The Incredible Shrinking iPod Prices Undercut The Zune HD

Screen shot 2009-09-09 at 3.30.44 AMWe’re still hours away from Apple’s event today in San Francisco, but that apparently hasn’t stopped the company from releasing some changes in its own store. The main thing to note is the prices of the various iPod lines, especially the iPod touch.

Yesterday, a 32 GB iPod touch was $399. Today? $279. Yesterday, a 16 GB version was $299. Today? $249. The 8 GB one is now only $189, down from $229. The nanos are falling as well, with the 16 GB version now only $149, and the 8 GB only $129, down from $199 and $149, respectively. The iPod classic has seen a $20 price cut.

These price cuts were, of course, expected, and very likely point to a new 64 GB iPod touch being unveiled tomorrow in the $399 price point. Significantly, this means that the iPod touch is now cheaper than the high-end Zune HD, set to be released next week. The 32 GB Zune HD will be $289.99, roughly $10 more expensive than the 32 GB iPod touch, now.

The 16 GB iPod touch will still apparently be $30 more than the comparable Zune, but for once, Apple can claim a victory on the high-end price point.

Normally, Apple takes down the store to make these changes, but didn’t tonight for whatever reason. Consider it a teaser of what’s to come.

Update: Interestingly enough, at its event today, Apple listed the 8 GB/32 GB/64 GB as $199/$299/$399, so slightly off from the prices in their store. It’s certainly possible that those are the prices for the older 2nd generation iPod touches, while the new ones are for the as yet unannounced iPod touch 3rd gen.

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