Some of the best technology deals are available on refurbished items. We will write more about this topic soon, but for now, lets focus on iPods because Apple just slashed the prices of refurbished iPods.

What is a refurbished iPod? It is a pre-owned Apple iPod that undergoes a stringent refurbishment process and is then certified by Apple and covered by Apple’s one-year limited warranty. As these products are each individually refurbished and certified, supplies are limited. The recent batch released for sale by Apple includes newer and older models at prices ranging from $99 to $229. Here is a list of the available models and corresponding discounts.

• Refurbished iPod 60GB – Black or White: $229.00 (43% off original $399.00)
• Refurbished iPod 30GB – Black or White: $179.00 (41% off original $299.00)
• Refurbished iPod nano 2GB – Black or White: $99.00 (51% off original $199.00)
• Refurbished iPod mini 4GB – Gold, Silver, Blue, Pink, or Green: $99.00 (61% off original $249.00)
• Refurbished iPod mini 6GB – Silver, Blue, Pink: $129.00 (49% off original $249.00)

iPod Video
Apple announced the 6th generation iPod which will be similar to the current iPod Video but with several major upgrades. The 60GB iPod is being replaced by a new 80GB iPod. Prices are also dropping as the 30GB will retail for $249 and the new 80GB will retails for $349. Additionally:

• The screen will be 60% brighter (as if the current screen wasn’t great already)
• Battery life was upped from 4 to 6.5 hours
• Includes games such as Tetris, Pac-Man, Mini Golf, Texas Hold ‘Em, Mahjong, and Bejeweled
• Additional games can be downloaded from iTunes for $5
• Instant search will make it easier to find tracks

iPod Nano
Also changing is the new second generation iPod Nano which is now available in colors (black, blue, green, and pink) and aluminum. Pricing and sizes are as follows: 2GB Nano (aluminum) for $149, 4GB (colors) for $199, and 8GB (black) for $249.

iPod Shuffle
The new second generation 1GB iPod Shuffle comes in an aluminum case and includes a built in clip. Oh, and it’s the size of a stamp. It’s the smallest MP3 player on the market. Priced at $79 it will include a dock and the new earbuds.

iPod Accessories
Even iPod accessories are seeing a change. The ubiquitous earbuds have changed a bit and the power charger is 40% smaller.

The not-so-secret-secret is no longer a secret: Apple has added full-length movies to iTunes 7. As expected, the first 70 movies all come from the Disney family. New movies will cost $12.99 as pre-orders and during the first week. To help produce “Near-DVD” video, movie resolution is upped to 640×480 instead of 320×240. This feature is only available at the US store but will launch internationally in 2007.

The new iTunes 7 will look similar to iTunes 6 but also an organized navigation bar, album viewing, and album art viewer. The upgraded iTunes will also download missing album art (a feature which will make many iPod Video users very happy). Another major update is the ability to transfer purchased content between authorized computers using your iPod.

As for new shows, iTunes 7 will offer highlights of the whole 2006 NFL season for $1.99 per game or $24.99 for a season pass.

Download iTunes 7

See Also: Apple Makes the iPods Even Better (and also Cheaper)

Apple recently announced new and exciting changes to its popular iMac lineup. Leading off is the new 24-inch widescreen LCD iMac which starts off with a 2.16GHz Intel Core 2 Duo processor, 1920×1200 resolution, 1GB memory, 250GB Serial ATA hard drive, 8x double-layer SuperDrive (DVD+R DL, DVD±RW, CD-RW), NVIDIA GeForce 7300 GT with 128MB GDDR3 memory, built-in AirPort Extreme and Bluetooth 2.0, and Apple Remote. Additionally, Apple has upgraded its 17-inch and 20-inch models to also include the new Intel Core 2 Duo processors (with speeds ranging from 1.83GHz to 2.16GHz).

With prices for the new 24-inch iMac starting at $1,999, I think many potential shoppers who were concerned about the cost of a Mac Pro plus 23-inch screen, will find this new iMac to be a great solution at a good price. Avoid the lines and supply limitations at your local Apple store by customizing and ordering one online today (plus free shipping).

Buy a Mac get a free iPod nano. That’s right, you can get a free iPod nano (after mail-in rebate) if you buy a new education-discounted MacBook, MacBook Pro, Mac Pro, or Power Mac G5 by September 16, 2006. You have to prove you are a student to get the discount and the rebate. The $179 rebate can be applied towards other iPods although you will have to make up the difference.

Here’s how to do it:

1. Buy a new MacBook, MacBook Pro, Mac Pro, or Power Mac G5.

2. Purchase any iPod with a qualifying Mac and get up to $179 back after mail-in rebate.

3. After you receive your products, start your rebate online for fastest processing. Or download and mail the rebate form.