According to Newsweek magazine, the two new models will offer greater capacity for the same price as the current lineup. A 20GB iPod will sell for US$299, while the top-of-the-line 40GB model will retail for US$399. Currently Apple sells a 15GB version for US$299, a 20GB version for US$399 and a 40GB model for US$499.
Newsweek did not say when the new iPods would be available, and an Apple representative was not available for comment. The new iPods were not featured on Apple's Web site Sunday morning.
The details were revealed as part of a cover story on the iPod and its impact. Apple CEO Steve Jobs holding one of the new, still-white models. In January 2002, the new iMac was featured on the cover of Time.
The battery in the new iPod is said to offer 12 hours of battery life, up from an 8-hour rating for the current models. According to Newsweek, the jump comes form better power-management features, rather than a higher capacity battery. The click-wheel interface is similar to the one Apple introduced in January with its iPod mini.
There are also software advances, including the ability to listen to audio books at a faster or slower rate, as well as ways to create and edit more than one playlist from the iPod itself. Previously, only one playlist could be made and songs could be added, but not removed.
The iPod has been a boon to Apple's sales and profits, with the company now selling roughly as many iPods as Mac computers.
The new models represent the fourth generation of the portable players. The first 5GB iPod debuted in October 2001, selling for US$399 and featuring a mechanical wheel that spun to navigate through a library of songs. The iPod has kept its basic design since, though the wheel has become touch sensitive, rather than mechanical, and the device has also slimmed down from its original size.
Meanwhile, competitors including Sony and Dell have introduced new hard-drive based models, though none has yet to approach the iPod in terms of market share or cultural icon status.
They should work on the battery's overall life, not just its charge length...or offer replacement batteries at a sensible price.
Still, I'm totally happy with it despite the infamous short battery life. This thing has meant more music in my everyday life...