New iPod calls for a new index however not all countries have the iPod Touch just yet.

The demise of the 30GB iPod means we’re forced to change our World’s Cheapest iPod index to a new subject and for that, we’ve chosen the new 8GB iPod Touch, retailing in the US for $US299 plus tax. For the sake of the index, we’ve assumed a US sales tax of 5%, hence the new $US313.95 benchmark price.

However, as a result of the new range, not all countries have the new iPod. Apple has yet to release the iPod Touch in China, certainly not on its official Chinese website. Nor is it available in India or Russia.

So we’ve made some changes to the country listing to accommodate where exactly the iPod Touch is available so there are new countries in the listing including Taiwan, South Africa, Finland and Ireland.

We will add countries such as India and China as soon as the regular price for an 8GB iPod Touch has been established in those countries.

Just as a reminder, the new iPod Touch index is based on the retail price from Apple website stores around the world, taking the price and converting it into US dollars to find out which country has the cheapest US-equivalent price for this new model.

So where is the world’s cheapest 8GB iPod Touch?

The illustrious title and all the trappings that go with it (in spirit at least) goes to Hong Kong. It held the title last for the 30GB iPod so in terms of affordability, Hong Kong remains the place to shop for iPods.

The US comes in in second place however the surprise mover is Canada slotting into third place just ahead of Japan by a tiny four cents. New entrant Taiwan does well picking up fifth position on $US329.07.

After that, there’s a small gap and then a group of three – New Zealand, South Korea and Australia with Australia’s US-equivalent cost coming in at $US352.55.

Next, there’s a big jump as we head to Europe where Switzerland comes in at 10^th spot with $US394.48 and the UK takes 11^th position and is the last country to stay under the $US400 mark on $US399.73.

Of those European countries that use the Euro, Spain has the cheapest Euro price of Eu289, with Germany and Ireland both seeing a price of Eu299 and a US-equivalent cost of $US415.16. Denmark remains just ahead of France to take 15^th spot at $US428.53.

And the world’s most expensive 8GB iPod Touch? That award belongs to South Africa where it will cost a US-equivalent of $476.88.

So if you’re looking for an 8GB iPod Touch, the cheapest place right now is Hong Kong.

Source: Apple webstores, Yahoo currency exchange 14/9/2007, compiled by Techlogg.com