Apple first-quarter profits soar

THE Apple computer company, which employs 1,200 people in Cork, saw first-quarter profits soar after selling a record number of its iPod music players.

The company said profits for the three months to end December 2004 quarter profits rise by $232 million to $295m.

Apple said sales of its iPod players the must-have Christmas present of 2004 iMac and its iTunes soared in the three months, with revenues up 74% to $3.49 billion. "We are thrilled to report the highest quarterly revenue and net income in Apple's history," said company founder and chief executive Steve Jobs.