Apple's revamping of its iPod line this week appeared to be more dramatic than previous makeovers, with all current iPods immediately discontinued. In reality, it was arguably a typical refresh of a model line that had matured and lost its edge. Competing digital players had become nearly as small as iPods, and some cost less and held more music. The new iPods have bigger capacities than their predecessors and are about $50 cheaper.

In addition to revamping its iPod hardware, Apple has expanded the content and features available from iTunes, its content-management software and online store. For $5, you can now download a vintage video game such as Mini Golf or Pac-Man, as well as Apple's Texas Hold'em and Vortex. For $10, iPod owners can now download any one of 75 Disney titles already out on DVD, including "Pirates of the Caribbean: The Curse of the Black Pearl," "The Incredibles," "National Treasure," and "Toy Story." New releases will cost $13 to $15, the same as Amazon's new movie-download service.

Early in 2007, Apple will also begin selling a device with the working name of iTV that will wirelessly stream standard-definition movies and other video from a Mac to a TV set. iTV will allow Apple to play catch-up with the PC world, where such video-streaming products are already available.

We're testing the new iPods and will report on them soon. In the meantime, here's a rundown of what they offer, along with advice if you're shopping now for a new player.


The Nano and Shuffle: The flash-memory iPods

When it made its debut last December, the 4-gigabyte Nano held about 1,000 songs in its flash memory, twice as many as its nearest competitor. Since then, that lead has been challenged by the 4GB Samsung YP-Z5 and the 6GB SanDisk Sansa, both of which held just as much music. Sansa recently launched an 8GB player, and other 8GB models are due from the company's rivals later this month.

The new Nano is only very slightly thinner and lighter than its predecessor. The screen remains 1.5 inches wide, which might disappoint fans who'd hoped for a bigger image, but Apple says it's brighter. The player also adds the rounded edges and brushed-aluminum case of the iPod Mini, which was discontinued last year. And unlike the previous-generation Nano, which was available only in black and white, the 4GB version of the new Nano comes in pink, green, silver and blue.

Apple says it has drastically increased the battery life, which lagged the competition's. The new Nano reportedly delivers 24 hours' listening time for music (up from 14 hours) and 5 hours for slide shows accompanied by music. The new Nano lineup starts with a 2GB model that holds 500 songs and sells for $150--compared with $100 for the old entry-level model, which held 1GB. A 4GB player (1,000 songs) sells for $200, and an 8GB model (2,000 songs) for $250.

The iPod Shuffle has had the most radical makeover, shrinking from the size of a pack of gum to little bigger than a chunk of Bazooka bubble gum. The price has shrunk, too. When it arrives in October, a 1GB player (the only model available) will sell for $80, down from $99 for the old 1GB model. One thing hasn't changed: Like its predecessor, this iPod lacks a screen, so "life is random" still for Shuffle owners, who must either listen to songs in playlist order or have the player shuffle them randomly.


The iPod: The hard-drive, flagship model

Now in its fifth generation, the hard-drive iPod is represented by two models. There's a $250, 30GB version (7,500 songs) that's $50 cheaper and considerably thinner than its predecessor. The other new model shoehorns a gargantuan 80GB hard drive (20,000 songs) into a case that's only slightly larger than the discontinued 60GB iPod. The 80GB model may be the best bargain in the new lineup. At $350, it costs only a little more than some rival players with less capacity, and it's the smallest 80GB player on the market.

Despite the availability of full-length movies on iTunes, the screen for the hard-drive iPods remains 2.5 inches wide (measured diagonally), smaller than those on some rivals. Apple claims the screen is brighter than on the older models. The 30GB iPod has a reported battery life of 14 hours for music, 3.5 hours for video, and 4 hours for music-backed slide shows. Surprisingly, the 80GB model reportedly offers a longer playtime: 20 hours for music, 6.5 hours for video, and 6 hours for music-backed slide shows. While that's more than the old 60GB iPod delivered, it's still less than what hard-drive players from Creative and others offer. The new hard-drive iPods come in the same two finishes as the last models--black and white.


CR's take

We can't yet vouch for the performance of the new iPods but, if they're like their predecessors, they should be fine, well-designed players. With their lower prices, higher capacities, and smaller size, there's less reason to consider players from other brands.

But those reasons haven't vanished. Among them: Despite Apple's growing emphasis on video, the new hard-drive iPods have smaller screens than some rivals and won't play movies from the new Amazon service. The Shuffle is only a little smaller than some other miniplayers that have a screen and cost a little less.

Also, some longtime iPod irritants remain. You still can't get an iPod with a radio, built-in recorder, or supplied charger, for example. And to enjoy subscription music services such as Napster and Rhapsody away from your computer, you'll still have to use another brand of player.

A final note: The older iPods are now available on clearance from third-party retailers--that is, from almost anywhere but at Apple's stores and Web site. Discounts run up to $100, so the discontinued models might be bargains for those who don't mind buying yesterday's technology.