Business: Photo iPod, U2 deal impress
You know you want one of'em. Or perhaps you're bi. So, then it would be both the pleasing new iPod Photoand the so sharp you might cut yourself U2 Edition. Apple Computer released them yesterday and introduced a new online store, just for the iPod. There had been whispers at Mac rumor sites. Just wait a few weeks to upgrade and you'll be able to get an iPod with a color screen that will allow you to show the pictures you store on it, the denizens of the iPod Lounge said. But I discounted the rumors since generation four of the iPod was released just this summer. Surely, no one has a devlopment cycle that fast. So, here I sit with a gorgeous two-month old iPod that is no longer cutting edge.
The U2 Edition iPod is the first to depart from the pristine white and gray color scheme. It looks like rock-and-roll. Black and red and shiny all over. The members of the extremely successful band have autographed the back. But there is more going on in the heads of different thinking geeks at Apple than two new industry jolting products right in time for the Christmas shopping season. Go on. Be trite. Say 'paradigm shift.' Chief geek and CEO Steve Jobs has signed the first of what may be many agreements with artists for content for the iTunes Music Store, a leading seller of digital music and books online.
Read the description of the iPod Photo and try not to salivate.
Share your life in photos everywhere.
If you love what iPod did for music, just see what it can do for photos. With a color display, up to 15 hours of battery life,(1) and room for up to 10,000 or 15,000 songs or 25,000 photos,(2) iPod Photo will change the way you experience your digital photo collection. Now you can bring all your favorite memories with you anywhere and easily share them with family and friends.
In living color.
Browse through your photos one by one or view them in a slideshow on the 2-inch color LCD display. You can even connect iPod Photo to a TV and watch them with friends. And with the new color screen, your entire iPod experience is enhanced—view album art, games, calendars, and contacts all in vivid color. Starting at $469, iPod Photo is available now at the all-new iPod Store, where you can get free ground shipping. Order by January 10, 2005, and get free personalization on any iPod.
News24.com has the details.
California - Apple Computer Inc. on Tuesday introduced a new larger-capacity iPod with a colour display as well as a first-of-its-kind digital compendium of the rock band U2's songs.
U2's lead singer Bono and guitarist The Edge joined Apple chief executive Steve Jobs on stage in a newly renovated 1920s era theatre in San Jose to unveil the new products.
Apple's latest effort to maintain supremacy in the portable audio player market and the online music business also includes a new special edition U2 iPod.
Analysts expect the Apple-U2 partnerships to be the first of many to come between artists and music product providers.
With three-quarters of the MP3 player market and successive profitable quarters, Apple did not really need to do more this year to enhance its standing. But, it seems that Jobs and designer Jonathan Ive never rest. Once again, they have pleasantly surprised us.
Today, Merrill-Lynch raised estimates on Apple's stock because of the launch of the new iPods and iPod store.
Merrill Lynch raised estimates on Apple Computer after the company unveiled its iPod Photo--earlier than the research firm expected--and announced the iPod U2 special edition.
. . .Merrill-Lynch, citing increased iPod shipments, raised the estimate for the fiscal first quarter ending December to earnings of 42 cents per share on revenue of $2.95 billion, up from earnings of 40 cents per share on revenue of $2.85 billion.
Lie to me. Say the iPod is just a geegaw. That you prefer your compact disc player. Besides, you are not the acquisitive sort. But, be warned, those droplets falling from your mouth to your keyboard give you away.
