It was another year of iPod everywhere, as Apple Computer expanded into new areas such as podcasting and video and translated the player's success into financial reward.

At Macworld Expo in January, Apple introduced a low-price iPod called the Shuffle. At the same time, the company introduced the $499 Mac Mini, a slim, low-cost desktop that was seen as a way to turn more iPod owners into Mac buyers.

As iPod sales soared, so did the market for all manner of iPod accessories. In January, Apple decided to grab its piece of that pie, introducing its "Made for iPod" program. With this, Apple gets a cut of the revenue from iPod add-ons like speakers and car chargers. Later in the year, Apple expanded the program, making it mandatory for all products that use the dock connector on the bottom of the iPod.

Apple also made headlines with its battle to smoke out people who leaked details on forthcoming products to several Mac rumor sites. In one case, Apple sued the publishers of Think Secret, claiming the site induced others to leak confidential Apple trade secrets. In another case, stemming from late 2004, Apple sued three men who allegedly leaked prerelease copies of Mac OS X Tiger onto the Internet. The company eventually settled in both cases.

But it was a third case that drew the most attention. In that one, Apple sued several unnamed individuals who allegedly leaked information about forthcoming products. The battle became a broader fight over the First Amendment when Apple attempted to subpoena e-mail and other records from two enthusiast sites, prompting several media groups to join the fight. A state court judge eventually ruled that Apple could pursue the records, although an appeal was then filed.

Apple's biggest bombshell by far came in June, when the company announced plans to move to Intel-based chips. Apple said at the time that the first MacTel machines would be on shelves within 12 months, but many now expect them to arrive as early as January.

In September, Apple unveiled the Rokr, an iTunes-capable cell phone developed by Motorola. But the stage was stolen by the iPod Nano, an ultra-slim player with flash memory that replaced the iPod Mini, the company's best-selling product at the time. Demand for the Nano was "staggering," according to Apple, though its launch was marred somewhat by complaints that the Nano screen scratches too easily.

Just a few weeks after introducing the Nano, Apple updated its iPod to play video. The company started selling music videos, Pixar shorts and a few TV shows from ABC. Apple also updated its flat-screen iMac to include a built-in camera and new Front Row software for watching videos, scanning photos or listening to music via remote control.

--Ina Fried

2005 Highlights

Apple suit foreshadows coming products

Company sues Mac enthusiast site and others, lending credibility to hot rumors surrounding product plans.

Apple unveils $499 PC

Apple Computer chief Steve Jobs delivers the goods, showing off budget PC and new flash memory-based iPod Shuffle.

Apple debuts new, low-priced iPod

Mac maker introduces new version of its popular music player dubbed the Shuffle, priced at just $99 or $149.

Judge: Apple can pursue fan site sources

Ruling gives Apple the right to subpoena electronic records of Web sites that published items about unreleased product.

Apple seeks 'tax' on iPod accessories

Mac maker wants a royalty from the sale of any add-ons that feature the new "Made for iPod" logo.

Apple settles with Tiger leaker

Company reaches settlement with 22-year-old it sued for online distribution of its unreleased Mac OS X Tiger operating system.

Apple's Tiger unleashed

Mac fans line up outside Apple's store in downtown San Francisco in hopes of being first to get their paws on Mac OS X 10.4.

It's Intel inside for Apple's Mac

After a decade with IBM, Apple is ready to switch. But can the Mac maker's customers take another architecture shift?

iPod screens go all-color

Apple switches to color screens for all its standard iPods and updates iTunes to let people more easily download podcasts.

Apple's Georgia laptop deal hits snag

Judge agrees with opponents who said voters weren't sufficiently informed that sales tax would fund school program.

Rokr iTunes phone, iPod Nano unveiled

iPod Nano, which is 80 percent smaller than the original iPod, and the iTunes-enabled cell phone called the Rokr are introduced.

Apple unveils video iPod, new iMac

The "one more thing" Apple had teased for Wednesday's press announcement turned out to be three more things.

Suit filed over Nano scratches

Complaint alleges that Apple violated state consumer protection statutes, as well as warranties.

RIP, iPod Mini? No way, fans say

Apple may have killed it off, but some consumers are still carrying a torch for last year's hot ticket.

Bringing prime time to video iPod

Small developer sees an opening in the lag for Apple to offer top-level TV shows at the iTunes store.

Behind the headlines

• The brains behind Apple's Rosetta
• Apple steps up iPod tax push
• Much ado over Apple-Intel developer box
• Apple videos hint at film ambitions
• Labels bested by Steve Jobs?
• Imitation is purest flattery as Apple, Microsoft battle
• Apple takes a step away from FireWire
• New iPods make some add-ons yesterday's hits
• Apple settles with third alleged Tiger leaker