Apple Merges iPod and iPod Photo Line [Updated]

PR Newswire 8:30 am June 28, 2005

Apple(R) today announced that the iPod(R) and iPod photo lines are merging, creating a single line of white iPods that all feature color displays with the ability to view album artwork, photos and play slideshows in stunning color. The simplified iPod lineup features a 20GB model, holding up to 5,000 songs priced at just $299 and a 60GB model, holding up to 15,000 songs priced at $399. Also starting today, iPods will offer an easy to use Podcast menu, including bookmarking within a Podcast and the ability to display Podcast artwork in color.

"iPod customers love to enhance their listening experience with color," said Greg Joswiak, Apple's vice president of iPod Product Marketing. "By simplifying our iPod lineup to include 20GB and 60GB models with color screens and the new Podcast menu, iPod and iTunes provide the world's easiest and appealing way to discover, subscribe, manage and listen to Podcasts."

iPod's color display provides a crisp, clear full color experience for users to take their entire photo library with them or for viewing album artwork, calendars, contacts and games. The 60GB iPod holds up to 25,000 digital photos, and the 20GB iPod holds up to 20,000 digital photos. Both models feature the ability to import photos from a digital camera with the optional iPod Camera Connector and let users combine their favorite music and photos to create slideshows for viewing right on their iPod or for sharing with family and friends on a big screen TV.

The new version of iTunes(R) (also announced today) enables anyone to quickly and easily find and subscribe to their favorite Podcasts so that every time there's a new episode, it's automatically downloaded to their Mac(R) or PC and Auto-Synced to their iPod. iTunes also makes it easy to manage multiple Podcast subscriptions with simple organization and display by episode and date.

iPod and iTunes are leading the digital music revolution. With over 15 million iPods sold as of March 31, the iPod is the world's most popular digital music player, and the iTunes Music Store is the number one online music store with over 430 million songs purchased and downloaded worldwide.

Pricing & Availability

The 20GB and 60GB iPods for Mac or Windows are available immediately worldwide for a suggested retail price of $299 (US) and $399 (US) respectively. The new iPod U2 Special Edition also includes a color screen and is now more affordable at just $329, and the 1GB iPod shuffle is now just $129.The new Podcast menu is available starting today via a free iPod software update for all Click Wheel iPods and iPod minis from www.apple.com/ipod. All iPods are available through the Apple Store(R) (www.apple.com), Apple's retail stores and Apple Authorized Resellers.

Each iPod with color display includes earbud headphones, a USB 2.0 cable, a USB power adapter and iTunes for Mac and Windows computers. iPod shuffle includes earbud headphones, lanyard and iTunes for Mac and Windows computers. Optional accessories with the following suggested retail prices include the iPod dock kit for $39 (US), in-ear headphones for $39 (US), the iPod Camera Connector for $29 (US) and FireWire(R) cable for $19 (US). Laser engraving is available for iPod for free from the Apple Store (www.apple.com) and can include two lines of text with up to 27 characters per line.

*mumbles something under breath*

I am so sick of the stupid ipod. I was hoping for mini or ibook updates. :mad:

Hardly groundbreaking stuff, but good nonetheless.

:( Apple should just sell music players.

*mumbles something under breath*

Yeah..... I've got to say I'm really surprised still no iBook. And not only that but the iPod update is hardly ground breaking. :rolleyes:

20GB and 60GB iPod

Both with Photo Capability

The blurb at the bottom currently says 30GB and 60GB however.

UK: £209 / £299 inc VAT

I am so sick of the stupid ipod. I was hoping for mini or ibook updates. :mad:

I totally agree... those are the ones in need of (minor) bumps... not the friggin' iPods... :mad:

Where's my iBook :'(... Dell's website is getting more attractive everyday, especially with all the flyers they send me. I can get a laptop for £299 which is more powerful than Apple's current iBook at £699. Um... Apple... do something about this.

other then there being a 20gb photo, and the lack of the 30 and 40gb lines, is there anything new about these ipods?