Compiled by Charles Moore
and edited by Dan Knight
- 2005.11.10
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
Products
Software
News and Comment
iPod nano Lawsuits Go International
The Register's Tony Smith reports:
"The class-action lawsuit brought against Apple following the
iPod nano 'scratch scandal' has crossed the Atlantic.
"Seattle-based lawyers Hagens Berman Sobol Shapiro (HBSS) said
yesterday they had filed a parallel complaint from UK resident Ben
Jennings. The lawsuit was filed with the US District Court for
Northern California."
Link: Apple
iPod nano Lawsuit Spreads
Radio Shack Now an Authorized iPod
Reseller
PR: People looking for an Apple iPod player or popular
iPod accessory don't have to look any further than their
neighborhood Radio Shack store starting today. Radio Shack
Corporation announced it has agreed to become an Authorized Apple
Reseller offering all variations of iPod players - including the
iPod shuffle, iPod nano, and the new video-capable iPod - in its
stores across the United States. The consumer electronics retailer
will also continue to offer dozens of the most popular accessory
items for use with iPods, such as external speakers, docking
stations, decorative and protective skins, travel cases, cables and
power solutions.
"iPod owners already know Radio Shack as the place to go for
add-on accessories to enhance their overall experience and
enjoyment of these great digital devices while at home, work or on
the run," said Jim Hamilton, Radio Shack's senior vice president,
chief merchandising officer. "Now, this new robust assortment
allows us to be a complete turnkey destination for iPod players and
accessories alike."
Radio Shack's 5,000 company stores and a select number of dealer
stores are now able to offer customers the 512 MB and 1 GB iPod
shuffle in white, the 2 GB and 4 GB pencil-thin iPod nano in black
and white, and the new 30 GB and 60 GB iPod with video capability
in black and white. iPods with video feature a 2.5" 260K color
screen capable of displaying album artwork, photos and videos
transferred from a PC, including music videos, in-season TV shows,
video podcasts and other video content available for authorized
downloading through Apple's iTunes service.
The availability of iPod players and accessories vary by store.
Players and accessories will be featured in a branded iPod section
within each store where customers can compare and contrast players,
as well as see and discover the types of accessories that are
available to enhance the overall functionality and enjoyment of the
iPod lifestyle.
iPod players may only be purchased at Radio Shack stores or
through Radio Shack's direct ordering system, while iPod
accessories may be purchased in-store and online. Customers can
visit RadioShack.com for more information on Radio Shack's lineup
of iPod players and accessories as well as directions to the Radio
Shack store closest to them.
Hamilton said whether a customer is an iPod veteran or novice,
Radio Shack's knowledgeable sales associates are ready to help
fulfill virtually any need they may have, as well as explain how to
get the most from their investment.
Link: Radio
Shack
Used iPod Market Growing
CNN reports:
"Piper Jaffray analysts say about 30 percent of iPod purchasers
are now repeat buyers who are either replacing an existing,
earlier-generation iPod or adding to their range of styles (such as
an iPod Shuffle and a video iPod).
"If the average lifespan of an iPod is about 1.5 years, what
happens to the older models?
"Analysts say most users hand down their iPods to friends or
family once they purchase a new one.
"Some simply throw them away.
"Increasingly, however, consumers are capitalizing on the
growing iPod phenomenon by selling their used iPods for cash or as
a trade-in toward a new device."
Link:
Market Growing For Used iPods
Growth in Secondhand iPod Sales
Smarthouse's Lilia Guan also reports:
"The average lifespan of an iPod is about 1.5 years, with most
hand-me-down iPods going to friends or family - some are even been
[sic] thrown away. However consumers are increasingly capitalizing
on the growing iPod phenomenon by selling their used iPods for cash
or as a trade-in towards a new device.
"According US securities firm, Piper Jaffray many iPod fans have
turned to the refurbished market to track down a favourite colour
or discontinued model in what is becoming an increasingly a
cult-nostalgia product.
"Piper Jaffray, analyst Gene Munster told Reuters, 'There is an
emerging market for older iPods. Apple discontinues successful
products that people feel some sort of connection to-it's the
retro-cool thing.'"
