Mark Huffman
ConsumerAffairs.com
September 10, 2009
Apple CEO Steve Jobs' appearance at a company event Wednesday
wasn't the only surprise from the computer manufacturer. Apple also
announced it was cutting prices on several iPod models.
Some of the price cuts were significant. Among the most eye-catching was a $120 price cut for the 32 GB iPod Touch. The new price list at Apple's online store include the following deals:
• iPod Nano (8GB): $130 down from $150
• iPod Nano (16GB): $150 down from $200
• iPod Classic (120GB): $230 down from $250
• iPod Touch (8GB): $190 down from $230
• iPod Touch (16GB): $250 down from $300
• iPod Touch (32GB): $280 down from $400
Jobs, who underwent a liver transplant earlier this year, appeared as surprise master of ceremonies as Apple unveiled the new iPod lineup. He also announced iPhone sales now total more than 30 million with more than 75,000 applications now available.
After the unveiling, the older models at the new, lower prices might look more attractive to consumers. Gene Munster, a Piper Jaffray analyst told Bloomberg News that consumers might be disappointed in the surprising lack of new features in the new models.
For example, Apple added a video camera to a single model - the iPod Nano. The Nano also includes a pedometer and FM radio. The 8 GB Nano lists for $149.
Apple is hoping to spur iPod sales after a report last week by a Japanese data tracking firm showed the iPod had fallen behind the Sony Walkman in Japanese sales. Some analysts think iPod sales could be hurt by increased sales of Apple's iPhone, which duplicates many of the iPod's features.
Apple introduced the first iPod in October 2001, instantly becoming the most popular portable mp3 music player. It added the iPod Nano in 2005 and the iPod Touch in 2007.
The company has introduced new iPods around this time in previous years. The iPod Nano debuted in September 2005, and the iPod Touch came out in 2007. Apple unveiled the first iPod in October 2001.
