Dan Warne01 September 2006, 3:55 AM
UPDATED |Major computer retailer Harvey Norman is advertising heavy discounts on current-model iPod Shuffles, indicating that a new release may be imminent.
UPDATE | Thanks to many readers who have pointed out that when questioned, Next Byte responds that it is only offering a discount of 5% on iPods, as part of its "up to 80% off iPods and accessories" offer. Other readers who have pointed out that $69 is the normal price of the iPod Shuffle are basing their calculations on the US price of the Shuffle. In Australia, where this site is based, the normal retail price of the Shuffle 512MB is $99.
Major computer retailers
Harvey Norman and
Next Byte are heavily discounting current-model iPods, indicating that a new iPod release may be imminent.Harvey Norman took its discounting to TV audiences last night, with ad spots spruiking the iPod Shuffle 512MB for $67 rather than the regular price of $99 -- a full 30 per cent reduction in price.
Apple retailer Next Byte sent out a newsletter to customers, offering up to 80% off its entire range of iPods, this Saturday only.
Heavy discounting is very unusual between iPod retailers: they have been able to sell iPod stock so easily that the point of competition between them has largely centred around whether they have iPods in stock or not.
The current fifth-generation iPod was launched in October last year, making it one of the longest-standing iPod versions and long overdue for a refresh.
At the time it was released, Apple's publicity department was at pains to point out that it was a music player with some video playback capabilities, but was certainly not to be referred to as "iPod Video".
It is inevitable that the next iteration of the iPod will bring a much larger screen for video playback, possibly coupled with the release of TV and movie downloads via Apple's iTunes Music Store outside the United States.
Apple Australia spokesperson Fiona Martin said she was not aware of an upcoming new version of the iPod.
"I didn't even know they [Harvey Norman and NextByte] were discounting the current models," she told APC.
Various rumour sites are reporting that Apple has a special event planned to take place in San Francisco with live streaming to London on September 12. This coincides with the timing of Apple Expo Paris.