Ipod Touch, Ipod Classic And Ipod Nano

Apple to design own microchips for iPhone, iPod touch

2009-05-14T00:53:00.000-07:00

Apple to design own microchips for iPhones, iPod touch: Apple Inc. is building a significant capability to design its own microchips for the iPhones and iPod touch, a strategy shift that the company hopes will create exclusive features for its gadgets and shield Apple’s work from rivals.

Last year, Apple bought chipmaker P.A. Semi, a small chip company that specializes in low-power processors, or computer “brains.” Now Forbes reports that Apple is boosting its chipmaking know-how even more, by hiring leading designers from IBM and Nintendo.

The iPhone now uses chips from a variety of suppliers including Samsung Electronics Co Ltd, Broadcom Corp, Marvell Technology Inc, CSR Plc and Infineon Technologies AG, analysts say. If Apple succeeds in coming up with its own chip, it could potentially dislodge at least one of these companies from the iPhone, while sending notice of its intent to take an even bigger role in the creation of its products.

Apple could use the internally developed chips to sharply reduce the power consumption of its hit iPhone and iPod touch devices, and possibly add graphics circuitry to help its hardware play realistic game software and high-definition videos.

Apple can expand into chips, be extremely focused and provide a leapfrog advance. New chip capabilities make their way into Apple products and the company gets to play defense.

pple plunges into chip design, don’t expect the company to build a giant chip factory, called a fab. They cost billions. Apple would likely design the chips, then outsource their manufacture to a for-hire chipmaker.

Apple participated in a job fair earlier this month for soon-to-be-unemployed engineers at memory chip company Spansion Inc., which sought bankruptcy protection in March.

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Iphone Ipod Touch Applications | Embraceware announces HoloSnaps 1.0 for iPhone and iPod touch

2009-05-13T00:51:00.000-07:00

Embraceware Software today announces HoloSnaps 1.0 for iPhone and iPod touch. Add a new angle to your photos with HoloSnaps. Select any 3 of your photos to create a holographic card that responds to tilting your iPhone or iPod touch. iPhone users can utilize the built-in camera to take photos within HoloSnaps or select existing photos stored on the device. Cards are saved in a glass display case for later viewing. Tap on a card to have the robotic arm lift it out of the case for you.

iPhone users can utilize the built-in camera to take photos within HoloSnaps or select existing photos stored on the device. iPod touch users can select from existing photos. HoloSnaps utilizes the accelerometer built into the iPhone and iPod touch to achieve the response of tilting the device for the hologram card effect.

Feature Highlights:
• Fully animated UI with sound effects
• Simple 3 step work flow guides the process
• Compatible with the iPhone camera
• Drag to re-arrange cards

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Budget MP3 beats iPod in consumer poll

2009-05-12T00:50:00.000-07:00

A budget MP3 player which costs less than half the price of an Apple iPod has topped a web poll of consumers.

The Apple Ipod has been trumped for value according to an online poll Photo: (Bloomberg News: George Frey)

The little-known Sansa Clip – which was developed as a sideline by SanDisk, which normally makes memory chips – scored 9.1 out of 10 for value for money, according to thousands of people who voted in electrical goods review site Reevoo's Customer Choice Awards.

The 8gb device can store 2,000 songs in the MP3 format and costs £39.99, compared to more than £100 for the equivalent Apple iPod.

Sam Bostock, of Reevoo.com, said, "We're in the midst of a phase when shoppers are increasingly focused on straightforward, value-for-money products that do what it says on the tin.

"There's no doubt that Apple's range offers an impressive array of features and benefits, but right now more shoppers are more concerned about getting maximum bang for minimum buck. For shoppers on a budget, the Clip offers great value at bargain bin prices."

Owners of Clips described it as "marvellous" and claimed it had a "higher music playing standard than an iPod".

One said: "Bought one of these for my son and he thinks it's great. The clip on the back (hence the name) has a reassuringly good grip for attaching to clothes which makes it ideal for in the gym or jogging, which my son does a lot of."

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Ipod Touch Accessories | OtterBox Armor, Impact, and Defender Cases for the iPod touch Review

2009-05-11T00:49:00.000-07:00

Your iPod touch can take a huge beating as you go about your day, whether it is dropped on the floor, stuffed in a pocket, or tossed in a carrying bag. To combat the amount of wear and tear your device might see, the best accessory is a case.

OtterBox, known for its wide range of ruggedized cases, makes a number of iPod touch cases; spanning from simple silicone sleeves to water-submersible cases. In this review I take a look at three of these, including the Armor case, Defender case, and Impact case.

Picking the Right Case
OtterBox makes three different iPod touch cases for one simple reason; everyone has a different situation they need to protect their iPod from. If you use your device in desert conditions or out in the open waters where sand and water might be a problem, it might be best to get a case designed to fully seal the iPod from the outside world. One step down might be rough handling in an industrial field where you might drop the iPod frequently, and swipe greasy fingers across the screen. This case doesn't need to be fully sealed, but screen protection is a must. The last option is very basic protection from an occasional drop in normal day-to-day activities, where all you need is a basic slipcase to cushion the edges of the iPod from falls.

For the first scenario OtterBox has the Armor case which fully seals the iPod touch, but still gives you a pass-through connection for the headphone jack. The screen is covered by a plastic layer to resist scratches and fully seal out water. The next option is the Defender case, which encloses the iPod in a plastic shell and is wrapped in a silicone sleeve. The shell has a similar plastic layer over the screen like the Armor case, but it is only partially sealed from the outside environment. The most basic case is the Impact case, which like the name implies, protects the iPod from impacts which might be the result of getting dropped from a table or your pocket.

Armor Case
The Armor case turns the iPod Touch into something the size of a large PDA, but protects it from tall drops and contaminates.

In my daily use it somewhat hinders the usability, blocking the volume controls, power button, and docking connector. Since the Home button can power the iTouch on, and you can adjust volume through software, it isn't a huge problem, but it still is an inconvenience. Using the iPod through the case and interacting with the screen did take some time to get used to, since some of the touch-sensitivity is lost through the plastic layer. The headphone jack is flush mount and has plenty of clearance for any style of 1/8" headphone plug.

OtterBox rates the waterproofing of this case at 3 feet, which puts it into small puddle or splash range. It is more than what the iPod could handle by itself, but don't plan on swimming with it anytime soon. I think if you didn't have to interact with the screen, the plastic film could thicker, but in this case the screen is the only way to navigate through the device.

Specifications:

Waterproof to 3 feet (1 meter), dust-proof, dirt-proof, sand-proof, and drop-proof protection for your iPod
Touchscreen is covered, yet fully functional
Impact-absorbing rubber on all sides
Included belt clip for carrying convenience
External headphone jack usable with any style headphones with a standard mini stereo plug
Includes removable neck lanyard
Fits the iPod touch Second Generation only (8 GB, 16 GB, and 32 GB models).
Price: $49.95

Defender Case
The Defender case is a nice cross between having a basic silicone cover over the iPod touch, and having it completely enclosed in a shell the size of the Armor case. The Defender adds a little more than a ¼" to the height and width of the handheld, and makes it about twice as thick. It is still easy to carry in a pocket, not much larger than a typical smartphone.

Protection for the iPod Touch is excellent, with "bumpers" on every corner, plastic film to cover the screen and rear chrome Apple logo, and silicone plugs to cover the docking connector and headphone jack. The clearance around the headphone jack is reduced slightly, barely clearing the large jack on my Sennheisers.

Throughout the test the Defender case held up well and showing only showing one sign of wear. It appears that during one of my tests I managed to impact the screen, leaving a small dimple in the protective clear film, whereas the iPod suffered no damage at all.

Specifications:

Three layers of protection
Layer 1: a clear, thin membrane to protect your Touchscreen
Layer 2: a hi-impact Polycarbonate skeleton
Layer 3: a Silicone skin to absorb bump and shock
Complete Touchscreen interactivity
All buttons are accessible through the case
Sync/Charge jack and headphone jack accessible via silicone plugs
Fits the iPod touch Second Generation only (8 GB, 16 GB and 32 GB models).
Price: $29.95

Impact Case
If you need just the most basic levels of protection, the Impact case works quite well. Slipped over the iPod Touch it protects the edges from sharp impacts, the rear chrome finish from scratches, and covers the edges of the screen to keep dust outside.

The case is designed with a honeycomb structure to absorb energy in a fall, protecting the shell form scratches or dents. The silicone material adds a small amount of grip to the iPod for handling, but isn't as "sticky", which can make it a pain to slip inside a pocket or become a magnet for dust and dirt.

I preferred the Impact case the most, since I still had just enough protection to make me not worry about my iPod, but not interfere too much with normal operation.

Specifications:

Provides open access to headphone jack, sync/charge port and Touchscreen
Provides protection against bump & shock
Inner corners designed to dissipate impact away from your device
Fits the iPod touch Second Generation only (8 GB, 16 GB and 32 GB models).
Available in Black or White
Price: $19.95

Conclusion
Overall I think OtterBox covers the market pretty well for varying levels of iPod touch protection. It has options for parents, construction workers, and even a case for deep sea fishermen who might be constantly blasted with salt water.

The build quality on each case is fantastic and the price is well within reasonable levels. Maintenance consists of sticking the case (without the iPod inside) under a faucet to clean off dust or dirt.

If you are looking for a case to keep your iPod Touch looking as good as the day it came out of the box, the OtterBox lineup is well worth checking out.

Pros:

Great fit and finish
Affordable
Silicone material is not as "sticky" as some cases

Cons:

Armor Case slightly interferes with everyday use
No individual replaceable parts, if you dent or scratch the protective screen layer you have to buy a new case.

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Ipod Iphone Games | New children's matching game for iPhone and iPod Touch released

2009-05-10T00:47:00.000-07:00

Mooee Company Limited introduced Match 2 Catch 1.0 today, their new children's matching game for iPhone and iPod Touch. Developed to take advantage of the iPhone's unique abilities and interface, Match 2 Catch is a new type of match and pair game especially for younger children. It's fun for all ages, yet compelling as it combines both sound and image to keep young players challenged and engaged.

Match 2 Catch allows younger kids to match images to its sound and is specifically designed to improve memory training. Settings allow gameplay on the easier level, and Match 2 Catch features higher levels that are more difficult to finish. The last three levels (10-12) the image is matched to its sound. Other levels are either image to image and sound to sound. Once all the levels are completed at one try, there is a short animation to show all the animals. The images are quite cute and young children should find them attractive.

Feature Highlights:
* Children use their idle time with memory exercises
* Recognize the sounds of different animals
* Challenge children to better themselves and go to the next level
* Compete with their friends and parents for highest score

"Mooee is dedicated to producing creative products for the iPhone platform" said Stephen Ting, President of Mooee Company Limited. "Match 2 Catch is our first attempt in the App area and we will continue to create interesting products as we move forward. Match 2 Catch is mainly a simple but elegant matching and pairing game. Originally we wanted to use cards to pair but then we felt that kids might like it better if we create animals and their sounds so that one can match a pair in a creative way."

System Requirements:
* iPhone or iPod Touch, requires iPhone 2.0 Software Update

Located in Kowloon, Hong Kong, Mooee Company Limited is a privately funded software firm founded in 2006 by Stephen Ting. With an focus on the iPhone platform, Mooee's mission is to develop inexpensive, user-friendly software for all consumer applications. Mooee's team has more than 18 years of experience in software development and more than 20 years of experience in business management relating to software marketing and development. Copyright 2006-2009 Mooee Company Limited. All Rights Reserved. Apple, the Apple logo, iPhone and iPod are registered trademarks of Apple Computer in the U.S. and/or other countries.

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Iphone Ipod Touch Applications | PhotoList lets iPhone and iPod Touch users organize their photos

2009-05-09T00:42:00.000-07:00

Raisix’s PhotoList is an easy to use iPhone app for organizing and locating photos on the iPhone. The idea is to allow users to go a bit beyond iPhone/iPod Touch’s built in photo gallery application by including folders in the mix. Importing of all photos from the gallery is done with a touch of the button, making sure you’ll actually use PhotoList — rather than making it yet another icon on your iPhone’s homescreens.

But that’s not all. You can also rate your photos (1 to 5 stars) and then use that rating for sorting purposes. Furthermore, every image in the gallery can be labeled, and you can also import your images from Facebook and Flickr…

Sounds interesting? Prepare to pour out 2 bucks ($1.99) in order to grab PhotoList. AppStore link is here.

