Apple, best known for personal computers, launched an ultra-slim MP3 player in Dublin yesterday, which the firm claims can store up to 1,000 songs in your pocket.

The iPod is a cigarette box-sized digital music player boasting a five gigabyte hard drive, a 10-hour battery life and weighing 6.5 ounces. A user can download digital music files and playlists from Apple's iTunes software package by plugging the iPod into an Apple Mac computer.

Analysts believe Apple's iPod could prove popular with younger people and the company may be aiming to encourage this important consumer segment to become familiar with Apple products.

The price for an iPod in the Republic is €459 (£361) and it will be available from end-November. Customers wishing to place orders can do so at www.apple.com/ iestore or with any Apple dealer.