Limited edition Beatles iPod to be sold by Bloomingdales

US department store Bloomingdales is to produce strictly limited edition Beatles iPods. The gadgets will be sold with The Beatles’ back catalogue. Only 2,500 will be made, making them instant collector’s items.

The news led to renewed speculation that the group’s songs will soon appear on Apple’s iTunes store.

The Beatles are one of the last major recording artists to have resisted selling their songs as digital downloads, although a deal has reportedly been struck between Apple Inc and Apple Records.

Apple Records has reportedly given Bloomingdale’s exclusive rights to The Beatles’ images. The store will produce a new line of t-shirts, jackets and accessories featuring images from group’s records and films, along with CD box sets.