Thursday, November 30, 2006
Griffin iTalk Pro, Now With Two Mics
Griffin updates its iTalk stereo microphone for iPod, now releasing iTalk Pro. Just plug it in and you can get CD-quality recordings with its two microphones, plus it’s got a 3.5mm jack at the bottom so you can plug in your own microphone. It’s compatible only with the fifth-generation iPod video and second-generation nano, yours for $50.
This might come in handy when we need to record those long-winded interviews. But too bad it’s a bit inconvenient when using it with the second-gen iPod nano, requiring you to unplug iTalk from the bottom of the nano if you want to listen to your recordings, because the nano’s headphone jack is in that same location. Could it have been so hard to put an audio pass-through jack on the thing?
Product Page [Griffin Technology]
Source (full article in new window): Gizmodo: iPod
Wednesday, November 29, 2006
The Propeller Speakers
Here’s the Propeller Speakers from BoysStuff.co.uk, it is a set of speakers come in a fold-away tube form factor which is easy-to-carry, will be suitable for those who often traveling. It’s compatible with all iPod and other MP3 player and is capable of playing 10 hours of music on a single AA battery. It comes in a affordable prices for only $27.
Product page
[via Ubergizmo]
Source (full article in new window): 2dayBlog - Technology Journal, New Gadget everyday!
Zune #2 In Sales Behind iPod
Despite the fact that the Zune was only #18 on Amazon’s sales chart (it’s #17 now)—behind 12 varieties of iPods—Microsoft’s doing quite well this holiday season. Statistics released by NPD Group says that while the iPod is still number one, the Zune’s leapfrogged everyone else and claimed 9% of sales and 13% of total dollar share. Impressive, until you compare it to the iPod’s 63% of sales and 72.5% of dollar share.
Looks like Microsoft’s 100 million dollar marketing spree is taking hold, at least enough for the Zune to beat everyone else except the iPod. Still, it wasn’t enough to let us find a Zune buddy at the airport.
iPod vs. Zune Update [SFGate via MacNN]
Buy Zune MP3 PlayersSource (full article in new window): Gizmodo: iPod
US Kills North Korean iPod Sales To Spite Kim Jong Il
In an effort to sanction North Korea via luxury items, the US is engaging in the first ever effort to “personally aggravate a foreign president” by targeting items he personally enjoys. The list includes, besides the iPod:
cognac, Rolex watches, cigarettes, artwork, expensive cars, Harley Davidson motorcycles or even personal watercraft, such as Jet Skis. The new ban would extend even to music and sports equipment.
Besides those, the leader enjoys:
Mercedes, BMW and Cadillac cars; Japanese and Harley Davidson motorcycles; Hennessy XO cognac from France and Johnny Walker Scotch whisky; Sony cameras and Japanese air conditioners.
Who doesn’t?
U.S. bans sale of iPods to North Korea [Freep]
Source (full article in new window): Gizmodo: iPod
Sale of iPods, Other Electronics To North Korea Banned
Looks like you won’t be able to purchase iPods, plasma TVs and other such fancy electronics in North Korea anymore. The U.S. government wants to ban the shipment of so-called luxury items to North Korea mainly to piss off Kim Jong Il, the country’s leader. It’s thought to be the first time in history where economic sanctions were drawn up simply to upset a foreign leader. USA all the way, baby.
While it’s true that the average North Korean pretty much has no chance in hell of buying the things we take for granted, Kim is known to enjoy things like our iPods and our Hollywood movies. (And here I thought he had good taste.) Wonder if he uses prefers a Zune to an iPod or is an Apple fanboy?
U.S. Bans Sale of IPods to North Korea [AP]
Source (full article in new window): Gizmodo: iPod
iSymphony M1 iPod Dock with Attached Boombox
Maybe it should be the other way around? Regardless the iSymphony M1 is a gem in a sea of crap iPod docks. This jobber stands out because it includes docking for all iPod models, including the Shuffle. Not down wit’ da’ ‘pod? No problem. The iSymphony M3 also has a card reader along with a standard CD/MP3-CD player. Add in a remote, some pretty decent speakers with 4-inch woofers and 1-inch tweeters and blue lights for an all around awesome boombox/cd player/card reader/iPod player. All for $199.
iSymphony also makes an M2 player that is the same as the M1 but includes more memory card support and a progressive scan DVD player for $100 more. Stick with the M1.
Product Page [Via CG]
Source (full article in new window): Gizmodo: iPod
- DIY iPod Solar Charger Easier than You Think
- Etymotic Ety8 Wireless iPod Earphones
- Official Apple Document Refers To Touch-Screen iPod
- iVue: Clear iPod Case
- iPod Shuffle Travel Case
- Research Says 58% of iPod Users May Choose Zune Over iPod
- Mini Hi-Fi for iPods
- RunAway = Nike+iPod/Nike
- iPod Digital Drumsticks
- iPod nano (Product) Red Now Available
iHome iH21 Water-Resistant Streaming iPod Dock and Speakers
If streaming your iTunes music via Airport Express isn’t for you, then perhaps the iHome iH21 is more your fancy. Consisting of a dock and matching speakers, the iH21 let’s you beam your tracks to the basement, the kitchen, and even your bedroom.
Plus, the speaker is water-resistant and remote control-friendly, meaning your music’s safe even during your wet and wild orgies. Too bad the same can’t be said of the rest of your furniture.
Product Site [iHome]
Source (full article in new window): Gizmodo: iPod
Tuesday, November 28, 2006
NeoTune Headphone with iPod Dock
RWC Corp Japan announced the NeoTune headphone that comes which a built in iPod dock. This dock is compatible with the newer 2nd generation iPod Nano. The company will also release for the shuffle version soon. The biggest drawback with NeoTune is that it does not have a jack for other audio devices and another thing is that when you got your nano sticking up on your headphone, you’ll get all the stare when walk by. It’s available in two colors the black and white. It measures 168×58×173mm and weighs 180 grams add the Nano’s weight. Hope you don’t get your neck pain. It’s available in Japan only at 1st December for 4980 Yen ($ 43).
[via New Launches]
Source (full article in new window): 2dayBlog - Technology Journal, New Gadget everyday!
Dealzmodo: Creative Zen Vision:M For $180
Anybody want a Creative Zen Vision:M for $180? By using Google Checkout, you can grab the Zen Vision:M for $20 less than the already low (but pretty common) price of $200 from Buy.com.
The Creative Zen Vision:M is pretty well-regarded, right up there with the iPod (and Zune I guess). Its 30GB hard drive is plenty of space to hold a shocking amount of digital music, video and photos. It’s even got an FM radio and voice recorder built-in, something many of you wish were standard features of the iPod. No indication on how long this deal will last, so if you’re still shopping for your gadget geek brother-in-law, here’s a chance to at least save a few dollars, even though you hate him very much.
Product Page [Buy.com via DAPreview.net]
Source (full article in new window): Gizmodo: iPod
NeoTune iPod Dockable Headphone
Want to look like the biggest toolbag in town without even trying? Simply walk around town wearing these bad boys. The NeoTune headphones have an integrated iPod dock. So not only are you wearing giant headphones around town, you are wearing giant headphones with a protruding iPod nano around town. These headphones only work with the second generation iPod nano, and that is it. No auxiliary input, nothing. They will be hitting the market overseas in December for $43. What a practical idea gone to waste.
NeoTune Headphone with iPod Dock [newlaunches]
Source (full article in new window): Gizmodo: iPod
Monday, November 27, 2006
How not to be an iPod killer
The Zune needs to be more iPod-like, not less.
Source (full article in new window): The iPod Blog
Rockridge VTS-384 iPod dock
Rockridge Japan announced the VTS-384 iPod dock which comes with 3 vacuum tubes on top of the left and right channel. On top center you’ll have docking port for your iPod. For other audio sources, it can be connected via RCA cable and this VTS-384 can also be connected as PC speakers by connecting it via USB. The 3 inch speakers deliver an output of 2W×2ch. The surface on top is made of stainless steel while the volume knob is made of precision cut aluminum.
There are two protective casing include for the vacuum tube. It measures 338×262×233mm and will be available next year Feb 2007 in Japan for 80,000 Yen ($ 690).
[via New Launches]
Source (full article in new window): 2dayBlog - Technology Journal, New Gadget everyday!
Nike Adds Amp+, C.O.R.E. to iPod Accessory Line
Nike is adding a couple goodies to their small line of iPod accessories (re: Nike + Apple). The Amp+ is a wireless remote control bracelet for the iPod. This Bluetooth remote includes a small LED display that can show song information or run time information (including communication with the Nike+iPod in your shoe). The Amp+ will go for $80.
The C.O.R.E. backpack is simply a Nike backpack that includes iPod controls and will run you $105.
C.O.R.E. Backpack iD [Via iLounge]
Amp+ [iLounge]
Source (full article in new window): Gizmodo: iPod
Beatles-branded iPod in the Works?
First it was Bono and now it’s The Beatles. Fortune magazine is reporting that Britain’s EMI Group (the Beatles’ record label) is close to making a deal with the house of Jobs. There’s talk of bringing The Beatles’ catalogue exclusively to iTunes and even using one of their songs in an iPod ad. But what’s even more interesting is talk of a Beatles-branded iPod. Personally, I prefer my Beatles on vinyl, but in the long run this will only spread their tunes to a new generation of listeners. Sorry Zune fans, looks like the Fab Four have already found a new home.
Beatles: Only on iPod? [via iLounge via Fortune]
Source (full article in new window): Gizmodo: iPod
Hackable Zune to Dominate the World, Kill iPod?
The Microsoft Zune is a typical 1.0 release for the Redmond giant—clunky and plagued with problems—but could it emerge as a big hit and the anti-iPod? ComputerWorld’s Mike Elgan thinks allowing hackability in the Zune could thrust it to the top of the marketplace, giving it customizability and enhancing its popularity. While he levels some harsh haterage at the first Zune, he points out lots of Zune hacks already emerging. He also sees the possibility of a newer, looser Zune prevailing in the DAP market, predicting that “Microsoft could create a Zune that’s more desirable than the iPod,” somehow dominating the market like PCs have slam-dunked Macs in market share.
His suggestions for Zune hacking, leading to its world domination, after the jump.
Let people transform the Zune into an Xbox game controller, a TV remote control, a portable presentation device, a wireless PC hard drive or a Vista gadget emulator. Give me a wireless keyboard and a Zune version of Pocket Outlook, and I’ll never buy another iPod. Build ClearType into Zune and make it the ultimate eBook reader (and sell eBooks on Zune Marketplace).
But Mike, so far, the Zune is just as locked down as the iPod is, maybe even more so. Plus, the iPod has gotten such a tremendous head start here. By the time the next version of the Zune is released, Apple will have an iPhone and a widescreen video iPod on the market. That’s going to be awfully hard to catch up to, isn’t it?
