Compiled by Charles Moore
and edited by Dan Knight
- 2006.02.16
This Week's iPod News
The iPod nano's susceptibility to scratching remains the target of
lawsuits, Microsoft promises to challenge the iPod's dominance
(eventually, somehow), WiFi and Bluetooth may come to iPod soon,
rumors of a "true video" iPod with 3.5" screen, UK outfitter
offering custom painted iPods, and lots more in this week's iPod
news roundup.
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.
For current iPod prices from a variety of sources, see our
Best iPod Deals.
News and Comment
Tips
Cases
Content
Software
News and Comment
UK Outfitter Offers Custom Painted iPods
The Register's Tony Smith reports:
"Posh gents' outfitters Bamford & Sons has followed
Selfridges down the expensive iPod-related services path by
offering to paint any new iPod bought at one of its London stores
with a custom colour scheme of the buyer's choice. It's a snip at
between £121 and £196 excluding the cost of the music
player.
"B&S isn't opening the
service up to existing iPod owners, but if you're after a brand new
4 GB iPod nano or 60 GB iPod, you can get one with a custom
paint job from a B&S shop for £300 and £495,
respectively. It's a bespoke service so you'll have to wait up to
three weeks...."
"There's a choice of 23 hues ranging from Ferrari red, steel and
techno blue through to candy apple red and jet black...."
Link:
Mens Fashion Store Offers Custom-coloured iPods
Microsoft to Challenge iPod
Reuters reports:
"Microsoft and its hardware partners will continue to develop
new digital media devices aimed at challenging the dominance of
Apple Computer's ubiquitous iPod music player, Chairman Bill Gates
said on Friday."
"The Microsoft founder praised Apple's iTunes music store and
said the software giant was talking with hardware partners to
create media devices that can be less expensive and easier to
connect and can handle pictures and video better."
Link:
Gates: We Will Challenge iPod
Lawsuit: iPod nano 'Severely Scratched' by
Normal Use
Consumer News reports:
"A consumer group has filed yet another lawsuit against Apple,
claiming its popular iPod nano music player, marketed for its sleek
beauty, cannot withstand normal use without becoming severely
scratched, often to the point where its screen is unreadable. The
suit was filed in San Mateo Superior Court in California.
"Moreover, the plaintiffs charge, Apple is refusing to give
refunds to purchasers who bought the defective product, while
forcing others to pay a $25 fee to get a replacement that is
supposed to be 'free' under Apple's warranty."
Link:
Apple Faces Another iPod Lawsuit
Apple Sued Over $25 Replacement Fee for Easily
Scratched iPod nano
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Wireless iPods 'a Step Closer'
The Register's Tony Smith reports:
"The availability of wireless iPods came a step closer today
after PortalPlayer, the chip maker behind the Apple music player's
audio logic, will add Wi-Fi and Bluetooth support to its products,
Reg Hardware has learned. The move comes courtesy of a tie-in with
UK-based Bluetooth chip design pioneer CSR, a.k.a. Cambridge
Silicon Radio.
"PortalPlayer said it will integrate its PP5022 audio chip
family with CSR's UniFi Wi-Fi and Bluetooth controller. It will
demonstrate a reference platform based on the combined technology
next week at the 3GSM show in Barcelona."
Link:
iPod Chip Maker Plans Wi-Fi, Bluetooth Support
PortalPlayer to Include WiFi, Bluetooth in
Processors
TheStreet.com's Troy Wolverton says:
"Ready for your wireless iPod?
"Reading between the lines, such a product in the short-term
pipeline seems to be the implication of a recent announcement from
PortalPlayer and from what executives of the chipmaker had to say
at an investor conference on Wednesday.
"PortalPlayer, which provides multimedia processors for Apple
Computer's iPods, announced Tuesday that it had signed a deal with
CSR, a maker of WiFi and Bluetooth wireless chips, to add wireless
capabilities to digital media players. The companies said they
expected to have an integrated chipset available by the second half
of this year....
"In an interview with TheStreet.com, Johnson declined to say if
or when Apple will release a wireless iPod. An Apple representative
did not return a call seeking comment, but the company is typically
tight-lipped about future product plans."
Link:
Is PortalPlayer Showing Apple's Hand?
