The trusty iPod Touch (essentially an iPhone minus the phone) just got updated, bringing its case design in line with the iPhone 3G's (though keeping the steel backside) and adding a couple of bells and whistles of its own.

Available in 8GB, 16GB, and 32GB sizes ($229, $299, and $399, respectively), the iPod Touch now has external volume controls on the side, which is nice. It also has integrated Nike+ support, which means the hardware that used to require a transmitter plugged into your iPod is now built in. It uses the accelerometer to follow your workout, playing music in time with your running and helping you keep track of your workouts over time.

The Touch also gets Genius playlist support, which was just announced for the new version of iTunes. You can now have your iPod Touch come up with smart playlists on the fly for you. Fun stuff! These features should also come to the iPhone at the end of the week when the 2.1 software update drops.

Via Gizmodo