Zune: So you want to be an iPod killer [ComputerWorld]
Source (full article in new window): Gizmodo: iPod
Sunday, November 26, 2006
Quattro 4 CD changer
Here’s the Quattro 4 CD changer, it comes with a universal iPod dock and dual vertical 4-speaker columns which is about 4 feet tall. Modern linear CD player features four CD drives plus 40-track programming; it can be displays vertically on its stand, horizontally on a shelf or mounted to a wall. Additional, you can also connect other audio sources via 3.5mm stereo in plug and of course a remote control which is included in almost all speaker system for basic operation. Optional, you can add on a sub woofer to it for additional 60 bucks. This Quattro 4 CD changer will retails for $500.
[via New Launches]
Source (full article in new window): 2dayBlog - Technology Journal, New Gadget everyday!
Elecom ASP-P200S
Friday, November 24, 2006
Elecom Japan announced the ASP-P200S iPod dock. This iPod dock has its subwoofer which can be pushed backward. It works as other iPod dock, the speakers deliver an output of 3W×2ch and the subwoofer delivers 6 watts. This dock features 3D surround setting, when it’s activated, it produces realistic 3D sound. Also, it comes with a remote control for ya basic operation. The Elecom ASP-P200S will be available in black or white color, measures 270×46×155mm and weighs 600g. It will be available this coming mid December in Japan for 8,820 Yen ($70).
[via New Launches]
Source (full article in new window): 2dayBlog - Technology Journal, New Gadget everyday!
See also:
- iPod Digital Drumsticks
- Spektone retro speaker system
- Mossberg Likes the Latest iPods, iTunes
- Etymotic Ety8 Wireless iPod Earphones
- Research Says 58% of iPod Users May Choose Zune Over iPod
- Official Apple Document Refers To Touch-Screen iPod
- iSymphony M1 iPod Dock with Attached Boombox
- iHome iH7R iPod Dock and Speaker System
- Mini Hi-Fi for iPods
- The Radius Audio Docking Station
Black Friday Specials at Apple
Apple is offering special deals on the biggest shopping day of the year. They are discounting iPods, MacBooks, Macs… just about everything. Special gift wrapping, too.
Today only! Check it out.
Source (full article in new window): iPodGadgetry
Tango Speakers for iPod
Looking remarkably similar to Apple’s iPod HiFi, XtremeMac’s Tango is a more economical home audio accessory for the iPod (we told you about this speaker system a long time ago, but it is now available).
It’s impossible to tell from either ExtremeMac’s or Apple’s website what the audio outputs specs of these two systems are, so it is difficult to compare them. Fortunately, iLounge has an
Source (full article in new window): iPodGadgetry
UK Lifts Ban On FM Transmitters, Users Saved From Gallows
Blokes wanting to use FM radio transmitters in Airstrip One can now do so legally. The old law that legally barred UK users from hooking their iPods and other DAPs up to FM radio transmitters (like the iTrip) has been amended to allow low power transmitters to be used. This may not seem like a huge deal, especially since these FM transmitters were/are easily available online, but at least now UK users can broadcast as much Robbie Williams to their car radio as they want.
Of course, many of these FM transmitters are fairly crappy (at least in my experience—and that’s in the hinterland of upstate NY where radio hasn’t been discovered yet) and real men craft their own FM transmitters from scratch.
Ban on MP3 transmitters is lifted [BBC News]
Source (full article in new window): Gizmodo: iPod
UK Lifts Ban On FM Transmitters, Uers Saved From Gallows
Blokes wanting to use FM radio transmitters in Airstrip One can now do so legally. The old law that legally barred UK users from hooking their iPods and other DAPs up to FM radio transmitters (like the iTrip) has been amended to allow low power transmitters to be used. This may not seem like a huge deal, especially since these FM transmitters were/are easily available online, but at least now UK users can broadcast as much Robbie Williams to their car radio as they want.
Of course, many of these FM transmitters are fairly crappy (at least in my experience—and that’s in the hinterland of upstate NY where radio hasn’t been discovered yet) and real men craft their own FM transmitters from scratch.
Ban on MP3 transmitters is lifted [BBC News]
Source (full article in new window): Gizmodo: iPod
Black Friday Watch: Apple Enters the Fray
Apple’s joining in the Black Friday festivities, giving you savings on iPods, Macs and more. You can get $21 off an iPod nano (except for those newfangled [RED] ones), and the iPod with video is $31 less than they were yesterday and will be tomorrow. They’ve knocked off $50 from that lame iPod hi-fi speaker system, and MacBooks, iMacs and lots of other items are marked down, too. The site says these deals are for today only.
Ready. Set. Shop. [Apple Store]
Source (full article in new window): Gizmodo: iPod
XtremeMac Luna Clock Radio: Stoked with Customizable Features
The XtremeMac Luna clock radio lets you plug in your iPod via its dock connector, and then gradually fades down its music or your favorite radio station as you drift off to sleep, fading back up the next morning to wake you up. We’re liking its ergonomic multifunction knobs that are easy to control in the dark, independent bass and treble controls and the ability to dim the display from completely off to full intensity.
The Luna has some excellent features, and compares favorably with the more-expensive $400 Roku SoundBridge radio which lets you access Internet radio stations and music on any computer on your network, but can’t play any files with iPod DRM. The $150 Luna has a lot more customization features, and might be worth a look if you can wait until it ships on December 18.
Product Page [Xtreme Accessories, LLC]
Source (full article in new window): Gizmodo: iPod
Wednesday, November 22, 2006
Duracell PowerFM
The Duracell PowerFM, a combination of a FM radio transmitter with an extended rechargeable battery for your iPod. This new iPod accessory features a black sled-like design and provides more than double of the iPod’s battery life and allows you to transmit your music to any FM radio. For your first-generation iPod nanos and fifth-generation iPods users, you guys can purchase this PowerFM next which priced at $80 while the second-generation iPod nano will have to wait till January next year.
[via New Launches]
Source (full article in new window): 2dayBlog - Technology Journal, New Gadget everyday!
Spielberg Doesn’t Want His Lousy Movies Watched On The iPod
It’s not only the MPAA that doesn’t want you porting your media to other devices, Hollywood directors are also throwing a fit. In an interview with NBC, Spielberg said that his movies will never be tailored to fit the iPod Video. He says:
“That’s one medium where I have to draw the line. We’ll shoot for television and the movies and let there be a wide gap” between that and the small 3-inch screen. He also said that he felt that people are social animals who will choose to go out to a movie rather than watch a show on widescreen.
Thanks Steve, but we’ll watch our movies however we like, wherever we like. And if you start making decent movies again, we’ll watch yours as well.
Spielberg calls for responsible TV [Reuters]
Source (full article in new window): Gizmodo: iPod
ezGear EZL Props Up That iPod, Folds Flat
If you’re a long plane ride and want to watch video on your iPod or any other personal media player (PMP), a little easel would certainly be welcome to prop up that sucker on a tray table in front of you. The $15 EZL from ezGear does just that, keeping that PMP from sliding around with non-skid pads on the bottom, and when you’re done, it folds up for into a thin package that’s just a quarter-inch thick.
Sure, you could get a case for your iPod that also props it up a such as the Griffin Centerstage, but some of us don’t want to spoil the clean design of the iPod with a clunky-looking case. Looks like this EZL might work with the PSP, too, but maybe stick out a bit on the top. Maybe they’ll make a lower-profile model for widescreen players. Even better, maybe some innovative PMP maker will design a small retractable easel into the back of the player itself.
Product Page [ezGear]
Source (full article in new window): Gizmodo: iPod
Buffalo iPod Dock Turns Your iPod Into Creamy Center of a Donut
This is the DC02W donut-esque iPod dock from Buffalo. This dock has two speakers pumping out 33 watts of pure block rockin’ beats. Also included is an auxiliary input for other devices (Ha! Like people would use something other than an iPod) and a subwoofer output. It has a bit of an old school feel because the control buttons remind me of the first generation iPod buttons. It’s like a throwback iPod dock!
A new Buffalo dock for iPod [Akihabara]
Source (full article in new window): Gizmodo: iPod
Tuesday, November 21, 2006
PowerFM: Extended Battery + FM Transmitter + Case
OK it’s that time again Gizmodo’s iPod accessory of the Day. Hah yea right, Gizmodo only doing one iPod accessory per day.
The PowerFM is what I would typically call a pretty useless product. It’s a silicone case, an FM Transmitter and a back up battery for the iPod Nano & fifth-generation iPods. However, the three features have been combined well enough to make this into potentially a Tri-Force-like gadget. That’s right, finally someone had enough foresight to think that we don’t want to carry around 50 extra gadgets just to make our iPods do what we want.
Here’s hoping that the battery actually lasts, the FM transmitter creates a decent signal, and the case keeps the scratches off. Otherwise we’ve got yet another wasted attempt at a potentially useful iPod accessory. The PowerFM will go on sale in December for $80.
Duracell PowerFM combines FM transmitter, battery, case [iLounge]
How to receive a clearer iPod FM transmitter signal [MacOSXhints.com]
Source (full article in new window): Gizmodo: iPod
Apple Japan’s Ginza Store Is Awesome
The coolest thing (shown above in the video) is the elevator, which gives you a virtual video tour of each floor in a Tron-meets-Jonathan Ive fashion.
iPod Overseas Report: Tokyo, Japan 11/2006 [iLounge via Slashgear]
Source (full article in new window): Gizmodo: iPod
New iPod Shuffle Commercial
Here’s Apple’s new released commercial on its new iPod Shuffle. Pretty cool, Put Some Music on…
Source (full article in new window): 2dayBlog - Technology Journal, New Gadget everyday!
Nielsen Schmielsen
Nielsen tells us that less than 1% of content played by iPod/iTunes users is video. Here are the results of a real iPod user’s survey.
Source (full article in new window): The iPod Blog
Monday, November 20, 2006
iPod Nano Cloned and Cheapened
A company in Malaysia seems to have borrowed a bit of the old iPod Nano 2G design in making their players. The knockoffs support MP3, WMA, MTV, AMV, voice recording, ebook reading, FM radio, photo viewing, and comes with 1 or 2GB of memory. Best of all, they’re now only RM 200 ($54) and RM 290 ($79).
Much less expensive than Apple’s offering, but somehow we doubt it’s built to the same standards. Would make for a great gag gift though.
[BULK]MP4 (IPOD NANO 2G lookalike), [Lowyat via The MP3 Players]
Source (full article in new window): Gizmodo: iPod
Carry Your iPod in a Book
Commute? Want to pretend you’re learned? Carry your iPod in a book. A Flickr usr came up with a nice DIY to mask your illiteracy.
