Apple drops iPod pricing ahead of event

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Apple drops iPod pricing ahead of event

Apple this morning quietly lowered its prices on the current-generation iPod nano, iPod touch, and iPod classic, ahead of its Rock and Roll media event which is set to begin at 10:00 a.m. Pacific Time. Pricing on the 8GB and 16GB iPod nano dropped to $129 and $149, respectively, while the three tiers of iPod touch—8GB, 16GB, and 32GB—saw their prices cut to $189, $249, and $279, respectively. Finally, the iPod classic dropped $20 to $229, while the third-generation iPod shuffle remains $79. Interestingly, the pricing has only been changed on the individual item pages, and not anywhere else on Apple’s online store or website; it is unclear whether the lower pricing will be carried over to the new models Apple is expected to announce today, or whether this will be considered “closeout” pricing on these older iPods once they are supplanted by new models.

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Comments

1

How uncharacteristic… perhaps there’s going to be some bigger changes to the line up than we though?

Posted by Fanman on September 9, 2009 at 4:21 AM (PST)

2

I also wonder if this has anything to do with the rumored delays of the new models’ actual release - perhaps a way to tide over the consumers until the new models actually are available. Oh well, four more hours and we’ll know.

It’s also weird that they did this in this way at all, usually the store is “down for repairs” about this time as they get ready to unveil the new iPods. Something is up.

Posted by Code Monkey in Midstate New York on September 9, 2009 at 5:11 AM (PST)

3

No price changes in the UK. Weird…

Posted by NFreak007 on September 9, 2009 at 5:18 AM (PST)

4

While we don’t have to wait long to find out the truth, my guess is that this confirms the delays to the new models. I’d find it hard to believe that Apple would drop the prices quietly for just one day. I’d say this just gives them something to fill the void with until they can get the new models out.

And, if there is any truth to the camera issue, I’ll be glad if they’re delayed rather than having Apple push them out and never being sure if I’ve got a model that may develop a problem.

Posted by BeefJerky on September 9, 2009 at 6:19 AM (PST)

5

The store’s gone down now. That’s basically confirmation of new iPods. Getting pretty excited now!

Posted by NFreak007 on September 9, 2009 at 6:51 AM (PST)

6

How do you “Quietly” drop prices? Either you drop prices or you don’t! What makes it “Quiet”?? Such sensationalism!

Posted by Randy on September 9, 2009 at 6:54 AM (PST)

7

Some Apple price cuts are announced via press release, and some Apple price cuts are mentioned as part of a keynote address or a special announcement like today’s.

Some price cuts are just implemented in the store, without a press release or special announcement. That would be how they “quietly” drop prices.

There’s no big announcement about these price drops because they want to keep the focus on the new iPods, not the older ones.

Posted by BJ Nemeth on September 9, 2009 at 7:07 AM (PST)

8

So we can expect higher memory capacities and a camera?

Big deal - total snoozefest.

I’d get more excited about a totally revamped Shuffle that’s got a decent interface again than an iTouch with a camera and more memory.

Posted by TechnoGeek on September 9, 2009 at 8:10 AM (PST)

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