'iPod Photo' among announcements at 'special music event' -- 'Why should your ears have all the fun?'
Tuesday, October 26, 2004

Rumors of a color screen iPod were proven correct as Apple introduced the "iPod Photo," a 40- or 60GB iPod with a color screen, capable of storing, displaying and sharing up to 25,000 photos. The new devices will sell for $499 and $599 and will "begin shipping today," according to Apple.

The 40GB iPod photo carries a $100 premium over its audio-only sibling (there is no 60GB audio iPod currently available.) A new version of iTunes is needed to sync photos -- either from a folder on your hard drive or from albums in iPhoto. The iPod Photo can also display album art contained in audio files.

Also announced at today's special music event was the availability of the iTunes Music Store in the European Union nations of Austria, Belgium, Finland, Greece, Italy, Luxembourg, Netherlands, Portugal and Spain. Songs are priced at €0.99; Apple says the stores launched today with over 700,000 songs from "all four major music companies and more than 100 independent record labels." The company also announced it would open a Canadian iTunes music store in November.

Finally, Apple announced the "U2 iPod" -- a 20GB black iPod with a red click wheel. The U2 iPod comes with lasered autographs of all four band members on the back and includes a $50 coupon towards the purchase of a "digital box set" or "The Complete U2," and an exclusive U2 poster. It will be available in mid-November for $349.