Step 1. Get a book.
Step 2. Cut holes in it.
Works for just about all MP3 players. Well, maybe not the Zune.
Book to iPod cozy [Flickr via DIY Happy via Lifehacker]
Source (full article in new window): Gizmodo: iPod
ADS InstantVideo To-Go Accelerates iPod and PSP Video Encoding
ADS announced InstantVideo To-Go, a nifty little $79.95 widget that supercharges compression of video into that oh-so-sweet H.264 format. The company calls it the first hardware-based H.264 conversion device for PCs. This little USB key is a video transfer accelerator that lets you convert any video into that butta-smooth format specifically for playback on an iPod or PSP, and lets you accomplish that feat five times faster than real time.
So what this means is you can take a DVD’s worth of video and crunch it down for 320×240 playback on your iPod or PSP in 20 minutes, something that can take five hours to do with software encoding. And this baby can do that with a slew of media formats, too, including MP4, MP3, AVI, WMV, MOV, RM, JPG, and TIFF. Yeah, ADS. This we gotta try.
Products Page [ADS Tech]
Source (full article in new window): Gizmodo: iPod
iPod Video a Flop? Plus, Our Field Test on Tiny Video Watching
Nielsen Media Research, that company that watches the TV watchers, did a study last month about Apple’s iPod and the amount of video that people are actually watching on it. The result? People are listening to a whole lot more music than they are watching videos on the portable players. Less than 1% of content played on iTunes or iPods were videos, and even among those who own a video iPod, only 2.2% of the content consumed was video. What does this all mean? According to the Hollywood Reporter:
Worst-case scenario: The panel is an early indication that TV and movies have limited appeal on iPods. Best-case scenario: While adoption of video may be proceeding more slowly than the hype suggests, there is tremendous upside ahead.
We’re thinking that people are using iPods so much, 2.2% of the huge amount of time spent with the things is still a significant number. But then, isn’t watching video on such a tiny screen a huge pain in the ass? I just spent over 50 hours in various airplanes watching all kinds of video on tiny screens, so let me tell you what I think, after the jump.
My impression of watching video on a small screen? It depends on how small that screen is and how desperate you are to be entertained. I’ve noticed that I have a personal threshold for the smallness of video that I can still enjoy. I tried a few different screen sizes in my informal field test, traveling half-way around the world and watching a lot of video. Along for the ride I had a Motorola Q which has a 2.25-inch 4×3 screen, an Archos 404 with a 3.5-inch 4×3 screen, and a Sony PSP with a 4.25-inch widescreen.
On a screen the size of the Motorola Q’s, it’s extremely hard to enjoy any sort of cinematic content, because it’s just too damn small. Trying to watch a football game in Los Angeles that I was receiving via EVDO using SlingPlayer Mobile was an exercise in futility, where the players all looked like tiny ants running around on the screen. About the only thing a screen that size is useful for is getting some talking-heads news information or something very simple. Either way, it’s hardly worth the trouble.
Moving up to the next larger-size screen, the Archos 404’s 3.5-inch 4×3 screen was almost big enough for watching 4×3 content, but still leaves me wanting when watching letterboxed movies. It just seems like a waste of perfectly good video content to watch it on a screen that’s just 3.5 inches diagonal. The Archos screen had an unusually shallow viewing angle, not good if you want to watch a video with a friend. But this could have an upside, too—you won’t bother your prudish seatmate if you want to pull out that porn vid you’ve been meaning to watch but just haven’t gotten around to.
The Sony PSP is a different story. Its 16×9 screen is exceedingly sharp and is just big enough to enjoy movies. Of course, if you get suckered into buying a movie on the brain-dead UMD format, there is an upside to that: its video is exceedingly crispy-sharp. Even ripped movies from DVDs look like HDTV on this beautiful little screen. Watching movies on the PSP was far more pleasurable than with the other two examples I tried, and the audio sounds great with a decent pair of earphones, making me almost forget I was flying in a pressurized tin can six miles above the planet.
I did notice that the more desperate I got to be entertained on these interminably long flights (one was 18 hours long), the easier it was to tolerate the smaller screens. Plus, if the movie I was watching was really good, I could get so absorbed in the content that it didn’t matter much that I was only watching on a small screen. But this is only true with the PSP. Anything smaller than 4 inches, in my opinion, gets to be annoying to watch after a while, no matter what.
One other note: I found myself constantly wishing for some sort of stand or easel that could hold up each of these players on the tray table, because it gets tiresome to hold a player in your hand for hours on end while watching long movies.
Plus, when loading up the players with video, it’s quite an arduous process to convert a DVD into a movie that can be viewed on them, but that’s getting easier all the time, too.
Summing up, I believe there is a big market for location-shifting using portable video players, because people are sometimes desperate for entertainment. Plus, the threshold of pain varies from user to user; your mileage may vary.
Study: iPod video yet to play big [Hollywood Reporter]
Source (full article in new window): Gizmodo: iPod
Pressure Drop JukeDock: Blinkin’ Lights, No Schlock
Pressure Drop just rolled out JukeDock, a $100 system that lets you plug your iPod into your TV, stereo and computer, giving you some snazzy blinking lights at the same time.
Compatible with most iPods, its LED lights have three brightness levels that can bounce along with the music, cycle among various colors, give you a steady color or can even go into a psychedelic rainbow mode for those nights you feel like pulling out that Pink Floyd album.
This looks like a fun little device to which you can attach your iPod, give yourself some retro-deco lighting, and easily control with your existing stereo’s remote. Jump for more pics.
Product Page [Pressure Drop, Inc.]
Source (full article in new window): Gizmodo: iPod
IXOS Disco Cube iPod Dock: Seizuretastic!
What a better way to relive an era full of drugs, alcohol and sex (well, I guess that is every era) with a cutesy flashing-lights iPod dock? You may have moved on from the that era’s music, but this iPod dock will give even the un-disco-y of your music that disco feel you’ve always wanted. Flashing lights and the Saturday Night Fevar dance to Tupac? Sure! Why not?
The lights flicker to the beat of your music, so I would recommend avoiding this dock if you happen to be an epileptic trance-lover. $142.
Product Page [Via Chip Chick]
Source (full article in new window): Gizmodo: iPod
ADS Instant Video To-Go Accelerates iPod and PSP Video Encoding
ADS announced Instant Video To-Go, a nifty little $79.95 widget that supercharges compression of video into that oh-so-sweet H.264 format. The company calls it the first hardware-based H.264 conversion device for PCs. This little USB key is a video transfer accelerator that lets you convert any video into that butta-smooth format that can play back on an iPod or PSP, and lets you accomplish that feat five times faster than real time.
So what this means is you can take a DVD’s worth of video and crunch it down for playback on your iPod or PSP in 20 minutes, something that can take five hours to do with software encoding. And this baby can do that with a slew of media formats, too, including MP4, MP3, AVI, WMV, MOV, RM, JPG, and TIFF. Yeah, ADS. This we gotta try.
Products Page [ADS Tech]
Source (full article in new window): Gizmodo: iPod
Sunday, November 19, 2006
iPhone on CNBC: “It will be Appley”
My other favorite quote: “According to the Internet rumor mill, Apple chief Steve Jobs is expected to unveil the new iPhone at the upcoming Macworld conference…” It’s always amusing when lazy reporters…
a. Cite the Internet as a conglomerate source
b. Immediately debunk that source, yet stand by its content
Hit the video about halfway to watch the host Dylan Ratiger be a huge cock to Loop Rumors blogger/founder Bob Ward. “You aren’t on the Internet anymore, bitch!” That might not have been the quote verbatim, but close enough. Sorry Bob.
Thanks Ari!
Source (full article in new window): Gizmodo: iPod
Thursday, November 16, 2006
Zune, you, and the future of music
What sacrifices at the alter of choice do you suppose Microsoft is willing to make to dig a toe into the digital music market? Be afraid.
Source (full article in new window): The iPod Blog
Wednesday, November 15, 2006
iPod 8GB (Product) Red Now Available
Take a peek at the Apple Store and you’ll see a new addition to the iPod family slipped into the lineup with no notice: now there’s an 8GB iPod nano (product) Red, which was only available in 4GB trim before today. It’s $249, and it only shows up on the selection page in the Apple Store showing the nano family.
The 8GB nano was only available in black before, and now you can get it in red, with $10 of its $249 purchase price going to the Global Fund to fight AIDS in Africa.
Product Page [Apple]
Source (full article in new window): Gizmodo: iPod
Zune vs. iPod: The Final Word On Who Should Get Your Money
You’ve read our review, seen whether iTunes or Zune was right for you, seen other reviewer’s takes on it, and even learned everything you need to know about the Zune in our Q&A. Now it comes down to the final question: should you buy the iPod or the Zune? After 72 hours of deliberating, I’ll tell you what I would do.
Since I’ve got an iPod, I’m sticking with the iPod. I don’t want to have to buy all my music again, give up smart playlists, and basically learn to use both a new player and the corresponding software. Then there are all the accessories I don’t want to purchase again. Plus, since there’s no OS X support, Mac users have their choice made up for them. And I’m a Mac user when I can be.
Say you’re not using the iPod, or are ready to try something different. Now, you’ve got a lot more options…
You really like the music/picture sharing: Zune. It’s a feature not found on the iPod, but will have limited use unless your friends all buy Zunes. Chicken & Egg problem, where you don’t want to buy one until other people have it, which means it’ll take a while to get up to speed.
You want a bigger screen: Zune.
You need an all-you-can-eat subscription service: Zune.
You want a store with a larger music library: iPod.
You want a movie and TV store: iPod.
You want contacts, calendar, notes, stopwatch, and iPod Games: iPod.
You want to be different/want something new: Zune.
Xbox 360 owners who purchase music and want streaming: Zune.
Xbox 360 owners who purchase music and don’t want streaming: iPod.
You want a scratch resistant player: Zune.
You want a built-in FM tuner: Zune.
You want a touch-sensitive scroll wheel: iPod.
For most people, we’re going to recommend you get an iPod. It’s got more support, plus it’s backed by iTunes, which works well and gives you a lot more choice in music, TV, and movie purchases.
Of course if you want a subscription service, or a bigger screen, or a built-in FM tuner, then there’s the Zune. But if you’re borderline between the Zune and the iPod, we’d play it safe and get the iPod, then wait for the 2nd generation Zune and see what’s going on.
