A university in the US has told students that it requires them to have an iPhone or an iPod Touch if they are to study at the institution.

In an example of the changing face of online media and social applications, the Missouri School of Journalism stated that alongside the already necessary wireless laptop, it would be the first course in the country - perhaps world - to demand internet-capable portable devices.

The school explained that a web-enabled audio and video player is needed to keep on top of the ever-evolving nature of news.

Course management at the college continued: "This requirement is best met by purchasing the Apple iPod Touch, which has all the features the Missouri School of Journalism intends to implement to achieve its academic objectives and those of its students."

It added that while there are alternatives to the iPod offerings, no other is considered "equally capable" by lecturers.

The Apple iPhone 3G currently has over 35,000 applications, making it very customisable to those working in small businesses in IT and other sectors.

In a recent survey of SMEs for Connect, the two most important benefits of outsourcing were guaranteed response times and allowing in-house IT staff to concentrate on more strategic issues.