As Apple's iPod sales have finally levelled out recently, it seems like Apple is aiming to improve sales again by revamping their iPod's yet again. This time they are replacing their regular iPod series with colour screen versions, with the same features as the iPod photo. The new colour screen 20GB iPod and iPod U2 Special Edition will feature a 20,000 photo / 5,000 song capacity. The iPod mini series will still feature a B&W screen, at least for now.
When it
comes to the iTunes software, Apple has added new podcasting features to the new
iTunes version 4.9, which is currently available for
download. Podcasting is basically the equivalent radio broadcasts or as iTunes calls it "Radio reborn"; however these can be downloaded directly to an iPod to listen on the move.
Pricing
for the new iPod's will be $299 for the 20GB model, $329 for the U2 special edition and $399 for the 60GB model. Pricing has also been reduced on the 1GB screen-less iPod shuffle from $149 to $129. These new products are already available in the stores.
|
The move, which combines Apple's iPod and iPod Photo lines, means that black-and-white screens are now found only on iPod Minis, company said Tuesday. The new 60GB iPod can store 25,000 digital photos or 15,000 songs, while the new 20GB version can hold 20,000 photos or 5,000 songs. The company released a new 20GB iPod U2 Special Edition with a color screen as well. "We think this continues to add heat to our lineup," said Greg Joswiak, vice president of iPod product marketing. Joswiak declined to comment on reports that the iPod inventory had begun to swell ahead of Tuesday's announcement, saying that the company is in a quiet period ahead of its earnings report next month. The new 20GB iPod sells for $299; the 60GB version is priced at $399. The U2 iPod costs $329, which is $20 less than a prior model that had a black-and-white screen. Apple also announced a price cut from $149 to $129 on the 1GB iPod Shuffle, which has no screen. Read the full article here. |
It looks like Apple is still determined to boost sales of its iPod or potentially get existing iPod owners to upgrade to a newer model with a colour screen. This is starting to remind me of the mobile phone business when colour screens became a hot feature, thus resulting in pretty much all handsets (at least here in Ireland) with a colour screen.
It is a pity that Apple still insists on doing away with the removable battery as well as a radio. So far there has been quite a lot of complaints about the non-removable battery, not to mention about Apple being sued a few times by unhappy customers who's batteries died shortly after the warranty had expired. When it comes to missing radio support, so far there haven't been many complaints; however Apple does seem to be pushing their radio-alternative '“ podcasts.
Between the iPod and the iTunes music service, it looks like two could end up being the successor of the CD, especially since legal music downloads exceeded single sales over 1.5 years ago. I could easily see album sales starting to drop, especially once the majority of Albums become copy-protected and iPod fans cannot even transfer the music from these CDs on to their iPod.
Source: c|net News - Consumer products
