Compiled by Charles Moore
and edited by Dan Knight
- 2005.08.04
This Week's iPod News
PowerBook, iBook, iPod, and other portable computing is covered
in The 'Book Review. General
Apple and Mac desktop news is covered in The Mac News Review. News about Apple's
transition to Intel CPUs and other Intel developments is covered in
The Macintel Report.
All prices are in US dollars unless otherwise noted.
News and Comment
Advice
Products and Services
Software
News and Comment
Motorola iTunes Phone Expected August
20-21
The Street's Scott Moritz says:
"The iPod-inspired music phone - which Motorola twice pulled
from introductions earlier this year, apparently under orders from
Apple chief Steve Jobs - will debut in the UK next month.
"The planned venue is a four-stage 'V Festival' concert
sponsored by Virgin Mobile UK on Aug. 20-21, says American
Technology Research analyst Albert Lin."
HP and Apple End iPod Affair
The Register's Ashlee Vance reports:
"Doing its best to erase Carly Fiorina's mistakes, HP has culled
an iPod reselling agreement in place with Apple since January of
2004.
"HP delivered a rather confusing message for the move, telling
us that the reselling deal 'met or exceeded our internal
expectations' but then adding that 'the iPod doesn't fit in with
our digital entertainment strategy.' Last quarter, Apple shipped
6.2m iPods worth more than $1bn in revenue. HP captured about 5 per
cent of total iPod sales on average per quarter. The deal, however,
never really took on the shape in the way HP had hoped. It got off
to a slow start, as HP received new product some considerable time
after Apple released it, and without the ability to customize the
gear as much as HP desired."
HP and the iPod: Does Anyone Care?
Gene Steinberg, the Mac Night Owl, says:
"The great experiment is over. HP has decided that reselling
iPods no longer fits within its strategic vision. When the
announcement first came at the Consumer Electronics Show in January
2004, it emerged out of left field. Of all the things one expected
Apple to do in order to boost sales for the iPod, cutting a deal
with HP to market the product would have been last on the
list."
20 GB iPod Still Top Seller
Gene Steinberg, the Mac Night Owl, says:
"In the corner, there's a digital music player, and in this
corner, there's an iPod. Superficially, they may seem nearly the
same. Both are portable electronic devices that can grab your music
library from your computer and place it in your pocket and purse.
But there's where the resemblance ends, and as we all know, the
iPod exists in the rarefied atmosphere of the cultural icon."
iPod Nation Marches to a High-tech Beat
The Detroit News's Susan Whitall says:
"It was one of those sweltering summer nights when even a
torrential rain can't tamp down the temperature, but on this
special 'iPod night,' things couldn't have been cooler inside the
Ferndale nightclub the bosco.
"Sipping the inevitable chilled vodka, a few dozen folk on the
green side of 40 were negotiating the summer's cultural handshake,
the 2005 equivalent of 'What's your favorite record?' or 'What's
your sign?'
"This summer it's, 'What's on your iPod?'"
Musical Hallucination Threat?
The Register's Lester Haines reports:
"The increasing use of iPods and greater exposure to music
generally may lead to an increase in 'musical hallucinations', a
psychiatrist has claimed. These are not, explains Victor Aziz of
Cardiff's Whitchurch Hospital in today's Guardian, simply a case of
getting Crazy Frog stuck in your unwilling brain, but the
full-blown equivalent of visual hallucinations.
"As Adrian Rees, an expert in auditory neurology at Newcastle
University, elaborates: 'It's not like having a tune going around
in your head. This is something you can't turn off or change to
another record.'"
iPods No Threat to Health
ameinfo.com reports:
"iPods have been given a clean bill of health by medical experts
who judged the benefits of music outweighed any potential
psychological damage from isolation...."
Tux on iPod mini
Linux on your iPod has many advantages over Apple's default menu
navigation appearance. With Linux you can have the ability to play
a wider set of fun games, unlock infinite expandability of your
portable hard drive, navigate faster through menus (without the
slow slide effect), play with fun little applications built in and
have a wider variety of playable audio file formats. Plus, you can
have this and still dual boot your normal Apple iPod mini OS
without damaging any files or options. Although, it is recommended
that you make a backup of your mini first. This article will
explain the process to install iPodLinux on only an iPod mini. All
other iPod installations check the website.
Advice
Troubleshooting Songs that Skip
An updated Apple Knowledge Base Article says:
"Find out what you can do if a song skips while playing.
"iPod's skip protection works best with compressed audio files.
This allows multiple songs to fit into iPod's 32 MB memory
cache."
How Equalizer Settings Transfer from iTunes to
iPod
An updated Apple Knowledge Base article says:
"iTunes and iPod software allow you to control the equalization
or 'EQ' of a song.
"iPod's equalizer has the same equalizer presets as iTunes
(except Loudness). This allows a high level of integration between
iPod and iTunes.