Apple Gearing Up for 3.5" Video iPod?
The Register's Tony Smith reports:
"Time to drool, iPod fans. Apple is preparing the
long-anticipated video-specific iPod, complete with a 3.5in, colour
touch-sensitive display that covers the entire front face of the
device and sporting a virtual clickwheel, according to a report
posted on the web today."
Link:
Apple Gears Up to Launch 'True Video iPod'
RIAA: Erase Your iPod Before You Sell It
MTV News' Gil Kaufman reports:
"It's a modern dilemma: That iPod you got last year seems so
lame now that a newer version is out. If you're the type that needs
to switch up MP3 players like you change sneakers, one of the
easiest ways to unload the devices is by selling them on Websites
like eBay or Craigslist.
"But given all the lawsuits over illegally traded music, you
might ask yourself, 'Is it legal to sell a device loaded with your
signature mix of tunes?'
"The Recording Industry Association of America - the lobbying
group behind the thousands of lawsuits over unauthorized sharing
and downloading of songs - says the answer is definitely
no...."
Link: Thinking
About Selling Your Used iPod? Not So Fast, Says RIAA
Hollywood, TV Selling Video to Go
The Wall Street Journal's Walter S. Mossberg says:
"Apple computer caused a big splash recently by introducing a
new iPod that can play videos and by starting to sell videos, as it
does songs, at its iTunes Music Store. This new iPod will very
quickly become the bestselling handheld video device, mostly
because people will buy it mainly for its music capabilities.
"But as slick as it is, Apple's latest baby isn't the only path
to portable digital video available to consumers. Others got there
first. All, including the new iPod, suffer from a dearth of legal
downloadable content, but that has begun to change as Hollywood and
the television networks seem willing, suddenly, to sell individual
episodes of television series.
"Here's a quick guide to some leading portable video
devices."
Link: Handheld
Hollywood
SellyourCell.com to Buy Used iPods
PR: SellyourCell.com, America's Original Wireless
Recycler, will purchase used Apple iPod portable media devices from
consumers for between $19 and $149.
"Offering to purchase the Apple iPod is big step for us, as it
is outside of our corporate emphasis on cell phones. However, the
Internet infrastructure and technical facilities we have in place
are well-adapted for adding this to our product mix. Additionally,
we love the iPod as a product, and look forward to repurposing ones
that would wind up in someone's drawer until they were obsolete,"
said Keith Ori, CEO of SellyourCell.com.
"Apple is coming out with new, better, and smaller technology at
a faster pace than even the wireless phone industry, which is
amazing in and of itself. However, this creates very short product
life cycles, and therefore the need to recycle is apparent," said
Ori.
To facilitate the iPod purchase, SellyourCell.com has added an
iPod category to their website. Fifteen different iPod models will
be purchased. Each individual model of iPod is clearly described to
avoid confusion on the part of the site user.
In addition to paying consumers to recycle their iPods and cell
phones, SellyourCell.com has always offered free shipping, and
their new "Speedy Ship" option allows the consumer to download a
pre-paid return mailing label at the time of the order.
"We are the first company of any scale that we are aware of to
offer to purchase and recycle iPods for consumers, and it is
exciting to be an innovator," Ori said.
SellyourCell.com is a six-year-old subsidiary of Sundog Inc.,
based in Orlando, Florida. Sellyourcell.com offers to pay consumers
to recycle their used cell phones and Apple iPods through their
website www.sellyourcell.com . This process eliminates a number of
hazardous and harmful substances from coming into contact with the
environment and provides a generous financial incentive for
participating.
SellyourCell.com is one of the oldest companies offering this
type of service and continues to be a leader in the wireless
recycling industry.
Link: SellyourCell.com
Win an iPod shuffle
PR: freeridecoding announces the SyncupX contest,
awarding the most creative use of smart folders (saved searches)
for a SyncupX backup configuration. The winner will receive a new
iPod shuffle (512 MB), the runner-up will receive a free license
for SyncupX and BurnAgain. Submission guidelines and details can be
found on the freeridecoding.net blog.
The contest is accepting submissions between 10 Feb. 2006 and 25
Feb. 2006. The winner will be announced on 27 Feb. 2006 on the
freeridecoding.net blog.