Link:
Growth in Secondhand iPods
iPod nano - the New Fuzzy Dice?
The Register's Tech Digest reports:
"Certified gadget obsessives Tech Digest and Shiny Shiny scour
Gizmoville for the oddest digital goodies, Bayraider keeps tabs on
the best and worst of eBay and Propellerhead answers your PC
queries.
"Move over fuzzy dice; not content to have the music player
market - the iPod now wants to dominate the windshield. The CarClip
is a clear, acrylic iPod holder designed to dangle your iPod mini
or Nano from your rearview mirror - presumably making it easier for
you to choose your music while you're meant to be driving. iPod
video, colour, gen three and four owners don't despair - your
holders are in the design stage; soon enough everyone can have
their iPods at driver's eye-level, and music on their mind instead
of their eyes on the road."
Link: iPod
nano - the New Furry Dice?
MP3 Players Top Teens' Wish Lists for Holiday
Season
PR: According to a study released by the Consumer
Electronics Association (CEA), portable MP3 players rank as the
most wanted gift among teens this holiday season. Seventeen percent
of teenagers in the study selected the device as a desired gift, a
9 percent increase over 2003. Video game consoles, computers,
portable gaming devices and cell phones rounded out the top five on
teens' technology wish lists.
"With portable music players in high demand and the next
generation of video game consoles set to launch, teens are clear
about what they want this holiday season," said Sean Wargo, CEA's
director of industry analysis.
Teens also named digital cameras, game peripherals and portable
CD players as potential gift items. Beyond consumer electronics
products, the study results showed that teens remain consistently
interested in clothes, CDs and video game titles as gifts they wish
to receive.
"CDs in particular stand out as a reminder of the remaining
importance of the shiny disk format as the preferred medium for
music, despite the strong growth of online music services and
teens' predilection for MP3," said Wargo. "While many teens
continue to buy tracks online, it's clear that they also continue
to rely on CDs to fill their hungry portable devices and music
appetites."
MP3 players also top the list of gifts teens expect to give this
holiday season. Nearly 60 percent of teens who will buy at least
one consumer electronics item reported that they may choose an MP3
player as a gift. According to the survey, nearly half of teens (47
percent) plan to pay for all or most of the gifts they plan to give
this season with their own money, which may come as a welcome
surprise for parents. Older teens, who are more likely to have
part-time employment, show higher self-funding. In addition, the
number of teens who report that they'll purchase gifts online is 43
percent, up from 40 percent in 2003.
CEA's 2nd Annual Youth Holiday Purchase patterns survey was
administered via telephone interview to a random national sample of
502 U.S. teens 12 to 17 years of age between October 20 and 23,
2005. It was designed and formulated by CEA Market Research, the
most comprehensive source of sales data, forecasts, consumer
research and historical trends for the consumer electronics
industry. The complete study is available free to CEA member
companies. Nonmembers may purchase the study for $499.
Link: MP3 Players
Top Teens' Wish Lists This Holiday Season
iPod Takes Usability Prize
Macworld UK's Jonny Evans reports:
"Apple's iPod Click Wheel has been selected for a UK usability
award.
"Inaugurating World Usability Day, the UK Usability
Professionals' Association held the UKUPA Awards 2005 on November 3
to recognise the most usable products and websites...
"Apple's iPod took the prize for best consumer product."
Link: iPod
Takes Usability Prize
Xbox 360 and iPod Interoperability?
CNET News.com's Daniel Terdiman writes:
"If you play 'Project Gotham Racing 3' on an Xbox 360 after the
console hits stores later this month, Microsoft invites you to use
tunes straight off your iPod as an alternative to the game's sound
track.
"Officially, the company says the new console can stream music
from just about any MP3 player. But during a preview of the
next-generation console in San Francisco last month, Microsoft
execs talked up the interoperability between iPods and the Xbox
360."
Link:
Xbox 360 and iPod Interoperability? Sort of
Strategies for Apple's Video iPod to
Succeed
PR: Analysys International gives a prompt comment on
Apple's recent launch of its iPod with the function of video play
and provides the strategies for its success.
