Welcome to the iNews Review, Low End Mac's new roundup of all Apple
things that aren't Mac - iPods, iPhone, and Apple TV. PowerBook, iBook,
MacBook, and other portable computing is covered in The 'Book Review, and general Mac news is in
Mac News Review.
All prices are in US dollars unless otherwise noted.
iPod News & Opinion
iPhone News & Opinion
Products
iPod and iPhone Deals
Software
iPod News & Opinion
Apple Unveils iPod touch with Multi-touch
Interface, Built-in WiFi
PR: Apple's new iPod touch features Apple's iPhone-style
multi-touch user interface that enables users to find and enjoy music,
videos and more on its widescreen display with just the touch of a
finger.
First
introduced on iPhone, the multi-touch interface uses pioneering new
software to present the user interface for each application. The iPod
touch also includes WiFi wireless networking, the first on any iPod,
and three amazing applications that use it - Safari, the most advanced
browser on any mobile device, lets users wirelessly view web pages just
as they look on their computer, and features Google Search or Yahoo!
oneSearch; Apple's YouTube application lets users wirelessly watch over
10 million free videos from the Internet's most popular video website;
and the new iTunes WiFi Music Store lets users wirelessly browse,
preview and buy songs and albums from the most popular online music
store in the world. The iPod touch is a svelte 8 mm thin, and is priced
starting at $299.
"The iPod touch is a landmark iPod, ushering in a whole new
generation of features based on its revolutionary multi-touch interface
and built-in WiFi wireless networking," said Steve Jobs. "People are
going to be amazed at how thin it is and how much it does."
With its 3.5" widescreen display, iPod touch is ideal for watching
movies and TV shows, as well as viewing photos and album art. iPod
touch has a built-in accelerometer that automatically senses when you
rotate it into its landscape position. When you're in music, it
automatically switches to Cover Flow so you can browse your music
collection by album cover artwork with just a flick of a finger. When
in Photos, it automatically displays the photo in its landscape aspect
ratio; and when in Safari it displays the web page horizontally. iPod
touch also has a built-in ambient light sensor that automatically
adjusts the display's brightness. iPod touch features up to 22 hours of
audio playback and up to five hours of video playback.
The iTunes WiFi Music Store lets you browse the iTunes Top Ten lists
of songs and albums overall or by genre, check out new releases and
"What's Hot," or search for your favorite songs, albums or artists. You
can preview any song for free, then purchase and download the ones you
like directly onto your iPod touch over WiFi. The music you download
will be automatically uploaded into your iTunes library the next time
you sync your iPod touch with your computer.
With Safari on the iPod touch you can see web pages the way they
were meant to be seen, with the ability to zoom into any webpage with a
tap of your finger. The Safari web browser includes built-in Google
Search and Yahoo! oneSearch so you can quickly and easily find
information you need. iPod touch also includes Apple's YouTube
application that allows you to access, browse and search for millions
of free YouTube videos over WiFi.
Apple also announced an exclusive agreement with Starbucks that
allows you to access the iTunes WiFi Music Store for free in
participating US Starbucks stores starting next month. When you enter a
participating Starbucks location, your iPod touch, iPhone, or PC or Mac
running iTunes will automatically recognize the iTunes WiFi Music
Store. You can see what song is currently playing or has recently
played in the store, and immediately preview, buy and download it over
WiFi.
iPod owners can choose from a vast ecosystem of accessories with
over 4,000 products made specifically for the iPod including cases,
fitness accessories, speaker systems and iPod connectivity in over 70
percent of US automobiles.
The new iPod touch is scheduled to be available later this month.
The 8 GB iPod touch model is $299 and the 16 GB iPod model is
$399. iPod touch requires a Mac with a USB 2.0 port, Mac OS X 10.4.10
or later and iTunes 7.4; or a Windows PC with a USB 2.0 port and
Windows Vista or Windows XP Home or Professional (Service Pack 2) or
later and iTunes 7.4. Internet access is required and a broadband
connection is recommended, fees may apply. The iTunes Store is not
available in all countries.
* Battery life and number of charge cycles vary by use and settings.
See www.apple.com/batteries for more
information. Music capacity is based on four minutes per song and
128-Kbps AAC encoding; photo capacity is based on iPod-viewable photos
transferred from iTunes; and video capacity is based on H.264 1.5 Mbps
video at 640-by-480 resolution.
