After much anticipation, Apple on Wednesday revealed new iPods and iTunes, as well as new iPhone and iPod Touch system software, CNET News reported. Apple CEO Steve Jobs also made a surprise appearance as the keynote speaker at the invitation-only event.

Included in the unveiling was a refreshed version of the iPod Nano, which now includes a video camera, microphone, FM tuner and larger screen; iPhone/iPod OS 3.1 software; a new version of iTunes that aims to enable better application organisation and includes home sharing, which syncs iTunes purchases across computers within the same household, according to CNET.

Jobs, who last made a public appearance in October 2008 and told the audience he has since undergone a liver transplant, received thunderous applause from the audience, the Wall Street Journal reported in its live blogging of the event.

"I'm vertical (and) I'm back," Jobs said, according to the Washington Post.

Following Jobs onstage was Phil Schiller, senior vice president of worldwide product marketing, who listed new prices for iPods: US$199 for the 8 gigabyte iPod touch, $299 for the 32 gigabyte version and $399 for the 64 gigabyte. He also announced the iPod mini's price will drop from $249 to $199 and the iPod classic, with 160 gigabytes, will cost $249, according to the Wall Street Journal.

Meanwhile, the iPod Shuffle will be released in more colours, and the most expensive one, at 4 gigabytes, will cost $99.

Schiller also said the devices would work faster, thanks to OpenGL (Open Graphics Library), and made it clear Apple is aiming for the video game industry, bringing out representatives from Gameloft, Electronic Arts, Ubisoft and Tapulous, who demoed games, PC Magazine reported.

Apple's share prices have continued to grow while Jobs was away, from $90.75 on Jan. 2 to more than $173 Wednesday, the Post reported.