Apple introduced its new iPod to the market, which has a
breakthrough feature of the ability to play video contents like
teleplays and movies besides its basic functions of storing music
and graphics.
Analysys International says that the purpose of Apple's launch
of this iPod is to probe the market. It is impossible for the video
iPod to achieve the success iPod had achieved before obstacles of
technology, contents and cooperation methods to be removed.
Analysys International suggest that Apple should a) increase HD
capacity, enlarge screen size, and make technical improvements in
video data transmission and download; b) try harder to attract more
movie providers to provide diversified contents as well as
considering to let more video program providers get involved, or
even to establish strategic alliances with content providers or
adopt other better partnerships; and c) adopt flexible policies
regarding pricing strategy.
Analysys International is a leading Internet based provider of
business information about technology, media and the telecom
industry in China with the mission to help their clients make
better business decisions. They provide data, information and
advice to 10,000 clients worldwide, representing 1,500 distinct
organizations, deliver over 150 consulting engagements a year, and
hold more than 20 events that draw in over 8,000 attendees. Their
clients include executives from companies like technology vendors,
vertical information technology users, as well as professionals
from professional service companies, the investment community and
government agencies.
Link: Analysys
International
Products
iSongBook Turns iPod into a Complete
Portable Rechargeable Music Systems
PR: iSongBook traveling music system for the iPod
Utilizes Universal Docking Station from Apple
iSongBook,
the newest portable music system from Tivoli Audio, is designed to
fit all Apple iPod models, including the latest ultra-slim nano and
newly introduced iPod. The iSongBook the new "Universal Docking
Station" from Apple, made to fit all iPod models. The flip-down
dock charges the iPod while it plays, without the need for an
additional dock connector, and stows into the unit when not in use.
The supplied remote control operates both the iPod models and the
iSongBook.
The new iSongBook features a highly sensitive digital AM/FM
tuner for clear and precise reception with a 9k/10k switch for AM
reception outside North America, as well as an adjustable,
telescoping FM antenna and built-in AM antenna. Stations may be
tuned manually or via 5 AM and 5 FM favorite station preset buttons
with a "seek" function to automatically search for signals in any
country around the world.
"The iSongBook is so versatile as a traveling music system for
the iPod that it has a universal docking station that will
perfectly fit all current iPod models, regardless of size," says
Tom DeVesto, Chairman and CEO of Tivoli Audio. "With the iSongBook,
the iPods becomes a full-bodied music system, unlike any
other."
The white with silver faceplate design makes the iSongBook a
perfect match for the iPod. It also features an "on demand" blue
backlit LCD display that shows the station tuning as well as the
digital clock, whose functions include alarm and 20-minute sleep
timer that can be set to wake to an iPod as well as radio.
Auxiliary input and stereo headphone output are positioned in the
rear, complete with rubber covers to protect them from the
elements, dust and dirt when not in use. It comes with a detachable
matching secondary speaker for stereo sound, a 6' audio cable for
proper room positioning with rewind mechanism for cable management,
and optional carry bag. The credit card sized remote controls the
iPod when docked, as well as the iSongBook.
The iSongBook features a built-in battery charger and operates
on standard AA alkaline or NiMH/NiCad rechargeable batteries or by
an included AC adapter or 12V power source. It also includes seven
dock adapters for compatibility with the Apple iPod mini, iPod
photo, and other earlier generation iPod models. The iSongBook is
sized to fit in a suitcase, briefcase, or backpack, measuring just
6-3/16" H x 11-1/16" W x 2-3/16" D for the clock/radio with the
slave speaker.
The patent-pending iSongBook is housed in a sealed cabinet with
rustproof hardware for weather resistance. It retails for $329.99
at distinctive retailers, or direct by calling toll-free to
877-297-9479 or online.
Link:
iSongBook
TuneCup Car iPod Holder
PR:
TuneCup is an iPod car accessory for your iPod 5G, iPod 4G, iPod
3G, or iPod mini. It comes complete with audio out to connect your
iPod directly to your car stereo or you can use cassette adapter
(not included) to listen to your iPod through an in-car cassette
tape deck. TuneCup also includes an S-video port for a crystal
clear connection to an in-car AV system. Perfect for watching
videos on the new iPod 5G or photos on any of the other color
iPods.
