Compiled by Charles Moore
and edited by Dan Knight
- 2005.04.22
This Week's iPod News
PowerBook,
iBook, iPod, and other portable computing is covered in The 'Book Review, and general Apple
and Mac desktop news is covered in The Mac News Review.
News and Comment
Tips
Reviews
New Products
News and Comment
iPodding Everywhere: Music in the Car
m4music's
Mike Hales reports:
"American cars are getting more digital music friendly and
that's direct from the manufacturers. Never mind some of the
brilliant work going on integrating Mac Minis, iPods and goodness
what other pieces of hardware from some customisers. The latest is
Swedish automaker Volvo, who said on Thursday 17 March that it will
promote native Scandinavian musicians through a monthly playlist of
songs from Scandinavian artists on Apple's iTunes Music Store.
Beginning on March 23, the "nu: the sounds of new Scandinavia"
promotion will include a Times Square launch event live concert
featuring performances by Sahara Hotnights and The Ark, in addition
to iTunes gift certificates tied to Volvo test drives and direct
mail to Volvo owners. Volvo is offering a branded iPod connectivity
kit for its entire line of 2005 model year vehicles.
"Mercedes has now joined the iPod-friendly car family....
"Mini Cooper is the latest to embrace the iPod, integrating
player controls into new model steering wheels. Mini Cooper is
owned by BMW, which helped to pioneer the concept with its "iPod
Your BMW" campaign."
iPod Integrated into Mini Cooper
strategiy.com
reports:
"The scene has yet another dream team - MINI, the nimble
performer and fun machine from England and Apple's iPod, a sound
machine at its best and a pocket digital music player holding up to
10,000 iTunes.
"Having already caused quite a stir in their own particular
markets, the two have now teamed up to provide the greatest reality
show ever experienced. After all, a 40 GB iPod weighing a mere
175.7 grams, placed inside the glove compartment, is definitely
preferable to 39.5 kilos of CDs scattered on the rear seat.
"The MINI's steering wheel does the job of the Click Wheel on
the iPod - thanks to the new interface, songs can be selected using
buttons on the multifunction steering wheel."
iPods of the Rich and Famous
Mac 360's
Tera Patricks says:
"A sharp-eyed reader blew the whistle on a media and web tactic
that's gaining prominence these days. Competition bashing. Apple
does it to Microsoft. Redmond copies Apple. Literally.
"The latest example comes from the web site WindowsMedia and the
WindowsMedia section. About mid-way through the web page you'll see
a close up of an Apple iPod.
"The headline below the iPod graphic says 'Piracy Crackdown'
followed by 'Taking the offenders to court.'
"What's that look like to you? iPod users are thieves? People
are using iPods to steal?"
When iPod Goes Collegiate
The Christian Science Monitor's Elizabeth
Armstrong Moore says:
"When Kenneth Rogerson walked into his newspaper journalism
class on the first day of the school year, the professor could
barely contain his excitement.
"After a quick introduction he broke the big news: 'We got the
grant,' he told his class. 'You all get iPods.'....
"The iPod's debut in college classrooms seems to be provoking an
odd mix of euphoria and bafflement.
"There are many - faculty and students alike - who rave about
the iPod's potential. But there are also a considerable number who
scratch their heads and say that the excitement over use of the
device in classrooms reminds them of the fable of the emperor's new
(and nonexistent) clothes."
HP Introduces iPod photo Models
vnunet.com's Tom
Sanders reports:
"HP has expanded its range of own-brand Apple iPod digital music
players with the addition of two iPod photo models.
"Available with 30 GB and a 60 GB storage capacities, the
devices feature a colour screen and mirror Apple's pricing at $349
and $449 respectively.
"The HP branded iPod was introduced in August last year. The
models accounted for seven per cent of overall iPod sales in the
fiscal quarter ending 31 December, according to data from
Apple.
"Although the vendors sell the same hardware, HP offers a
12-month warranty versus 90 days from Apple...."
shuffle Makes a Splash
PCPro's Simon
Aughton says:
"The iPod shuffle claimed 43 per cent of the worldwide flash
player market in February, Apple said yesterday, quoting figures
from NPD Techworld.
"Its success has boosted Apple's share of the market for all
portable music players to around 70 per cent; over 90 per cent of
all hard drive players sold are iPods."