SyncupX is freeridecoding's backup application "for the rest of
us" that features an iSync like interface and a unique ease of use.
SyncupX, set up in less then 5 minutes, does also accept smart
folders (saved searches) as backup sources and for file filtering.
Using this Spotlight integration SyncupX allows easy configuration
of powerful dynamic backup sets ("only the purchased music in my
iTunes Library") that would otherwise be impossible. Other SyncupX
features are archiving, easy automation using Automator or iCal, a
headless (commandline) mode for pro users and easy management of
multiple backups.
SyncupX is already available as Universal Binary.
More information on SyncupX, its features, and a trial download
can be found online.
SyncupX is priced at $20 for a single license, $35 for a family
pack.
Educational or site licenses are available upon request.
Link: freeridecoding
Tips
How to Use the iPod's Sleep Timer
An updated Apple Knowledge Base article says:
"You can set iPod to turn off automatically after a specific
period of time.
"To set the interval before iPod turns off, select Extras >
Clock > Sleep Timer. Then select the time you want.
"When you set the sleep timer, a clock icon and the number of
minutes left until iPod turns off appear near the top of the Now
Playing screen."
Link: How to Set
the Sleep Timer on iPod Tutorial from Apple
How to Use Your iPod as a Hard
Drive
An updated Apple Knowledge Base article says:
"You can use your iPod as a hard drive to store and transfer
data files on (also known as disk mode).
"Using iPod as a hard disk
- Connect iPod to your computer.
- iTunes opens.
- Select your iPod in the iTunes Source list.
- Click the Options button in iTunes.
- The iPod Preferences window appears.
- Select 'Enable disk use' or 'Manually manage songs and
playlists'. Either one will allow you to use iPod as a hard disk.
If you select 'Manually manage songs and playlists', iTunes won't
automatically update iPod with the iTunes library. If you want
iTunes to automatically update your iPod, select 'Enable disk use'
instead.
- The iPod disk icon appears on the desktop and in Finder
windows, and in My Computer in Windows. Double-click the icon and
drag files to or from iPod's window to copy them.
- Make sure to eject iPod before disconnecting it from your
computer.
Link: Using Your
iPod as a Hard Disk
Cases
nanoShell Protects iPod nano
PR: nanoShell is a clear protective jewel case for
the nano that can be worn on the hip, carried in hand, or placed in
a pocket or bag. The nanoShell cases come in five different shades:
Crystal Clear, Tech Lime, Indigo Blue, Perfect Purple, and Pretty
in Pink. And it's only $14.99.
- Comes in five different colors: Crystal Clear, Tech Lime,
Indigo Blue, Perfect Purple and Pretty in Pink.
- Protect your iPod nano in a transparent jewel case
- Choose between two snap-on backs, smooth or with belt clip
- Provides full screen protection and complete click wheel
access
The nanoShell also features two ways for an owner to carry and
protect their iPod nano. Two optional backings are included to
provide complete nano protection and mobility - one with a built-in
belt clip and the other with a smooth back surface. The nanoShell's
backs simply slide and click into place with no hassle or fuss.
The nanoShell has an opening for access to the nano's click
wheel. It also has openings for the hold switch and earbud port.
Once your nano is safely secured in the nanoShell, there isn't any
reason to remove it.
Add some flavor and color to your nano while giving it the best
protection available, the DLO nanoShell.
nanoShell- $14.99
Link: nanoShell for iPod
nano
Carbon Fiber iPod Cases
PR:
Nano Case
Nano case made from real aerospace carbon fiber, aluminum, and
stainless steel screws. Also includes stainless steel belt clip, a
protective clear cling-on screen protector, and assembly tool.
Nano Case: $39.99
5G Video iPod Case
5G video iPod case made from real aerospace carbon fiber,
aluminum, and stainless steel screws. Also includes stainless steel
belt clip, a protective clear film screen protector, and assembly
tool. Choose 30 GB or 60 GB size.
5G Video iPod Case: $49.99
Link: Carbon Fiber
iPod Cases
Content
Historic Philly Walking Tour Meets
iPod
PR: This iPod walking tour now becomes another
Philadelphia first: It's the first to combine pictures and audio in
a user-friendly, menu-driven guide.
