Responding with alacrity to TidBITS Editor in Chief Tonya Engst's piece about the increased number of women in the Macintosh world (or at least attending Macworld Expo - see "More Women at Macworld Expo?," 2008-01-20), Apple last week released a pink iPod nano. The 8 GB iPod nano costs $199, just like all the other colored 8 GB iPod nanos, since Apple knows that women are way too smart to pay more just because they'd prefer pink.

"We're sure Tonya will appreciate the new color, and we apologize for dragging our heels on releasing the pink iPod nano," said Greg Joswiak, Apple's vice president of Worldwide iPod Product Marketing. "We had to get Jonathan Ive to sign off on the exact shade of pink, and it turns out to be harder than you'd expect to color aluminum pink."

Well, actually, he didn't say that. His actual quote was, "The pink iPod nano is perfect for people who want a great new color this spring, or who are searching for a special Valentine's Day gift." But I know Joz, and I can't imagine he actually said that, given that he is a verified guy. My money is on the quote having been put in Joz's mouth by Christine Monaghan, Apple PR's iPod contact, who I'm willing to bet is a woman and would thus be much more likely to use "a great new color this spring" in a sentence.

And Joz, I'm betting the whole Valentine's Day gift thing is a hint.