RSSApple Updates iPod Mini, Photo Lines
By Nate Mook and Ed Oswald | Published February 23, 2005, 9:13 AM
As expected, Apple announced an overhaul to nearly its entire iPod line Wednesday in order to strengthen its position in the industry.
The most notable changes were to Apple's iPod mini, which was bumped to 6GB and given three new vibrant colors. Battery life was also increased to 18 hours. Despite reports, however, Apple did not endow the Mini with a color screen.
Pricing on the 6GB Mini was kept at $249 USD, while the 4GB version was dropped to $199 USD. Apple's update to the Mini was long expected following the launch of Creative's Zen Micro, which features ten colors, monochrome screen and a 5GB capacity for $249 USD.
"The iPod mini is now available at the magic price point of $199," said Apple CEO Steve Jobs. "At this breakthrough price point, and with more than twice the battery life, the new iPod mini should appeal to even more music lovers."
The iPod photo saw some changes as well. Apple discontinued the 40GB version, along with the non-photo 40GB iPod. Two new models, at 30 and 60GB were introduced with a new iPod Camera Connector available separately for $29 USD. Prices of the new iPod photos were also lowered to $349 and $449 USD, respectively.
Apple's most popular hard-drive player, the 20GB standard iPod remained unchanged at $299. All of the new iPods are immediately available for purchase worldwide.
Jupiter Research senior analyst Joe Wilcox says he was not surprised that Apple did not bring out color screens for the iPod mini. "iPod mini is very popular and selling well without adding color. Today's announcement differentiates iPod mini by size and price, which should be enough for now."
"Besides, color would be inconsistent with Apple practices. The company tends to roll out incremental changes in products usually ending up with a big change," Wilcox said. "It's too soon for iPod mini."
According to a survey by Banc of America Securities, Apple remains the top seller of MP3 players and its share of the market is increasing. iPod usage was at 40.2 percent for the December quarter, up from 37.5 percent in the previous quarter.
I still refuse to buy any ipod when I can get a Zen for almost half the price.
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|Half the price? *Maybe* about $50 less, and the Micros and Minis, I'd say, are now in line because a 4 GB iPod mini is $199, a Zen Micro on Amazon (I'm assuming this is their typical price but don't know) is about $223, and a 6 GB iPod mini is now $249. Seems pretty linear to me.
Yeah, you can get a 20 GB Zen "normal" for the same price as a 6 GB Mini or about $50 less than a 20 GB iPod ... but that's certainly not twice the price.
But, yes, Apple products are often more expensive. That's the way it goes sometimes. :) Do what you like.
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|Sorry Still will not buy a product that dictates were I can buy my songs. Will keep recommending NON apple products.
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|Dude, even though I kind of agree with you, that has got to be the lamest excuse ever. Buy a cd, rip it with cdex and copy to your iPod. I own an iPod and I've never used iTunes store. It's a great product actually.
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|Remind me when I can play music files bought from other stores like Napster or Rhapsody.
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|Why buy an Ipod 40G for $400 when you can buy a competitor for $199 at staples.
Don't get me wrong either, I just don't like the fact that not alot of people know that there is something else out there, and in my opinion is better.
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|One thing I hate most about betanews.com is the lack of visual for its news section... but this is great great news...
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|We're working on getting more pictures and photos in place in the next update to the site. It's coming!
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|wow at that price iwould really love but im reallly digging the Rio Carbon even though its 5 gb but lets me tote around data also Gmail Invitesss
mrfrostbite@gmail.com
tell me where ya saw the posting
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|LOL. And word around the campfire was that you couldn't update firmware on the iPods. LOL.
(once again, dripping with sarcasm).
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|Gotta credit Apple for how well they've cracked open this market, and they do offer a good product.
Personally though, the higher audio quality will keep me with my iRiver. Unless Apple releases something better, of course!
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|The entire audio quality myth that has been floating around about the iPod is, well, a myth. If you are ripping your CDs with LAME using the preset standard option, the audio quality is actually quite amazing. If you are using songs that you purchased on iTunes, however, things may be a bit different.
I would have believed the evil myths floating around about both Creative and Apple DAPs, unless I had bought both options for myself.
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