Apple’s deal with Apple might mean big things for the iPod. “The new contract clears the way for Steve Jobs to sell iPods loaded with music. Who cares? Well, the iPod could become the new CD, especially if Apple starts offering cheap shuffle iPods pre-loaded with hot new albums or artists’ catalogs. Imagine a whole range of inexpensive, special-edition iPods branded with popular bands containing a new album, or their whole catalogs.”