BEIJING, Oct. 17-- Apple has announced a new generation of iPods that are capable of playing videos.

Podcasting, a term based on the name for Apple's portable media player, allows customers to download audio, and now video, segments for free to their computers and portable devices.

At a special media event last Wednesday, Apple Chief Executive Steve Jobs announced the fifth-generation iPod.

The new iPod features a wide screen, measuring 2.5 inches in diameter with a resolution of 320 by 240 pixels, but it's located at the top of the face above the click wheel, just as with previous iPods.

¨The new iPod is the best music player ever- it's 30 per cent thinner and has 50 per cent more storage than its predecessor- yet it sells for the same price and plays stunning video on its 2.5-inch color screen,〃 explained Jobs.

(Agencies)