Apple Introduces New iPod nano, Now Plays
Video
PR: Apple's new iPod nano brings video playback, an enhanced
user interface featuring Cover Flow, and an new case design featuring a
larger 2" display with 204 pixels per inch, which lets users watch
movies, TV shows and music videos in the same resolution they currently
enjoy on the video iPod.
The new
iPod nano also includes three games, and additional games can be
purchased from the online
iTunes Store. iPod nano delivers up to 24 hours of audio playback
or five hours of video playback on a single charge, and is encased in a
new all-metal design made with anodized aluminum and polished stainless
steel and comes in five colors - silver, black, blue, green and a
(PRODUCT) RED special edition.
"We've taken the most popular music player in the world and added
stunning video playback just in time for the holiday season," said
Steve Jobs. "The iPod nano just keeps getting better and better with
each new generation."
The new iPod nano features a 204 pixel per inch display that is 65%
brighter than the previous generation and delivers 320 x 240 resolution
for watching movies and TV shows on the go, and also features an
enhanced user interface that shows off album artwork and photos and now
includes Cover Flow, so you can scroll through your entire music
collection by album cover artwork using the Click Wheel.
The new nano is ideal for playing iPod games and comes preloaded
with iQuiz, the entertainment trivia game; Vortex, a fast-paced 360
degree brick-bashing game; and Klondike, the solitaire card game.
Additional games will be available for iPod nano later this month from
the iTunes Store, including Sudoku and Tetris from Electronic Arts and
Ms. PAC-MAN from NAMCO.
Available immediately, the 4 GB iPod nano comes in silver for
just $149 and the 8 GB model is available in silver, black, blue,
green and a (PRODUCT) RED special edition for just $199. Both the
4 GB and 8 GB iPod nano for Windows or Mac are available
worldwide through the Apple Store ( www.apple.com ), Apple's retail
stores and Apple Authorized Resellers. All iPod nano models include
earbud headphones, a USB to 30-pin cable and a Universal Dock
Connector.
iPod nano requires a Mac with a USB 2.0 port, Mac OS X v10.4.8 or
later and iTunes 7.4; or a Windows PC with a USB 2.0 port and Windows
Vista or Windows XP Home or Professional (Service Pack 2) or later and
iTunes 7.4. Internet access is required and a broadband connection is
recommended, fees may apply. The iTunes Store is not available in all
countries.
* Battery life and number of charge cycles vary by use and settings.
See www.apple.com/batteries for more
information. Music capacity is based on four minutes per song and
128-Kbps AAC encoding; actual capacity varies by content; photo
capacity is based on iPod-viewable photos transferred from iTunes; and
video capacity is based on H.264 1.5 Mbps video at 640-by-480
resolution combined with 128-Kbps audio; actual capacity varies by
content.
Apple Introduces iPod classic: New 160 GB Model
Holds Up to 40,000 Songs
PR: Apple's new iPod classic features 80 GB or 160 GB of
storage that should be able to hold your entire collection of music,
photos, video, podcasts and games and then some - up to 40,000 songs or
200 hours of video.
Now in its sixth generation, the
iPod classic retains the features customers love about their iPods, and
adds an enhanced user interface featuring Cover Flow and a new
all-metal enclosure. iPod classic is priced at $249 for the 80 GB model
and $349 for the 160 GB model.
"The first iPod put 1,000 songs in your pocket - this new iPod
classic can put 40,000 songs in your pocket," said Steve Jobs. "With a
thinner, all-metal enclosure and an enhanced user interface, the iPod
classic is ideal for people who want to hold everything on their
iPod."
The new iPod classic holds up to 160 GB of storage in an all-metal
anodized aluminum and polished stainless steel enclosure, and features
up to 40 hours of music playback and seven hours of video playback in
the 160 GB model, and up to 30 hours of music playback and five hours
of video playback in the 80 GB model on a single charge,* letting users
enjoy their entire collections of music, audio books, audio and video
podcasts, music videos, television shows and movies wherever they
go.
