Apple iPods Get Fancier

Apple(AAPL) re-tuned its iPod lineup on Wednesday, introducing two new models and dropping the price on two others.

The new models are a six-gigabyte iPod mini and a 30-gigabyte iPod photo. The new iPod mini has 50% more storage capacity than previous versions of the model, while the iPod photo has 75% of the capacity of the model it is apparently replacing. Apple is offering the two models for about $250 and $350, respectively.

Meanwhile, Apple discounted two of the older models in its lineup. The company is now selling its four-gigabyte iPod mini for about $200 and its top-of-the-line 60-gigabyte iPod photo for about $450. Previously the company offered the two models, which it introduced last year, for about $250 and $600.

Apple has apparently discontinued the 40-gigabyte version of the iPod photo. The company no longer lists the device, which it previously offered for about $500, on its Web store.

Apple representatives did not immediately return calls seeking comment.

The new models and discounts are just the latest attempt by Apple to maintain its lead in the market. In January, the company introduced its first flash-based iPods. The devices are considerably smaller than its original hard-drive-based music players and come at a fraction of the cost -- but hold far less music.

The iPod has become arguably the most important product in Apple's lineup. Unlike its Macintosh computers, which have only a marginal share of the PC market, iPods dominate the market for digital music players. Sales of the devices have helped the company revive its revenue and earnings -- and have encouraged some analysts to believe that its computer sales will rebound as well.

Largely on the strength of its iPod sales, Apple has seen its stock skyrocket. Apple shares have nearly quadrupled in the last year. In recent trading on Wednesday, they were up $1.56, or 1.8%, to $86.85.

According to Apple, the new, larger iPod mini will hold about 1,500 songs, compared with about 1,000 on the previous iteration. Both versions of the iPod photo have a color screen and will hold about 25,000 photos, the company says. However, the smaller version of the iPod will hold up to 7,500 songs, compared with 15,000 for the larger version.

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