"After you encode or 'rip' a song using iTunes, you can assign
that song one of 22 equalizer presets. Once you assign a preset to
a song, iTunes will use it each time you play the song. When you
copy the song from your computer to iPod, the equalizer preset you
chose in iTunes is also copied, and iPod will play the song with
the same preset. For example, if you assign a song the 'Rock'
preset in iTunes, iPod will play that song with the 'Rock' preset
and iPod will play the song with the same preset as long as the EQ
on the iPod is not set to off
"If you don't assign a preset to a song, iTunes and iPod simply
play the song as it was encoded, unless you turn on the general
equalizer, which applies to all songs being played. In this case,
though, that equalizer preset is not saved with each song."
Products and Services
iFM Radio, Remote, and Recorder for
iPod
PR: iFM integrates FM radio tuning, recording and remote
control functionality to the iPod, all in a tiny aluminum
enclosure. With the flip of a switch users can now switch
seamlessly between controlling their music library and listening to
their favorite FM radio programming. Use the iFM as an inline
remote to control the iPod's transport controls, great for
workouts, biking or hiking. iFM is also a recording device, with a
built in microphone to record voice, or change modes to capture
live FM radio directly to the iPod!
The integrated white backlit LCD shows the operating
mode of the iFM at a glance.
Features:
Radio*
- Digital auto station scan with wraparound
- Band-Switch function to switch between US, European and
Japanese FM bands
- 6 station presets per band
Remote*
- Controls play, pause, fast forward, rewind, next song, previous
song, volume
Recorder**
- Records FM radio
- High quality omnidirectional built in microphone for recording
voice memos
- Automatically saves to the iPod
- One-touch start and stop recording***
- Recording time only limited by amount of available space on the
iPod
(*) 3G/4G/Photo/mini models
(**) 3G/4G/Photo models
(***) 4G/Photo models
Price $49
NewerTech 2200mAh G1/G2 iPod Replacement
Battery
PR: Newer Technology Inc. is introducing a new 2200mAh
iPod battery replacement kit for first- and second-generation
iPods.
For only $34.95, the new 2200mAh battery replacement offers 78
percent more runtime capacity than the original battery shipped by
Apple. As with all NewerTech batteries, installation tools and
instructions are included. A video installation guide is also
viewable online.
With the introduction of the 2200mAh battery, NewerTech is
discontinuing its 1800mAh and 2100mAh iPod battery replacements for
first- and second-generation iPods. Prices for the discontinued
batteries are:
- 1800mAh for 1G and 2G iPod, $19.99 while supplies last
- 2100mAh for 1G and 2G iPod, $29.95 while supplies last
"This new battery blows others out of the water &endash;
more time to listen to your tunes and for a lower price than the
batteries our new model replaces," said Larry O'Connor, president
of NewerTech. "Although we've found the majority of iPod users want
the most runtime possible, the 2100mAh and 1800mAh first- and
second-generation batteries are a great deal while their supply
lasts too!"
NewerTech's full line of iPod replacement battery kits
include:
- 2200mAh 1G and 2G replacement battery kit, $34.95 - 78% more
run time capacity vs. the factory original
- 900mAh iPod photo replacement battery kit, $34.95 - up to 28%t
more run time capacity
- 850mAh 3G replacement battery kit, $25.99 - up to 30% more run
time capacity
- 750mAh 4G replacement battery kit, $29.95 - up to 20% more run
time capacity
- 600mAh iPod mini replacement battery kit, $24.95 - up to 50%
more run time capacity
NewerTech products are available from fine retailers. More
information on the full line of NewerTech iPod battery replacements
is available online.
iPodRestore 1000mAh iPod Upgrade Battery
for 4G iPod, Color iPods
PR: Battery running low on your iPod photo or color
screen iPod? With iPodRestore's 24-Hour battery replacement, you'll
be charged back up in just 24 hours.
Once you add this item to your shopping cart and checkout, we'll
speed an iPodRestore box to you overnight, pickup your iPod and
bring it back to TechRestore via overnight courier. Once we receive
your iPod, we'll install a new iPod battery with over 50% more
power for 4th generation iPods and 38% more power than the original
color iPod battery. We'll then overnight your iPod back to you,
ready to be put back into service.
The best audio player on the planet deserves the fastest battery
replacement service! Please note: this service is for addresses in
the continental US only.
Price: $69
TechRestore 1000mAh Battery Upgrade for
iPod photo, Color iPods, 4G Models
PR: Renew your iPod with a high capacity battery with 38%
more power than your original battery for the color iPods and over
50% more power for 4th generation (click wheel) models!
Our supercharged batteries include take-apart tools and
instructions to replace your battery. You'll also receive a 1-year
warranty and our famous customer service that includes a worry free
purchase with a 30-day return policy, toll-free technical support
and more.
Warranty TechRestore 1 Year Warranty
Return Policy 30 Day Refund - Must Be Unopened
Price: $29.99
OtterBox for iPod shuffle
PR: The OtterBox for iPod shuffle, unlike any
other shuffle case on the market, offers an interactive, rugged
design to keep your iPod shuffle safe no matter what the day
brings. A must have for active lifestyles.
