Authorized Resellers. The 8GB and 16GB iPod nano (PRODUCT) RED is available through the Apple Store and Apple’s retail stores. iPod nano requires a Mac with a USB 2.0 port, Mac OS X10.5.8 or later and iTunes 10 or later; or a Windows PC with a USB 2.0 port and Windows Vista or Windows XP Home or Professional (Service Pack 3) or later and iTunes 10 or later.