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How to import DVD to iTunes to play on iPod iPhone？

2009-05-08T00:40:00.000-07:00

This guide is designed to help you rip DVD and import DVD videos to iTunes for iPod or iPhone, so that you can watch your favorite DVD movies on your iPod/ iPhone as you like.

PRLog (Press Release) – May 04, 2009 – This guide is designed to help you rip DVD and import DVD videos to iTunes for iPod or iPhone, so that you can watch your favorite DVD movies on your iPod/ iPhone as you like.

This contains 3 parts:
1. How to rip DVD files into MP4/MOV/AAC formats for playback on iPhone/iPod?

2. How to make perfect video editing by cropping, trimming, effect adjusting and watermark designing?
3. How to import converted files to iPod/ iPhone?

Part 1: How to rip DVD files into MP4/MOV/AAC formats for playback on iPhone/iPod ?

Please download Daniusoft DVD ripper(http://www.convert-video-dvd.com/dvd-ripper.html#141), install and run it. It is one of the best DVD Converter, which can help you rip DVD to almost all video and audio formats. Then we can finish the conversion in 4 simple steps:

You can either click Add button to insert the files you want to convert，or easily drag & drop the DVD files into ‘Getting started’ table. You are allowed to load DVD Rom, DVD folders, ISO files or IFO files respectively.

Step 2: Customize output settings.
Click the "Convert to" drop-down menu to select the output format. You can choose WMV or AVI format. Also, you are allowed to customize the output parameters by clicking “Settings”

button .Then click the "Target Path" button to find the destination folder for saving output format, or the files will be saved as default. A regular DVD movie has multiple subtitles and audio tracks, and you can select the right one for you.

Step 3: Edit video files.(optional)
Click “Edit” button, you are allowed to make wonderful video editing by cropping, trimming, adjusting effect and editing watermark.

Step 4: Start conversion.
Click “Start” button on right bottom of the main interface, you are allowed to start conversion. All the tasks of conversion will be finished at fast speed and high output quality. You can view your converted files by press the browse button, or you can choose to turn off computer after conversion.

Part 2: How to make perfect video editing by cropping, trimming, effect adjusting and watermark designing?
Daniusoft DVD Ripper offers you powerful editing functions which allow you to crop, trim, adjust video effect, design watermark and customize output parameters.

Crop video size
If you want to get appropriate video size designed for your player, you can adjust video size by clicking "crop" after entering the edit page.

2. Adjust video effect
If you want to make special effect to your video, you can click "Effect" to adjust video effect.

3. Trim video clips
If you want to split your video into segment, you can click "Trim" to make trimming of video.

4. Design watermark
If you want to color your video by adding some text or image information as watermark, you can click "watermark" to realize it.

Part 3: How to import converted files to iPod/ iPhone?
After conversion, now we can import the converted files to iPod/ iPhone.

First, you need to launch iTunes, click File option on menu, and add your converted files to iTunes library. Then，connect your iPod/ iPhone to computer via USB cable, iTunes will detect your iPod/ iPhone. After that, click iTunes “File -> Sync iPod/ iPhone”, and the files will be transferred to your iPod/ iPhone from iTunes library. When updating completed, you will find the videos on you iPod/ iPhone.

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Ipod Iphone Applications | Sansa slotRadio Player Fights iPod With FM Capability And (Almost) Free Music

2009-05-07T00:39:00.000-07:00

Sansa tries to find an opening in the mp3 player market between the Shuffle and the Nano with a clip-on player that includes a small screen and 1,000 ‘free’ songs. But can the slotRadio Player hold a candle toApple? The simple answer is: maybe.

The folks at SanDisk sent me over one of their new Sansa slotRadio players with the suggestion that this might make a nice Mother’s Day gift. Throwing a non-Apple digital music player into this den of iPod worship takes some guts (Apple has infiltrated the household to the extent of 9 of Steve Jobs’ little jukeboxes kicking around here the last time I counted), but I’m always curious to see how the other guys are making out.

The slotRadio player is a curious device. Its form factor is clearly influenced by the second generation iPod Shuffle, particularly the fact that it’s aluminum and built around a clip, making it a wearable accessory. The packaging also gives a nod to Apple, with the product and accessories presented in a streamlined, colorful box with everything neatly nestled inside; although for some reason they wrap this whole pleasing bit up in one of those damnable plastic clamshells that ruins the whole effect. At an MSRP of $99.99, the slotRadio is priced higher than a 2G (or 3G) Shuffle and it’s also roughly double the size. However, it includes a rudimentary (small, black and white) display screen, allowing for basic graphics as well as useful information such as song titles and radio frequency to be shown. The FM capability is a nice feature, but that’s not the real draw on the slotRadio; what makes the price so enticing is the inclusion of a 1,000 song card with music from various Billboard genres organized into preselected playlists. Additional 1,000 song cards are sold at $39.99 each. If so inclined, you can play your own MP3 or WMA files on a MicroSD Card.

Any time you get music at $0.04 per song, you have to think that it’s likely to be a lot of crap: cover versions, B-Sides (and not the good ones that collectors covet) and a whole lot of Creed. I was pleasantly surprised to discover the “Alternative” playlist on the free card included recent offerings from the likes of The Bravery, The Fratellis and Beck- and the Rock playlist included The Who, Roxy Music, The Police and U2. These weren’t disposable filler songs either. Other genres/playlists on the included card are: Country, R&B/Hip Hop, Contemporary, Chillout and Workout. I had no use for most of the genres, but seldom found myself fumbling to skip past anything once I settled into Rock or Alternative. The one thing I really liked about this player was the radio, believe it or not; sometimes you just want to hear something different and not everyone wants to shell out extra for an iPod radio add-on. Battery life was reasonable as well, averaging around 10 hours for me (SanDisk claims 13 hours of slotRadio playback, but I was switching back and forth between playback and radio and fiddling with buttons that fired the display up and undoubtedly ate into batery life).

Ultimately, SanDisk may have accomplished what they set out to do with the slotRadio. For a casual music listener, it hits many of the key points without getting too fussy: lots of decent music already presorted into playlists, a reasonably small size with a convenient clip, a basic display that shows the essentials, serviceable ear buds, the ability to add more music via pre-loaded cards or via your computer and a MicroSD card (for the more adventurous) and the ability to listen to the radio. For a Mother’s Day gift, for example, it would probably do nicely -after all, you have a completely standalone music player with a radio, and no need to buy or download anything else.

Is the slotRadio going to take a bite out of Apple’s iPod sales? I have my doubts. It’s too big and chunky to appeal to fashionable Shuffle users (both 2G and 3G) and underwhelming compared to the capabilities of an ipod Nano -the two models it’s priced between. The preloaded songs aren’t transferable and a hookup to your stereo will confirm that we aren’t talking 256 kbps quality tracks; you can’t back them up either, so if the card is damaged, your library is gone. But this device may just pick up casual users who’ve been sitting on the fence and either don’t know how to rip their CDs (or vinyl) or don’t want to spend a fortune paying for downloads, not to mention the people who are just plain tired of Apple’s dominance. And as good as the iPod line-up is, we all know that competition is only going to make for better products all round.

The slotRadio beside a 2G iPod Shuffle.

Wired Reasonable Price (especially considering the included music card). Display shows just enough info. FM tuner
Tired Battery can’t be replaced. No replay button, only skip ahead capability. Bulky. No matter how musically forgiving, you’re going to end up with unwanted songs.

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Iphone Applications Ipod Touch Applications | Download Myst for iPhone, iPod touch

2009-05-06T00:36:00.000-07:00

Point-and-click adventure promises to become highly addictive on Apple handhelds

Cyan Worlds has released a complete version of the classic adventure game Myst, for iPhone and iPod touch. The hefty 730MB download promises to deliver the complete world of Myst, in all its original elegance, in the palm of your hand. The game is said to boast even better visuals than those in the original Myst.

On the iTunes App Store, the official description goes as follows:

Remember how the surrealistic island became your world? The note, the garden, the books, the pages, the brothers, the choices? Now Myst can become your world, no matter where in the world you are.

The original Myst sights and sounds have been meticulously re-assembled for a remarkable experience on the iPhone and iPod touch. Everything that you remember from the original Myst in a format where a simple touch or swipe moves you through the world

Welcome back to Myst... wherever you are!

Cyan Worlds mentions key features of Myst for iPhone and iPod touch, including:

• All the original Ages & gameplay;
• High-quality images (better than original Myst);
• Full music & sound effects;
• Original movies & animations;
• Auto-save (when quitting or phone call);
• “Bookmark” system to save & restore progress;
• Swipe to turn;
• Auto-zoom in certain close-up areas;
• Quick access to hint guide;
• Works with iPhone 3G, the original iPhone, and iPod touch.

The game's maker has also provided a hint guide that may jump-start the gamers' adventure. However, those who download Myst intending to make the most of their experience should use these hints with caution. According to the developer, “Myst is meant to be savored. Take your time and enjoy the journey. They don’t call these kind of things 'spoilers' for no reason – they can steal away a little satisfaction.”

The developer also urges iPhone and iPod touch owners to note that Myst for iPhone & iPod touch is a very large application, leading to longer download and syncing times. Also, because of the way the iPhone and iPod touch install apps, they will need to have about 1.5 gigs of free space to install Myst. As soon as the installation is complete, the extra space is given back as free (usable) space.

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Ipod Applications | Take iPod battery into your own hands

2009-05-05T00:34:00.000-07:00

The $165 million in bonuses dished out to AIG executives in March was a national-scale raw deal. Today, I return to a more palatable, personal-scale raw deal: the exorbitant price ($49 and up!) that Apple wants for replacing an iPod battery.

Apple has made replacing the battery either challenging, risky or impossible for most iPod owners. Return it, Apple says, and it’ll replace it with someone else’s returned iPod, newly freshened up and impregnated with a fresh battery. Apple charges anywhere from $49 for a Shuffle to $79 for a Touch.

For my old-time (first-generation) Nano, a measly 2 gigabytes and itself long since replaced by a Touch, investing $59 for a $2.85 battery didn’t make sense. So I bought a $2.85 (plus shipping) lithium-ion battery from Amazon.com and did it myself.

Apple didn’t make it easy. I had to pry open the Nano with two plastic tools that came with the battery and, when that failed, summon additional armament – the tip of a paring knife – to access the motherboard.

Then I needed a soldering iron to remove the old battery leads from the motherboard before securing the new battery.

Lost you at the soldering iron? Here’s the easy way out: Snip the other end of the three lead wires, close to the original battery, leaving the soldered ends in place. Strip some covering off the wires, then twist them together with the corresponding leads of the new battery. Wrap each in electrician’s tape, and the iPod’s reborn.

OK, let’s just say it can be done. Newer iPods are much more difficult (thank you, Mother Apple). For the Touch, don’t even think DIY. It’ll cost $79 if returned to Apple, but there are plenty of less-expensive options. Two: Juice Your iPod (ipodjuice.com) will do it for $32, RapidRepair (rapidrepair.com) for $50.

Better to think now about prolonging your iPod battery’s life before determining whether you can stomach a transplant. Here are some tips, most of them Apple-approved:

1. Use it or lose it. Do not leave an iPod dormant for months. That was my mistake with the Nano. Run the battery down, although not necessarily out, once a month to keep the little lithium ion happy.

2. Keep iTunes software up to date. If there’s new software, you’ll find it via iTunes when connecting the iPod to a computer with Internet access.

3. Use small audio files. The bigger ones (WAV, AIFF or Apple Lossless) sound much better when played through your home audio system, but they’re tough on the iPod’s battery-driven hard drive. The smaller audio files (MP3 or AAC) are less taxing on both the hard drive and the battery.

All songs purchased from the iTunes Store are smaller files. If you’re loading CDs onto your computer, set the file size in iTunes by going to Edit/Preferences/Import Settings. Hint: You can keep the larger, better-sounding files on your computer for your home audio system while creating MP3 versions for iPod use.

4. Switch the iPod into Hold mode. If you carry around an iPod in a pocket or purse, you could accidentally activate it and drain the battery.

5. Check the settings. If you don’t need something, turn it off. Backlighting while listening to music? Don’t need it. Deactivate the equalizer by setting it to “flat.” Turn off Sound Check.