The new iPod classic comes preloaded with iQuiz, the entertainment
trivia game; Vortex, a fast-paced 360 degree brick-bashing game; and
Klondike, the solitaire card game. Additional games will be available
for purchase for the new iPod classic later this month from the iTunes
Store, including Sudoku and Tetris from Electronic Arts and Ms. PAC-MAN
from NAMCO.
Both iPod classic models are available immediately worldwide in
silver and black. The 80 GB iPod classic model is $249 and the 160 GB
iPod classic is $349.
iPod classic requires a Mac with a USB 2.0 port, Mac OS X v10.4.8 or
later and iTunes 7.4; or a Windows PC with a USB 2.0 port and Windows
Vista or Windows XP Home or Professional (Service Pack 2) or later and
iTunes 7.4. Internet access is required and a broadband connection is
recommended, fees may apply. The iTunes Store is not available in all
countries.
* Battery life and number of charge cycles vary by use and settings.
See www.apple.com/batteries for more
information. Music capacity is based on four minutes per song and
128-Kbps AAC encoding; photo capacity is based on iPod-viewable photos
transferred from iTunes; and video capacity is based on H.264 1.5 Mbps
video at 640-by-480 resolution.
Apple Shows Up Music Industry Once Again
News.com's Greg Sandoval says:
"Steve Jobs demonstrated on Wednesday why Apple is snatching away
the music business out from under the record labels.
"Just days after Rick Rubin, Columbia Records' co-chairman, outlined
some of his ideas for saving the music business - several that are
dated and ignored by the public - Apple blows in with a new
distribution model.
"Apple announced at the company's press event on Wednesday that it
launched a new WiFi store in partnership with Starbucks. Each time an
owner of an iPhone, or new iPod touch enters a Starbucks, a button will
appear on their device that enables them to buy music from the WiFi
library. They can download a song - without having to log in - by
whatever artist Starbucks is featuring at the time, or music playing on
the store's sound system or any other they can find in the
library...."
"Here's the beauty of the partnership with Starbucks: some
investment banker or dog walker enters their favorite Starbucks, hears
a song they like and with a few button pushes, it's on their iPod. It's
an impulse buy. Cool song, only 99 cents...."
Link: Apple Shows Up Music
Industry Once Again
Apple Eats Its Young - Again
The Globe and Mail's Matt Hartley reports:
"Some are calling it a 'mobile internet device,' while others have
tentatively dubbed it a 'digital lifestyle device,' but no matter what
it's called, the new iPod touch from Apple Inc. is a market-changing
piece of technology that has analysts and tech geeks alike buzzing
about its potential.
"The iPod touch incorporates the touch-screen user interface from
Apple's iPhone but will also feature WiFi wireless networking
capabilities and a full Safari browser."
Link:
Apple Eats Its Young - Again
iPhone News & Opinion
Apple Slashes iPhone Price to $399
PR: In a
dramatically controversial move, Apple has announced that it is on
track to sell its one millionth iPhone before the end of September, and
to make iPhone affordable for even more customers this holiday season,
it is lowering the price of the most popular iPhone model with
8 GB of storage from $599 to just $399.
"The surveys are in, and iPhone customer satisfaction scores are
higher than we've ever seen for any Apple product," said Steve Jobs.
"We've clearly got a breakthrough product and we want to make it
affordable for even more customers as we enter this holiday
season."
The 8 GB iPhone is available immediately for $399 in the US
through Apple's retail and online stores and AT&T retail stores.
The iPhone 4 GB model will be sold while supplies last.
iPhone Outsells All Smartphones in US in July
InformationWeek's Antone Gonsalves reports:
"The Apple iPhone led smartphone sales in the United States in July,
beating Research In Motion's BlackBerry, the Palm Treo, and other
rivals, a market research firm said Tuesday.
"In addition, iPhone sales equaled those of the most popular feature
phone in the United States, LG's Chocolate, iSuppli said. The Apple
gadget, a combination media player and mobile phone, accounted for 1.8%
of all handset sales in the United States.
"iSuppli attributed the meteoric rise of the iPhone in large part to
demand built up by months of hype leading up to the gadget's release on
June 29. The real proof of whether Apple has a big winner will be
determined in the coming months as demand patterns stabilize."