Zune Product Page [Amazon]
iPod Product Page [Amazon]
Source (full article in new window): Gizmodo: iPod
Maxell MXSP-1000 iPod Docking System
Seems like iPod docking system is changing style, here’s the coolest iPod dock from Maxell Japan, the MXSP-1000. This dock features a dock connector for iPodsand a 3.5 mm stereo connector for connecting other audio devices. The speakers are made from aluminum and delivers an output of 4.8w x 2 ch. Remote control is provided for your basic operations like play, stop, track changing and etc. This docking system can be hooked on the wall via provided stand. It measures 600×50×50mm and weighs 810 grams and it is available in Japan this coming 25 in three color for your choices, the colors will be the silver, black and white for 10,000 Yen ($85).
[via New Launches]
Source (full article in new window): 2dayBlog - Technology Journal, New Gadget everyday!
CNN Hates On The Microsoft Zune, Praises The iPod
When not busy looking for “if it bleeds, it leads” stories to report on, CNN sometimes fills its airtime with cute little tech reviews. This week, they (well, The New York Times’ Andrew Ross Sorkin) looked at the Microsoft Zune. We already know that our very own Jason Chen has testified, under pain of death, that the Zune is pretty good (then again, he puts next-gen game consoles down his pants…), but our friends at CNN seem to disagree.
The review starts off positively enough, but then the anchors weigh in with their valuable opinions. Watch as Soledad O’Brien whips out an iPod shuffle for seemingly no reason; marvel as Miles O’Brien demand that Microsoft hire better design guys. Overall, an extraordinarily in-depth review.
There, someone who doesn’t think that the Zune is the Savior of Man.
Thanks, Richard!
CNN ridicules Microsoft’s Zune while gushing over Apple’s new iPod shuffle [MacDailyNews]
Source (full article in new window): Gizmodo: iPod
Maxell MXSP-1000 Speaker + iPod Dock: So Slim, It Doubles As A Concealed Weapon
Yes, every iPod dock accomplishes the same task (charge the iPod, output audio/video signals to other equipment, etc.) but at least the MXP-1000 from Maxell looks different. I imagine that, given its long, pipe-like shape, it’d make a great bludgeon, too. You can even hang it on a wall like a plasma/LCD TV. It’s called progress, people.
Does the MXP-1000 ($85, in Japan starting on November 25) do anything else wild and totally in your face? Not really. It’s pretty much a book-by-its-cover thing here: it looks cool, so it must be. We’re fairly vain creatures here, so it works.
Press Release (in Japanese) [Maxell via New Launches]
Source (full article in new window): Gizmodo: iPod
iTunes vs. Zune Software: What’s Right For Your Music?
When we’re making a comparison between the iPod and the Zune, it’s also important to note that the software makes a big difference in your music experience. You’ll have to use the software suite extensively for both playing back music at your computer and organizing songs onto your portable device. This is why both iTunes and Zune Software play such a large part in determining which music player you should purchase.
So which one is better? That depends largely on your personal usage habits, but suffice it to say iTunes has a challenger on its hands. Find out why after the jump.
It’s hard to customize a music player or music library for everyone’s use. Some people don’t use ratings at all—I love them—and some people don’t use smart playlists. So to figure out which one’s better for you, you’ll have to pick and choose the features you like and decided on that. Here we go.
Music Importing: On install, the Zune automatically imports your existing iTunes database, for the most part without any hiccups. It even grabs the playlists and converts them to Zune’s default playlist format. What it doesn’t do is import the smart playlists, so you’ll have to start all over with those. Except you can’t, because there aren’t any smart playlists in the Zune. In any case, the Zune should carry over the non-protected iTunes music, but if you purchased songs from the iTunes store (or any other online store) you’re out of luck.
Also, you can’t drag and drop stuff onto the Zune, you’ll have to set up folders that it automatically monitors. Useful in one way, but kinda awkward in another, since it has to rescan all folders every time you add a new folder.
Music Store: Some of you won’t care about this, *cough* file sharers *cough*, but in the realm of selection, Apple has a couple million more songs than Zune. Eventually Zune should be able to catch up, but if you want more music now, you’ll have to go with Apple. However, if you’re looking to buy tons and tons of music, Zune has a all-you-can-eat subscription plan to rent music for $15 a month, which is great if you want to load up your entire 30GB with songs that you don’t currently own. Buying music is equally simple on both, as long as you’ve either already have an Apple account or a Hotmail/Xbox 360 Marketplace account.
Also, there are no TV and Movies on Zune. This may either be a big deal or a non-issue.
Music Playback: This could be me, but on the default equalizer settings the Zune Software sounds a lot fuller and better than iTunes, even on the same MP3. Even after fiddling with iTunes’ equalizer I couldn’t get it to sound as good as Zune’s. This is subjective, and could totally be in my imagination, but there ya go. Both have a “Now playing” area in the player, a minimized mode, and playback control.
Music Transfer/Loading: Thanks to iTunes’ smart playlists, you can easily pick only the songs you want, in interesting combinations, to sync to your iPod. Only five starred songs that you’ve played between three weeks and a month ago? Done.
The Zune Software (which just locked up as I plugged in a Zune, incidentally) has a concept of “Auto Playlist” for syncing, and only for syncing. You can filter by all the song’s criteria, including play count and rating, which makes it similar in functionality to iTunes, but it’s kinda hidden. You’ll have to right click on your Zune’s name, then go to “Set up Sync” in order to see your lists. The functionality’s there, but Microsoft should make this option more visible.
Music Presentation: iTunes 7 divides your music up into your library, the store, and your playlists. Zune has playlists, your library, and marketplace. Quite similar, save for a little rearrangement of items. When browsing your library, iTunes has Coverflow view, album view, and list view, whereas Zune has icon/tile view, which shows all the album covers, and details view. Once you get to a single artist, you get an album view which looks similar to iTunes. Honestly there’s not that much difference here, but you do get Coverflow when you go with Apple’s software.
Music Organization/Playlists: Zune only has regular playlists here, which causes my own experience to suffer since I love smart playlists. And when you view a playlist in Zune, you can only view by detail view and not album view. iTunes wins here, but only if you like smart playlists.
Music Searching: Both suites search “while typing”, but Zune’s search is quite a lot faster. Not a huge deal if you have a fast machine, but if you search often the times add up. Zune also downloads the Zune Marketplace database locally, so even store searches are fast. Another bonus to Zune is that if you search for something you don’t have, it’ll show a link to Zune’s Marketplace automatically. So if you’re on a subscription plan, you can go and download the song quickly.
If you’re just starting out and picking either an iPod or a Zune, you should be satisfied with either music management suite. The two match each other pretty well in functionality, save for smart playlists, but are just about equal in other ways. iTunes has more music, but Zune has the subscription plan.
If you’re already an iTunes user, you may find it harder to switch over to the Zune because the Zune doesn’t carry over your purchased songs, nor does it import your play counts. You lose smart playlist functionality, plus whatever plugins you’ve got for your software. And if you’re a Mac user, you’re just plain out of luck.
Of course, this is just for the software, and you’ll have to consider the other half of the puzzle, hardware, to make up your mind.
Zune vs. iTunes Image [Gizmodo]
Zune Product Page [Amazon]
iPod Product Page [Amazon]
Source (full article in new window): Gizmodo: iPod
Frankenfight: Zune vs. iPod
For what feels like centuries, the iPod was considered the must-have music device. An elegant design and simple interface made even the sluttiest of fratboys fall in love.
But then came along Microsoft’s Zune. Instead of a dainty, scratch-prone piece of MP3 china, the Zune is chunky and coated in spank-me-harder rubber. And the Zune was there for us with a shoulder to cry on during those nights we vented how the iPod lacked WiFi, FM, and a general understanding of “a woman’s needs”. Even if it only goes up to 30GB.
We appreciate that the Zune let’s us hook up and share moments on trains or bathroom stalls, but we still crave the monogamy of iTunes DRM support. Hit the jump for our Frankenreview: A review culled from the bits and pieces of Pogue’s NYTimes article, Mossberg’s work at the WSJ, and opinions from our friends at Business Week and CNet. There’s a lot to say, so we’ve sectioned off the writeup into categories on Design, Screen, UI, Software, and Sharing. And we’ve got all of our beautiful gallery shots after the jump. What are you waiting for? Jump on through!
Frankenreviewer Says:
Design
“It can’t touch the iPod’s looks or coolness, but it’s certainly more practical…won’t get fingerprinty and scratched…”
“The hardware feels rushed and incomplete. It is 60% larger and 17% heavier than the comparable iPod.”
“…it’s a nice size and weight…neither too thin to hold nor too big to pocket…”
“…You’ll want to scroll the circular controller at first impulse…”
“…it lacks the famous iPod scroll wheel, instead using a common four-way navigation pad…”
“…while the controls lack the elegant minimalism of iPod’s scroll wheel they are well designed…”
“Scrolling accelerates as you press the top or bottom button, but the iPod’s wheel is much more efficient…”
WINNER: iPod
Screen
“The Zune’s screen is taller than it is wide — unlike the iPod’s — so you can see more of your lists without scrolling.”
“It has three brightness settings and though the display is slightly washed out, it’s colorful and bright enough for outdoor use…”
“…when videos or photos play, the screen image rotates, meaning you have to turn the player 90 degrees. And just as on the iPod, portrait-oriented photos are now shrunken…”
“…While it is three inches versus 2.5 inches for the iPod’s screen, it uses the same resolution…”
“…many album covers look worse than they do on the iPod.”
WINNER: Tie
Interface 
“…the interface is dark, clean, and stable. It’s aesthetically pleasing and functional…”
“The software design is beautiful, simple and graced by brief, classy animations.”
“…the entire interface is more colorful and visually satisfying than the iPod’s.”
“You can also select your own photo as the wallpaper or background for the device.”
WINNER: Zune
Software/Store
“…the black, gray, and orange hues of the Zune library software have a more modern look than the rather plain-vanilla iTunes, even though the basic layout is similar…”
“Microsoft’s store doesn’t sell TV shows, movies or audio books…the Zune store doesn’t let you subscribe or download podcasts…”
“Even worse, to buy even a single 99-cent song from the Zune store, you have to purchase blocks of ‘points’ from Microsoft, in increments of at least $5…”
WINNER: iPod (err…iTunes)
Sharing
“The big, whomping Zune news, though, is wireless sharing…”
“Sharing content by using ad hoc Wi-Fi is pretty cool, although it is limited to sharing within a range of 30 feet, and you can’t share video…”
“Each song sent to your Zune from another Zune can be played only three times and is available for playing for only three days.”
“Who’d build a Wi-Fi device that can’t connect to a wireless network — to sync with your PC, for example? Nor to an Internet hot spot, to download music directly?”
“Zune is curiously lacking a very popular iTunes feature — the ability to view and to listen to another user’s music library over a local network…”
WINNER: Zune (by forfeit)
Overall Winner
iPod…by slight edge. Why? Because at the end of the day, most reviewers preferred the iPod, even if breaking down the features on paper makes them look pretty even. But if Apple vs. Microsoft means innovation above just shrinking the players down, we’re all for it.