7. Create iTunes playlists instead of using the iPod’s “shuffle” mode.

8. Don’t overuse the “next” and “previous” functions.

9. For the Touch, reduce the brightness setting. Turn off auto-brightness and “ask to join networks.” Turn off Wi-Fi when not in use, too. Use the sleep-wake button instead of on-off if you’ll return to the Touch soon. (Turning on the Touch uses more power than simply waking it.) Under “fetch new data,” which automatically imports e-mail, turn off “push” and set “fetch” to manual. Turn “fetch” mail to the manual setting.

10. Keep the iPod, and its battery, at room temperature when possible. Extreme cold, below freezing, will make the iPod sluggish. Extreme heat, above 95 degrees, could damage the battery.

Want to watch a double feature during a cross-country flight but fear your iPod won’t have enough juice? Try an external battery pack/charger. The Kensington Battery Pack and Charger for iPod (about $45) promises 21 hours of video and up to 100 hours of music.

With proper care, an iPod battery should last about 400 charges. Enjoy it while it lasts.

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Iphone Games | Xbox executive adds weight to Apple's gaming value

2009-05-05T00:33:00.000-07:00

Better games, better graphics... all heading for the iPhone. Image: chakote/Flickr.

While you might not instantly associate Apple with the cutthroat arena of videogames, the growing popularity of iPhone and iPod Touch software and some executive poaching from the ranks of Microsoft’s Xbox division might suggest the gadget specialist is looking to extend the gaming reach of its handheld platforms.

More pointedly, while its iPhone games continue to forge forward in the handheld market with more than 9,000 titles now available, Forbes reports that Cupertino-based Apple has this week plucked Richard Teversham away from Microsoft in order to bolster the strength of its steadily evolving team of graphics-chips specialists.

The acquisition of Teversham, a 15-year Microsoft veteran who most recently served with the Xbox division as the senior director for Insights and Strategy across territories including Europe, Middle East and Asia, follows on from Apple recently securing the services of AMD chief technologist Bob Drebin – who is perhaps best known for the creation of the Nintendo GameCube’s graphics processing unit (GPU).

According to Forbes, another indication that Apple is crewing up to focus its efforts on the gaming market is the official unveiling of former IBM chip designer Mark Papermaster, who will lead the company’s iPod business, while the company has also hired former AMD graphics chip design group CTO Raja Koduri.

Similarly, Apple paid some $378 million USD in 2008 for chip design outfit PA Semi, and also purchased a small percentage stake in UK-based Imagination, which duly enabled the licensing of its PowerVR graphics technology.

The Tech Herald: Apple iPhone gets its game on

The Tech Herald: Apple pulls 'digusting' Baby Shaker application

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Apple App Store Hits 1 Billion Downloads, Rewards 13-Year-Old

2009-04-30T21:26:00.000-07:00

Last week Apple announced that its iPhone and iPod Touch App Store had delivered its one-billionth application. The recipient of that application and winner of Apple's one billion app countdown contest, 13-year-old Connor Mulcahey of Weston, Conn., was announced shortly thereafter. Mulcahey will receive a MacBook Pro, a $10,000 iTunes gift card, an iPod touch and a Time Capsule backup device.

The store reached the milestone after nine months of operation. The billionth application downloaded was Bump, which allows users to exchange information from one iPhone or iPod touch to another by bumping hands while holding the devices.

AppReview Helps Customers Find The BEST iPhone® and iPod Touch® Apps

2009-04-29T21:24:00.000-07:00

SALT LAKE CITY--(BUSINESS WIRE)--As the number of available apps for the iPhone and iPod Touch continues to climb, users and developers are finding it a challenge to connect the right user with the BEST applications. A newly approved application called AppReview can help both.

AppReview is a website (appreview.com) and a free-of-charge iPhone and iPod Touch application available from the Apple iTunes App Store. AppReview provides the following features and benefits to iPhone and iPod Touch users:

Over 16,000 hands-on app reviews: AppReview’s dedicated application review team has created one of the largest databases of app reviews available, with up-to-date reviews for more than half of all apps currently available in the App Store.
Refined Sub-Categories: The AppReview tool provides the ability to group apps into a higher-level of refinement, which include sub-categories to the Apple-provided categories. By grouping applications into smaller groupings—customers can more easily make decisions on which application best suits their needs. 100 percent of applications are reviewed and placed in a specific subcategory.
App Features: 100 percent of applications undergo an initial THUMBS-UP/DOWN test to determine if the application feature claims are represented accurately or if the application worked as designed during the testing process. Relative to the number of apps available very few receive a THUMBS-DOWN rating.
App Comparison: In this phase, an application is rigorously tested to determine how it performs relative to others in the same subcategory. This process produces an independent analysis that suggests which apps offer the BEST solution as-well as those which are BETTER than most, and even the apps that offer GOOD value. To date, AppReview has completed this process for more-than half of the 30,000+ applications which have been approved for distribution through the App Store.
Shopping List: To enable a consumer to make multiple purchase decisions, AppReview has delivered a shopping list right on the iPhone as a temporary holding place for apps that customers intend to download eventually. This feature is particularly valuable for quickly provisioning a completely new iPhone or iPod Touch with multiple apps.
Developer-friendly: In the ever-changing environment around available apps, we recognize the possibility that an app may evolve faster than a follow-up review falls in the review cycle. Developers have the option of requesting a priority re-review of their application(s) or adding additional promotional material including videos. AppReview will continue to diligently guard the independent review process to ensure that the consumer receives an unbiased evaluation in making their app purchase decisions.

“It doesn’t take much imagination to see the problem that iPhone and iPod Touch users and even app developers are now experiencing,” says Curtis Tirrell, AppReview CEO. “I cannot anticipate that any user could realistically evaluate 30,000 apps today, much less 100,000 by the end of the year. Customers need a tool that will help them filter their search to the best, right app.”

"We were pleased to see that i.TV was featured by AppReview and feel an application like this is a plus for developers and end users," said Justin Whittaker, vice president of marketing at i.TV. "With so many applications out there, it is as difficult for applications to get noticed as it is for people to find new applications and AppReview solves this problem."

About AppReview, LLC

Founded in 2008, AppReview was conceived as a solution to reconcile the growing number of iPhone and iPod Touch applications available through the Apple App store. The solution was designed to make the user experience more effective both on the iPhone and iPod Touch or online in assisting in finding the best possible apps. For more information or to review the list of BEST applications, please visit http://www.appreview.com/ or through the AppReview app available through the Apple iTunes App Store. Follow AppReview on Twitter: http://twitter.com/apprevieweditor/

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WiBro Enabled on iPod Touch, Nintendo DS

2009-04-28T21:22:00.000-07:00

KT will market a portable gateway, dubbed ”Egg,” which will enable WiBro on Wi-Fi devices such as iPod Touch and Nintendo DS. / Korea Times

By Kim Tong-hyung
Staff Reporter

The backers of WiBro tout the wireless technology as ``Wi-Fi on steroids.'' Consumers will now be able to test the claim for themselves, with the country's biggest WiBRo operator, in desperation to gather more subscribers, introducing a portable gateway that enables WiBro on Wi-Fi devices such as laptop computers, portable media players and game machines.

KT, the country's largest telephone company and Internet operator, said that its wireless gateway, ``Egg,'' will hit the shelves at electronic stores later this month.

The device will allow WiBro connectivity in products with Wi-Fi capability, such as Apple's iPod Touch multimedia players, the Nintendo DS handheld game consoles, and a wide range of laptop computers and other mobile Internet devices.

Egg will come with a 220,000 won (about $163) price tag, although subscribers to KT's monthly 27,000 won flat-rate plan, which provides an allowance of 50 gigabytes in data use, get the machines free of charge.

The device will also be sold at Apple's major retail stores in Samseong-dong and Myeong-dong, Seoul, starting in May, KT officials said.

``We believe that Egg will offer our WiBro services to more customers, as it had been only compatible with a limited number of terminals for laptops and phones,'' said Kang Kuk-hyun, who heads KT's WiBro business.

WiBro, a local variant of mobile WiMAX, provides faster data rates than third-generation (3G) services, with download speeds of around 37 megabytes per second and upload speeds of 8 megabytes per second.

However, in one of the world's most wired nations, WiBro has struggled to gain traction. KT has spent more than 730 billion won on its WiBro business since its commercial launch in 2006, but has little to show for it. SK Telecom, the mobile telephony king and the country's other WiBro operator, has it even worse.

The two companies have just 170,000 customers in total and a hair above 25 billion won in revenue for their WiBro services, making a mockery of government predictions of 1.4 million subscribers and 290 billion won in sales by 2008.

thkim@koreatimes.co.kr

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IPod Touch, IPhone Sales Total 37 Million Units

2009-04-27T21:18:00.000-07:00

In a question and answer session with financial analysts during Wednesday's second quarter earnings call, Apple COO Tim Cook revealed that iPod touch sales have "more than doubled year over year." Combined, iPhone and iPod touch sales total about 37 million units.

Cook called that combined number an "enormous platform for developers," adding that with the recent changes introduced with Apple's iPhone 3.0 SDK, which went beta in March and is expected to be released to customers this summer, Apple and its development partners will soon "unleash a whole new level of innovation that keeps Apple years ahead of everyone else."

In a later question, Cook again referred to the iPod touch, calling it "a runaway hit" whose success is "clearly driven by the App Store." To that end, Apple CFO Peter Oppenheimer indicated that one of the reasons the iPod touch has been so successful is as a games device.

"All genres [on the App Store] are very popular," said Oppenheimer, "but games are quite popular. That's one of the reasons the iPod touch has been such a success."

Overall, Apple continues to steamroll the competition when it comes to marketshare for digital music players. A recent report from NPD shows that Apple maintains more than 70 percent of the market in the United States alone, and continues to gain share in worldwide markets year-over-year.

In his preamble, Oppenheimer said the App Store now totals more than 35,000 applications.

Cook said that Apple expects to sell its one billionth application on the App Store sometime on Thursday, April 23rd -- only nine months after the store first went online to sell software to iPhone and iPod touch users.

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Deal: Apple iPod touch 1G Refurb - Starting at $159

2009-04-26T21:25:00.000-07:00

Written by Christopher Price on April 24, 2009
Apple, Wi-Fi

Apple is selling their refurbished original iPod touch units at a bargain price. The 8GB iPod touch sells for just $159 on their store.

Why is this on PhoneNews.com? Well, we’ve been at the forefront of the iPod touch revolution. Using a Wi-Fi slinging smartphone, you can feed any iPod touch 3G connectivity… and have a setup that balances open apps on your phone, with Apple’s beautiful, walled garden.

In short, you get a phone that can do what you want it to do, combined with a PDA that has the best web surfing and email ever built. And, at $159, it’s the lowest price ever to get you access to the App Store.

Apple Recertified products carry a full one year “as new” warranty, and are elegible for a second year of warranty coverage with the $59 AppleCare Protection Plan.

Apple iPod touch 1G Refurbished - 8GB for $159
Apple iPod touch 1G Refurbished - 16GB for $219

Apple iPod touch 2G Refurbished - 8 GB for $199
Apple iPod touch 2G Refurbished - 8 GB for $259
Apple iPod touch 2G Refurbished - 8 GB for $349

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iPod dock + HDD media player kit = Movie Cowboy Box

2009-04-26T21:23:00.000-07:00

Japan-based Digital Cowboy today announced the Movie CowBoy DC-MC35ULI [JP], a device serving as an iPod dock and an HDD media player that’s compatible with 3.5-inch SATA HDDs (sold separately). Users wanting to watch movies from their hard disc can directly connect the box-like Movie CowBoy with their TV via HDMI.

The device neither supports the iPhone nor the iPod touch but any other iPod. It can play MPEG2 HD/DivX HD/XviD HD/MPEG-1/2/DivX/ and XviD video files. Videos can be watched in full HD (1080i). Audio formats supported include MP3/WMA/AAC/OGG/WAV/AC3, and DTS.

The device comes with a USB port and Ethernet so you can easily access YouTube, MS Live and Google’s picture service Picasa without switching on your PC. It’s sized at 225×59×200mm (weight: 850g).

