iPod mini gets July 24 release date in AU

An Apple Australia spokesperson said the company was expecting the same response to the iPod minis in Australia as to its release in the US.

"The iPod mini has been a smash hit in the US, and we're thrilled to finally be able to offer it to music lovers the world over," said Steve Jobs, Apple chief executive officer, in a statement.

The iPod mini's 4GB hard drive holds up to 1,000 CD-quality songs, weighs 102 grams and comes in five colours. It will be available in Australia for AU$399, just AU$50 cheaper than the iPod 15GB which retails for AU$449.

The Apple spokesperson said the company could not comment on whether the iPod mini would cannibalise demand for the regular iPods presently available in Australia. The target market, the spokesperson said, was "anyone who loves music and who likes the different colours of the cover."

Apple Australia also announced that the iPod mini is available for ordering online through the Apple Australia Web site.

Apple previously pushed back the international debut of the iPod mini from April to July saying they needed to wait for more supply of hard drives after the strong demand of the portable music player in the US.