The TuneCup cradle has an adjustable slider on each side that
fits all current iPods including mini, 3G and all 4G, photo and
iPod 5G models (14.5mm - 19mm). The ball joint is adjustable so
that you can position your iPod for easy access.
Link: TuneCup iPod Car
Accessory
Newer Tech Cassette Adapter for
iPod
PR: Newer Technology, Inc., has immediately available an
Audio Cassette Adapter that allows you to play your iPod tunes on
the road and crystal clear for $14.99.
The RoadTrip! FM Transmitter and RoadTrip!+ already have
won the ears of many reviewers and customers. The cassette adapter
is made with the same principle in mind - make taking your tunes on
the road easy, affordable and enjoyable.
"Our RoadTrip! and RoadTrip!+ work for a large segment of the
population, but for those who don't have a 120v jack available or
who just prefer to use a cassette adapter, we have made it
affordable and plug-and-play," said Larry O'Connor, president of
NewerTech.
The Audio Cassette Adapter works with any model of Apple's iPod
but also with any audio device with a headphone jack. Simply plug
the adapter into the headphone jack of your audio device, insert
the tape into your car's tape deck and push play. Now sit back and
enjoy commercial-free music you know you enjoy - because you put it
there.
Visit Newer Tech online for more information, to find a dealer,
or to purchase this or any of the awesome RoadTrip! products.
Link: Audio
Cassette Adapter
Tripod Speaker for iPod, MP3
Players
PR: BoomTune mini incorporates a unique tripod
design and an amazing 1W x 2 output that is surprising for such a
compact size. Just one AAA battery is all you will need to enjoy up
to 10 hours* of playback. With a style like you have never seen
before, the tripod design can be used with almost any MP3 player
from the small iPod shuffle to the iPod 5G. It is also suitable for
more than just table top use. In fact, you can use it anywhere.
Whether you are staying in a hotel, camping, at a barbeque, or just
enjoying the outdoors, BoomTune mini will ensure that you can enjoy
your favorite tunes no matter where you are!
Quick and easy setup
To enjoy your music with your friends, all you have to do is
plug in your MP3 player and press play, open out the legs of
BoomTune mini and switch it on. The low energy design will allow
you to rock on and on and on.
*Battery life may vary depending on environmental
conditions.
For iPod 5G with video
The BoomTune mini series are perfectly suited for the new iPod
5G so you can enjoy your movies, music videos, and video podcasts
with friends.
Link: Tripod
Speaker for iPod and MP3 Players
Tri-fle Sound System for iPod Shuffle
PR: Use with your iPod and nano too.
This is a cool little sound system.
Sits on a table top, music sans ear buds. AAA battery power with
off-on switch to turn off the battery when you are not using it.
Sound is good quality. It is not for noisy environments.
Price: $30
Link: Tri-fle
Sound System
TuneCommand Remote for iPod Coming
Soon
PR: Belkin TuneCommand lets you roam and play your tunes
from virtually anywhere in your home, delivering the flexibility
and convenience that iPod users desire. Using wireless radio
frequency technology, the TuneCommand Remote works from up to 150
feet away, regardless of barriers such as walls, ceilings, or
windows that limit traditional remotes. Connect your iPod to
headphones, your home entertainment system, laptop, or
computer-even if you stash it away in the glove box, control of
your iPod remains at your fingertips.
TuneCommand includes a multi-clip, surface-mount hook and
lanyard, providing a variety of options for securing your Remote on
the road, in the car, or at home. It features eight basic
functions: play/pause, next track, previous track, volume up and
down, shuffle songs, and repeat. When used with the iPod photo,
TuneCommand lets you scroll through your slide shows or
presentations-wirelessly.
Advantages
- Works from up to 120 ft. away
- Features 3.5mm audio-out port
- Includes a lanyard, multi-clip, and surface-mount hook
Belkin online price: $49.99
This product is not yet available. Please check back soon for
updates on availability of this and other products Belkin has in
development. Or become a registered user and you will automatically
receive updates on all Belkin product releases.
