latest Apple ipod model

Apple Computer has introduced new versions of its hugely popular digital music player, including an iPod mini that can store more songs, and also cut the price of the current iPod mini model in a bid to boost its share of the market.

The New York Times/Reuters report that Apple now has a range of iPods addressing the full spectrum of the digital music player market, from its US$99 iPod Shuffle player to its US$449 iPod photo model with a color screen.

California-based Apple unveiled a new ``iPod mini'' that holds 6 gigabytes of music -- or about 1,500 songs -- and will sell for about US$250, while it cut the price of its 4 gigabyte or 1,000-song model, introduced about one year ago, to about US$200.

According to the NYT., the company said the 4 gigabyte model's US$200 price, down from its previous price of about US$250, will appeal more broadly to consumers. The new mini also has improved battery life of up to 18 hours.

But, the paper says Some analysts have expressed concern that with an increasing percentage of total sales coming from iPod sales, it could hurt Apple's profit margins because the iPods are less profitable than its signature Macintosh computers.

But others have said overall margins should remain steady, helped by declining component costs. In Apple's most recent quarter, sales of the iPod, songs from its iTunes online music store and iPod accessories accounted for 40 percent of total sales.

Apple also introduced an "iPod photo" model with 30 gigabytes of memory at around US$350, and offered an add-on that allows users to transfer pictures from a digital camera directly into the music player, which has a color screen.

Apple is the No. 1 seller of portable digital music players -- often called MP3 players -- that allow users to carry thousand of songs on a device smaller than a wallet. According to Banc of America Securities, Apple's share of the MP3 player market rose to 40.2 percent in the December quarter, up from 37.5 percent in the September quarter.

While Apple doubled its market share in the last year to about 60 percent from about 30 percent, according to market research firm NPD Group, the market is becoming ever more crowded and competitive, according to Apple executive and reported by the NYT.Apple also debuted an iPod Camera Connector, to sell for about US$30, that transfers digital photographs from a camera to the iPod.