Many of us were awaiting new iPods at yesterday’s “Let’s Rock” Apple event at the Yerba Buena Center in San Francisco — and, as Kevin Rose predicted: iTunes 8, new iPod Nanos (with the curved screen) and updated iPod Touches were released.

The most interesting “release” in yesterday’s event was the updated iPod Touch. I’m already an owner of the first-generation iPod Touch, and I think it’s a fantastic device — but it’s just an iPod.

When Steve Jobs said the new iPod Touch is the “funnest iPod ever” (I believe “funnest” isn’t a word; but this is Apple, they invent new words), the iPod Touch was being marketed as a mobile gaming platform from Apple.

The iPhone and first-generation iPod Touch are already great gaming devices, but each have limiting factors that are stopping avid gamers from buying them. The iPhone (in most countries) requires an 18-month contract, and ends up being very expensive for someone looking for a mobile gaming device. The iPhone, despite being thinner than the original model, is still quite big for someone who wants something light. The iPod Touch (1st gen) was also very expensive, and almost up to the price of an iPhone — although, no contract was needed. The iPod Touch didn’t have a speaker or vibration either, which was a disappointment for those wanting to play games without having to plug earphones in every time.

The new iPod Touch is even thinner, lighter and cheaper than before — making it ideal for gamers that want to spend more of their money on games for the device, than the actual hardware or a contract. There is also a built-in speaker (although, I have doubts about the quality of it), which is perfect for playing a game like Tap Tap Revenge, where you need the music to help you play.

Even though the iPod Touch doesn’t have the graphics or game selection of Sony’s PSP or Nintendo’s DS, it is a fun gadget to use, and a lot of its free applications continue to surprise me. I think this could be the next big gaming platform.