The iPod Touch 6^th Generation has been formally announced by Apple, and the release date has been confirmed. Consumers can now buy the next-gen iPod Touch at the online Apple Store for the starting price of $199. In the meantime, the Cupertino-based tech giant has unveiled spec details for what they refer to as their "best iPod Touch yet."

"iPod touch gives customers around the world access to Apple Music, the App Store and iOS, the world's most advanced mobile operating system, starting at just $199," said Apple spokesman Greg Joswiak.

Joswiak added that the iPod Touch will come with A8 chip and 8 megapixel iSight camera. Users can play games, photograph, listen to music, and watch TV shows and movies from the iPod Touch. At this time, Apple has not assigned a generational designation for the device, but is calling it the "new iPod Touch."

The newly release device also comes with a 4-inch display and an M8 motion coprocessor. Color options include blue, pink, silver, space gray, gold, and red. Three different models have 16 GB, 32GB or 64GB of internal storage capacity. There is even a larger model that has 128GB for $399. However, it is available exclusively in Apple Stores. All other models will be sold at authorized merchants including Best Buy.

Regarding firmware, the iPod Touch 6^th Generation runs on iOS 8.4. Consumers can access newly released Apple Music and Beats 1 station.

Up to six family members can share photos as well as purchases from iTunes, iBooks, and the App Store via the Family Sharing function. Parents can monitor children's purchases by setting up separate Apple IDs that include the Ask-to-Buy security lock. Users can also send unlimited voice and video text message through iMessage over Wi-Fi.

Recent developments seem to confirm earlier reports from French-language site iGen, which claimed that the iPod Touch 6^th Generation would be released on July 14. The prediction turned out to be correct, albeit one day late.

iPod fans have been waiting for the long rumored device since the iPod Touch 5^th Generation was released in 2012. This is a long wait considering that the 4^th and 5^th generation iPod Touch devices are less than two years apart. Oddly, the iPod Touch came without an unveiling ceremony, and was pushed out into the market without much fanfare.

At this time, the 16GB model is on sale for $199. The 32 GB sells for $249, while the 64 GB variant sells for $299.