iPod Hits Refresh

No, this is not news on the fifth generation iPod. What I can tell you is that Apple has updated their iPod lineup with new and improved versions. This is good news, by the way, unlike the release of the disappointing iPod shuffle...

The iPod mini improves its battery life to 18 hours per charge, and drops the 4GB version down to $200 while a new 6GB version will soon replace it at the $250 price point, possibly with a color screen.

The iPod photo lineup adds a newer, more affordable 30GB version at $350 which completely eliminates the 40GB version. It also lowers the price on the 60GB version to $450, a huge drop from its original $600 asking price.

I still have not purchased an MP3 player despite my ever-increasing need for one -- the perfect device has yet to reveal itself to me. But a $200 iPod mini and a $450 60GB iPod photo are both tempting. Extremely tempting. It's just that I keep telling myself that I've got to wait until the fifth generation iPod is out... Stay tuned to see if I can wait this sucker out.