Apple Boosts Memory, Prices Of iPhone, Touch

By Joseph Palenchar -- TWICE, 2/5/2008

Cupertino, Calif. — Apple doubled the memory capacities of its iPhone and iPod Touch and tacked on an additional $100 to their price tags, but lower capacity versions will remain on the market.

The 32GB iPod Touch is available immediately at a suggested retail of $499 through Apple’s online and brick-and-mortar stores and authorized resellers. It joins the current 16GB version at $399 and the 8GB version at $299.

The Touch, however, won’t be the only 32GB flash-memory portable media player (PMP) on the market. SanDisk announced February shipments of a 32GB version of the Sansa View at a suggested $349. Apple’s Touch and iPhone, however, feature its Multi-Touch motion user interface.

The new 16GB version of the iPhone, meantime, also became available at a suggested $499 through Apple and AT&T Wireless online and brick-and-mortar outlets. It joined the $399 8GB iPhone.

The new Apple models include the latest software enhancements announced in January, including compatibility with the new iTunes movie-rental download service and ability to customize the home screen and find your location on an on-screen map.

“For some users, there’s never enough memory,” said Greg Joswiak, Apple worldwide iPod and iPhone product marketing VP.