As the Movie CowBoy is Japan-only, I suggest contacting the Japan Trend Shop, Gizmine, Geek Stuff 4 U or Rinkya if you are interested in buying it. It costs $250 in Japan (on sale early May).

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Update: Apple Hits 1 Billion App Store Downloads

2009-04-26T21:17:00.000-07:00

Daniel Ionescu, PC World

Apr 24, 2009 7:15 pm

Apple's App Store for iPhone and iPod Touch has served its one-billionth application, only nine months after the store opened. Last night Apple celebrated the milestone on its Web site, thanking customers for their support. The lucky App Store patron who downloaded the one billionth app will win a barrel of Apple loot from company. Apple also took the opportunity to brag about its success in the mobile ad marketplace and for driving massive amount of mobile Net traffic.

Apple started the official countdown two weeks ago to its one billionth app served. The company hasn't announced who downloaded the billionth app yet. That person will win $10,000 in iTunes credit, a 17-inch MacBook Pro, a 32GB iPod touch, and an Apple Time Capsule.

UPDATE: Apple just revealed that the winner of its billion app download contest is Connor Mulcahey from Weston, Connecticut. The 13 year-old downloaded the billionth app called Bump, a tool for swapping information such as contact details and photos.

More than 37 million devices are running Apple's mobile operating system: more than 21 million iPhones and more than 15 million iPod touches (with some 35,000 apps available in the store) according to the company. Besides driving the success of the App Store, these devices also helped Apple control 50 percent of the mobile ad market and drive the most mobile OS Internet traffic in the U.S., according to the latest market reports.

AdMob's research shows that the iPhone and iPod touch serve around 50 percent of the mobile ad requests in the U.S., followed by Research In Motion with 22 percent and Windows Mobile with 11 percent. Worldwide, Apple's handsets go neck-to-neck with Nokia's when it comes to traffic generated by smartphones. AdMob's data shows that Apple's devices drive the most traffic world wide, counting in at 38 percent.

However, despite its overall success, Apple's App store is not flawless. This week the company has come under criticism after releasing and the retracting an application which was considered by many offensive and unethical (read full story). Apple's selection process for application approval in its store also has a history of banned applications, leaving many developers unhappy with the company's decisions.

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High-Def Movies for Sale on iTunes

2009-04-01T04:59:00.000-07:00

Watch out, Blu-ray: Apple is now offering high definition movies for sale—including the big-buzz “Twilight”—to iTunes subscribers for $19.99.

The download also includes a standard definition copy for viewing on an iPod or iPhone. And the HD versions can be rented for $4.99, Apple says, within a month of release.

Apple has been offering HD television shows since last year, and now takes a seat on the bench of an HD-movie bandwagon already occupied by Netflix and Blockbuster. The iTunes Store currently has 40,000 TV episodes, and about 5,000 movies, including 1,200 in high-definition (it’s also been reported that Amazon is planning to sell HD TV shows from its website for $3 an episode–the same price that Apple charges).

ITunes customers can pre-order the James Bond extravaganza “Quantum of Solace” for download on Tuesday, and HD titles like “Transporter 3” and “Punisher: War Zone” right away. The selection is on display here. You’ll need to be running iTunes version 8.1 or later to acquire HD content, Apple says.

And you’ll need patience for movie gratification via iTunes. The standard version of “Quantum” comes in at 1.55 gigabytes, while the HD capture is a whopping 3.37 gigs. Plan a nap while waiting for the download.

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iPod Touch generates more traffic than most phones

2009-03-31T04:58:00.000-07:00

Apple's mobile-device user interface has made it so much easier to access the Internet compared to other mobile devices that its iPod Touch, which isn't even a mobile phone, beats out all mobile phones except the iPhone in terms of volume of Internet access, according to data released by AdMob.

The iPod Touch doesn't have a cellular connection, but users can access the Internet via Wi-Fi. It generated 6.7 percent of mobile traffic for AdMob in February. That's less than the 11.2 percent traffic generated from the iPhone, but more than any other mobile phone. Motorola's Razr came in third place, with 2.9 percent of AdMob's traffic.

AdMob hosts a mobile advertising network. Each time a mobile user opens a Web page that is part of the network, AdMob records that hit. It serves ads on 6,000 mobile Web sites and 1,000 applications around the world.

AdMob discovered some other interesting trends. Smartphones continue to generate more mobile Internet access than regular phones. Over six months, despite the economic downturn, smartphones increased their share of mobile Internet access from 26 percent to 33 percent in February, AdMob reported.

AdMob defines a smartphone as a device that runs a complete operating system, such as Symbian, Windows Mobile or Android.

Worldwide, the iPhone accounted for 33 percent of smartphone requests to AdMob in February, but Symbian was still in first place by operating system. Symbian phones generated 43 percent market share.

By individual device, the Nokia N70 came in second place among smartphones, with 7.1 percent of requests. Windows Mobile phones didn't make it into the top 10 smartphones, which was otherwise split among Research In Motion and Nokia, with the Palm Centro at number nine with 2.6 percent of the traffic.

In the U.S. the results were, predictably, different. Nokia didn't make it into the top 10 smartphones accessing AdMob's network. The iPhone generated 49.5 percent of traffic in the U.S. for AdMob, followed by the BlackBerry Curve, the BlackBerry Pearl and the Palm Centro. The Android phone came in fifth place, with 5.2 percent of the traffic.

Windows Mobile made it into the ranking in the U.S., with the Samsung Blackjack II generating 1.6 percent of traffic, placing it eighth among devices. The HTC Touch, which also runs Windows Mobile, came in ninth place with 1 percent of traffic for AdMob.

AdMob did not count the iPod Touch in those results since it does not categorize it as a smartphone because it doesn't have phone capabilities. AdMob did include the iPod Touch, however, in its overall list of handsets that included smartphones and regular phones like the Razr.

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iPod shuffle review: where we're going, we don't need clicks

2009-03-30T04:56:00.000-07:00

The third-generation iPod shuffle has caused quite a stir thanks to its lack of buttons and the inclusion of a proprietary headphone controller chip. At the same time, Apple fans are loving the even-sleeker music player. Ars takes a look in its latest review to see whether the pros are worth the cons.

The third-generation iPod shuffle is here, and not a soul saw it coming. (These days, that's a rarity.) Apple's new buttonless wonder has been making waves and ruffling feathers in the days since its introduction, so we took some time with it to really see whether the hype—and the hate—was warranted.

Unlike the 2G shuffle, which came in a variety of colors, the third-gen iPod shuffle now comes in only two "colors" (if you can even call them that)—black and silver. This is sure to disappoint color enthusiasts and parents who love giving shuffles as stocking stuffers, but we wouldn't be surprised to see colors return to the shuffle line in time. More importantly, however, the new shuffle now comes with 4GB of storage space for the same price ($79) as the 2G shuffle's 1GB. That's half of an iPhone 3G, or a low-end 4G iPod nano.

What your $79 gets you

The 3G iPod shuffle comes in a square plastic box designed along the same lines as the packaging for other iPods.

The shuffle and headphone clicker are suspended front and center, while the USB 2.0 cable, remainder of the headphones, and a small instruction booklet are nestled underneath.

Compared to the previous shuffle...

Compared to the previous shuffle, the new version obviously has no buttons, which is its main selling point, of course. We'll elaborate on this further into the review. Other than the lack of buttons, the new shuffle is also smaller and more stick-like, though it's still much tinier than the original gum-pack-sized shuffle. It's just a hair thinner than the second-gen shuffle (0.3" thick versus the 2G's 0.41").

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AvatarLabs Announces Launch of App for iPhone and iPod Touch Based on DreamWorks Animation SKG Release 'Monsters vs. Aliens'

2009-03-29T04:55:00.000-07:00

LOS ANGELES, March 24, 2009 /PRNewswire via COMTEX/ ----AvatarLabs, one of Hollywood's leading online marketing agencies, specializing in the creation of online rich media, sites and original branded digital content, announced today the U.S. launch of the "Monsters vs. Aliens" iPhone and iPod Touch application on Apple's App Store in support of the upcoming theatrical release from DreamWorks Animation SKG, Inc. (Nasdaq: DWA). Rex Cook, Executive Creative Director/Founder, AvatarLabs, made the announcement.

(Photo: http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20090324/LA87507)

There are two versions of the app available now on the Apple App Store. The LITE version is a free download that allows users to learn more about the film, watch videos, view downloadable film stills and find show times at nearby theaters. There is also a special interactive sneak peek of one of the film's Monsters: B.O.B., the indestructible gelatinous mass hidden from the public eye by the government.

"'B.O.B.' is one of our favorite characters from the film," says Mr. Cook, "so we jumped at the chance to feature him in the app. He's funny and gelatinous, which makes him exciting to animate, and perfect to play with for kids of all ages."

Users can also purchase the FULL app to receive a B.O.B. Bundle suite of activities, including:

   --  A soundboard with over 30 B.O.B. Blurbs
--  More ways to play with B.O.B. - from swiping and poking to
"eye-popping" experiences
--  Containment Center-tainment featuring "B.O.B. Says" and
"Monster Match" (with unique character cards and additional
B.O.B. sound clips) and 4 levels of B.O.B.'s favorite game:
"52 Pickup"

The B.O.B. apps are designed to take advantage of Apple's innovative Multi-Touch user interface and accelerometer, including tapping, tilting and shaking the device.

The free "MONSTERS VS. ALIENS" B.O.B. app and the "MONSTERS VS. ALIENS" B.O.B. Bundle for sale at $1.99 are both available from Apple's App Store on iPhone and iPod touch or at http://www.apple.com/iphone/appstore/

Loving the iPod shuffle

2009-03-28T04:54:00.000-07:00

I don’t know if I’ve ever received so many e-mails and phone calls as I did on the morning Apple released the third-generation iPod shuffle. Friends and readers were all wondering what Apple was thinking releasing an iPod with no buttons. While I was surprised with the buttonless iPod, I decided to hold my judgement until I actually used one.

Once I had the iPod shuffle in my hands, I had the normal reaction when you see one of Apple’s new products for the first time—wow. It was so small, but it could hold so much music. However, I found the reaction of my family similar to those e-mails I referred to—where are the buttons?

I am an avid shuffle user and have been since the day Apple released the very first shuffle. I have always loved the compact size for those times when I’m on the go. That is the key, right there.

I have several iPods, and I use them all at different times, depending on what I’m doing. When I travel, I usually take two or three with me. My iPod classic is the workhorse that holds all my music; my nano is on a lanyard that I use on the plane and for long days at trade shows; and the shuffle is for short jaunts or walks.

More on the shuffle: Read Christopher Breen’s review of the new shuffle and Jason Snell’s video tour of the music player.

Whenever someone asks me what kind of iPod they should buy, I always ask them what they are going to use it for. That will determine my recommendation. If they want to play video, an iPod shuffle probably isn’t the right choice.

Some people I’ve spoken with say that they currently use an iPod nano and can’t see how they could ever use a shuffle. Okay, then the shuffle isn’t for you—move on.

I walk my dog everyday (OK, when it’s freezing cold, my wife walks the dog) and that’s when I use my shuffle. My shuffle has a very specific use in my life, and it fits that job very well.

I don’t want to be on my walk continually changing songs and looking at my iPod. I want to put it on, tuck it inside my jacket and not look at it again until I get back home.

That’s easy enough to do, especially with the new model. I make different playlists based on the type of music I want to listen to while on the walk and then go. Very simple.

The lack of buttons hasn’t hindered my use or fondness for the shuffle. As a matter of fact, with the controls on the earphones, I don’t notice the iPod much at all.

Isn’t that the way it should be? The last thing I want to do is constantly fumble around with my iPod while on a walk. Any iPod. I want to enjoy a few songs, play with the dog a bit, and then go back home.

Ready to go for a walk?

I thought the controls on the shuffle may be a bit confusing, but I went through them once sitting in the living room and I was good to go.

One legitimate concern I have heard is that the Apple earphones don’t work for everyone, but that’s being looked after, too. Several companies are coming out with earphones that will work with the new shuffle, so you’ll be able to control it just as if you were using the stock earphones from Apple.

I have playlists for Ozzy Osbourne, Black Stone Cherry and Velvet Revolver on my new shuffle, so I can let it pick some songs for me, or I can be more particular and choose the playlist I want to use. With VoiceOver and the controls on the earphones, this is really simple to do on the fly.