For the full report, visit:
http://www.informationweek.com/news/showArticle.jhtml?articleID=201803979
Link:
Apple iPhone Outsells All Smartphones in US in July
$200 iPhone Outrage
weblogs.redeyechicago.com says:
"I had to come back online for this . . . the Mac
community is exploding with rage over Apple's decision to drop the
price of the iPhone $200 and discontinue the 4 GB model.
"I have never seen such rage coming from the Apple community. Never,
and I've been using Macs since 1984.
"If you think about it, it means folks (like myself) have paid for
the privilege to be beta testers....
"The Apple forums . . . are overflowing with nasty words,
open letters to congressmen and Steve Jobs' resignation.
"It's bad."
Link: $200
Outrage!!
How to Get $200 Back if You Just Bought an
iPhone
Om Malik says:
"Did you just buy an 8 GB iPhone and paid full price? And are
you feeling upset over the $200 dollar price drop that Apple (AAPL)
just announced? Well there is a way you can help yourself and get $200
back. Apple's store return policy states:
Should Apple reduce its price on any Apple-branded
product within fourteen (14) calendar days of the date of purchase, you
may request a refund of the difference between the price paid and the
current selling price. An original purchase receipt is required, and
you must request your refund within fourteen (14) calendar days of the
price reduction.
"Just to clarify, if you bought the phone from Apple store, then you
can get the refund from Apple. Otherwise visit the AT&T Store to
request a refund."
Link:
How to Get $200 Back if You Just Got an iPhone
MobileChat, an AIM Client for Your iPhone
PR: twenty08 has officially released it's first iPhone
Application!
We feel we started things off in a big way with MobileChat, an AIM
client for your iPhone. The way we see it, this is the way Cupertino
intended AIM to be on the iPhone.
While everyone was knocking the iPhone's capabilities and
complaining about the lack of iChat support, we took a different route
and figured we'd fill the gap that Apple shockingly left open. That
being said, MobileChat was born. Using a simplistic approach, keeping a
unified GUI in mind, and using the most lightweight methods for
executing tasks, MobileChat is the premier AIM Application for the
iPhone. In fact, it's so light-weight and efficient that it runs just
about as well on the EDGE network as it does on any WiFi network! Give
it a try today, and if you love it that much (We know you will!), tell
your friends!
Features
- AIM Account Support
- IM Abilities
- Full Buddy list with Statuses
- Change status: Away & Online
- Suspend and stay online
- Sound notifications
- Popup Notifications
To download the source, run the following command:
$ svn checkout svn://open.twenty08.com/MobileChat/trunk
MobileChat
Link: Twenty08
iphonesimfree.com Announces SIM Unlocking
for the iPhone
PR: It gives us great pleasure to announce the worlds first
(and only) software driven SIM unlocking service for the iPhone™.
No need to open your phone. No need to solder.
Major benefits include:
- Choose the provider you want, use any SIM card from any network
provider in any country
- No more outrageous roaming charges. When traveling simply pick the
local provider of your choice and change your SIM card.
- Poor network coverage no longer an issue, use the network provider
best suited to your region
- Save money! A favorable exchange rate makes for excellent value for
money when importing
To silence any doubters out there, we are welcoming publications
from around the world to apply to receive their iPhones™ unlocked
free of charge. If interested, please submit an application via our
Contact Us form. The top three applications will receive a free unlock
within the next 48 hours, which will be soon followed by the commercial
launch of the software for public consumption.
Link: iphonesimfree.com
Products
Retro Tune Mini Jukebox
PR: A Nostalgic and Retro Desktop miniaturize Jukebox with
Tri Color LED lighting System. The multicolor Mini Jukebox develop with
40 watts of power and MaxxBass Technology. ( MaxxBass helps you hear
better bass on all speakers)
Bring music and fun to any room of the house! This cool
nostalgic jukebox features iPod connector dock, MP3 Line in, FM radio,
full range speakers, top-loading CD player, and a full function remote
control. Solid wood and veneer cabinet. 12"W x 9.5"D x 18"H.
Your Mini Jukebox music system is ready to go as soon as you plug it
in.
Simply set your iPod to play what you want and insert it into the
dock on the front of the system and away you go. Conveniently control
your iPod functions across the room with IR remote control.