Size: 4.4 in. x 2.4 in. x 0.6 in. (h x w x d)
Weight: 5.6 ounces
Battery: Music, up to 14 hours (wireless off), up to 13 hours (wireless on); pictures, up to 4 hours; video, up to 4 hours
Charge Time: 3 hours; 2 hours to 90%
Display
Size: 3.0 inches
Orientation: Vertical and Horizontal
Resolution: 320 x 240 pixels
Audio
Windows Media® Audio Standard (.wma): Up to 320 Kbps, CBR and VBR, up to 48-kHz sample rate
MP3 (.mp3): Up to 320 Kbps, CBR and VBR, up to 48-kHz sample rate
AAC (.mp4, .m4a, .m4b, .mov): Up to 320 Kbps, Low Complexity (LC), up to 48-kHz sample rate
Pictures
JPEG (.jpg): All resolutions (desktop software will automatically convert to 640×480 at sync time)
Video
Windows Media Video (.wmv): Main Profile, CBR or VBR, up to 1.5 Mbps peak video bitrate, 320 x 240 pixels, 30 frames per sec., with Windows Media Audio up to 192 Kbps, 44.1 kHz, stereo audio; Simple Profile, CBR, up to 736 Kbps video bitrate, 320 x 240 pixels, 30 frames per sec., with Windows Media Audio up to 192 Kbps, 44.1 kHz, stereo audio.
Wireless
Connectivity: 802.11 b/g
Range: Up to 30 feet
CNET Zune
CNET iPod
NYT Zune
NYT iPod
WSJ Zune
WSJ iPod
BW Zune
BW iPod
Thanks Zatz!
Zune Q&A: All You Need To Know
We asked, and you answered. After reading this, you’ll be such an expert on the Zune, TV news programs will ask you on as a talking head. There’s such a wide breadth of questions, which says to us everyone has their own concerns/uses for a portable music player. Here’s everything you need to know about the Zune, in no particular order.
Q: If I send a regular MP3 without DRM to my friend, does the zune apply the “3 day 3 play” restriction anyway, or is my friend free to keep the song permanently?
A: Yes, the 3 day 3 play DRM is placed on every song, even if it’s just a regular MP3.
Q: Does the Zune support Divx codec?
A: Nope, just WMV.
Q: How is the sound quality compared to the iPod?
A: Using both the included headphones and my Sennheiser 580s, I couldn’t tell the difference. Maybe my ears are retarded.
If your question is featured today, you win! The prize? An answer to your question, by me. See them all after the jump.
Q: Does the Zune work with anyone else’s “DRM’d” music or just microsoft? If no, will there be any way to make other paid-for music (like from napster) work?
A: No, it doesn’t work with any other DRMed music shops. You could strip the DRM off of DRMed songs, then import those into Zune, but that’s a grey area. And kind of a hassle.
Q: Is microsoft going to pay you back for zune to zune sharing?
A: Eventually. They’re still working on it, so don’t expect an announcement for a few months at least.
Q: Does the Zune support bookmarking (Must have for Audio Books).
A: No, you can’t resume a song in the middle, even on audiobooks. And the Zune has no Audible support yet.
Q: Does the Zune have a mass storage mode? Can you drag and drop files onto it.
A: No. Thus, explaining why PlayStation 3s can’t see it. Xbox 360s see it just fine, since they’re kissin’ cousins by Microsoft. No, you can’t drag and drop files onto it because you can’t see it in Windows Explorer. I don’t see mass storage mode coming in a future update, but maybe Microsoft will get enough pressure to add it in.
Q: Does the Zune pause playback when the headphones are removed or external power is cut off?
A: Yes, if you remove the headphones the playback stops. Microsoft told me that if you remove the headphones after leaving the volume on super high, if you plug them in again the volume will revert to default settings. I couldn’t’ get this to work on my Zunes.
Q: Obviously the Zune has a bigger screen [compared to the iPod] but which screen is brighter? Sharper? Which one has better contrast?
A: Comparing the Zune against the 5G (I don’t have a 5.5G, sorry), the Zune is brighter. However, the iPod looks sharper and has better contrast. They’re both 320×240 resolution, so the Zune just blows up everything bigger. It looks nice, but not as sharp as the iPod.
Q: What, if any, integration with Xbox Live will there be, beyond simple connectivity to the Xbox 360?
A: None, as of right now. There may be WiFi connectivity later, but that’d require you to have a WiFi adapter for your Xbox 360 also.
Q: Will the Zune [be] used as a second “screen” as the PS3 and PSP are rumored to be used?
A: Most likely not. This generation Zune is just a music player. In the future, Microsoft may create a more game oriented Zune, but their KISS (keep it simple stupid) rationale would most likely prevent any 360 integration beyond just streaming media.
Q: Is the Zune capable of playing Windows Media Center recorded content?
A: Not at the moment, no, unless you re-encode those shows into WMV.
Q: Will the Live/.net accounts work with the zune? Will you have your own ‘gamercard’ like with xbox live?
A: Yes, the Live accounts will work with the Zune. You just have to log in with your same account, and you can use the same gamercard that you use on Xbox Live. You share the same Marketplace Points (money) between the two devices.
Q: Does the Zune work with the iPod cables, speakers, and adapters?
A: No. Zune’s connector is smaller.
Q: Can you edit songs in the Zune [Software] including things such as album art, genre, album, artist etc?
A: Yes. You can edit all the metadata, and Zune will go out and fetch album art for you for ones you don’t have.
Q: How long does the Zune take to Boot-Up?
A: About a second, second and a half.
Q: Some Mp3 players schuffle music oddly (clumps of tracks or not really random). Does the Zune?
A: Seemed pretty random to me.
Q: How does it handle playlists and directory structure?
A: Just normal “dumb” playlists instead of “smart” playlists. There’s no directory structure.
Q: Will/Can the resolution be upgraded?
A: In the 2nd generation Zune? Probably.
Q: What if I want to just share two zunes between the same exact media library. Can I set up two owner relationships from the software, one to each zune?
A: Yes. Subscription songs ($15 a month) can be synced to two Zunes, whereas purchased songs can be synced to five Zunes. Your own songs should be able to be synced to as many as you want.
Q: Can you use a bands album art as a wallpaper theme?
A: You can use any picture as a wallpaper.
Q: Can the zune’s landscape mode be used in either way, i mean can you set it so you can hold it with the conmtrols on the left side instead, for the lefties of the group.
A: Unfortunately not. Suck it lefties.
Q: Is the zune compatible to macs?
A: Nope.
Does the Zune charge with a USB cable like the ipod?
A: Yes, it charges while syncing with your PC.
Hows the durability?
A: Pretty scratch resistant. Definitely not fragile-feeling like the iPod.
Q: I have the 30GB video iPod, and purchased the PocketDok Line Out adapter because the audio was too distorted over the headphone jack. My friend has the Toshiba Gigabeat, but his sounds great - does the Zune benefit from this same Toshiba improvement?
A: I’d say so, since it’s pretty much the same device.
Q: How’s the video quality with the Zune? If you were to compare it to the iPod’s video playback, which one would you say is better looking?
A: The Zune, because it’s got a bigger screen—despite the fact that they’re the same resolution.
Q: How are the default headphones? Are they worth it to keep or should I be making a headphone purchase day one?
A: Not bad, and you should try them out yourself to see if they’re too big/small for your ear holes before you purchase new ones.
Q: If I manage to get myself a Zune over the Christmas holidays will the software work ok in Australia or will I be out of luck?
A: The software itself should work, but the store most likely will not.
Q: Does this mean the Zune will play my protected AAC files? (I hate music protection, but hey, sometimes you can only find that one song on iTunes) And on the flip side, will Zune not play all those random mp3s that I’ve moved here and there and everywhere? Particularly ones that I didn’t pay for, even if it was a free download off of the artists website?
A: Protected AAC Files = No. Your own downloaded MP3 files = Yes.
Q: Does the Zune have gapless playback?
A: Nope, neither the Zune or the Zune Software has gapless playback.
Q: Second, I am curious how the Zune handles albums that have an album artist that is different from the track artist. For example, on a DJ mix album, the DJ would be the album artist and the track producer would be the track artist.
A: Yes, there’s a concept of “Album artist” and “artist” on there. So if you label it correctly, you can search/sort by either album artist or just artist. So to answer your question, yeah, it would work.
Q: Can the Zune record from your TV ?
A: Sorry, no can do.
Q: Do you know if there are any plans to make the Zune compatible with Macs?
A: Maybe someday (generation 2? 3?).
Q: The zune itself only supports a limited number of video codecs. Will the software automagically transcode the rest to wmv?
A: Yes, Zune software transcoded some of my podcasts that I downloaded via iTunes to WMV.
Q: The buttons! The back and play buttons on the Zune — are they actual buttons or are they like 3G iPod ‘buttons’ as they sorta look like?
A: They’re actually buttons, and not touch-sensitive buttons. You gotta press them.
Q: Can you download pictures directly from your digital camera to the Zune? It would be great to not have to carry multiple SD cards on vacation.
A: It may be possible in the future to have an adapter that does that.
Q: While your testing out the Zune, have you seen or heard of support by the Zune for “Podcasts”?
A: Not in the software itself, but you can download podcasts manually and watch them on the Zune after importing/transcoding.
Q: XM? or general raido/ real-life recording?
A: No XM, just FM. And no FM recording.
Q: Does the zune come with the FM transmitter or do I have to fork out for a seperate device?
A: The FM in the Zune is just a FM receiver. You’ll have to buy a transmitter separately.
Q: Hi, I see from some videos of the Zune interface that there seem to be different backgrounds for each function that you are using. Am I correct in thinking that the background for the start up screen is different from the background for the transfer screen and so on? If so, can you customize each background?
A: The background is the same for every screen, just faded/darkened when you’re not on the main screen.
Whew. That was a lot of questions. If you still need to know more about the Zune, check out our Zune vs. iPod feature later today.
Source (full article in new window): Gizmodo: iPod
Tuesday, November 14, 2006
Apple Seals Deal with 6 Airlines for iPod Seat Integration
Apple announced that six major airlines will begin offering iPod compatible seats beginning in mid-2007. Those airlines include Air France, Continental, Delta, Emirates, KLM and United. iPod compatible seats is a fancy way of saying iPod docks on the seats. These docks will have the ability to power and charge the iPod along with streaming video to a seat-back display for easier viewing.