Choosing an iPod, especially the right iPod, is a very personal choice. You should put as much thought into that as you would choosing what music you’re going to buy to put on it.

For me, the iPod shuffle is perfect in every way. The controls are easy; it’s very small and tucks away nicely; and features like VoiceOver means that I can listen to what I want, when I want.

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It's an iPod World

2009-03-27T04:52:00.000-07:00

The transition is complete. My formerly heterogeneous home MP3 environment has transformed into a one-company, one-brand house. Everyone is using Apple iPods. If my home is a microcosm of the market, the MP3 industry has a major problem.

It wasn't always this way at my house. For a time my wife had an off-brand portable, exercise-friendly device. Then I bought her an iPod shuffle (no, not the new, buttonless one). Both my son and daughter had SanDisk Sansa e200s—nice, shiny 2GB models that handled music, video (sort of), and photos. The Sansas also had FM radios, which my kids almost never listened to. For the most part, they used the Sansas to download music from Real's Rhapsody service. For a while, my kids were happy. In fact, when one of the Sansas was stolen, we even replaced it with a similar model. Still, it was hard for the kids to ignore the Apple iPod marketing that was happening all around them. It didn't help that their experience with Real Rhapsody was more than a little frustrating. Music would inexplicably become unplayable on both players. Updating licenses within Rhapsody didn't help.

My son, 14, began his campaign for an iPod touch late last summer. Keep in mind that he never mentioned any player from any other manufacturer. He got the touch for Christmas and has rarely spent 5 minutes straight without it. Last year, my daughter started saving money for a PlayStation Portable. Since she's not much of a gamer, my wife and I never understood this. After seeing my son with his iPod touch and getting a look at some of the ads for the fourth-generation iPod nano, she switched gears. Last week, she took her savings and bought a bright, shiny, pink one. Like her brother, she's never without it.

During the years the kids had their Sansas, there were times of extreme gadget adoration, but they never lasted. It's different with the Apple iPods. In my son's case, I fear he may have glued the iPod touch to his hand. Interestingly, the other day he commented, "No one wants a Zune." He then asked me, "Does anyone buy them?" Yes, some people are buying Zunes, but they've clearly become more of a punch line than a viable product. Witness this exchange from the NBC espionage comedy Chuck:

"Chuck: Do we carry any Rush CDs in the store?
Morgan: No need, I got 'em all on my Zune.
Chuck: You have a Zune!?
Morgan: Heh, are you kidding me? No. No, I'll grab my iPod."

Ouch. I hope Bill Gates, who has said he won't let his kids have iPods in the home, wasn't a fan of that show.

The Zune is a quality—if uninspiring—player, but I don't see a lot of kids saving their money to buy one. This isn't necessarily Microsoft's fault. It seems that no one has successfully taken on the iPod. Look at SanDisk's Sansa division. Earlier this year it introduced the Sansa slotRadio player, which uses microSD cards. These retro devices are targeted at people who think iPods—and similar devices—are too complicated and would prefer to buy discrete song collections and albums—the way they did in the old days. SanDisk execs told me they were done trying to compete directly with Apple's iPods.

That said, is anyone really still competing with iPods? Colby, Cowon, Samsung, Sony, and others are still producing MP3 players, but I rarely see them in the wild. Honestly, not one of these products is as sexy, exciting, or innovative as the iPod touch. The touch, however, was not the game changer. In my opinion, the reason the MP3 market is on its way to becoming a one-man show is the iPhone.

Apple's iPhone is the single best combo phone/MP3 player. If you're buying a new phone, it's on your short list—it's on everybody's short list. For the majority of consumers, once they have an iPhone, there's no real need to buy a separate MP3 player. The iPhone is the gateway for Apple's music, video, apps, and iTunes ecosystem. Once consumers step in, they find the most extensible device and environment they've ever seen. Does any other product offer a similar experience?

I'm not saying an Apple monopoly of the MP3 market is a good thing, but it is a real possibility. More and more MP3 manufacturers are likely to bow out of the business. As I've said before, the Microsoft Zune will no longer be a standalone player. It will live as a feature in future Windows Mobile devices. I can't see much of a future for the Zune Marketplace, either.

Speaking of Zune Marketplace, software products and services of this ilk haven't done themselves any favors. For all the complaints I've heard (and myself have) about iTunes, it's still far better than Marketplace, Rhapsody, and essentially any other music utility software available today. Because it's designed for the iPod, it is a perfect marriage. Rhapsody is designed to support a huge list of devices and is expert in none.

My own iPod story is bound to be replayed over and over again in homes around the country. Take a look around you. How many music players aside from iPods (of all stripes) and iPhones do you see?

Full Apple Product Coverage
http://go.pcmag.com/apple

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Apple hit with lawsuit over iPhone as e-book reader

2009-03-26T04:51:00.000-07:00

There's some speculation that the Kindle for iPhone app may have sparked the lawsuit.

(Credit: CNET)

Earlier this month Apple got hit with a lawsuit over an "exploding" iPod Touch. Now it appears to be getting hit with a suit over the exploding e-book market.

A couple of blogs, including Apple Insider, are reporting that a Swiss communications firm, Monec Holding, has filed suit in a Virginia district court. Monec accuses the iPhone maker of "patent infringement, unfair trade practices, monopolization, and tortious interference for allegedly treading on its January 2002 patent No. 6,335,678 titled 'Electronic device, preferably an electronic book.'"

We've never heard of Monec, but the mission statement on its rather austere Web site claims it's "a leading innovator for mobile, globally usable communication solutions...with user-friendly products and pioneering solutions, Monec provides companies and users with secure, wireless access solutions which offer highest degree of flexibility, functionality, speed and independence."

Apparently, last year Monec also sued HP for patent infringement.

Apple Insider says Monec's beef centers on "Apple's move to distribute digital book reading applications through the App Store, which it subsequently sees as an endorsement by the Cupertino-based company that its touch-screen handset can serve as a capable eBook reader."

According to Monec, that violates a patent it filed for a "lightweight" electronic device with a "touch-screen" LCD display having the "dimensions such that (...) approximately one page of a book can be illustrated at normal size, this display being integrated in a flat, frame-like housing."

It's unclear what exactly set off the lawsuit but there's some speculation that it may have been prompted by Amazon's Kindle for iPhone e-book reader software appearing in Apple's App Store--even though Apple has had other e-book reader applications in the App Store for a while.

Apple had no comment about the lawsuit. How about you?

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iPod man will keep president tuned in

2009-03-25T05:01:00.001-07:00

BARACK Obama will be accompanied by his personal "body man" when he comes to London next week.

Reggie Love, the 26-year-old who does everything from getting the President sandwiches to loading his iPod will be at his elbow for virtually every minute of his three-day visit for the G20 summit.

The former university basketball star carries a bag which includes anything the president might need at short notice, including note pads, painkillers, a spare toothbrush, cold medication and breath freshener.

Mr Obama describes him as "the person who keeps me on schedule" and gave Mr Love the title "deputy political director" when he joined the White House staff after shadowing him throughout his election campaign

Also watching Mr Obama's every step will be the armed secret service bodyguards assigned to protect "Renegade", his code name. Twelve agents will accompany him on the plane, working eight-hour shifts to provide around-the-clock security.

More security personnel are already in London discussing his protection with Scotland Yard. They were said today to have vetoed a plan for Sarah Brown to entertain Michelle Obama on the Royal Train with the wives of the other G20 leaders.

Mr Obama's aides have spent several months planning the trip. Even though the president is here for the G20 economic summit it has all the trappings of a formal state visit.

The First Lady will have a team of eight accompanying her. They include a press officer and secretarial support as well as bodyguards.

Mr Obama will have at least 20 people in his close entourage. The most visible will be a military officer carrying the secret codes needed in the event of a nuclear crisis in a briefcase known as "the football".

The retinue on the flight to Stansted will also include his press secretary Robert Gibbs, Chief of Staff Rahm Emanuel, several assistants and his doctor.

The President will also be accompanied by his key economic and policy advisers for the G20 summit - including Secretary of State Hillary Clinton, Larry Summers, the head of the National Economic Council, and Christina Romer, chairman of the Council of Economic Advisers.

source

$50 million iPod ponzi schemer earns a 17 year prison sentence

2009-03-25T05:00:00.000-07:00

Coming right on the heels of another high profile iPod-related scam, we bring you more news of someone using the good name of Apple for nefarious means.

Miami-based businessman Andres Pimstein managed to orchestrate a $50 million iPod investment scam on the University of Miami campus starting back in 2005.

His fraudulent business venture involved purchasing iPods at wholesale prices and purportedly reselling them at higher than market prices to a department store chain in Pimstein's native Chile. In reality, he was pulling a Madoff; enticing investors with promises of annual returns of up to 36 percent, while pocketing their money and paying their returns with money from other investors.

Pimstein pleaded guilty to a dozen wire-fraud counts in December and, along with a hefty 17 year prison sentence handed down by a federal judge on Friday, he must also turn over 5,540 of the iPods and an investment account totaling $138,522. Of course, this amount pales in comparison to the combined $40 million lost by at least 146 of the scheme's investors.

And so justice is served, and yet another Apple-abusing criminal is behind bars.

[via Cult of Mac]

source

EA SCRABBLE Now Available on iPhone and iPod Touch With Facebook Connect

2009-03-25T04:50:00.000-07:00

LOS ANGELES, Mar 24, 2009 (BUSINESS WIRE) ----EA Mobile(TM), a division of Electronic Arts Inc. (NASDAQ:ERTS), today announced that SCRABBLE on Apple's App Store now supports Facebook(R) Connect. The new edition of SCRABBLE connects the Facebook SCRABBLE application to a SCRABBLE game on iPhone(TM) and iPod(R) touch - or vice versa - allowing fans in the U.S. and Canada to have access to their favorite Hasbro-branded crossword puzzle game any time, any place.

"We're excited to be one of the first companies to bring this popular game to two of the most prolific platforms in recent years, the iPhone and Facebook," said Travis Boatman, Vice President of Worldwide Studios, EA Mobile. "With this new innovation, we're giving players the opportunity to engage in SCRABBLE games from an iPhone, iPod touch or Facebook seamlessly, whether at home, during work or on the road."

This connected version of SCRABBLE provides an intuitive interface that allows head-to-head challenges with family, friends or anyone accessing the game on Facebook, an iPhone or iPod touch. Start on Facebook and switch to iPhone or iPod touch to keep playing on the go. Connect with a Facebook friend from an iPhone or iPod touch or join a public game on Facebook. With easy tracking of scores and statistics, players always know where they rank against competitors. While playing SCRABBLE, gamers can enjoy built-in chat so they can converse with opponents and friends throughout the game. Players can also get help from in-game dictionaries.

"The 'pick up and go' integration between Facebook, iPhone and iPod touch allows SCRABBLE fans to truly stay connected to the game they love to play," said Mark Blecher, General Manager of Digital Gaming and Media at Hasbro. "It is a great example of how technology is opening new and exciting channels of gameplay for one of the most popular board games in North America."

SCRABBLE is available on Apple's App Store on iPhone and iPod touch or at www.itunes.com/appstore, and on Facebook for users in the U.S. and Canada, or by simply visiting www.eamobile.com. Customers who currently own SCRABBLE for the iPhone and iPod touch can download the update for free on their device. For information on pricing for all EA Mobile games, please visit www.eamobile.com.

About Scrabble

A family favorite since 1948, the Scrabble Brand Crossword game has sold has sold more than 100 million sets worldwide since its debut 60 years ago. Today there are between one and two million Scrabble games sold each year in North America and it can be found in one out of every three homes in America. The latest version, Scrabble: Diamond Anniversary Edition was released in 2008 in celebration of the game's ongoing popularity for the past six decades. Through an alliance forged between Hasbro and Electronic Arts (EA), Scrabble has also landed on digital gaming platforms including mobile phones, iPhone, iPod, iPod touch, Facebook and Pogo.com, EA's popular online gaming destination. Additionally, The National Scrabble Association sanctions more than 250 Scrabble tournaments and 300 Scrabble clubs in the United States and Canada.

