2006年VOA标准英语-Apple Hopes to Continue Success with Updat

By Crystal Park
Washington, D.C.
16 January 2006
 
watch report on Apple

Apple Computers had a strong sales year in 2005, thanks in part to the hugely popular iPod. It has an 83% share of the market. Apple is also trying to revolutionize its computer business.

The annual Mac World convention was held in San Francisco. Computer fans gathered to celebrate success and to see new products unveiled. This year, Apple CEO, Steve Jobs, introduced the newest iMac. It is two to three times faster than its predecessor¹, the iMacG5, thanks to a new chip by Intel. For years, Apple shunned² Intel for their own technology, but now is excited about the new partnership³.

Steve Jobs, Apple CEO at the Mac World convention   
  
"We are building in the latest and greatest technology -- the new Intel Core Duo chip. This is an amazing chip,” announced Mr. Jobs.

The new iMac is the latest product in a growing list of gadgets⁴ Apple has come out with over the last few years. The company is enjoying tremendous success with its most popular item, the iPod digital music player.

Apple sold 14 million iPods during the 2005 holiday season, helping⁵ it reach its highest sales ever: $5.7 billion.

Apple has sold a total of 42 million iPods to date. And today's iPods allow you to not only listen to music, but download videos and even television shows. 

 
An Apple iPod 
  
The iPod is becoming so popular that other retailers⁶ are designing products to accommodate the player. Levi Strauss plans on introducing the Redwire DLX jean this fall, which has a special pocket to fit your iPod and another pocket with a built-in iPod control. The jeans will cost $200.

There are other ways to accessorize your iPod. Dozens of cases are available to customize the iPod, as well as sound enhancing speakers and other gadgets.

For iPod lovers, nothing is too much.

Gushed⁷ one fan, "I've fallen in love with it. It's phenomenal."

1 predecessor   

n.前辈，前任

参考例句：

• It will share the fate of its predecessor.它将遭受与前者同样的命运。
• The new ambassador is more mature than his predecessor.新大使比他的前任更成熟一些。

2 shunned   

v.避开，回避，避免( shun的过去式和过去分词 )

参考例句：

• She was shunned by her family when she remarried. 她再婚后家里人都躲着她。
• He was a shy man who shunned all publicity. 他是个怕羞的人，总是避开一切引人注目的活动。 来自《简明英汉词典》

3 partnership   

n.合作关系，伙伴关系

参考例句：

• The company has gone into partnership with Swiss Bank Corporation.这家公司已经和瑞士银行公司建立合作关系。
• Martin has taken him into general partnership in his company.马丁已让他成为公司的普通合伙人。

4 gadgets   

n.小机械，小器具（ gadget的名词复数 ）

参考例句：

• Certainly. The idea is not to have a house full of gadgets. 当然。设想是房屋不再充满小配件。 来自超越目标英语 第4册
• This meant more gadgets and more experiments. 这意味着要设计出更多的装置，做更多的实验。 来自英汉非文学 - 科学史

5 helping   

n.食物的一份&adj.帮助人的，辅助的

参考例句：

• The poor children regularly pony up for a second helping of my hamburger. 那些可怜的孩子们总是要求我把我的汉堡包再给他们一份。
• By doing this, they may at times be helping to restore competition. 这样一来, 他在某些时候,有助于竞争的加强。

6 retailers   

零售商，零售店( retailer的名词复数 )

参考例句：

• High street retailers reported a marked increase in sales before Christmas. 商业街的零售商报告说圣诞节前销售量显著提高。
• Retailers have a statutory duty to provide goods suitable for their purpose. 零售商有为他们提供符合要求的货品的法定义务。

7 gushed   

v.喷，涌( gush的过去式和过去分词 )；滔滔不绝地说话

参考例句：

• Oil gushed from the well. 石油从井口喷了出来。 来自《现代汉英综合大词典》
• Clear water gushed into the irrigational channel. 清澈的水涌进了灌溉渠道。 来自《现代汉英综合大词典》