Link:
Belkin TuneCommand
Urban Metallics Sculpted Leather Nano
Case
PR: This hand-oiled leather stitched case is an exclusive
item designed by Marty Flint to keep your new nano protected and
looking awesome. Each has a dark silver texture made out of words,
blended onto the black leather for an urban but grungy feel.
Besides
being 100% leather and looking amazing, this case was designed to
keep it's shape even when the nano isn't inside. It's also got an
opening at the bottom so you can easily slide your nano in and out
of it's holder!
Because they are hand textured, each pattern will vary slightly.
The photo shows an example of the basic pattern, front and
back.
Ships within one week.
Size: Fits all Nanos
Material: Leather, metallic foils
Price: $45
Link: Urban Metallics
Sculpted Leather Nano Case
NanoDeco Fashion Faceplates for iPod
nano
PR: Kiwali LLC has announced a preview of the Kiwali
NanoDeco Fashion Faceplates for Apple iPod nano. The NanoDeco is a
collection of exciting designs intended to dramatically enhance the
look and appeal of the iPod nano.
"The NanoDeco
is a natural follow-up to our exciting ShuffleDeco collection" said
Paul Lee, Director of Marketing for Kiwali LLC. "We have a totally
new set of very hip and sophisticated designs that will allow users
to personalize the look of their iPod nanos."
"Actual availability of the Kiwali NanoDeco is expected in
December," Lee continued. "But we wanted to preview the collection
now to give the designs a chance to speak for themselves."
Like the Kiwali ShuffleDeco, NanoDeco provides limited
protection from scratches and everyday hazards and is easily
removable. The Kiwali NanoDeco will be a set of two rigid
"faceplates" that cover the face and back of the iPod nano through
the use of a removable adhesive. The NanoDeco is designed to work
with many other iPod accessories and cases.
Kiwali LLC is previewing the NanoDeco collection on its website.
Visitors to the website can participate in an online poll and vote
for their favorite designs. Actual availability is expected to be
in December and pricing will be determined at a later date.
Reseller and distributor inquiries are welcome at this time. For
more information, please visit the website.
Link: Kiwali
LLC
Software
ShareIPod Lets You Listen to Your iPod's
Tracks in iTunes
PR: Michael Biebl says:
I wanted to be able to listen to the songs on my iPod for some
time now. This is because I don't want to fill up the hard-drive of
my iBook with music, but be able to access my Music when I'm on the
way. I found some solutions but none really made me happy. Then I
found mt-daapd which did exactly what I wanted except for one
thing. mt-daapd can export any folder as an iTunes-music-share. The
missing piece was, that it doesn't detect if an iPod is connected.
So I wrote a simple program that detects if an iPod is connected
and then automatically shares it with mt-daapd.
- Connect your iPod
- Listen
- Add ShareIPod to your login-items to automatically start it
every time you login.
- If you want to share your iPod to your whole network, add the
ports to your firewall (TCP).
System requirements:
- Mac OS X 10.4 or later
- iTunes 6.0 or later.
ShareIPod is freeware.
Link: ShareIPod
iPod Friendly Pod CityGuides
PR: WCITIES, leading provider of travel and destination
content, has released their latest travel product: Pod CityGuides.
Now you can download a guide to hundreds of cities as easily as you
download your favorite music. Pod CityGuides is the source for the
coolest clubs, hippest hotels, trendiest restaurants, top
attractions, and hottest events in more than 300 cities around the
globe.
With the handy Pod CityGuide you can customize your travel
itinerary with the same ease and convenience that you program your
iPod. When you use the Pod CityGuide, you can forget your calendar
because the personal event guide keeps you up to date with the
coolest events including concerts, sports, theater, festivals and
museums, in cities across the USA and around the world. You can get
tickets for these events at http://www.wcities.com . Pod CityGuide
even includes movies and show times provided by MatchFlick.com.
