Apple introduces iPod mini

Apple on Tuesday introduced the iPod mini, the second member of the iPod family. The hard-disk-based iPod mini is about the size of a credit card and measures only 1/2 inch thick, but stores up to 4GB of music.

Encased in an anodized aluminum case, the iPod mini is the first iPod to be available from Apple in custom colors -- silver, gold, pink, blue or green. It features the same interface that the "big" iPod uses, and also features a solid-state scroll wheel, although navigation buttons have been relocated to the scroll wheel itself. It weighs 3.6 ounces.

Apple plans to ship the iPod mini in February for a suggested retail price of US$249 throughout the United States. It will be available worldwide in April. Included is a belt clip, earbud headphones, power adapter, FireWire and USB 2.0 cables, and a CD with iTunes 4.2 for both Mac and Windows. An iPod Dock is optional for $39, as is a $29 arm band for active use, such as working out or jogging.

In other iPod news, Apple replaced its low-end 10GB iPod with an identically featured model now capable of storing 15GB of music or data, at the same price point as its predecessor -- $299.

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