- Play your iPod music with this system
- Display photos with iPod with color display
- Display video on TV with iPod with video capability
- Control iPod functions across the room with IR remote control
- Connect other devices via the RCA ports
Using the Remote
Use your 17 function Remote Control to control iPod function. Please
make sure there are no obstruction between your remote and the IR
window located at the Mini Jukebox.
Features
- iPod/iPhone Docking
- Alarm Clock
- Date
- Calendar
- Single Disk CD Player
- FM radio
- Rotating Light Column
Design for iPhone Principles
Our design consists of general principles related to shielding,
grounding, by passing, and keeping conductive material from the iPhone
antenna area. We have also taken special consideration to ensure that
all our electronic products built for the iPhone are custom shielded to
eliminate TDMA noise when in used.
Our PCB and electronic wiring are shielded with special cooper wrap
to help eliminate RF interference from the iPhone. A special integrated
chip (IC) is used in conjunction with the audio pin outs to lower the
TDMA noise on all audio and docking products.
Link: Retro
Tune Mini Jukebox
V-MODA Intros Dual-Purpose Headset for
iPhone
PR: Music lifestyle brand V-MODA has announced the VIBE Duo,
a dual-use earphone with microphone combination designed to accessorize
the Apple iPhone. The VIBE Duo luxury headphone/headset for the iPhone
features hi-definition sound, in addition to optimum communication
capabilities. It offers unprecedented mobility during any activity,
from exercise to travel and beyond.
With a suggested retail price of $99.99 and boasting durable
black fabric cables and an all-metal design, the luxurious VIBE Duo
in-ear earphones with microphone are lightweight, comfortable and
stylish. Val Kolton, founder and CEO of V-MODA, said the VIBE Duo will
give consumers a unique way to benefit from all the technology the
iPhone offers.
"We developed VIBE Duo to bring unmatched convenience, comfort and
mobility to Apple iPhone users," Kolton said. "At V-MODA, we celebrate
an active, music-inspired lifestyle - we live it and breathe it. The
VIBE Duo is perfect for consumers who appreciate innovation,
craftsmanship and style. It's got all these qualities in one
sophisticated, great-sounding, cost-efficient, premium accessory that
complements the new iPhone."
The iPhone is lauded for combining three products - a mobile phone,
a widescreen iPod with touch controls and a breakthrough Internet
communications device - into one small and lightweight handheld. It
boasts a thin, sleek profile that is complemented by the lightweight
(13 grams) VIBE Duo. The VIBE Duo's mini microphone is also discreet
and unobtrusive, blending seamlessly with the black cabling.
For active, on-the-go consumers, VIBE Duo features three sizes of
ultra-soft silicon fittings for a secure, comfortable fit. To further
ensure the accessory doesn't jar loose during exercise or strenuous
activities, a small clip adds extra security.
VIBE Duo joins the existing VIBE line of luxury, high-fashion
modaphones from V-MODA, heralded upon introduction for offering
state-of-the-art audio on the go. Much like VIBE, when it comes to
enjoying tunes, VIBE Duo offers superior technology that enables a
sculpted response curve fashioned for the discerning audio enthusiast,
providing a precise balance of rich bass, warm mids and unprecedented
clarity. Utilizing V-MASQUE dynamic driver technology, VIBE Duo
achieves a precise yet natural sound stage in comparison to other
high-end earphones. BLISS (Bass Level Isolating Soft Silicon)
technology further reduces outside noise for a precise and rich bass
response (frequency 12 Hz to 22 Hz).
VIBE Duo is compatible with the iPod and all other portable music
players. Available in Nero (black) and Chrome, it is packaged with an
elegant leather pouch for safe travel and storage.
The VIBE Duo headphone/headset is available now for $99.99 and can
be found at the Apple Store as well as online at Shop V-MODA
(shop.v-moda.com) and Apple.com. The product is backed by a 100 percent
risk-free satisfaction guarantee, as well as free shipping in the US
for a limited time only.
Link: Dual-Purpose
Headset for iPhone
Music Rescue iPod File Copy Utility:
Disaster Insurance
PR: Your music library is precious. It contains all those
memories of your youth, or that first dance. With an iPod, it helps you
work out, keeps you company when you drive and drowns out that noisy
train ride into the city. Unfortunately, your music library is fragile.