BBC Radio Podcasts 20 More Shows
The BBC
reports:
The BBC is making 20 more radio shows available for listeners to
download onto their digital music players.
"People will be able to download shows, such as technology
programme Go Digital and some Radio 1 audio, in a trial.
"The move extends the BBC's successful trial of the Radio Five
Fighting Talk and Radio 4 In Our Time podcasts.
"Podcasts are essentially radio shows on demand. Listeners
subscribe for free to a show, the latest of which is then sent
automatically to music players."
The U2 iPod Bomb
AppleSaucy
says:
"I was hoping the U2 iPod would be gone at this point.
(Actually, I was hoping it would be gone by Christmas.) I'd bet U2
and Apple were thinking the same thing. But the last time I dropped
by the Apple Temple, there was a pile of iU2Pods just sitting
there. Sorry Apple, sorry U2, but this black and red and dead all
over iPod would have been the most brilliant idea if it weren't
also world class bad marketing.
"The pitch was great. Let's have a special iPod which isn't
white. Let's follow the Stones lead and paint it black and
associate it with the modern answer to the Rolling Stones: U2.
Won't it be cool? A U2 iPod, with their undershaven faces on the
box, signatures on the back, we'll make a limited number of them,
release 'em before Christmas and alongside a new U2 disc - this is
gonna rock!!!
"So why aren't we riding your wild horses Apple? Why is the U2
iPod running to stand still in an Apple retail store near you?
Could it be that legions of U2 fans still haven't found what
they're looking for? (Need another? Okay, but you asked for it!)
Why are you stuck with so many of these angels of Harlem?
"5 WAYS TO DISMANTLE THIS U2 IPOD BOMB...."
iPod Goodness and Apple Idiocy
Red Wolf says:
"I finally got my paws on an iPod, but not without running afoul
of the idiocy of Apple's sales and marketing people. I find it
interesting that Apple paid to get most department store catalogues
to pimp their products when they refused to deliver said products
to the stores in time for the catalogue run.
"The monkeys at Next Byte were their usual mindless selves and
no help whatsoever. A run around town resulted in the same thing.
Finally, a ring around of stores resulted in yet the same story. No
iPods. No idea when they'll arrive. Apple won't part with
information.
"There was the distinct feeling that Apple are not making
themselves any friends with their retailers, several were more than
happy to give tell me their woes. After having to tell customers
that they don't have stock of the advertised product and have no
idea when they will, I don't blame them."
Tips
iPod Car Audio Direct Connect
Bombay Digital's Trygve
Isaacson says
"There are a couple of well-know ways to adapt an iPod or other
portable music player to a car stereo without permanently
hardwiring it in: the most common are an FM transmitter such as the
Griffin iTrip or Monster iCarPlay or iRock, and cassette adapters
made by Sony and Radio Shack. (The Monster iCar Play is nicer than
the other FM transmitters because it provides power and charges the
iPod.) But if you have a multi-disc CD changer in the car, you may
be able to get a direct audio connection from the iPod to the
stereo with very little effort and no permanent alteration to the
car. The fidelity will be better than is possible via FM or a
cassette adapter. Here's how I did it."
Use Your iPod to Help You Make the
Switch
A new Apple
Knowledge Base Article says:
"If you're ready to switch from PC to Mac, say hello to your new
best friend: your iPod. You already know iPod as a fantastic music
player. Did you know it also does double duty as an external hard
drive that can help you transfer all your important files from your
PC to your new Mac? Read on to learn more."
Which iPod Do I Have? Guide to iPod
Differences
iPodGear
says:
"With the popularity of the iPod, Apple has created a number of
different kinds of iPods as well as different generations of iPods.
While this is great for Apple, it can cause a significant amount of
confusion for the consumer who is interested in buying accessories
for their iPod.
"Fortunately, iPods can be lumped into a few major categories.
iPod Accessory manufacturers classify their accessories based on
which iPod categories they are compatible with.
"Here they are, just match your iPod up...."
How to Troubleshoot "Can't Lock iPod"
Error Message
A new Apple
Knowledge Base Article says:
"When you update or restore your iPod, you may see an alert that
says:
"Can't lock iPod. Please check if any other applications are
using iPod and try again." If you see this message, try any of the
following troubleshooting steps to resolve the issue...."
