Apple today announced that iPod, its phenomenally popular portable digital music player, will be available in August at Bose and Circuit City retail locations nationwide, as well as CircuitCity.com. The third generation iPods, which hold up to 7,500 songs in a stunning enclosure that’s lighter and thinner than two CDs in their cases, will be sold in all Bose retail stores and Circuit City Superstores.
“Bose and Circuit City are great additions to a lineup of retailers that have helped get over one million iPods into customers’ hands,” said Tim Cook, Apple’s executive vice president of Worldwide Sales and Operations in the press release. “With our new iPods flying off the shelves, we are thrilled to make them available to even more people nationwide.”
Bose retail stores will carry the 15GB and 30GB iPod models, and Circuit City will offer all three iPod configurations — 10GB, 15GB and 30GB. Consumers can call 1-800-444-BOSE or visit http://www.bose.com to find a Bose retail store near them, and call 1-800-THE-CITY or use the Store Locator at http://www.circuitcity.com to find their nearest Circuit City store.
“Bose is driven by research and technology, and our stores showcase the results of that commitment,” said Shelley Miller, Bose director of stores in the press release. “Offering the iPod to consumers in our stores is the right fit, and complements our vast selection of high-quality audio systems and portable products.”
“Circuit City is excited to incorporate Apple’s iPod into our wide selection of digital music players,” said Kim Maguire, executive vice president and chief merchandising officer for Circuit City in the press release. “The addition of iPod reflects Circuit City’s commitment to offering a full range of products with different features and prices to our customers.”
iPod is the only portable digital music player with Auto-Sync, an innovative feature that automatically downloads an entire digital music library into an iPod and keeps it up-to-date whenever the iPod is plugged into a Mac or Windows PC. The new ultra-portable iPods are available in three models: a 10GB model for a suggested retail price of just $299 (US), a 15GB model for a suggested retail price of $399 (US) and a 30GB model for a suggested retail price of $499 (US). All three models are compatible with Macintosh and Windows PCs and feature a solid-state “no moving parts” navigation wheel and all touch buttons for enhanced sensitivity and precision over mechanical buttons. The buttons are backlit for easy operation in low light and enable easy, one-handed operation.
All iPod models include earbud headphones, an Apple iPod power adapter, a FireWire cable and a 4-pin-to-6-pin iPod FireWire adapter. 15GB and 30GB iPod models also include the iPod Dock, carrying case and wired remote; these optional accessories can be ordered for 10GB iPod models through the Apple Store. iPod requires a Mac with FireWire port, Mac OS X version 10.1.5 or later (Mac OS X v10.2 or later recommended) or a Windows PC with FireWire or USB 2.0 port, or Windows-certified FireWire or USB 2.0 card, Windows Me, Windows 2000, or Windows XP Home or Professional. A CD containing iTunes 4 for Mac OS X and MUSICMATCH Jukebox Plus 7.5 software is included with iPod purchases.