This happened when AudioWalk & Tour of Historic Philadelphia
joined forces with iPREPpress to bring its nationally acclaimed
walking tour to the iPod audience. Since 1984, the 82 minute
narrated walking tour of Independence National Historical Park has
taken thousands of listeners back in time with little known stories
that paint a colorful picture of life in 18th century
Philadelphia.
Even before the iPod made touring easier, Travel Holiday
Magazine said the AudioWalk is "the best way to see historic
Philadelphia," and the Philadelphia Inquirer said, "It's a gem."
Now it's all that, and more.
"We're proud to bring this leading walking tour to the iPod,"
said Kurt Goszyk, founder of iPREPpress. "Ben Franklin would have
approved! The iPod is a powerful tool that makes learning history
fun and more convenient to access. Bringing educational content to
the iPod is a natural step in the evolution of iPod content. Given
the popularity of the iPod among high school and college students
and travelers of all ages, iPREPpress and ushistory.org give
students a way to improve their educational and travel experience
through audio and visuals on the iPod. We look forward to offering
more educational tours in the future."
This narrated tour CD is still available for rent or purchase at
the Independence Visitor Center and Lights of Liberty shop or
through Independence Hall Association's website. But now, anyone
with an iPod can also download the tour and map for only $9.95 from
ushistory.org or iPREPpress.
"We're excited about our collaboration with the iPod and
iPREPpress," said Nancy Gilboy, the AudioWalk's writer and producer
and the president of Philadelphia's International Visitors Council.
"With the tour and map both on iPod, learning American history
doesn't get any easier or more fun, and tourists can now plan their
historic Philadelphia visit without waiting for the tour CD to
arrive in the mail.
The iPod tour guide features the same audio content as the CD
version and also provides photos, easy menu navigation with audio
hyperlinks. The tour takes listeners back to the 1700s on a stroll
along cobblestone streets, to an 18th century garden, to the home
of a First Lady and the site of where a future King of France lived
(listeners find out why he didn't marry the Philadelphia woman he
loved.). Twenty stops with 65 narrated segments are included in the
tour, with music and hundreds of fascinating facts. And of course,
there's a section on everyone's favorite fascinating Philadelphian,
Ben Franklin.
Washington Crossing, Pennsylvania-based iPREPpress offers
best-of-breed content formatted specially for the iPod.
iPREPpress is the only company offering the SparkNotes Study
Guides in text version from Barnes & Noble. It also presents
travel guides, important national documents and access to sports
and entertainment content for downloading to PCs and Macintosh
computers.
Software
Video2Pod Supports
Macintel
PR: Video2Pod makes for comfortable converting of your
movies to the new iPod with video functionality.
The new iPod of the fifth generation allows you to store and, of
course, play back up to 150 hours of video material with a screen
resolution of 320 pixels wide by 240 pixels high. Video2Pod was
especially devised for the optimal conversion of a movie to this
size.
All formats supported by Quick Time 7 are supported by Video2Pod
too. Features: Overview over your movie folder MPEG-4 and H.264
export to iPod Variable quality Record movies with your iSight or
DV cam Converted files are sent to iTunes and iPod.
Video2Pod allows you to directly record movies via FireWire or
DV-camera. By using the two buttons below left, you can either save
your recorded movies onto your hard disc or transfer them into the
iTunes library. You can keep the same settings that you have
established to convert movies.
The iPod Video can play two video formats: MPEG-4 and MPEG-4
H.264. While the latter does achieve a better quality, the
conversion process with H.264 takes a little longer.
The settings also allow you to influence size and quality of the
movie you are converting.
New in version 1.5.1:
Fixed problems with the conversion of movies on Intel-Macs
System requirements:
- Mac OS X 10.3.9 or later,
- QuickTime 7.0.3,
- iTunes 6.0.1,
- iPod 5g (Video iPod, 30 GB or 60 GB)
- iPod Video.
System support: PPC/Intel
$10 shareware
Free iSquint iPod Video Conversion
App
PR: iSquint is an iPod video conversion app for Mac OS X.
It's many times faster than QuickTime Pro, works with almost all
popular video formats, and it's infinitely free-er.