Spot the Difference: iPod vs. hPod
Tech Digest reports:
"It has been a turbulent few months since the announcement of a
partnership between HP and Apple, with the HP-branded iPods
emerging shortly before the new colour display models were
announced. Dubbed the 'Apple iPod from HP', sales were limited
(presumably even the catchy title didn't stop people buying direct
from Apple), then the iPod photo appeared anyway. Now, however, HP
has announced two new iPod models, equipped with the high
resolution colour display and available in 30 GB and 60 GB.
"That sounds great - bet you can't wait to get your hands on the
new HP device (nicknamed the hPod), but what difference is there
between it and the Apple iPod photo? Um, well, here it is...."
Short Delay for iPod Calendars to
Appear
An updated Apple
Knowledge Base Article says:
"Sometimes a calendar event may not immediately appear on your
iPod screen when you select Extras > Calendars. This delay
occurs when iPod is still loading calendars. This can happen with
any iPod model (including iPod, iPod photo, and iPod mini) that has
the Calendar feature, and can occur after you've synced iCal
calendars to your iPod with iSync, or manually copied this
information to your iPod.
"You may experience a short delay after you first copy or sync a
large number of contacts and calendar events, or after you reset
iPod. When iPod first loads a large number of contacts, it displays
a progress indicator before displaying the contacts. However, iPod
does not display a progress indicator when it loads a large number
of calendar items. Instead, just wait about 10 seconds and then try
to view your calendars again."
Unwritten Rules for New iPod Users
Blogger Mark
Sahm says:
"I've had an iPod since November 2002, and it's been amazing to
me how they've multiplied in the time since. Back when I got it, I
rarely saw other people with them... at the time, I suppose it was
still too advanced for general consumption. There wasn't even an
iTunes Music Store yet.
"But times change, and like cell phones or PDA's before them, I
now see the iPod in the hands of people everywhere when I walk the
streets of Manhattan, or on the train. But like their technogadget
predecessors, new users often are missing some unwritten rules of
public iPod usage. So, here's a few tips...."
iPod photo: How to Add Music to Your
Photo Albums in iPhoto 5
A new Apple
Knowledge Base Article says:
"In iPhoto 5, you can associate a specific song or playlist in
your music library with an iPhoto photo album. That music will then
also be associated with the photo album on iPod photo once you sync
it. Here's how to do this."
Transfer from iPod Using the 'Find'
Command
A macosxhints.com contributor says:
"I have seen quite a few applications, etc. that transfer music
from your iPod to your Mac. Rather use an application, I have found
the following find command to do the same thing. There are two
prerequisites you need. Both are defaults so you should have to do
nothing...."
Reviews
iPod shuffle Reviewed
PowerPage's
Jason D O'Grady says:
"When it was originally announced I panned the iPod shuffle's
ugly design, which I still stand by today, but I have to admit to
having a sweet spot in my heart for the shuffle despite its
flaws.
"While far from perfect, the iPod shuffle is a great MP3 player
for the gym and exercising - times when you don't want to lug
around a portable hard drive on your belt. There's no question that
its light weight is the shuffle's best attribute, you can bring it
almost anywhere and you won't even know it's there. The sound kicks
butt and is just as loud as my full-size iPod. It's sometimes hard
to believe that such volume comes from such a tiny device."
iPod shuffle Doesn't Disappoint
The California Aggie's Tom Richards
says:
"When a company achieves absolute success, arrogance can follow
- and arrogance has a tendency destroy the successes that led to
it. It was Nintendo's arrogance that led to the rise Sony's
Playstation, Apple's arrogance brought upon its dismal computing
market share, and Sony's arrogance allowed Apple to storm the world
with its iPod line of music players.
"This time around, Apple does not seem to be making the mistakes
one can usually expect of a company dominating the market like it
currently does - perhaps they learned from last time. Apple is not
sitting back and patting itself on the back, or treating business
partners with the open disdain usually seen from a company in
charge of a market....
"Apple continues to focus on the best way to design a product
rather than trying to emulate and mildly improve upon what everyone
else is doing. This approach has created the iPod Shuffle - a
device that many wrote off as soon as it was announced due to its
lack of similarity with products released by other companies."
Mercedes of iPod Headphones
Forbes'
Arik Hesseldahl reports:
"As an early iPod customer, I was one the first of what a weekly
alternative newspaper dubbed the 'iSnobs.' That is, people who
arrogantly feel they can glide through each day without having to
endure the grating sounds of daily life. They're easy to spot, the
paper said, by the white wires dangling from their ears.