If your computer dies and takes your music with it, you still have your
iPod, right? However, iTunes only lets you transfer tracks bought from
the iTunes Store back to your new/fixed computer. What about those
tracks ripped from CD, or lovingly recorded from your vinyl
collection?
Enter Music Rescue - the answer to your nightmare.
As you have your music library on your computer at home, and keep it
on you when you're out and about with your iPod, you'll probably want
to listen to it at work. Or your dorm. Or anywhere you regularly use a
computer. With Music Rescue, you can copy your tracks to the other
machine. If you're not allowed to install iTunes (school and corporate
networks tend to not like this), simply install Music Rescue onto your
iPod at home and it'll be available wherever you go - Mac or PC.
Once you're at your work computer, you only want to add the tracks
you've added since last time. No problem - Music Rescue scans your
local iTunes library and compares it to your iPod - telling you which
songs are and aren't in iTunes, and even telling you which similar
tracks are present.
Using Music Rescue's powerful "Rules" feature, you can very quickly
copy only the tracks that aren't there:
Once tracks are copied, Music Rescue can then bring up iTunes, add
the new tracks and even recreate your playlists.
System requirements: Mac OS X 10.3.9 or later.
You're free to download and try Music Rescue for free, but if you
find it useful you should buy the full version. No features are missing
before you pay, but you'll be politely reminded that you should do so
while you're copying music. Music Rescue costs £10, and has two
different licenses:
Computer License (Music Rescue)
- Registers Music Rescue to a computer
- You can use as many iPods as you like with the one computer
iPod License (Music Rescue Anywhere)
- Registers Music Rescue to an iPod
- You can use this iPod with as many computers as you like
For more information, visit:
Link: Music
Rescue
PodWorks iPod Song Transfer Utility
PR: PodWorks is a Mac OS X application that compensates for
the iPod's only downside: Apple only allows you to copy songs to your
iPod. If you have two Macs and want to use your iPod to transfer music
from one to the other, or you only store your music and videos on your
iPod and need to copy them back onto your hard drive after a disk
failure, you are out of luck!
This is where PodWorks comes in: it allows you to copy songs and
videos from any iPod or iPhone to any Mac running OS X 10.3 or higher.
Its important features include:
- iPhone support: PodWorks is the first (and currently only) iPod
song transfer app for the Mac to recognize and allow transfers from the
iPhone.
- Superior performance: Many other standalone iPod song transfer
utilities work by reading song data out of every song on the iPod - a
slow process. PodWorks, by contrast, reads its data directly from the
iPod's internal database, resulting in nearly instantaneous display of
your song list.
- More metadata: Since PodWorks can read from the iPod's internal
database, it can also display and sort by song "metadata" not available
through ID3 (including Date Added, Play Count, and Star Rating).
- iTunes integration: In addition to copying songs to the Finder,
PodWorks can send songs, playlists (registered version only), and
metadata (star ratings, play counts, track numbers, etc.) directly to
iTunes. It can also filter its song list to show you only the songs on
the iPod that are not present in your iTunes library.
- Playlists: PodWorks recognizes your iPod's playlists. Entire
playlists can be copied to your computer with a single drag (registered
version only).
- Song Playback: PodWorks allows you to preview songs before you copy
them by playing them directly off the iPod (not yet available for
iPhone).
- Strong organizational capabilities: Copying large numbers of files
can get messy, so PodWorks can automatically sort transferred files
into directories and change their filenames according to your
preferences.
- Portability: PodWorks can be placed on your iPod for convenient
access away from your home computer. It will work when run off the
iPod, and will remember its registration information even when
connected to a previously unknown machine.
New in version 2.9.2:
- Support for the iPhone: PodWorks now recognizes iPhones in
additional to traditional iPods, and allows users to transfer songs
from iPhones to the Finder or iTunes.
- Fix for the "error -54" bug: This version introduces a fix for the
frequent error -54" messages that could occur during large transfers to
iTunes with previous versions of PodWorks.
System requirements: Mac OS X 10.3 or later, iPod.
System support: PPC/Intel
$8 shareware
Until registered, PodWorks has the following limitations:
- 30 day time limit.
- 250 song copy limit.
- Songs must be copied one at a time.
- Single-drag copying of playlists is disabled.
Link: PodWorks