About Hasbro

Hasbro (NYSE:HAS) is a worldwide leader in children's and family leisure time entertainment products and services, including the design, manufacture and marketing of games and toys ranging from traditional to high-tech. Both internationally and in the U.S., its PLAYSKOOL, TONKA, MILTON BRADLEY, PARKER BROTHERS, TIGER, CRANIUM and WIZARDS OF THE COAST brands and products provide the highest quality and most recognizable play experiences in the world. (C)2009 Hasbro, Inc. All Rights Reserved.

About EA Mobile

EA Mobile(TM) is the world's leading wireless entertainment publisher with award-winning games such as Tetris(R), Bejeweled(R), The Sims(TM), and Need For Speed(TM). The EA Mobile portfolio also includes casual games based on the company's partnership with Hasbro, Inc. including MONOPOLY, YAHTZEE and SCRABBLE (in the U.S. and Canada) as well as sports blockbusters from the EA SPORTS(TM) brand, including Madden NFL Football, FIFA Soccer and NASCAR(R). EA Mobile develops games for multiple mobile platforms including mobile phones, smartphones, the iPhone(TM) and iPod(R). For more information about EA Mobile, please visit www.eamobile.com.

About Electronic Arts

Electronic Arts Inc. (EA), headquartered in Redwood City, California, is the world's leading interactive entertainment software company. Founded in 1982, the company develops, publishes, and distributes interactive software worldwide for video game systems, personal computers, cellular handsets and the Internet. Electronic Arts markets its products under four brand names: EA SPORTS(TM), EA(TM), EA SPORTS Freestyle(TM) and POGO(TM). In fiscal 2008, EA posted GAAP net revenue of $3.67 billion and had 27 titles that sold more than one million copies. EA's homepage and online game site is www.ea.com. More information about EA's products and full text of press releases can be found on the Internet at http://info.ea.com.

EA, EA SPORTS, EA SPORTS Freestyle, EA Mobile, POGO, Need for Speed, and The Sims are trademarks or registered trademarks of Electronic Arts Inc. in the U.S. and/or other countries. John Madden, NFL, FIFA and NASCAR are the property of their respective owners and used with permission. Tetris is a registered trademark of Tetris Holding, LLC. Bejeweled is a registered trademark of PopCap Games, Inc. MONOPOLY, YAHTZEE and SCRABBLE (in the U.S. and Canada) are trademarks of Hasbro and are used with permission. iPhone and iPod are trademarks of Apple Inc. Facebook(R) is a registered trademark of Facebook Inc. All other trademarks are the property of their respective owners.

Facebook(R) is a registered trademark of Facebook Inc.

Photos/Multimedia Gallery Available: http://www.businesswire.com/cgi-bin/mmg.cgi?eid=5924645&lang=en

SOURCE: EA Mobile

The Marvels of iPod Video

2009-02-09T08:15:00.000-08:00

The Marvels of iPod Video

You might see people walking around, whipping out their big ipods. These ipods might look like the other ipods that we often see, but they are otherwise. They are one of Apple’s latest releases. You are now given a notion that ipod does not just play music and MP3, but also plays videos. Like aforementioned, it might look like a common ipod, but it actually costs more, and has a different name, of course. It is the video ipod.

The video ipod does not have much thickness, unlike the other ipods that you probably have seen. They are also not of the same size with those other ipods that display photos. You might find this fact a disadvantage, but surely, you will find the next feature to be highly advantageous.

Video ipods do not just play videos, but these play videos with extreme clarity. Plus, it has no delays. The numbers of pixels that are present on the images a video ipod produces are fluctuating; therefore, it is very hard to determine its exact number.

But whichever, the videos a video ipod play go very easy on your eyes. They do not give you bloodshot eyes nor do they give you visions of floating dots wherever you look.

It is not difficult to play videos via your video ipod. It is definitely a no-brainer. With just one click, videos stream through your video ipod, and are played for you pronto. You do not have to allot time lengths to the videos that you want to save on your ipod for video ipods do not require time limits, upon watching videos.

As long as your memory works so you can put to memory what you’re watching, then you can watch any video you like, without exception. By without exception, just think television. You can watch about anything on your television sets, from music videos to films. It is like you own Mtv, for you have the power to choose which videos to play and which are deleted from the track list.

If you want to have low-caliber dreams, then you can at least feel the feeling of having your own mini-Mtv on the palm of your hands. You can also play your own home videos, the way your video player at home does. Only, it is a video player that fits quite snugly in your pocket. These are few, but not the only ones, reasons why the video ipod is simply amazing.

Everything is known to be imperfect, so there is no reason why Apple should break the superstition. The video ipod, though seems to be perfect, is imperfect after all. Its weight is not as convenient as those of ipod minis or nanos, or the more with the ipod shuffle, which weigh almost nothing.

Video ipods weigh more since they are much bigger in size. And probably, the materials used for this innovation, weigh a lot too. But this flaw is nothing compared to the joy (and the smug feeling) of showing your friends and officemates your new video ipod, and the videos it contains.

MP3’s can still be played on your video ipods. You might have a quick notion that since the video ipod plays videos big time, then it must have neglected the MP3’s. That is very much not the case.

The video ipod, however, does not have that much of a difference from the other ipods that have been invented and commercialized. The only difference is its big colored screen, which makes it a lot easier for you to view your most wanted videos; and its capability to play videos.

The Click Wheel is also smaller with video ipods, compared to the Click Wheels of the other ipods. This gave way to an even larger screen to support the resolution color display that extends further down the face of the device.

Apple has updated their itunes website, especially the downloading service, because of the release of the video ipod. The staff and crew of Apple put in more music videos and other ordinary videos on the selection of downloadable videos.

So, if you’re looking for a more visually stimulating experience, the video ipod is the thing for you. Apple has really outdone themselves on their latest release. You, together with the whole of the trendy humanity, should see if the video ipod would become a big hit. Looks like it will, doesn’t it?

The "Get Productive" Guide For New iPod Owners

2009-02-08T08:14:00.000-08:00

The "Get Productive" Guide For New iPod Owners
(GUIDE TO THE MAXIMUM IPOD EXPERIENCE)

So you have got an iPod as a Christmas or birthday present. It looks good and holds true with its claim of a thousand songs in your pocket, huh? But do you know that iPod could do much more for you aside from entertaining you? To all new iPod owners, here is a guide on how to be productive with your iPod.

New iPod owners could find a sleek, sexy personal data assistant with their iPod. Read on below to learn how to sync contacts and calendars from your iPod to your computer, or use it to transfer soft files, of any format, to your computer, and read sticky notes.

* Add VIPs

All the stored information in your computer about the important people in your life that you know such as phone numbers, home addresses, email addresses, company name, birthdays, and other personal information, you can transfer it your new iPod.

If you're a Mac user, it is quite easy to sync your Address Book with your new iPod. If you're a Windows user, you can use Outlook Express or Microsoft outlook to sync your contact details in your new iPod.

* Sync Schedule

Scheduled for a meeting with the top bosses tomorrow? Or have a date with the lady of your dreams on Saturday? You can sync your alarms and schedules from Mac's iCal with your new iPod. For Microsoft Windows users, your new iPod can work with Microsoft Outlook to sync schedules.

* Take and Read Sticky Notes

You do not need those yellow sticky notes to write anything that pops up in your head (since they always get lost, anyway) like, what are your deadlines for the day and the coming week, your grocery lists, driving directions, etc. You can take all your sticky notes inside your new iPod and carry it with you all the time.

Your new iPod can hold a total of 4096 characters or (4kb in total) for each note. So, keep in mind to keep your notes briefly so won't run out of character lines if you sync it with your new iPod.

How can you sync sticky notes from your computer to your new iPod?

Here's how.

1. Open your notepad or any word-processing application that can save the file into .txt. Type a new note to create your grocery lists or those bulleted to-do's that you have been laying aside for a few weeks already. Or if you want to keep an important email message or want to put in your new iPod lyrics of the songs from your new iPod's playlist, just copy the text and then paste it in a notepad.

2. Save document in .txt file.

3. Connect your new iPod to your Mac or Microsoft Windows computer.

4. Since you're a new iPod user, you might have not set your iPod for disk use. But if you are a techie new iPod user and already did this, skip this step.

To new iPod users who have not set their new iPod for disk use, enable this feature by doing these:

1. Open your iTunes program from your computer and then open iTunes preferences. Mac users should click 'Preferences' from the iTunes menu, while Microsoft Windows users should choose the 'Edit' menu first before clicking 'Preferences').
2. Find the iPod tab, click it, and then a new pane will open. Click in the iPod pane the Music tab.
3. A Select the "Enable disk use" checkbox, then click OK.

5. Open your iPod volume that appears on your desktop (Mac) or in My Computer (Windows) to display three folders: Calendars, Contacts, and Notes.

6. Drag your text file to the Notes folder on your iPod to add it.

* Use the iPod as File Carrier

If you haven't already figured it out by now, you can use any iPod model as an external hard drive, allowing you to copy files onto it and shuttle items from one computer to another. This comes in handy if you need to work on projects at the office or school and at home, or you want to transfer your digital music collection from your old computer to a new one. Here's how to enable this feature.

Show me how:

1. Connect your iPod to your computer.
2. Open iTunes (if it isn't open already), then open iTunes preferences (Mac users, choose Preferences from the iTunes menu; Windows users, on the Edit menu, click Preferences).
3. Click the iPod tab, then click the Music tab in the iPod pane.
4. Select the "Enable disk use" checkbox, then click OK.

Your iPod should now appear as a mounted volume on your desktop (Mac) or in My Computer (Windows). To copy files for transport, simply drag any file onto the iPod volume icon, or double-click the volume, create a new folder (or folders), and copy items to it.

The Benefits of iPod Videos

2009-02-07T08:13:00.000-08:00

The Benefits of iPod Videos

People today are wireless. Everything is on the go. The young generation, according to the older people, cannot live or stay by themselves for a long period of time. That is quite true, you can see that almost everybody has a pair of earphones, and are listening to, either the oldies music or the latest tracks, or watching videos on their portable gadgets. We can say that today’s generation is dependent on the new technology.

The most popular wireless device on the market today is the APPLE’s ipod. It is popular because it is very small, which makes it very easy to bring, plus you no longer have to bring a cd, otherwise known as compact disc, or a cassette tape to play on it. But with this convenience comes also a flaw.

It is quite expensive (make that oftenly impractically expensive). Yes, it is and that is why not all people can enjoy such luxury because of its high price. As you must know, life is rough and every cent counts. So these gadgets are no’t the first priority for a lot of people, approximately half of the globe’s population.

If you are rich and your money does not have much to go on, this want is not a problem for you. But if you are on the harder side of life, then you have to depend on prayers to avail of a gadget like the said ipod.

So if you want to have an ipod but your low on budget, there, on the market exists cheap ipods. These cheap ipods are not necessarily copies or imitations, or worse, fakes. Its just that these cheap ipods were probably built with cheaper materials and are may also not be so super in its special features. The cheapest model is the 512 megabyte iPod shuffle.

This device can hold up to a whopping 120 songs. You can spend a day without taking your earphones off your ears with this one. This is about $70 or 3570 pesos. That is the cheapest ipod that you can buy. The price actually differs on the memory of the ipod. Though they are all the same, they are all ipods, the memory they contain are different with one another’s. Some have bigger memories that allow them to save more songs, while others have a smaller memory that opposes the function of the bigger memory.

The bigger the memory, the more expensive it is going to be. So if you just want to have a device which is portable and can play music, the cheap ipod is going to be the device for you.

Hey, 120 songs is a lot for this small ipod. Considering the comfort, convenience and enjoyment it will bring you. The price is really cheap. Instead of spending too much on a music player, an ipod, you can just spend your left money on things that are more helpful for your being. So it is recommended that you avail of the cheaper models of ipod.

Next on the line of cheap ipods is, the ipod shuffle. It is not as big as the other ipods that have been invented but they still play good music, so there is not much of a difference. Ipod shuffles are designated under the category of cheap ipods, though you should be mindful that it only has a memory span of 1GB. It is not much, but it can still allow you to save a big number of your favorite hits.

Since it has a bigger memory, also compared to those others, it is much more expensive than the other one. This cheap ipod can play up to 240 songs, double of that of the cheapest ipod. This mars the saying that goes “Entertainment is a price to pay”. You do not have to pay so much, so high an expense, just to be entertained. The ipod shuffle does that for you, entertains you, yet it does not cost so largely. This product is about 100 dollars or 5000 pesos.

