Apple shuffles much of their iPod lineup

Apple today did what they usually do when they make changes to their iPod lineup: they created lots of noise and bright colors. New products were introduced, some where dropped and new software was pushed to the white box music player masses. The following is a summary of today’s events:

• Two new iPod photo units were introduced to refresh the line. A 30GB ($349) and 60GB ($449) will, like the original models, come with a color screen and support the ability to display photos in addition to playing music.
• The 40GB iPod photo, which was from the first run of models announced last year, has been dropped, as has the price of the 60GB one. Also dropped from the iPod family was the more basic 40GB fourth generation click wheel model. [source: iPodlounge]
• A new accessory, the iPod Camera Connector, will feature the ability to import photos directly from your digital camera to the iPod photo. Photos will be available for immediate viewing on your iPod after using the $29 add-on when it becomes available in March.
• Apple refreshed their iPod mini line, dropping the price of their 4GB model to $199 and unveiling a new 6GB unit for $249. Both iPod minis will be capable of playing up to 18 hours, which is a jump from the first generation. They will also support being recharged through a USB 2.0 connection.
• Three “more vibrant” iPod mini colors were also introduced (variations of the previous blue, pink and green) and one color was dropped (gold). [source: news.com]
• Apple introduced a new version of their iPod software, 2005-2-22. [source: iPodlounge]

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