It's also really easy. Just drag in your file, and click
Start.
You can also choose "TV" or "iPod" size, set your quality, or
even go all-out by playing in the Advanced drawer.
On a 1.5 GHz G4, iSquint can convert most video files to
iPod-screen-sized videos in realtime.
Features:
- Fast MPEG-4 and H.264 conversion from almost every popular
video format, from 3GP to XviD.
- QuickTime Pro and DivX codec not required.
- DivX/XviD AVIs, all forms of MPEG video, and many other formats
QuickTime chokes on are supported.
- Batch Processing of multiple files. Save in-place, or to a
different folder.
- Automatic aspect ratio detection. Anamorphic MPEG-2 and HDV
detected too.
- Quality slider. Leave it as is to trust me, mess with it if you
know better, or completely ignore it and play with the...
- Advanced settings drawer. Change every aspect of the conversion
process.
- Multithreaded for multiprocessor computers.
- Just a few of the supported formats: .mov .mp4 .avi .dv .mpg
.vob .3gp .asf .wmv .flv .m4v
New in version 1.2:
- New build of ffmpeg. Also, every included tool is now a
Universal Binary!
- Conversion from QuickTime on PPC Macs up to 25% faster!
- Conversion from QuickTime on Intel Macs up to 150% faster!
- Certain Windows Media files now convert up to 200% faster!
- Now with [undefined]% more beeps upon job completion!
- Version number now 6.6% bigger!
- iSquint .app package now 18% smaller! (Leaner, meaner.)
- What's New list 600% longer!
- Converted videos are now Fast-Start enabled for better Internet
distribution!
- Initial estimated time remaining less crazy. (It gets a better
sample before the first guess now.)
- 60% certainty that the .mp4 comma framerate problem's
fixed!
- Italian Localization by Niccolò Zapponi
- Portuguese Localization by Pedro Fardilha
System requirements: Mac OS X 10.3.9 or later.
System support: PPC/Intel
iSquint is free.
Link: iSquint
Podmaxx Transfer DVDs to Video iPod
Using Windows PC
PR: Podmaxx enhances and expands iTunes by allowing users
to easily copy music and playlists from ANY iPod to PC, manage
podcasts, backup valuable data (so music and other files won't be
lost!), sync email and contacts (including Outlook), View the
latest synced news, weather and movie times ... all with one
application. And now users can convert any DVD movie to watch on
the new Video iPod!
Over 14 million people bought or received an iPod in the last 3
months of 2005. iPod - the hottest Christmas gift - now has nearly
40 million users. Bling Software has the perfect companion tool to
unlock more iPod potential . . . Podmaxx Video.
PC users are constantly searching for ways to fully use the new
Video iPod . . . and Podmaxx Video expands functionality
by providing DVD Movie transfer to the new video iPod.
"In just two months, more than 4 million movies have already
been downloaded from Apple's iTunes. People want video on their
iPods," says Bling Software Director Lyn Bell, publisher of XCopy9,
Podmaxx, Ring Factory and other successful PC utilities. "TV
networks have quickly agreed to offer new and Classic shows for the
first time. Downloads are great for new releases, but if users
already have DVD movies that you want on your iPod, Podmaxx Video
will transfer it perfectly every time."
Podmaxx Video provides iPod users:
- Expand Video iPod to its full Potential
- Carry up to 150 hours of DVD Movies in Your Pocket
- Manage and Upgrade iPod capabilities
- DVD Movie Transfer Allows you rip and transfer any DVD Movie
that users own right to the Video iPod with speed, simplicity and
perfect quality.
Podmaxx (sold separately) allows users to:
- Copy Music from ANY iPod
- Protect their Music Collection from loss with full PC
backup
- Enhance iTunes capability
- Carry News, Weather, Movie info
- Internet iPod access
- Backup an entire PC
Podmaxx - available via download or CD shipment - carries a
suggested retail price of $19.99. Podmaxx Video is priced at
$24.99.
Software system requirements are an Internet connection, Windows
98/ME/2000/XP. All Podmaxx applications are available in-store at
Circuit City, Fry's, Comp USA, Office Max and other major retailers
or via download.
