Coming soon, reading books on your iPod

London: Computer and iPod manufacturer, Apple is developing a new-generation iPod MP3 player with a book-reading mode.

The new-generation of iPods will allow people to download and read John Grisham or Jilly Cooper, and view blockbuster films.

Bosses at Apple are working on a widescreen version of the new video iPods, which would greatly ease the reading of digital print material.

The prices of the new iPods, which would most likely have wireless connections to the internet, are expected to be more than 300 pounds, reports the Daily Mail.

Apple has reportedly asked a number of the world's major publishing houses to commit their full libraries of books to their electronic archives.

Customers will be able to download text versions of the world's best sellers to the memory of their video iPods.

The list of books already available runs to more than 400 titles, including classics such as Great Expectations Nicholas Nickleby and Jane Eyre.

Prices range from as little as £50 up to £4.50.

The concept of carrying around electronic books rather than the real books spells doom for traditional bookstores.

It could kill the high street store, just as music downloads have led to the closure of hundreds of record shops in the last five years.

The US corporation is also developing an Apple iPhone, which will bring together the iPod and mobile phone into a single stylish handset.