Details are surfacing of the next generation of iPods from Apple featuring a number of improvements to the wildly popular music player.
There will be two new models: a 20gb for US$299 (€240) and a 40gb for US$399 (€320) – a US$100 (€80) reduction in price from the comparable existing models.
Battery life, previously a source of some controversy, has been given a significant hike – from eight hours to twelve. The battery is not thought to be user replaceable still, and no details of its longevity are available – indeed, it may well be exactly the same battery with the increase in play time coming from more efficient power conservation.
The new models will also incoroporate the click-wheel interface from iPod Mini, launched last week.
No release date has been given, Apple have a policy of not pre-announcing products, but they are said to be imminent – perhaps even this week.Apple iPod