Link: Podmaxx
Got an iPod? Got Notes? Use TopXNotes
iPod
PR: TopXNotes iPod- your solution for notes on iPods.
TopXNotes iPod works exactly like TopXNotes, but you can now
select a choice of notes for export to your iPod. Your "iPod notes"
will be placed in the Notes folder of your iPod in the same order
as in your TopXNotes iPod notepad, and your Groups containing iPod
notes will also appear on your iPod. So if you have a "Home" Group
containing an iPod note, that note will be in the "Home" Group on
your iPod.
With TopXNotes iPod you easily manage notes, exactly like you do
in TopXNotes, but now will have the added capability to export
selected notes to your iPod.
Features
To make a note an iPod note, just select in the category menu
below the note as shown below:
Then just choose Export iPod Notes from the File Menu (or press
the button with the iPod icon) in the lower toolbar, and all notes
that have their category set to 'iPod Note' will be exported to the
iPod Notes folder along with the note's group, if it is in a group.
So an iPod note in a group will be in the same Group on your iPod.
You can export your entire group hierarchy if you wish by
designating one note in each group an iPod note.
After Export of your iPod Notes to your iPod your iPod notes can
be found in the Notes folder on the iPod as shown above.
TopXNotes iPod Version is very similar to TopXNotes but adds
features specifically designed for the iPod. These features all are
available only if TopXNotes iPod Version finds an iPod connected
when it is launched. Then if the features are checked in the new
the iPod Preferences tab they will be available. Those features
are:
- iPod Preferences tab- to customize your iPod related
features
Export notes to iPod (automatic and manual modes)- If you choose to
export notes to iPod all notes that have their category set to
'iPod Note' will be exported to the iPod notes folder along with
the groups hierarchy.
- Auto put notes on window close- automatically put (export) your
iPod notes on window close
- Sync data file via iPod- put your entire TopXNotes file on your
iPod and carry it with you
- iPod note size warning- the iPod only neatly handles notes up
to 4 K. This warning helps you make notes to export look more
readable on the iPodExport notes to iPod
- Export Notes to iPod button in the lower toolbar- If you choose
to export notes to iPod all notes that have their category set to
'iPod Note' will be exported to the iPod's Notes folder along with
the groups hierarchy. So an iPod note in a group will be in the
same group on your iPod.
New in version 1.1.1:
- Repaired cosmetic error on Splash screen.
- Disabled Note Settings menu option for encrypted note.
- Disabled Open menu option when main window already open.
- Changed color options for note background.
- Corrected display of note number in Organizer on deletion of
group when multiple groups present.
- Enabled large notes (over 4 kb ) to be truncated and then
exported.
- Modified large note warning.
- Changed application icon.
System Requirements
Mac OS X 10.3 (Panther) or higher is required for TopXNotes
iPod. TopXNotes iPod also requires a newer (3rd generation or
newer) iPod. Apple has not used the informal "generations"
terminology and it is not easy to find out about. However, if an
iPod has an LCD and Dock connector, and the Apple Notes Reader is
installed, it should work. We hope to present a more formal list of
models in the future.
System support: PPC
$29.95 shareware
iPod Launcher Automates Your iPod, Now
Universal
PR: Automatically launch applications and scripts
whenever you connect an iPod to your Mac. Auto-sync your personal
information via iPDA. Backup your vital data or sync folder
contents between your home and work Macs (sample AppleScripts
provided). The possibilities are endless!
Features
- Launch any application or AppleScript.
- Specify items to launch via System Preferences
- Selectively control which items are launched and the order in
which they're launched.
Specify a minimum amount of time between launches. For example,
you can connect your iPod in the morning and have it launch your
applications and then have iPod Launcher wait 8 hours before doing
another set of launches. You can connect your iPod as many times as
you want and applications won't launch until those 8 hours have
passed.
New in version 1.6:
With this version iPod Launcher is now a Universal application
and some rare launching problems have been fixed.
System requirements: Mac OS X 10.3 or later.
System support: PPC/Intel
$4.95 shareware
Link: iPod
Launcher
Pod2Go Now Universal Binary
PR: Syncs a variety of information to your iPod such as
news, weather forecasts, movie showtimes, lyrics, text files and
more.