Features:
- Waterproof, dustproof, dirtproof, sandproof, and
drop-proof
- Flexible, rubber button on the front permits use of all shuffle
functions
- Back of case features a rubber button which allows for battery
check
- Clear back panel allows visibility of shuffle playback position
and battery check light
- When combined with waterproof headphones, it becomes possible
to take your iPod shuffle swimming, jet skiing, kayaking or any
other water related activity
- Includes removable neck lanyard for handsfree carrying
- External headphone jack usable with any style headphones with a
standard mini stereo plug.
Fits the Following iPod models: iPod shuffle 512 MB &
1 GB
Price: $29.95
TuneCaps Pocket Clip, Key Ring Cap &
Wrist Lanyard for iPod shuffle
PR: Introducing TuneCaps, three new options
for keeping your shuffle conveniently close at hand. The TuneCaps
carrying solutions attach to your shuffle to let you carry it in
any of three different ways:
- Slip on TuneCaps' Wrist Strap cap for fingertip
convenience.
- Replace the shuffle's cap with TuneCaps' handy pocket clip and
secure it to your pocket (or belt or necktie or whatever).
- Slip on TuneCaps' key ring attachment and take your tunes with
you while you drive.
All three solutions come in each TuneCaps package. Swap TuneCaps
out every day for the shuffle accouterment to match your mood.
4G TrailVue Case for iPod
PR: Originally designed for the iPod mini,
the TrailVue now comes to the 4G iPod with the same cool design and
a variety of stylish color combinations.
4G TrailVue sports a rugged ballistic nylon construction with
elastic sides to accommodate the size of your iPod. It also
features a Velcro closure and allows access to the audio jack as
well as the iPod's dock connector. Also included is the patented
Multidapt interchangeable clip system which offers an array of uses
such as the bike clip, car holder, and a variety of belt clips.
Compatibility: 4G TrailVue fits any iPod with Click Wheel
including the newest color iPods.
4G TrailVue is available today through Dr. Bott authorized
resellers worldwide and retails for $34.95.
iSkin Wheel Cap
PR: The
iSkin Wheel Cap sits above the iPod's click wheel, protecting it
while you use it. It turns the already effective iSkin iPod
protector into the ultimate iPod case by covering the last
vulnerable area &endash; the click wheel. It installs in
seconds and does not hamper the sensitivity or functionality of the
iPod.
- Works only with the iSkin eVo2 iPod protectors
- Fits seamlessly, creating a barrier against dirt and grime
- Allows for easy nonrestrictive scrolling
- Maintains look of iPod and scroll wheel
- Formed to fit the contours of the scroll wheel
- Stays in place without adhesives
- Easy to install and remove
- Durable and long lasting
With Wheel Caps, companies, organizations and promoters can take
advantage of branding their marketing message or photograph right
over the iPod's click wheel. Wheel Cap imprinting is the ultimate
way to customize an iPod and offer the added value of superior
protection.
Software
Change Your iPod's Battery
Indicator
PR: iPod Battery is used to change the iPod battery
indicator. By default the iPod display a battery with some small
tags. You can change that to a numeric representation from 0 to
999, giving a better understanding of battery status.
Why use iPodBatteryIndicator?
- The digital number indicator gives a more detailed view of
battery status.
- You can change from analog (a small battery picture on iPod) to
digital.
System requirements: Mac OS X 10.3-10.4
iPodBatteryIndicator is freeware.
YamiPod: Yet Another iPod Manager
PR: YamiPod is a freeware application to efficiently
manage your iPod under Mac OS X, Windows and Linux. Here's a brief
description of the features in YamiPod:
- stand alone program, no installation required
- iPod is automatically recognized
- MP3 and AAC files can be copied to/from iPod
- read/write access to MP3 ID3 and AAC info
- lyrics support (with Internet auto search)
- playlist support (On-The-Go included)
- playlists import (PLS, M3U)
- full Unicode support
- auto-download new versions
- advanced song import/export settings
- 2 restore features
- built in music player
- iPod information
- 2 search features
- remove duplicated tracks
- find lost music files
- easy ratings edit
- PC to iPod synchronization
- create and edit notes
- automatically update song play counts
- News RSS and podcasts to iPod upload
- Growl support (Apple only)
- export song lists to HTML or plain text files
New in this version:
- [ADD] Unicode support in notes,lyrics and RSS news!
- [ADD] resizable main window under Linux
- [ADD] multiple playlist import
- [ADD] striped song list box under windows
- [ADD] YamiPod lyric DB
- [ADD] play count column
- [ADD] eject under Linux (eject command needed)
- [ADD] delete confirmations
- [ADD] more playlist song info
- [ADD] too many notes warning
- [ADD] new import/export path settings
- [ADD] manual lyric search
- [ADD] keep highest/lowest bitrate when removing duplicates
- [ADD] audioscrobbler.com support
YamiPod is freeware.
iPod Deals
For current iPod prices from a variety of sources, see our
Best iPod Deals.
