Apple Computer on Tuesday rolled out a new version of the iPod that allows users to view and share photos, its most dramatic expansion yet. The new iPod Photo is a multimedia device with a color screen and comes with 40 gigabytes or 60 gigabytes of storage -- two to three times more than the storage available on its most used music player.
The 40-gigabyte version sells for $499 and the 60-gigabyte model sells for $599, and are both immediately available.
Since the iPod's introduction in October 2001, Cupertino, California-based Apple has sold more than 6 million iPods, 2 million alone in Apple's most recent quarter.
"We think photos are the next big thing. Everyone has the content" because of the rapid proliferation of digital cameras among consumers "and there are no copyright issues," Apple Chief Executive Steve Jobs said at a news conference.
"We think music plus photos is the next big thing," he said.
U2 Special Edition
Apple also formally announced its deal with Irish rock band U2 to launch the iPod U2 Special Edition, a black edition of its popular digital music player that holds up to 5,000 songs.
The U2 iPod will sell for $349 and is expected to be available in mid-November.
The timing of the iPod release coincides with the upcoming release of the Dublin-based band's new album "How to Dismantle an Atomic Bomb." An Apple TV ad features new U2 song "Vertigo," a single from the album.
Apple has created the online music industry's first-of-its-kind "Digital Box Set." The first digital box set, "The Complete U2," will contain over 400 tracks including all of the band's albums. Fans will be able to purchase and download The Complete U2 with just one click on the iTunes Music Store in the United States and Europe beginning in late November for $149.