Think your iPod was designed just for music? Think again!
If you're not taking full use of your iPod's extended
capabilities, then you're missing out! You may ask, "What other
capabilities?" The iPod has a few extra features on it that allow
you to view your address book contacts, calendars, to-dos, and even
notes!
This is where Pod2Go comes in to play. Pod2Go takes any iPod
(except the shuffle), whether it's the first iPod ever created, a
brand new iPod color, or an iPod mini, and expands the
functionality of it by putting a variety of textual content onto it
for your reading enjoyment.
For example, on your ride to work, you could be staying
up-to-date with the latest news, checking tomorrow's weather
forecast, browsing the local theater's movie showtimes, or getting
directions to that new restaurant across town. Or if you're a
college student, you could be studying those Word formatted notes
your buddy emailed you before your exam, without books or papers.
If you're an email addict, you can keep those important messages
with you wherever you go. There's an endless stream of
possibilities!
New in version 1.6.3:
This version fixes a bug with certain encodings of articles from
a feed in News where they wouldn't be displayed properly on the
iPod. It also adds a color iPod icon to replace the black and white
icon in the menu bar, and a few other small enhancements.
- Full articles encoded for Japanese and Chinese (and others) are
now correctly outputted to the iPod
- Pod2Go now uses a new color iPod icon in the menu bar, with an
option to use the black and white one in Preferences
- The folder and text icons in the Notes utility are now more
efficiently displayed
- Increased News' feed item count to 100
System requirements: Mac OS X 10.2.8 or later.
System support: PPC/Intel
$15 shareware
Link: Pod2Go
podFlicks Movie Converter: Your Personal
iPod Movie Manager
PR: podFlicks is a stand alone application that will
convert your movies into a format acceptable by the fifth
generation iPods which have video playback capability (these iPods
are also being referred to as the wide iPod or video iPods). No
longer do you need to rely on QuickTime Pro and iTunes to get your
video content onto your iPod. Just select your movie and click a
button; podFlicks will prepare your movie and copy it to the iPod
where you will be able to view the movie with a scroll and a click
on the iPod. It just doesn't get any easier to get your movies from
your Mac computer onto your Video iPod.
Features
- The easiest all in one solution for managing video content for
your iPod.
- Convert your movies into an iPod compatible format - no need
for QuickTime Pro.
- Transfer movies directly to your fifth generation iPod - no
need to use iTunes to sync to the iPod
- The quickest way to get your movies onto your iPod, configure a
couple of settings, click a button and off you go!
- Distinct Movie Library: keep your Movies separate from your
audio collection.
podFlicks will take care of all the tedious details of getting
your video content into a format that is compatible with the video
iPods. No longer do you have to guess how to configure QuickTime,
tweak the settings for the best quality and wait for the conversion
process to be complete only to have iTunes reject the converted
movie. podFlicks will automatically convert your content into an
acceptable format and copy the movie directly to your iPod. Once
the conversion is complete - eject your iPod, traverse to the
Video: Movies menu, select your Movie and press play.
Simply open the input movie, select the movie Destination, the
Quality, the Destination iPod, and click a button. podFlicks will
convert the input movie to a local file on your hard drive, copy
that file directly to your iPod and update the iPod's database so
that the movie is viewable on it. After the conversion, simply
eject your iPod, traverse to the Video: Movies menu, select your
movie and click the iPod's Play button. It just does not get any
easier than that!
podFlicks interface is simple yet intuitive. Simply pick the
destination for your movies (either the iPod Color Display or the
iPod Video Output) and a quality setting (Good, Better or Best) and
off you go. Your movie will be converted to a file format
acceptable by the iPod. Once the conversion is complete, simply
eject the iPod and the movie will appear in the Video: Movies
folder of the iPod. You can also check a box if you would like the
iPod to remember the playback position - this is preferable for
long movies.
New in version 1.0.2:
- Fixed problem with QuickTime Version 7
- Added Drag N Drop Support
- Added Drag To Dock Support
System requirements:
- Mac OS X 10.4 or later.
- QuickTime 7.0 or later.
iPod which supports video - currently there is only one - the
Wide iPod or Video iPod.
System support: PPC
$19.99 shareware
Link: podFlicks