"Indeed I'm thankful - and maybe a little arrogant - for the
tiny sound bubble Apple Computer's miraculous little music box
provides every time some panhandler or would-be preacher decides to
give an unwanted speech on my subway car. But like many iPod
owners, I've upgraded from the tinny-sounding, uncomfortable
headphones that come standard with the iPod for a set from Shure,
of Niles, Ill."
Belkin iPod Digital Camera Link
Review
The Register's
Stuart Miles reports:
"You're a digital photographer, you're out in the field and
you've just filled up your CompactFlash, SD card or whatever
storage format you happen to be using. That's it, you can't take
any more pictures unless you delete some first.
"The Belkin Digital Camera Link hopes to get you out of this
bind by allowing you to transfer the pictures you've taken over to
your iPod, with its 20-60 GB of storage capacity, freeing up the
space on the digital camera."
Skin Tight Case for iPod Shuffle
Reviewed
PowerPage's
Jason D O'Grady reports:
"Speck Products Skin Tight iPod shuffle I'm the kind of person
that likes to keep my electronics in pristine condition so I
usually become a little obsessed with cases. I slap a case on
everything, my phone, iPod and camera. Although the iPod shuffle
barely needs any protection (it's so light that dropping it does
little damage) it's still a good idea to protect it from the wear
and tear of everyday use.
"That's where the Skin Tight case for the iPod shuffle from
Speck Products comes in...."
Tekkeon: iPod Add-ons for Your iPod
Add-ons
Surf-Bits'
timv reports:
"If you find yourself needing a big battery boost for your iPod,
check out an older article I did on the Tekkeon myPower battery
pack for the iPod. My wife loves the myPower because it gives her
weeks between charges and the added size profile is not a big
problem for her....
"Tekkeon has the answer for her. myPower FM simply snaps on to
myPower for iPod. Once myPower FM is connected, just tune to any of
the seven pre-set channels to listen to music from iPod directly on
your FM radio or stereo. This leaves the top of your iPod
clear."
New Products
PodQuest 1.4 Downloads Driving
Directions to Your iPod
PR: PodQuest
is an application for Mac OS X that allows you to download driving
directions to your iPod.
Once you have downloaded your driving directions to your iPod,
you can conveniently access the driving direction any time of the
day, thanks to the backlighted display on your iPod.
The current version of PodQuest supports driving directions from
MapQuest and MapBlast.
New in this version: Added support for Google maps.
System requirements:
- Mac OS X 10.2.8 or later
- Safari 1.0 or later
- iPod setup for "Disk usage".
- PodQuest supports all model of iPods, except, for obvious
reasons, the iPod Shuffle.
PodQuest is $9.95 shareware.
Three New DVForge iPod Products Now
Shipping
PR: DVForge, Inc.
has announced that three of its recently announced new products,
The Clips, JamPod, and JamPlug FM are now in stock and are shipping
from inventory.
The Clips is the most affordable option to the lanyard shipped
with Apple's iPod shuffle, and provides three completely different
clip-on mounts, for $14.99. JamPod plugs into the top of any dock
connector style iPod or iPod mini, lets you play an electric guitar
or bass guitar along with the songs on your iPod, and is $29.99.
The JamPlug FM is an FM transmitter for electric guitar or bass
players that plugs into the instrument, and lets you use any FM
stereo radio as an impromptu amplifier... even your car stereo
system. JamPlug FM sells for $49.99.
The Clips, JamPod, and JamPlug FM are all shipping from
inventory starting today. Each is available from the DVForge
website.
New Power Support iPod Accessories
PR: Hot from
Japan!
• Silicone Jacket set for iPod shuffle
The Power Support Silicone Jacket for the Shuffle is the newest
in the line of iPod cases.
• The "Kimono" Case
This beautifully designed iPod case is constructed of fine
leather and cotton fabric. The refined attention to detail is noted
not just in the selection of the unique fabric but in the
operational ease of use.
• 3D Wheel Film
3D Wheel Film provides complete protection including the center
button. This is accomplished without compromising the sensitivity
or function of the click wheel.
• Crystal Jackets
Crystal Jackets for the 20 GB and 40 GB for immediate shipping.
This great see-through Crystal Jacket protects the iPod from
scratches and abrasions without hiding the sleek streamlined design
of the player.
