New Apple iPod Announcement

Ever since the days of our Apple IIGS, we've loved Apple. While Apple Computer Inc. seemed likely to dominate the market in the 1980s, the evil Bill Gates came along and beat them into submission. Venture into an early 1990s computer store, and you’d fine row upon row of Microsoft Windows compatible programs; the Apple ones would be tucked away on the bottom shelf in a dark and dusty corner. Resigned, we eventually traded in our Apple for one with Microsoft Windows 95.

So when did Apple start making a comeback? While we admit that a desktop computer with the Mac Operating System is actually a viable alternative to Windows these days, it was the iPod that turned the company into something with teeth.

The iPod hit stores on November 10th, 2001. At that time, Apple was trading on Wall Street for around $10 a share. Today, it’s trading for $140. If you had invested $10,000 in Apple when the iPod was announced, it would be worth $140,000 today.

Hindsight is always 20/20.

Well, we weren’t going to make the same mistake twice. The day the iPhone was announced and Apple Computer Inc. became Apple Inc., we dropped some cash into their stock. Since then, it’s gone up another 56%. In July, the iPhone commanded 1.8% of the mobile handset market and outsold all other smart phones, and analysts expect this number to continue to grow.

But it seems Apple isn’t done yet.

Today, Steve Jobs announced they would be revamping the entire iPod lineup. Here are the highlights.

iPod Touch

Think of it is an iPhone without the phone. The iPod Touch features a touch-screen interface, Cover Flow (a three-dimensional graphical user interface that displays album covers you can flip through), and Wi-Fi, giving you access to the Safari web browser, a YouTube application, and the iTunes music store so you can browse and buy music anywhere there’s a Wi-Fi hotspot. The iPod Touch comes in 8 GB ($299) and 16 GB ($399) models.

iPod Classic

Video iPods were renamed iPod classics. This sixth generation version incorporates Cover Flow and an all-metal casing. A new 160 GB version ($349) will also be available, giving you the ability to create play lists of your favorite 40,000 songs.

iPod Shuffle & iPod Nano

The new iPod Nano features a larger, video-capable display with Cover Flow for your music. It also includes three games with more games available through iTunes. It comes in a 4 GB ($149) and 8 GB ($199) version. Both the Shuffle and Nano got the all-metal casing makeover.

iPhone

If you couldn’t afford it before, you’re in luck. The 8 GB iPhone has been reduced in price from $599 to $399. As an added bonus, iTunes now also gives you the ability to create custom ring tones for your phone.

If you haven’t already invested in Apple Corp., we highly recommend doing so. Make sure you pick up a new iPod and iPhone while you’re at it, too. If your significant other complains about your spending habits, show him or her portfolio, point at AAPL, and say that you are only investing in your future.