Apple peels wraps off iPod for Windows

Apple has confirmed that it is trying to steal a march on Microsoft with the announcement of the iPod for Windows at Macworld yesterday in New York.

News that Apple is to introduce a PC version of its incredibly popular iPod pretty much confirms that the company is making a move to strike at the heart of the Windows user base and give people a reason to walk into an Apple showroom.

However, some say that Apple's marketing may have backfired.

By introducing a non-Mac compatible Windows version of the iPod, prospective customers would have less reason to buy a Mac, not more.

But to keep morale up among the already loyal, Apple boss Steve Jobs announced a new-generation Mac iPod with 20Gb of drive space, remote control, carrying case and an enhanced version of the popular iTunes software.

This is also a bone of contention between the Mac and Windows camps. Because iTunes is Mac only, buyers of the upcoming Windows iPod would be stuck with the slightly less impressive MusicMatch software.

According to reports, Jobs also upset a huge chunk of the Mac community when he revealed plans for the iTools online service.

Currently free, iTools gives Mac fanatics an email service, storage space and web hosting, among other features. But, at the end of September, iTools will become .Mac and will cost users $99.95 per year.

Existing users can get the first year at a discount price of $49.95, but must still pay $100 more than they were paying after the first year.