"WCITIES Pod CityGuides are an essential travel resource," says
Fraser Campbell, WCITIES Vice President. "It is part of WCITIES
continuing innovation to make our city content entirely portable,
and available for the active traveler regardless of their devices:
mobile phones, PDA, Blackberry, and now the increasingly popular
iPod."
Pod CityGuides can be personalized with the WCITIES TravelBag,
letting users customize their download. TravelBag enables users to
select the clubs, restaurants, events, they want to keep track of
and take with them.
WCITIES has a whole suite of downloadable travel products. The
CityGuide lets user get an entire city's worth of content, and the
Pocket CityGuide includes full mapping and navigation. Compatible
with the world's most popular devices, WCITIES content can be
downloaded for Nokia, Sony-Ericsson, Palm Treo, HP iPaq, and dozens
of other brand names. Go to http://store.wcities.com for more
information.
Zoom and Go.com Offers Thousands of
Travel Clips for Video iPod
PR: Starting immediately, Zoom and Go.com, the multimedia
website featuring traveler videos and in-depth hotel reviews, will
make its entire library of video clips available to Apple video
iPod users. With a collection of approximately 10,000 high-quality
videos, Zoom And Go.com boasts the Internet's largest collection of
video clips shot by travelers around the world.
"We're the only consumer travel site offering this kind of rich
media content," said Jonathan Haldane, CEO and founder of Zoom And
Go.com. "With the new video iPod and Zoom and Go's unique content,
travelers can create a portable and personalized video travel guide
for any destination.
"Wherever you're heading, you can download dozens of Zoom and Go
clips onto your iPod, so other travelers can give you face-to-face
advice on where to stay and what to do before you go, or even while
you're walking the city's streets," Haldane said.
Zoom and Go.com is the first website delivering its complete
video collection to iPod users. Current clips range from on-camera
hotel reviews and insider advice about tourist attractions to tips
from travelers on-camera about the best hotel beds and finding
bargains overseas. Zoom And Go will have video for most major
destinations and hotels by the end of this year.
Users can download Zoom And Go videos onto their iPods by
clicking on the Download to iPod link beside each clip.
Travelers can upload their videos from digital cameras or
digital video cameras and have other travelers watch them on their
iPods.
Link: 10 Most
Popular Videos
ThinkFree Office Show Turns iPod into
Presenter
PR: ThinkFree Office 3 Show, iPod Edition uses the iPod
as a USB hard disk. The software, once installed, loads directly
onto the memory of a computer from the iPod. The user can then
utilize the host computer's screen and keyboard to create or edit
the slides.
Slides, after being edited, are saved to the iPod, not to the
hard drive of the host computer. Unplugging the iPod leaves no
trace of slides on the host computer.
An iPod that contains both the presentation file and the
ThinkFree Office 3 Show, iPod Edition can be plugged into a USB
port of any Mac or Windows PC for further editing.
A separate "Export to iPod" menu in ThinkFree Office 3 Show,
iPod Edition converts slides to JPEG format and uses Apple's iTunes
software to move the slide images to photo database on the iPod.
These JPEG images are used for viewing slides on the iPod. The same
images are also used for running slide shows by connecting the iPod
to an external monitor or a beam projector.
This features is only available on iPods with color display.
Although iPod nano can show slide shows on its color screen,it
cannot be connected to an external monitor.
System Requirements
- Requirements for ThinkFree Office Show 3 (iPod Edition)
- Macintosh or Windows PC with USB 2.0 port
- At least 256 MB of RAM (512 MB or higher recommended)
- Mac OS X 10.4 or later
- Windows 2000 Service Pack 4 or Windows XP Service Pack 2
- iTunes 4.7 or later (for iPod photo users)
- iPhoto 4.0.3 or later for Macintosh (iPod photo requirement for
Macintosh)
- Adobe Photoshop Album 2.0 or Elements 3.0 or later (iPod photo
requirements for Windows)
Supported iPod models
- To store converted images in your iPod for slide show
- iPod nano
- iPod with color display
- iPod photo
- To install ThinkFree Office Show 3 without slide show running
from within iPod
Price: $29.95
Link: ThinkFree Office Show
for iPod
iPod Deals
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