So what does this mean for the passenger? Well, first and foremost, a more enjoyable flying experience. Even though there is a kid behind you kicking your chair and a toddler screaming a few rows up, you can sit happy and content watching your iPod knowing it won’t run out of batteries. A-OK with me, as long as it doesn’t increase the price of an airline ticket from an arm, to an arm and a leg.
Apple in deal to let iPod videos play on planes [Reuters]
Source (full article in new window): Gizmodo: iPod
Vaja Silver Case for iPod Video
Gives an expensive looks for your iPod video. Vaja released a new sterling silver i-volution cover with a complete 925 hand crafted appliques. There’s port for you to access and hold function without taking out your iPod from the case. It measures w2.72” x h4.25” x d0.9”. i-Volution silver is available at Vaja Cases site for all iPod Video models. Check out more at Vaja site.
[via Shiny Shiny]
Source (full article in new window): 2dayBlog - Technology Journal, New Gadget everyday!
Talkin’ ’bout 4th Generation
Why the new “iPod (with color display)” is just a 4th-generation iPod.
Source (full article in new window): The iPod Blog
Multiple accounts iTunes sharing
Care to share your iTunes Music Library with every user account on your Mac? How about with others on your network or across the Internet? This technique may help.
Source (full article in new window): The iPod Blog
vPod dreams
Now that the Wall Street Journal has weighed in on the possibility of a portable video player from Apple, it seems time to toss in my two pennies on what I’d like to see from such a device and the content fed to it.
Source (full article in new window): The iPod Blog
So long, hPod
Much to the relief of my band’s trombone player, HP has decided to ditch the iPod. So what do you call a guy who knows how to play the trombone but doesn’t?
Source (full article in new window): The iPod Blog
Yahoo! Audio Search: It’s a start
Yahoo recently launched a new search service that attempts to track down audio files—music tracks, podcasts, and audio odds and ends. Yahoo could do great work. I hope it’s up to the challenge.
Source (full article in new window): The iPod Blog
Insomnia and the search for long songs
Unable to sleep, I journeyed to the iTunes Music Store in search of white noise. I came away with more than I—or, in all likelihood, Apple—bargained for.
Source (full article in new window): The iPod Blog
The iPod travel kit
Which gear best accompanies a trip to the spay and neuter clinic? Apart from the requisite animal trap and tranquilizer gun, Chris Breen offers his suggestions for iPod accessories to take on the road.
Source (full article in new window): The iPod Blog
Sexohol sells
While far too many members of the music industry try to turn back the clock, it’s heartening to find a band that embraces today’s technology and looks toward the future.
Source (full article in new window): The iPod Blog
Playlist vodcast #1
Playlist’s Big Cheese, Chris Breen, presents Playlist’s first video-on-demand podcast (read: vodcast). In addition to proving such a thing is possible for mere mortals, he offers a couple of his favorite iTunes tricks. iTune in!
Source (full article in new window): The iPod Blog
The logical, literal, and lunatic
The many means of handicapping Apple’s September music event.
Source (full article in new window): The iPod Blog
Viewing portable video’s possibilities
I’ve seen the face of inexpensive portable video in Handheld Entertainment’s $100 Zvue player. Now that we’ve seen cheap, what can Apple do to make it right?
Source (full article in new window): The iPod Blog
Using iPods in a cross-platform environment
Need to use an iPod formatted for your Mac on a Windows PC (or vice versa)? Not a problem. I have the key to cross-platform cooperation.
Source (full article in new window): The iPod Blog
Apple Music Event: Hidden goodies
Tips, tricks, and hidden features of the iTunes-compatible ROKR phone, iPod nano, and iTunes 5.
Source (full article in new window): The iPod Blog
iTunes 5’s folders and you
iTunes 5 allows you to gather playlists together into a folder, but what does this really mean (and how does it benefit you)? Here are a few observations on iTunes’ folder functionality.
Source (full article in new window): The iPod Blog
Rokr: What might have been
Motorola’s Rokr mobile phone has taken its fair share of abuse. What might Apple and Moto done differently?
Source (full article in new window): The iPod Blog
Coping with iTunes confusion
Confounded by iTunes’ new features? I’m here to help. Answers to some of iTunes 7’s most perplexing issues.
Source (full article in new window): The iPod Blog
Gone Fission
Looking for a capable Mac tool for easily splitting long audio files into discreet tracks? I’ve gone Fission. Maybe you should too.
Source (full article in new window): The iPod Blog
Of lossless and libraries
Thanks to iTunes 7’s support for multiple iTunes Libraries, Jason Snell may never have to rip his CD collection again.
Source (full article in new window): The iPod Blog
When subscription services make sense
Dan Frakes has finally found a subscription-based approach to digital music that works for him. And he sees a time coming when Apple could change its tune about such services.
Source (full article in new window): The iPod Blog
What Nova’s price tells us about iTunes’ future
The deicision to sell the PBS science series Nova via the iTunes Store for $7.99 an episode suggests that Apple is showing more flexibility on issues like pricing to attract more digital content.
Source (full article in new window): The iPod Blog
Simply red
The release of a red iPod nano to raise money for the Global Fund’s fight against AIDS has Philip Michaels musing about product names, other Product Red participants, and past limited edition iPods.
Source (full article in new window): The iPod Blog
New battery life for old 5G iPods
One of the most unheralded new features of the latest 5G iPod software update is one of the most impressive: some massive improvements in battery life.
Source (full article in new window): The iPod Blog
Pandora or Last.fm? Take your pick
Two services specialize at bringing you music recommendations based on your preferences. So which is better, Last.fm or Pandora?
Source (full article in new window): The iPod Blog
Five years hence
Christopher Breen celebrates the iPod’s fifth anniversary by outlining what he’d like to see Apple’s music player offer in the next five years.
Source (full article in new window): The iPod Blog
The role of accessories in the iPod’s success
When discussing why the iPod made it, you can’t overlook the role third-party add-ons played in driving up the device’s popularity.
Source (full article in new window): The iPod Blog
DoubleTwisting iTunes’ DRM
Mix one clever Norwegian programmer, two parts DRM, an overarching desire to do anything to cash in on the iPod’s success, and just a touch of akevitt, and what do you get? In all likelihood, the next iPod firmware update.
Source (full article in new window): The iPod Blog
iPods, technology, and the limits of the law
What, someone’s proposing a reasoned debate between the rights of intellectual property owners and consumers? Yes, but you’ll have to look abroad for it.
Source (full article in new window): The iPod Blog
Touch-screen leaks and newer notes
What’s that, there’s an Apple document that might possibly reveal the existence of the upcoming touch-screen iPod? Who cares. The Notes the thing.
Source (full article in new window): The iPod Blog
Westward ho!
Forget the natural beauty and the live-and-let-live attitude. iTunes makes it cool to reside on the left coast.
Source (full article in new window): The iPod Blog
2G shuffle and the hiss, boo, bah!
In which I sound off on noisy second-generation iPod shuffles.
Source (full article in new window): The iPod Blog
The Beatles Finally Heading to Online Music Stores, But Which Ones?
The Beatles are coming to an online music store near you “soon.” So says EMI’s head suit David Munns. Why should you care? Well, besides the fact that, you know, the Beatles pretty much invented the modern concept of a rock band, we could see an interesting battle between Apple and Microsoft. Will iTunes or the Zune Marketplace claim such hits as “Yesterday” and “Twist and Shout”? Will you be jamming out to “Day Tripper” on your iPod or Zune?
As we all know, the Beatles are pretty much the only band not available on any of the legitimate online music stores. (I’m sorry, but allofmp3 doesn’t count.) I can’t wait to (possibly) 3 plays/3 days share such obscure hits as “Penny Lane” with random young ladies on the street. “Hey there, hot mama, have you heard of the Beatles? They’re this totally cool band…” (Cue mace to the face.)
Beatles set to go digital [Times Online]
Source (full article in new window): Gizmodo: iPod
Silex wiDock Takes iPod to Wireless, Beyond
Upon first glace, I thought the wiDock from Silex was the first of many wireless USB iPod docks that should be coming, I was disappointed to find out this is not wireless USB, rather it is just Wi-Fi. This dock can wireless sync your iPod to your computer for music transfer and streaming music. The wiDock also includes audio-out and s-video out so it can act as a traditional iPod dock, also. No word on pricing or availability, yet. And even though it isn’t wireless USB, it is still pretty nifty.
Product Page [Via iLounge]
Source (full article in new window): Gizmodo: iPod
Vuum Audio VTi-B1 iPod Dock: Vacuum Tubes, ahoy!
Don’t let our non-stop PS3 and Wii coverage fool you—we’re still slaves to that little digital audio player that Apple makes. We know that you all like (or hate) the iPod and have an odd affinity for vacuum tubes, so talking about the Vuum VTi-B1 is quite easy. The vacuum tube amp pumps out sound at 15W per speaker and has the ever-popular piano finish that all the little boys and girls have been asking Santa for. The Vti-B1 functions like every other iPod dock out there in that it charges the player and lets you output the iPod’s audio/video content to higher end equipment should you have any lying around.
Let’s be honest for a second: the only reason anyone would pick up this $700 glorified iPod dock is because it’s got more vacuum tubes in it than your old TV and that makes you happy in that special place. And it’s not even the only one to feature such vacuum tubery.
Product Page [Vuum Audio via iLounge]
Source (full article in new window): Gizmodo: iPod
Monday, November 13, 2006
The PlayStation 3 Likes iPods. Kinda.
What does this mean? It means the iPod is all but unusable unless you remember which folder your song is under. Bummer.
Source (full article in new window): Gizmodo: iPod
Diasonic iPod Speaker Dock
The Diasonic iPod speaker dock, this creative designed dock brings you a more lifelike stereo sound. Each speaker delivers 3 watts of power and can be power via AAA batteries if you happen to find no electrical outlet. In addition, it also doubles up as a charger. It’s available in black or white colors and it is available in Japan only. Pricing has not been announced.
[via Ubergizmo]
Source (full article in new window): 2dayBlog - Technology Journal, New Gadget everyday!
Vuum Audio VTi-B1 iPod Dock: Vacuum Tubes, ahoy!
Don’t let our non-stop PS3 and Wii coverage fool you—we’re still slaves to that little digital audio player that Apple makes. We know that you all like (or hate) the iPod and have an odd affinity for vacuum tubes, so talking about the Vuum VTi-B1 is quite easy. The vacuum tube amp pumps out sound at 15W per speaker and has the ever-popular piano finish that all the little boys and girls have been asking Santa for. The Vti-B1 functions like every other iPod dock out there in that it charges the player and lets you output the iPod’s audio/video content to higher end equipment should you have any lying around.
Let’s be honest for a second: the only reason anyone would pick up this $700 glorified iPod dock is because it’s got more vacuum tubes in it than your old TV and that makes you happy in that special place. And it’s not even the only one to feature such vacuum tubery.
