Apple event fuels iPod rumours
Published: 19 Oct 2004 15:00 BST
Apple has scheduled a special event for next week, fuelling speculation that the company could be ready to introduce an updated model of its iPod digital music player.
In an invitation to the event, Apple said only that "Steve Jobs, Bono and The Edge invite you to a special event." U2's song "Vertigo" is the top-selling song at Apple's iTunes Music Store - it has also been used in an advert for the service.
An Apple representative declined to comment on the event, which is slated for 26 October at 10 a.m. PDT at San Jose's California Theater.
Rumours have been swirling that Apple is readying a colour-screen version of its iPod with an ability to display photos as well as play music. The company has also pledged to expand its iTunes music store to more European countries sometime this month and has yet to announce the move.
Among the sources of speculation was a report from Macintosh rumour site ThinkSecret that Apple would introduce a "U2-edition" iPod, which would come preloaded with the band's catalogue, potentially linked with exclusive online access to the band's upcoming new album through the iTunes store.
Others have speculated that a flash-memory-based iPod could be on the way, which would allow the company to sell a cheaper version of its best-selling music player. Jobs has previously said flash-based devices did not hold enough music, but capacity has increased substantially in the past few years.
Sales of the iPod have continued to grow at a strong clip, topping two million for the quarter ended 25 September.
Although the iPod has continued to command the lion's share of the digital-music player market, there has been no shortage of new competition. This month alone, Dell, Archos and Virgin Electronics all have announced devices intended to take on the iPod Mini, and Hewlett-Packard has previously indicated plans to move into the market.
CNET News.com's John Borland contributed to this report.
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