• Wheel Protection
Check out the colorful iPod wheel film- these were designed by
contestants in a design competition in Japan. Each package contains
5 designs. Protect your iPod, gain extra traction and be unique.
$11 - including domestic shipping. Also available clear wheel film
for 4th generation iPod in packs of 2 $10 - including domestic
shipping.
• Screen Film
Exclusive screen film in packages of 2 - it fits all iPods and
protects the screen without added bulk. $11 - including domestic
shipping.
4G Silicone Jackets
The response on this item has been tremendous in Japan and here
in the States.
Incase Pouch, Wallet, and Journal
Fashion Cases
iPodLounge's
Jeremy Horwitz reports:
"Having released a number of popular leather and fabric iPod
cases, Incase now is offering several new seasonal collections of
fashion cases with youth-oriented two- or three-color patterns.
These cases employ body designs that range from familiar to novel:
the company's earlier Sleeves are now being called Pouches
($39.95-45.00), and are joined by Wallets ($60-75) and Journals
($75-90), each discussed in turn below.
"As is our tradition with fashion cases designed for the iPod,
iPodLounge looks at the construction and protectiveness of each of
these options, but doesn't rate them on fashion or value for the
dollar. You'll either like how they look, or not, and be willing or
unwilling to pay the prices asked."
iPod shuffle 'Wrappers' Available
iPodLounge's Larry
Angell reports:
"imageWrappers are embroidered slip-on covers for the iPod
shuffle that provide surface protection and easy access to the
player's controls and ports. They're available in more than 40
different designs with prices starting at £8.00."
Marware MetroVue iPod mini case
differentdistrict.com reports:
"After the success of the TrailVue, Marware has come out with
another, similar case. This case is the MetroVue. It is similar in
construction, made out of a thinner nylon, and is slightly less
sturdy than the TrailVue. The case comes in a three pack, with the
option of the 'guys or girls pack.' The guys packs are gray or
black with yellow, red, or blue stripes. The girls pack has gray or
black with purple, light pink, or blue."
Portable Line-out/FireWire Adapter for
Dockable iPods
PR:
Portable line-out and FireWire adapter for iPod and iPod
mini. Line level audio output provided via right angle stereo mini
plug. Perfect for connecting to portable headphone amplifiers or
other equipment with line level input.
Features:
- 6-pin FireWire port (female) on 7-inch cable
- line level audio output on 7-inch cable
- gold plated right angle 1/8-inch [3.5mm] stereo plug
- works with iPod, iPod photo, and iPod mini
Price: $21.95
Line Level Audio Plus Charging in Your
Car
PR: imp
provides unadulterated line level audio output and charging when
used with iPod photo (5G), iPod with Click Wheel (4G), iPod with
Dock Connector (3G) or iPod mini. imp's line level audio output
functions whether or not power is supplied for those occasions when
you would rather power a device other than iPod from your vehicle's
cigarette lighter socket. A standard 6-pin FireWire connector is
included for owners of previous generation iPods (with FireWire
port on top.)
Features:
- line level audio output (3.5mm stereo jack)* indicator LED
diode protection
- replaceable fuse
- works with any iPod
(*) requires iPod with Dock Connector, iPod with Click Wheel or
iPod mini
Price: $29.95
PocketDock with Line Out
PR: The new PocketDock
with Line Out lets you connect the iPod's docking port to a
standard 6-pin FireWire cable.
The original PocketDock made FireWire connections simple. But
connecting your iPod to an external amplifier or stereo system
still meant either carrying the bulky Dock, or compromising on
sound quality by using the iPod's headphone jack. The new
PocketDock with Line Out offers an industry-standard 3.5 mm (1/8")
stereo jack (right next to the FireWire port) that connects
directly to the iPod's line level circuitry - just like Apple's
Dock, but in a tiny, easy-to-carry package.
The PocketDock Line Out Pack includes two 6 ft. ultralight and
ultra-compact white audio cables: One with 3.5 mm (1/8") stereo
plugs on both ends, one with stereo RCA and 3.5 mm plugs. They are
slim enough to fit into the palm of your hand and come with
detachable Velcro™ straps for convenient storage and cable
management.
The PocketDock Line Out Pack costs $29.95
iPod Deals
For current iPod prices from a variety of sources, see our
Best iPod Deals.