Product Page [Vuum Audio via iLounge]
Source (full article in new window): Gizmodo: iPod
Sunday, November 12, 2006
iLuv i1055
jWin Electronics offers its iLuv i1055. It is an iPod video docking system. Unlike others, this iLuv i1055 has 7 inch LCD (16:9 aspect ratio) for you to watch movie clips in stored in your iPod video (30GB/60GB). Other features include a convenient OSD (On-Screen Display) multiple subtitle / angle / audio functions Slow / fast motion play and zoom operation. It comes in black or white color and it’s available at Buy.com for $179.78 or 229.95 at iLuv site with free gifts of a high quality carrying case and a powerful headset.
[via i4u]
Source (full article in new window): 2dayBlog - Technology Journal, New Gadget everyday!
Saturday, November 11, 2006
iPodweek - The Best of iLounge
This week at iLounge: As you might have heard, we’ve been incredibly busy over the last month assembling our 2007 iPod Buyers’ Guide, a completely free, magazine-style source book to all of the best iPod accessories currently on the market. Besides our Best of 2006 awards, the Guide includes a complete history of the iPod and iTunes, a massive pictorial section called The iPod Home, and an incredible number of new iPod accessory previews and reviews. At 180 pages, the free Guide is our best one ever, and we hope you enjoy it.
This week, both the iLounge web site and the Guide were updated to include our comprehensive review of the new second-generation iPod shuffle, which is impressively small and has surprising battery life, but isn’t quite up to snuff sound-wise with other current model iPods. Comparative photographs show the shuffle, its predecessors, and its lookalike iPod Radio Remote, too.
Also: we’ve posted reviews of two wearable video displays, MicroOptical’s myvu Made for iPod Edition, and Icuiti’s iWear Video Eyewear, rating myvu as the current reigning champ in this category. At $299, these displays aren’t right for everyone, but travelers might find them preferable to staring down at the iPod’s small screen for hours at a home. Finally, we launched a new feature called iPod Stars, this week interviewing celebrity disc jockey DJ-AM and LA Kings center Sean Avery. Check it out!
In the news this week, Apple said it is seeing a large amount of consumer interest in its second-generation iPod shuffle. News Corp. is having “positive talks” with Apple about bringing its Fox movie library to the iTunes Store, while Disney has now sold nearly 500,000 movies and approximately 12 million ABC shows on the iTunes Store. Plus, Apple added select Sundance Channel programming to the iTunes Store, iLuv introduced two pairs of Bluetooth headphones, and Griffin Technology shows off its first iPod speaker systems.
Source (full article in new window): Gizmodo: iPod
Thursday, November 09, 2006
Griffin released iPod Speakers System
Griffin technology planning to releases their first speaker systems for iPods, the Voyager and the AmpliFi. The AmpliFi is the one shown on picture above, it is a 2.1 channel non-portable system made from wood. It comes with couple 2.75” speakers and a 5” woofer and port for bass system. You can charge your iPod with the universal iPod charger on the AmpliFi. While the Voyager on the other hand is a portable sized system with a multipurpose hard rubber covering that can also be used as a stand when attached to the base of the system. It features an auxiliary input, a dock connector and an adjustable iPod dock. Both of this speaker system will be available on the first quarter of 2007, the Voyager will priced $130 while the Amplifi priced $150.
[via New Launches]
Source (full article in new window): 2dayBlog - Technology Journal, New Gadget everyday!
iPod Flipcase
Get this case to protect your iPod from scratches. It is designed for iPod 5th generation video. This case is invented by an Industrial Design student for improved functionality, the molded hard shell allows easy access to the screen and key, flip it back and you will see a hole to place your iPod. It comes in black/lime green lining or chocolate/blue lining for £34.95
P
[via Shiny Shiny]
Source (full article in new window): 2dayBlog - Technology Journal, New Gadget everyday!
WiDock Syncs Your iPod Anywhere in the House
Silex’s new WiDock connects to your wireless network to sync up your iPod sans cables. Why this hasn’t been built into Apple’s iPod dock already I can only guess, but thank God somebody is on the ball. It even supports security standards like WEP & WPA.
The dock, which can also be connected via Ethernet, has all the traditional features of an iPod dock like the ability to plug into a stereo/TV and charge your iPod while its docked. Hopefully the setup will be easy to use because I’m sick of looking for iPod cables, especially since Apple quit supporting FireWire and made a good portion of them obsolete. Or else the little dock that could, could end up loosing some of its charm. The WiDock works with all iPods with a dock connector and will run you $149 starting in December.
Wirelessly Dock Your iPod [Krunker]
Source (full article in new window): Gizmodo: iPod
2G shuffle and the hiss, boo, bah!
In which I sound off on noisy second-generation iPod shuffles.
Source (full article in new window): The iPod Blog
Griffin Cradles Your iPod with AmpliFi and Voyager Speakers
Looks-wise, Griffin’s new iPod speakers are impressive. On one hand you have the Amplifi, which reminds us of the SpeckTone dock if Darth Vader were to design one. The $150 AmpliFi has two 2.75-inch speakers along with a 5-inch subwoofer and an auxiliary input for hooking up other players. For those who like taking their iPod on the road, there’s the $130 Voyager, Griffin’s first rugged iPod speaker dock which is enclosed in a removable suit of rubber. It’s got built-in speakers as well and like the AmpliFi runs off a rechargeable lithium-ion battery. We’re siding with the AmpliFi cause we’re superficial like that, but you should be able to pick up both speakers by early next year. Click through for a look at the Voyager.
Griffin Voyager and AmpliFi [via iLounge]
Source (full article in new window): Gizmodo: iPod
SpekTone Retro speaker system
Wednesday, November 08, 2006
The sleek SpekTone Retro speaker system, compatible with 4G, 5G, nano and the mini iPods. It comes in black, white or green in color for your selection. A 28 watt output delivers an excellent sound from the two 3” drivers and a 4” subwoofer. Can be connect via 1/8”suxillary jack. You can pick up one of this SpekTone Retro from Amazon for $85.
[via New Launches]
Source (full article in new window): 2dayBlog - Technology Journal, New Gadget everyday!
- DIY iPod Solar Charger Easier than You Think
- Etymotic Ety8 Wireless iPod Earphones
- Official Apple Document Refers To Touch-Screen iPod
- iVue: Clear iPod Case
- iPod Shuffle Travel Case
- Research Says 58% of iPod Users May Choose Zune Over iPod
- Mini Hi-Fi for iPods
- RunAway = Nike+iPod/Nike
- iPod Digital Drumsticks
- iPod nano (Product) Red Now Available
CES 2007: Monster iCarPlay Wireless 200 FM Transmitter
This iPod FM transmitter from Monster landed an innovation award from CES. Whaaa…? An iPod accessory landing an innovation award? Bullhookey, I tell you. This FM transmitter is a bit different than the average iPod FM transmitter. It has an AutoScan that will automatically scan all of the FM networks to find the clearest one to work with your iPod, and it will also display the station information on the actual iPod screen itself. Add in charging functionality and 3 programmable buttons makes this device pretty damn nice (except the $100 price tag).
Product Page [Monster]
Source (full article in new window): Gizmodo: iPod
Westward ho!
Forget the natural beauty and the live-and-let-live attitude. iTunes makes it cool to reside on the left coast.
Source (full article in new window): The iPod Blog
Zoom Unveils Wireless iPod Transmitters
Tuesday, November 07, 2006
Zoom Technologies has launched its iHiFi Wireless Personal Audio Link for iPods and other music players.
The iHiFi range of wireless products lets iPods play music through a stereo or powered speakers. The solution includes a Bluetooth receiver that attaches to a stereo or powered speakers and Bluetooth transmitters for iPods and other audio devices.
The system works at ranges of 70 feet from the receiver. Three versions are available: a universal version for current-generation (dock connector) iPods, a version for third- and fourth-generation iPods, and another for the iPod mini.
By Macworld staff, Macworld.co.uk
Elecom iPod Dock with Integrated Speakers
Still having problems choosing out the perfect dock for your beloved iPod? Here, allow me to throw another speaker dock into the ring that will tantalize the hoo-hahs of minimalists out there.
The ASP-P100 is a very small iPod dock that is available in black and white and it includes two, 1W speakers to pump out those phat beats. It has an included USB connection for syncing, but it can also operate on four AAA batteries. Portability ftw.
An Elecom dock with speakers for iPod [Akihabara]
Source (full article in new window): Gizmodo: iPod
SigmaTel out, Samsung in at iPod shuffle
SAN JOSE, Calif. — Apple Computer Inc.'s new iPod shuffle does not contain SigmaTel Inc.'s MP3 decoder chip, as previously thought, according to an analyst.
Instead, Samsung Electronics Co. Ltd. is said to have won the new Pod shuffle socket at Apple, said Craig Berger, an analyst with Wedbush Morgan Securities Inc. (Los Angeles).
SigmaTel had been the incumbent supplier of MP3 processor chips for the older-generation iPod shuffle. But as a result of the apparent design loss for the new iPod shuffle, Berger lowered his estimates for SigmaTel (Austin, Texas), based on the findings in the iPod shuffle, the entry-level MP3 player made by Apple (Cupertino, Calif.). Berger cut his 2007 EPS estimate from minus $0.60 to minus $0.85, but he maintained a ''Hold'' rating on the stock with a $5.50 price target.
According to a teardown of the iPod shuffle by Apple Insider, the MP3 decoder chip had an ''Apple logo'' with a specific part number: 337S3300 844A, according to Berger. This is somewhat similar to the Samsung supplied MP3 chip for the iPod nano, which has a part number 337S3291, according to the analyst
Based on these findings, Berger concluded that Samsung is making the MP3 decoder chips for both the iPod shuffle and nano. In April an executive from South Korea's Samsung (Seoul) said the company won the MP3 media processor business for Apple's next-generation iPods.
That design-win turned out to be for the iPod nano, the mid-range MP3 player from Apple. PortalPlayer Inc., the incumbent chip supplier, lost the business.
But after an apparent ''gaffe'' by the executive from Samsung, Apple reportedly ''punished'' the South Korean semiconductor giant by maintaining its MP3 chip alliance with SigmaTel for the shuffle, according to Berger in May.
In any case, PortalPlayer and SigmaTel are struggling after the apparent design setbacks. ''While [SigmTel] management is now touting a significant and aggressive recovery plan to investors, we remain guarded about the key revenue and gross margin assumptions being used to drive its forecast and expect continued losses in 2007,'' Berger said.
