Wednesday, Apple introduced new iPod mini models.  A 4GB iPod mini now costs $199, and a 6GB one costs $249.  The new models come in the old silver and three new colours, trading their pastel shades for a deeper blue, pink, and green.  Gold is gone.  The mini also now features 18 hours of battery capacity, according to Apple.  That’s more than double the previous version’s claimed 8 hours of life.

Also on Wednesday came price cuts for the iPod photo.  The 60GB model’s price has dropped from $599 to $449, and the 40GB model for $499 was replaced by 30GB for $349.  The monochrome-screen 40GB iPod, which cost $399, is gone.  However, the price cuts come at a cost of fewer bundled accessories:  the new iPod photo has no FireWire cable, A/V cable, dock, or carrying case.  Users must now depend on USB 2.0 to connect their iPod photos, or pay $19 more for a FireWire cable.