Apple delays iPod mini launch

Digital music fans in the UK will have to wait a little longer before they can snap up the new smaller version of Apple’s iPod music player.

Apple has put back the worldwide availability of its iPod mini from April to July, blaming the delay on a stronger-than-expected demand for the player in the US.

The iPod mini offers 4GB of storage for holding around 1,000 songs. Like the original iPod, it provides over 25 minutes of skip protection and lasts up to eight hours on a single battery charge.

Tim Cook, executive vice president of worldwide sales and operations at Apple, said: "The iPod mini is a huge hit with customers in the US and we're sure it will be the same worldwide once we can ramp up our supply in the July quarter. The iPod mini adds further momentum to the iPod, which is already the leading digital music player in the world."

Apple said it expects to up the manufacturing of the iPod mini, which began shipping in February in the US at $249, to meet worldwide demand in July.