Key events for Apple in 2005

A timeline of significant 2005 events for Apple Computer Inc.: The full article will be available on the Web for a limited time: http://www.mercurynews.com/mld/mercurynews/news/
breaking_news/13415123.htm
(c) 2005 AP Wire and wire service sources. All Rights Reserved.

Jan. 11: Introduces the iPod shuffle, Apple's first flash memory-based audio player; introduces the book-sized $499 Mac mini, considered Apple's first foray into the budget desktop PC arena.

Jan. 24: iTunes Music Store downloads top 250 million, averaging more than a million song sales a day.

Feb. 23: Introduces second-generation models of the hot-selling iPod mini, cutting the price of a 4-gigabyte model from $249 to $199 and debuting a new 6 gigabyte-model at $249.

April 29: Ships Mac OS X 10.4 "Tiger."

May 10: iTunes Music Store launches in four European countries, bringing the worldwide total to 19 countries.

June 6: Announces plans to use Intel Corp. processors beginning in 2006.

June 28: iTunes introduces a podcast directory.

July 18: iTunes downloads surpass 500 million.

Aug. 24: iTunes Music Store launches in Japan, its 20th country.

Sept. 7: Pencil-thin, flash-memory based iPod nano debuts, replacing the iPod mini.

Oct. 11: Reports record revenue of nearly $14 billion for the full fiscal year; fourth-quarter income more than quadruples on torrid sales of iPods and strong computer shipments.

Oct. 12: Fifth-generation iPod with video capabilities debuts; groundbreaking deal with Walt Disney Co., others, puts TV shows, music videos and short films for sale on iTunes for viewing on the new iPod or computers; unveils new iMac G5 with a remote control and "Front Row" software.

Oct. 19: iTunes Music Store launches in Australia, its 21st country.

Dec. 6: Eleven shows from General Electric Co.'s NBC Universal debut on iTunes, growing the online store's TV catalog to more than 300 episodes from 16 TV shows.