''We do like management's new LCD TV audio focus, and would like to see management leverage their audio processing and/or analog capabilities in more attractive end-markets,'' he said.
source: www.eetimes.comMonday, November 06, 2006
iVue Crystal Case for iPod
Getting sick of your black or white color iPod? Get this iVue Crystal case, it is a transparent casing for your iPod, replace your iPod the entire front of your iPod. It is available for $30 at iPodMod.
[via Ubergizmo]
Source (full article in new window): 2dayBlog - Technology Journal, New Gadget everyday!
iPod Shuffle Travel Case
Although only applicable to a select few people—2nd Gen iPod Shuffle users who also have the in-ear headphones—this mod is pretty cool. Basically, you stick your iPod Shuffle into the case that comes with the headphones after you cut out the two little pins. That’s all. So it’s not really a mod so much as an organizational technique.
Now to find a way to make this a bit more Altoid-y.
iPod Shuffle Gen 2 (New One) Travel Case [Instructables via MAKE]
Source (full article in new window): Gizmodo: iPod
See also:
iVue: Clear iPod Case
Saturday, November 04, 2006
The iVue from iPodMods is not a traditional case that wraps around your iPod, protecting its skin from the evils of keys in your pocket. Instead, the iVue is a complete front panel replacement, displaying the iNatomy for the world to see. Then tell your friends it’s a prototype or something.
“Hey man, is that an iPod?”
“No, it’s way better than an iPod.”
“No way. Nothing’s better than an iPod.”
“It reads your mind, and plays a song from your collection to compliment your mood.”
“Oh my goodness! What’s it playing right now?”
“It’s not a song per se, just a looping voice calling you an idiot.”
“Wow! It does work!”
Pricing is not set, but will be somewhere between $20-$35 with free installation.
Product Page [via tuaw]
Source (full article in new window): Gizmodo: iPod
See also:
DIY iPod Solar Charger Easier than You Think
Friday, November 03, 2006
I thought I was going to need a masters in EE to figure this one out, but surprisingly no. The avid backpackers at Yosemiteoutside needed a better solution to their short iPod battery life. In comes this simple and easy solar charger. A handful of parts and seven steps later they had an easy solution to a problem plaguing a lot of us. Follow the linkage to see the steps and figure out how to do it yourself.
Instruction Page [Via Lifehacker]
Source (full article in new window): Gizmodo: iPod
See also:
iPod nano (Product) Red Now Available
Take a peek at the Apple Store and you’ll see a new addition to the iPod family slipped into the lineup with no notice: now there’s an 8GB iPod nano (product) Red, which was only available in 4GB trim before today. It’s $249, and it only shows up on the selection page in the Apple Store showing the nano family.
The 8GB nano was only available in black before, and now you can get it in red, with $10 of its $249 purchase price going to the Global Fund to fight AIDS in Africa.
Product Page [Apple]
Source (full article in new window): Gizmodo: iPod
See also:
Thursday, November 02, 2006
Apple Touch-Screen iPod Doc Was a Typo
Your parents are getting divorced. Santa killed himself back in 1974. The Easter Bunny is a hermaphrodite. The iPod TouchScreen isn’t confirmed.
Sorry to be the bringer of bad news, but the iPod “touch-screen” was supposed to be “touch-wheel”. Go back and see the original document and compare.
[Ed: Oh sure, all the letters in “screen” and “wheel” are right next to each other, and the author accidentally hit them all in a row, incorrectly.]
Apple reference stirs touch-screen iPod frenzy [u] [Apple Insider via Crunchgear]
Source (full article in new window): Gizmodo: iPod
RunAway = Nike+iPod/Nike
For anyone who wants to get running with the Nike+iPod Sport Kit but is disinclined to drop a hundred bucks on a new pair of special Nike+ kicks, comes the RunAway AnyShoe adapter. This $8 weatherproof sensor holder attaches to your running shoe’s laces and has an easy-to-access button to turn the sensor’s wireless signal off for air travel—which is a slight improvement over the Nike+ shoes, which require you to remove an insole to get at the device.
The RunAway is available in five colors to match even the orangest of sneakers. Get your training groove on this way for $30. It is an investment that’ll reap rewards in more runs and a new-found appreciation for leggings.
Product Page [Switcheasy via iLounge]
Source (full article in new window): Gizmodo: iPod
See also:
Touch-screen leaks and newer notes
What’s that, there’s an Apple document that reveals the existence of the upcoming touch-screen iPod? Who cares. The Notes the thing.
Source (full article in new window): The iPod Blog
RunAway with Nike+iPod and Your Own Sneakers
For anyone who wants to get running with the Nike+iPod Sport Kit but is disinclined to drop a hundred bucks on a new pair of special Nike+ kicks, comes the RunAway AnyShoe adapter. This $8 weatherproof sensor holder attaches to your running shoe’s laces and has an easy-to-access button to turn the sensor’s wireless signal off for air travel—which is a slight improvement over the Nike+ shoes, which require you to remove an insole to get at the device.
The RunAway is available in five colors to match even the orangest of sneakers. Get your training groove on this way for $30. It is an investment that’ll reap rewards in more runs and a new-found appreciation for leggings.
Product Page [Switcheasy via iLounge]
Source (full article in new window): Gizmodo: iPod
Official Apple Document Refers To Touch-Screen iPod
German spies combing through Apple’s developer support documents have made an interesting little discovery: an official mention of a touch-screen iPod! OMG! Yup, the developer docs mention “touch-screen” models. I’ve gotta tell you, there’s nothing better than reading technical manuals looking for rumors to spread.
Granted, a super secret Apple higher-up already told us that a touch-screen iPod was to be released in November of this year, so we’re not all that surprised. (Though the German article claims that no new iPods will be released until 2007.) The sooner they release it, the sooner we can all move on with our lives, such as they are.
Keine neuen iPods mehr vor 2007 (in Deutsch) [ipodfun.de via MacDailyNews]
Developer Guide [Apple, but a PDF]
Source (full article in new window): Gizmodo: iPod
See also:
- Accessories for Apple iPod touch
- iPod
- Mini Hi-Fi for iPods
- French iPod Cases May Be Too Cute For Humanity
- Digital Speaker For iPod (SP-188)
- Learn Foreign Languages on Your iPod With iLingo
- iPod Digital Drumsticks
- Airplane Toilet IPod Causes Chaos
- iPod shuffle
- iPod nano
- iHome iH7R iPod Dock and Speaker System
iDisguise Hides Your iPod in Mint Tin, Does Wonders For Your Masculinity
In case getting jacked for your iPod on a New York City subway car isn’t exactly your idea of a fun time, have a look at the iDisguise. Cleverly named, the iDisguise hides—disguises, if you will—your iPod (first or second generation nano and first generation Shuffle; more models to come later) from prying eyes inside tin mint cans. There’s a piece of “high quality” foam on the inside of the tin to guard your precious iPod from the bumps and bruises of everyday life.
The iDisguise can be procured for $15. This might be useful if you’re afraid of the big bad wolf stealing your wares and don’t know how to fight. Or you can be a real man and learn how to defend yourself.
Product Page [iDisguise via New Launches]
Source (full article in new window): Gizmodo: iPod
iPod Shuffle v2.0 Dissected
It may have only been a few days since the second generation iPod shuffle was officially released, and somebody has already managed to take the little bugger apart. What did they find in it? A small circuit board, obviously. All that is needed is some tiny tools and delicate hands. Follow the linkage for the step-by-step tutorial.
iPod Shuffle 2nd Generation Disassembly [ifixit]
Source (full article in new window): Gizmodo: iPod
Elecom Emergency iPod Charger Looks Ugly, Get the Job Done
This emergency charger from Elecom has the ability to give your dock-capable iPod some juice with the addition of only two AA batteries. The device itself isn’t quite seamless, but it can power your iPod back up in emergency situations. You know, those emergencies where you have to listen to an iPod or possibily die.
The new Elecom emergency charger for iPod [Akihabara]
Source (full article in new window): Gizmodo: iPod
iTunes 7 Breaking iPods?
Is iTunes 7 breaking iPods? if you ask Apple, they’ll say no, but owners of slightly older iPods, nanos and shuffles have noticed their players dying as soon as they upgrade to iTunes 7. Apple’s response? Buy a new iPod, sucka.
Our beloved brothers at The Consumerist found a site full of angry shuffle owners and some poor bastard left out in the cold in a Mac forum, as well as other complainers at iPodLounge. Hmm. Anybody notice this happening?
iTunes 7 Breaks Your iPod [The Consumerist]
Source (full article in new window): Gizmodo: iPod
Research Says 58% of iPod Users May Choose Zune Over iPod
Wednesday, November 01, 2006
iPod speaker system
As surprising as it may sounds, ABIResearch’s latest poll says 58% of current iPod users said they were “somewhat likely” or “extremely likely” to pick a Zune player over any other player? WTF? We tried to take a look at the actual survey results, but realized they cost $3,000. Yeah, no, that’s ok. We’ll pass.
The survey also says that the WiFi peer to peer sharing doesn’t seem to be a big draw, and that it’s critical that Microsoft differentiates itself in some way (apparently not in WiFi sharing). Nevertheless, it’s hard to believe that 58% of users would say they’d pick the Zune over the iPod. And without the actual survey results, we can’t say anything for sure.
Oh, and if anyone makes the lame/old/horrible/not funny “X% of statistics are made up on the spot” joke, I will personally disable their comment accounts.
cheap iPod touchSource (full article in new window): Gizmodo: iPod
See also:
Etymotic Ety8 Wireless iPod Earphones
We’ve been waiting for wireless earphones for the iPod for a while, but these Ety8 earphones from Etymotic unfortunately look a bit silly. These earphones are wireless in that they don’t need to be connected to your iPod, but they do have a cable running between the two that wraps around your head/neck. That’s great, but how do they wear? Well, not so great.
If you thought people wearing Bluetooth headsets looked weird, imagine what someone wearing two of them—one in each ear—would look like. Also, they’re shaped like a rectangle. Yeah, not too cool. Plus they cost $299 with an iPod connector and $199 without. ¡Gracias, pero no gracias!
Etymotic to unveil Ety8 wireless earphones [iLounge]
Source (full article in new window): Gizmodo: iPod
See also:
2007 iPod Buyers’ Guide Ready for Download
The guys over at iLounge must be cruising around in their Deloreans a bit too much because they just released their 2007 iPod Buyers’ Guide. Quick, someone shoot them an e-mail because it is still 2006. Joking aside, if you ever wanted to know something about the iPod—this is the place to go. The guide is 180 pages of pure iPod. Everything from the actual players, to accessories, history, reviews, contests, backstage and more. It is definitely worth checking out for any current or future iPod owners. Oh, and it’s free! Hooray free!
2007 iPod Buyers’ Guide [iLounge]
Source (full article in new window): Gizmodo: iPod
Last Apple iPod News