Again, you’ll have more song selections but the physical appearance of your ipod is the same. That’s about the cheapest ipods you can buy on the market.

With these cheap ipods, you not only save money, but you get to own one of the latest technological trends in this generation. So grab one of those cheap ipods now.

An Abs iPod Workout Guide

2009-02-06T08:14:00.000-08:00

An Abs iPod Workout Guide

Many people believe that if they lift weights, or do those crunches, they will lose those lovehandles and have a tight, packed abs that they have been dreaming of. Which is why when those who have been religiously attending the gym didn't get the Jennifer Lopez bod that they have expected to have after twenty sessions of lifting and crunching their stomach like a curled shrimp in the gym, they pack their bags and never dared to step onto the gym's doorstep again.

There is nothing wrong with going to the gym and crunching and curling yourself to have tighter and tucked abdomen. There are, however, some basic preparations that you must do first before you curl and crunch. (1) Cut out the fat in your diet starting, right... now! (2) Do more stretching, and (3) Do more cardio workouts.

You can do the stretching and cardio workouts even outside the gym. Just carry your iPod, wear your sneakers and sweat and you're all set. Below are some iPod workout guides that you can work on. All you need is an iTune, determine the BPM or beats per minute of a song, and you're all set to create your own and unique iPod workout playlist.

CUTTING FAT IN DIET

Abdominal muscles are the easiest part of the body to work muscles on. The only reasonwhy inspite of your abs curling workout it seems that nothing works is because your muscled are covered with fat.

Yes. You need to cut the fat.

And the first step to cut the fat is curtail intake of fat. Go for a less fat diet (not 'no fat diet.' We all need some amount of fats in our body.}.

STRETCHING WITH iPod WORKOUT GUIDE

Strech to improve the elasticity of your muscles and to tighten it up in a natural way. Create a Playlist, name it "Stretching" and then select your iPod Workout stretching playlist.

The best iPod workout song for stretching should be around 105 to 115 beats per minute, a song with a slow beat.

Suggested iPod workout song for stretching:

There You Go - Pink
Three AM - Matchbox 20
Feeling So Good - Jennifer Lopez

CARDIO WORKOUT WITH iPod WORKOUT GUIDE

Warm up

Before you do your cardio workout, have a five minute warm up first. Although stretching is already a form of warm up, it is better if you warm up by doing the stationary marching and jumping jack.

BPM for warm up should be in the range of 125 to 130. Limit the playtime to 5 minutes and select by random.

Suggested iPod workout song for Warm up:
Can't Take My Eyes Off You
Ain't no Mountain High
All You Need is Love

CARDIO WORKOUT

Lifting weights and doing a hundred crunches won't help you lose fats. The best way to lose fats is to do a fifteen-minute a day cardio workout. Create your iPod cardio workout playlist and name it "Cardio." iPod workout songs to include in your playlist must be upbeat, lively, and with no slow or mellow parts.

- Walking

BPM if you were walking, brisk walking, that is, should be in the range of 136 to 140. Limit the playtime to 5 minutes and select by random.

You must follow the rhythm of the song as you walk to achieve the fifteen minute minimum daily workout. Just breathe normally or as you would when you are at rest. If you're new with walking (walking for fifteen minutes without stopping) you might experience shortness of breath at first. Don't worry, as you continue with walking while listening with your iPod workout songs, your heartbeat will beat a bit slower and then
will normalize.

Suggested iPod workout song for Walking:

You Gotta Be - Des'ree
This Kiss - Faith Hill
Livin' on a Prayet - Jon BonJovi

- Jogging and Running

Jogging and running should be in the range of 141 to 150. All songs under this category should be limited to 5 minutes also, and is selecte by random

Suggested iPod workout song for Jogging and Running:

Can't Get You Out Of My Head - Kylie Minogue
Hollaback Girl - Gwen Stefani
Hey Mickey

You can repeat the Walking and Jogging and Running iPod workout songs or playlist as many times as desired.

iPod Video Cases: Durable, functional, fashionable protection for your iPod

2009-02-05T08:11:00.000-08:00

iPod Video Cases: Durable, functional, fashionable protection for your iPod

iPod is Apple Computer's brand of portable media player that provides a simple user interface designed around a central scroll wheel. The standard iPod model has media storage devices including a built-in hard drive while the iPod Shuffle and iPod Nano use flash memory. It can serve as an external storage device when connected to a computer.

Over the years, the line up of iPod has continuously evolved to the iPod models of today. The iPod has five generations to its name while iPod mini has two generations. Apple also introduced over the years other iPod models including iPod shuffle and iPod Nano.

To protect any of these iPod models, iPod video cases are now readily available in the market. It is made of different materials including deluxe leather that features a rich leather exterior in black, brown, dark brown and saddle with complimentary stitching. These have unique textured exteriors as well that give your iPod a nice look.

These iPod video cases are designed to fit both the 60GB and 30GB iPod models with video. The iPod video cases will keep your iPod securely closed with a tab and post closure. When it is opened, you can see that it has a built-in protection for the screen which is the most easily damaged part of your iPod.

iPod video cases help prevent scrapes and scratches that will not only deteriorate the look of your iPod but can be damaging in the long run as well. The outside of iPod video cases are sturdy with layers and the insides are cushiony to protect your iPod from impact due to improper handling. iPod video cases also features a soft grip material to keep it from slipping from your hands.

iPod video cases can be Speck armband cases, aluminum hard cases, flip cover cases, leather pouches, core cases, crystal clear hard cases, silicone skin cases, and more. Examples are:

A protective crystal clear hard case can help protect your iPod video from scratches in many ways with its built in lanyard or neck strap, attachable swivel belt clip and belt loop.

Iconic characters can also be featured in your iPod video cases. You can take your pick from Superman, Batman, Homer Simpson, Darth Vader of Star Wars and Tweety Bird with its see-through back so you can see the shiny side of your iPod.

There are iPod video cases that are made to encapsulate your iPod video for protection and fun with its vibrant colors. It is made of strong tear resistant material and includes a screen protector and detachable belt clip for optimal performance and easy usage.

With more iPod video cases being released in the market each week, you can find more and more features of these products and professional evaluations to check if they can measure up to the standards of iPod users.

Leather iPod video cases offer a snug fit with quality leather to protect your iPod not only from impact but from dust, finger prints, and scratches as well.

iPod flip video cases are also trendy in its ultra-slim design that fits your iPod like a glove. There is a multi-use soft clip on the back that easily snap into a belt or an armband.

iPod video crystal cases are quality clear cases that forms a protective hard case around your iPod. It also comes with a clear belt loop, detachable belt clip and lanyard for carrying convenience.

iPod video soft skin cases protects your iPod from scratches, knocks, dusts and even bad breath while still providing free access to your controls and connections.

iPod aluminum video cases are made of anodized aircraft-grade aluminum that features a form-fitting design. Neoprene cushioning inside protects your iPod from harmful scratches and shocks.

Any of these iPod video cases can be bought at around $10 to $40 a piece.

iPod video cases also provide iPod headphones' jack and hold switch even when closed. The cutouts in these cases can give you easy accessibility to all ports for your convenience while giving your iPod's much needed protection.

These iPod video cases are also made fashionable with different basic and vibrant colors and designs, durable with its protective materials and functional with its special features for different iPod models.

The Future of iPod Video

2009-02-04T08:10:00.000-08:00

The Future of iPod Video

The release of the fifth generation of iPod players opened us to the possibility of video streaming with our iPods. When Apple launched the iPod video last October 2005, we began to see the potential of this popular gadget in the field of entertainment, marketing and advertising.

The fifth generation iPod video is available in 30 GB size and 60 GB size capacity models and priced the same between $299-$399 USD. They feature the ability to read and play MPEG-4 and H.264 video. iPod video resolutions of up to 480 x 480 and 320 x 240 are available to users. Some of them though have said to play wide screen resolutions of up to 640x360 in using MPEG-4 and 400x192 while using H.264. The screen capabilities are often dependend on what the users can tinker around with.

The iPod video has a 65,536 color (16-bit) screen, and is able to play video on an external TV through the use of an AV cable accessory. It plugs into the headphone mini-jack and the connector splits into composite video and audio output with RCA jacks. However, video watched on via television often has poor quality due to the compression.

The iPod videos are encoded at 480x480 or less. This iPod resolution is similar to conventional VHS recordings. The screen size is 2.5 inches diagonally, 0.5 inches larger than the previous iPod. The iPod video is also 30% thinner than the previous full-size iPod. The battery life for the 30 GB size is 14 hours and for the 60 GB size is 20 hours. Watching movies reduces that time to two to three hours.

It’s not an Apple Ipod without the click wheel and the iPod video has that feature. It gives you access and control to your entire photo, music and video library — from one thumb. You can control the volume and browse it using the iPod’s touch-sensitive surface. The iPod video’s click wheel provides easy control and access right at your fingertips.

What this gadget can do is the usual music player function plus play video downloaded from iTunes Music Store or other external sites that offer the same video file format. With this unit, you can put music in the pocket and still have room for practically everything else. You can read your audio books with iPod video. Browse through your picture gallery

with iPod video’s photo slideshows. Refer to your iPod video calendar or look up an email address in the address book. You can also check time from your favorite city and record your fastest lap. With this iPod, you can watch video pod casts, music clips, videos and also the TV shows you missed. This is what makes the iPod video so exciting. Everything you need in one ipod.

The major advantage of the iPod video is how advertising can use it to promote other products and services for sale. Think of a preview of J. Lo’s next music video to be released and only those with an iPod video can watch it. That’s hitting four birds with one stone; promotion for the album, the song, the iPod unit and whatever else the marketers can think of. Indie artists can also use create a fan base using the iPod video through self-promotion via iPod video-accepted formats and by giving out free music clips or video clips.

And what about television shows that wants feedback from iPod video users? They can easily hook up a pilot episode, test the initial reaction to the public and have immediate response through the website or mobile phone replies. Another great idea is to make available instructional video clips of cooking classes. Companies will have a ball making ads for iPod video and also make it possible for us users to get free downloads.

There are also the companies who will create accessories to fully enhance your iPod. The plans to create innovative software and content for the iPod video is just starting. The future for Ipod is very bright. In the end, we are the winners of this race to video technology.

Have Nothing Else To Do? Watch iPOD TV Shows!

2009-02-03T08:10:00.000-08:00

Have Nothing Else To Do? Watch iPOD TV Shows!

Boredom. It’s man’s worst enemy, especially during breaks.

Everyone may have an ample supply of various reading materials, ranging from books to magazines to alamanacs, simply any reading material that may take the boredom off your shoulders. This was the primary reason why the television was invented by an inventor. Boredom certainly met its match. This is not highly unlikely, but it’s still, in a way, unlikely, for not everyone has television sets.

So, if you’re one of those television-less people, then you look for other media of entertainment. The ipod is a solution to your problems.

The population of those who do have a television set is certainly outnumbered by the population of those who have an ipod. If you have an ipod, good for you, if you don’t, that’s too bad because you’re missing a lot. A lot is inclusive of the experience of watching your favorite tv shows on an ipod.

Yes, you read that right. You can now watch your favorite tv shows on your ipod, by way of the ipod tv shows.

NBC has made it a point to be associated with the itunes, and be included in the itunes website, being one of the most surfed website ever made. It is because of this said affiliation that you can now watch quite a number of NBC shows on your ipod. These shows will be listed as available on the itunes website, so that things will be a lot more easier for you, for all you have to do is click wherever it is that the word Download! is located.

After a few minutes, you can now enjoy ipod tv shows and watch the said ipod tv shows while shopping in the mall or while waiting on the subway train to get to your destination. You can also use your ipod and watch your downloaded ipod tv shows, at the same time, chasing the deadline on that full report your boss has been pestering you with for weeks. This is certainly a way of mixing business with pleasure.

The available ipod tv shows are Law and Order, which is perfect for the pre-law people, and also for those who have a calling to participate in the law; the Tonight Show with Jay Leno, which is a brew of serious topics for conversations, and laughs that give you and endless supply of gas; the Office is also available, this ipod tv show narrates to you the possible events that may happen in an office (which is very obvious, given the title); the show, Surface, can also be downloaded; the same thing goes with Late Night with Conan O’ Brien, you probably know this guy already, who doesn’t? Conan O’ Brien is a fantastic host.

