Rumors sparked a couple of days ago that Apple might be releasing the next-generation of iPods that will sport a new split-screen interface and other new features. Apple is currently not denying nor confirming anything but this latest development might be telling all of us something.

Reportedly, various online retail chains have slashed more than US$ 20 off on 30GB or 80GB iPods (the ones with video). These stores include Amazon, Best Buy, Circuit City, and J&R online stores. Target and Wal-Mart, on the other hand, are not part of this surprise price cut.

This, when you really think about it, could imply that Apple is already on its way to clearing away excess stocks to make way for the new ones. It is also possible that it's just what it is - a price cut - and nothing more. We guess we all just have to wait for August 7 as nameless sources have claimed that an announcement will be made by then.

A report from AppleInsider indicates that Target, another major retail chain aside from Wal-Mart and Circuit City, is expected to pick up their own stock of the Apple's new entertainment showcase product, the Apple TV.

Best Buy finalized a deal with Apple to shelf the Apple TV in their stores last month, and Target will now become the next retail to have Apple TV on sale and on display.

Of course, the new stock is not yet expected to fill Target retail warehouses. Reports have come in stating that Target should be allowed one month in order to carry a full stock quota of the product in selected retail outlets nationwide. They are also planning on setting up eye-catching demonstration booths in some select outlets in order to introduce the new product to the public.

A representative from Target declined to comment on this report, after conferring with Target's "internal partners." The TiVo contender is a current top seller at all Apple chains nationwide, but is still up against a lot of competition from Microsoft and TiVo. It's ability to be modded for gaming and mobile use is an added edge for the product, however.

One story that's been making the blog rounds recently is the one where Circuit City allegedly violates the Digital Millennium Copyright Act (DMCA) by way of a DVD video transfer service. For ten bucks, Circuit City'll take your DVD and rip it into iPod format. For $20, they'll do three, and for $30 they'll do five. The sign even had a caveat: "Transfer must be from an original copy of your DVD collection." Grammatically incorrect, but a caveat nonetheless.

Blogger Seth Finkelstein of Infothought did some fact-checking on his own and called Circuit City. He was able to speak to Bill Cimino, Circuit City Director of Corporate Communications, who said:

"The sign is incorrect and not authorized and we are in the process of making sure the sign is removed."

"We offer two services. In a small number of stores, we will transfer your commercial CD's to a DVD, and in other stores, we will transfer your home VHS to a DVD. We do not transfer pre-recorded VHS or DVD, to DVD."

Thing is, though, the Circuit City store where the sign was displayed is already in a lot of hot water. Chapter 12 in the copyrights section of the US Code specifically states that "No person shall manufacture, import, offer to the public, provide, or otherwise traffic in any technology, product, service, device, component, or part thereof, thatÂ?". Yep, they certainly seem to fall under that "offer to the public" part.

It seems this has turned out to be an isolated incident. Circuit City is a big business, and they know that it doesn't pay to try and stick it to the MPAA. But still, one bad apple...

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