Apple Plans Announcement Today

The new Apple iPhone is seen in this June 29, 2007 file photo in New York. The iPhone can be bought in China, even though Apple Inc. isn't selling it there and the gadgets don't function properly despite costing nearly twice as much as authorized models in the United States. (AP Photo/Jason DeCrow, file) (Jason Decrow - AP)

SAN FRANCISCO -- Apple Inc. is scheduled to make an announcement today that analysts expect will be iPod upgrades.

In other Apple news, NBC Universal said Tuesday it will sell episodes of its new fall television shows using Amazon's Unbox digital download service, after the network failed to reach an agreement with Apple Inc. last week to offer the shows on iTunes.

Amazon.com Inc. and NBC Universal said that episodes of programs such as "The Office" and "Heroes" are currently available for $1.99 on Unbox, and that new episodes will be added to the site they day after they air. Customers will be able to buy an entire season of a show at once.

And a Chinese newspaper reported this week that the iPhone can be bought in China, even though Apple Inc. isn't selling it there and the gadget doesn't function properly despite costing twice as much as in the United States.

Enthusiasts willing to pay 8,800 yuan ($1,170) can buy the iPhone at electronics markets in Beijing, Shanghai, Shenzhen and Guangzhou, the computer and electronics newspaper Dian Nao Bao reported in its Monday editions.

In the United States, the combination cell phone-iPod media player can be had for as little as $499. The Chinese version can make calls and send text messages, but it can't receive calls. The voicemail function also doesn't work.