In this ipod tv show, you get to know more about your favorite artists, actors or actresses, at the same time, cannot stop gasping for air, for the laughs that this ipod tv show offers come so unexpectedly; Monk also is an ipod tv show; and another is the show Battlestar Galactica, which , reading the title, gives you a notion that it occurs in the vast outer space and that there is an inevitable battle.

Simply, a variety of very good, probably the best, ipod tv shows that you can enjoy.

This concept, however, is not entirely new to the Apple industry. Though, what makes it somewhat new, is that it is now a full-pledged application which is very user-friendly.

There are various programs that are involved in the ipod-tv-shows mania, but the most talked about program is the MrTVpod.

The MrTVpod is a new, though not the newest, but new all the same, program that lets you manage your downloaded ipod tv shows in the tv shows category. This, however, is not approved by the itunes.

This prohibition is caused by the fact that, with this MrTVpod, you can just save any video in the category and declare these said videos to be ipod tv shows, for use on the new 5th generation ipod, which is also referred to as the ipod video. Itunes decided to go against the MrTVpod’s flow because they wanted, and still does, to keep their authenticity well intact.

Another probable reason could be their avoidance of a competition. This program, the MrTVpod is available for download for Mac Os X and the Windows.

So grab an ipod now and start enjoying those ipod tv shows that you love most. Cry; get mad; laugh; all of these are offered to you be ipod tv shows.

Finding the Perfect iPod Speakers For You

2009-02-02T08:09:00.000-08:00

Finding the Perfect iPod Speakers For You

Nowadays, you can throw a party anywhere as long as you have an iPod and a set of iPod speakers. They are so tiny, yet they can boom the bass and shake up the place.

iPod speakers are either portable, which you can carry around, or home models, which you cannot carry around because of some restrictions like, it is bigger and heavier and is therefore not handy, and it is not battery operated and work only when plugged into an electrical outlet.

The portable models are battery operated and has a size just slightly larger than iPod Nano and some weighs only half an ounce! Although portable iPod speakers offer sound better than most computer speaker, it can't compete with the home only or standalone iPod speakers that can produce louder, crisper, and more booming sound, for these iPod speakers get their power directly from an electical outlet that gives much energy compared to a low voltage battery.

Below are the best in iPod speakers that could rock us out of our seat with their booming sound.

-iBlasting the Room with iBoom iPod speakers

iBoom is the newest iPod speaker from DLO. The iBoom iPod speakers sport an amorphous shape and has a slot in the front which serve as a hub for iPod or iPod mini. The four iPod speakers only need 20 watts per channel to start producing sound. iBoom iPod speakers also has a built-in handle, an AUX in port, and can run either on AC power or a with six "D" batteries. When plugged in to an AC power, the iBoom iPod speakers will charge the cradled iPod. Design wise, iBoom iPod speakers look pretty good with a white iPod cradled on it.

The plus points for iBoom iPod speakers are (1) low wattage consumption but could still produce decent sound, (2) portable and (3) charge an iPod when it is running on A/C power.

- 'What's the new Black?'

For Altec Lansing, the answer is still black.

Altec Lansing's inMotion iM3 iPod speakers come in the usual Apple white and, now, in black. It weighs around 15 to 16 ounces only and is sized just a bit larger than the iPod.

Altec Lansing is known for creating sound system that could produce sounds in different ranges from the highest pitch to the lowest bass. And now that Altec Lansing has speakers for the iPod, expect that these iPod speakers would be of high quality. In fact, these iPod speakers has a class D amplifier to create rich, audible sounds.

It's quite unbelievable that these speakers could last 24 hours from four AA batteries. You can carry these iPod speakers anywhere, and play it on for an all night party even on a place where there's no power outlet, like the soccer field, basketball court, or the lakeside.

The black Altec Lansing iPod speakers has the same price as that of the Apple white version.

- Apple's Hi-Fi Shouts "Party!"

When iPod was released in 2001, the only way you could hear the playing songs is through headphones. There were no Apple-branded iPod speakers then, yet. Third party manufacturers and developers created their own iPod speakers to answer the growing demand for off-headphones music playing.

In 2006, Apple realized that it was time to create one of its own. In February, Apple released the iPod Hi-Fi. Priced at $349, Apple's eye is set on the high-end market.

Hi-Fi iPod speakers, according to Apple, creates a large soundstage and has a wide frequency range. So, Hi-fi iPod speakers are not only portable speakers, they can be the only speaker for a small house or an apartment, replacing the bulky speakers with separate woofer and sub-woofers. With the sound of these Hi-Fi iPod speakers, you can shout "Party!" anytime you want.

Design wise, it looks cool. It bears the traditional Apple white color. It's size is bigger than most portable iPod speakers and is the heaviest, weighs 15 ounces, in the entire line of third party developed iPod speakers

Hi-Fi iPod speakers are powered in two ways, AC or DC (six D-cell batteries), comes with a small, white remote control, and built-in handles to bring it anywhere you go.

Guide to Good Software for Your iPod

2009-02-01T08:08:00.000-08:00

Guide to Good Software for Your iPod

New users of the ipod are having difficulty putting on songs on their device. Some complain about some of their play list getting lost after it has been uploaded from the computer. Some are really just not used to it and are having trouble with the very process itself. Addressing this problem, different companies have come up with softwares that will make the use of the ipod not that stressful.

Adding and uploading playlist, songs, videos and etc. will no longer have a hard time as it has been made easy for them. If you decide to use one of these softwares, you should not forget to read instructions first.

Also, you will still be doing most of the work so do not expect the computer, the ipod, and the software to do it all by themselves.

One thing that makes the apple iPod unique is the addition of different iPod software you can add to your gadget. These softwares make it easy for you and add a little more spice to your iPod. Ipod software will help you personalize your little gadget as you use it throughout the day and as you download music to it.

The software can be acquired through download and is very easy to install. Just connect your ipod to your personal computer and wait for it to be transferred. After that, enjoy the wonders of the software which is so positively sure that you will definitely enjoy.

There is a lot of ipod software out there and here is just a small list you can use on your gadget. But I have chosen to show you four softwares for a more easy and convenient use. It is now up to you to choose which Ipod software you need. On my list are the newest software released up to date.

First on my list is the Anapod Explorer 8. Anapod Explorer 8 was created by Windows for the sole purpose of serving Ipod users. The anapod is basically an alternate for itunes. It can copy your music and back to your personal computer and brings your ipod into the windows explorer.

This can be found as a device under my computer. It will give you a more familiar windows explorer interface and this will make it easier for you to transfer and manage your on-board music, play list and more. Transfer from your computer to your ipod or from your ipod to your computer does not get any easier than this.

There is also an add-on to this ipod software. It includes the AnapodSQL and the rare Anapod Xtreamer which is a web based streaming interface. Basically, anapod is a backup software for your easy use.

Another Ipod software is the PodUtil 2.5.1. PodUtil is an Ipod software that is so easy to use. It is for viewing the songs on your Ipod and transferring it to your computer for a more customizable an organized manner. Then, it will automatically add them to itunes and you will be able to rebuild your play list as you wish. Again, another ipod software that makes organizing and transferring music and play lists easier.

Aside from the two mentioned, there is also the gtkpod 0.88. gtkpod is a platform independent GUI for apple ipod that uses gtk2. This ipod software allows you to upload songs and play list to your ipod. It supports ID# tag editing, multiple charsets for ID3 tags, detects duplicate songs, and also allows offline modification of the database with later synchronization, and more.

Lastly, there is the ipod.itunes 3.0. This ipod software has the capability to add missing songs, videos, playlist, ratings, played dates, and play counts in both directions between ipod and itunes.

This software is designed to keep songs, videos, and playlists on different Macs and ipods up to date, and can perform a full restore of these items after a hard disk failure. Now, that is efficiency. The software updates foreign ipods not linked to your itunes library without deleting its content.

Now remember, these ipod softwares are add-ons to your gadget for easy use, but that does not mean that it will do everything for you. Of course, it is still you who will do all the work so that you will have a good time with your ipod.

Free iPod Music Downloads: Legal and Safe

2009-01-31T06:18:00.000-08:00

Apple iPod is not only trendy but it also helps make music revolution in the new era. This new technology from Apple Computers has brought a new order of musical pleasure to many people. That is why it has spread widely and its music widely shared around the world. You can have a wide array of choices from the downloadable music in the Internet for your Ipod.

You can choose from millions of songs and download what you want and when you want it. Effortless free iPod music downloads are also available in the Internet of which music can be kept for as long as you want.

There are free iPod music downloads in the Internet where thousands of music tracks are stored for legal sharing. And if you find a song you like, you can download it effortlessly and legally. There are many questions still about the legality of free iPod music downloads.

International and domestic iPod music downloads are bombarded with questions of legality in accordance to the Recording Industry Association of America or RIAA. There are still a handful of websites that offer legal free iPod music downloads including:

3hive.com

Amazon.com

eMusic.com

Epitonic.com

Freekidsmusic.com

Garageband.com

IUMA.com

MFiles.co.uk

MP34U.com

MP3blogs.org

Music.download.com

PureVolume

Vitaminic

and iTunes Music Store

Free iPod music download websites above have great blog-style listings of free iPod compatible MP3 songs by record artists and labels, and mainstream and independent artists. Some will give you a free two-week trial period to check on the services provided by these websites that offer free iPod music downloads.

There are specialized websites too that give free iPod music downloads for young listeners. These are clean, professionally designed interface to give free iPod music downloads where you can download free iPod music across all major genres. There are more than hundreds of thousands of songs that are free for iPod music downloads.

If you find it hard to look for the songs you like, you can always go to iTunes Music Store. It is not as cheap as other iPod music download stores but it is completely safe and legal way to get access to one million songs.

Websites that offer free iPod music downloads can also update you to new cool accessories about your iPod and Apple computer that can help you and your gadgets achieve maximum performance. Accessories include car chargers, pocketdock firewire, pocketdock line out firewire, pocketdock combo, pocketdock line out USB, earbuddy and more. Websites that offer free iPod music downloads also feature not only songs but entire albums as well as updates on which songs and artists are becoming popular and hitting the charts.

From these featured free iPod music downloads in the Internet, you can easily locate the songs you want to have on your iPod. You can find the songs you like by browsing through the store's library by finding it by genre. Or you find too many results; you can make it easier by searching by artist, album or song title. For songs that are very popular for the moment, there are lists of songs that are topping charts around the world that will make the search easier.

Free iPod music downloads on different genres of music include alternative, indie and punk, Broadway, children's music, classical, country, dance and DJ, folk, international, jazz, Latin, miscellaneous, new age, Opera, pop, rap and hip-hop, rock, R&B and soul, and soundtracks.

There are many websites that offer free iPod music downloads but some people who have iPods do not know where to begin. The best way to search for these free iPod music downloads is through search engines like MSN, Google and Yahoo. Once you have found the websites you are looking for, you can click on them one by one and start by looking for the songs you wish to download for free.

After completing the downloading process of free iPod music, the songs you want are already stored in your computer which you can easily transfer to you iPod. Take note about where you saved the iPod music you downloaded for free for easy access later.

With free iPod music downloads, there is no need for you to break the law and join illegal files sharing communities in the Internet. If you cannot afford to buy new music downloads, you can maximize the use of free iPod music download websites today.

Should You Get a Skin for your iPod?

2009-01-30T08:07:00.000-08:00

Should You Get a Skin for your iPod?

iPod came into the world of digital audio player in 2001, and since then, for a short span of five years, the standard for digital audio player has never been the same. If it is not an iPod, it is inferior; if it is an iPod, it should be the latest generation.

Third-party manufacturers of iPod accessories were born and are continually growing in number like bunnies. Speakers, FM transmitters, Voice Recorder, BMW Playlist, these are just among the few iPod accessories that keep our mouth agape with delight and expectation. There is, however, a single iPod accessory that created a niche of its own in the "iPod ecosystem": the iPod skin line.

THE LINE OF iPod SKINS

iPod skins are designed, initially, to protect iPods from scratches, dirt, and getting wet from perspiration. iPod skins specifically shelters the screen and click-wheel. But iPod skins manufacturers do not limit themselves to these basic iPod skin feature; for them, iPod skins should be stylish, innovative, and fashionable.

There are iPod skins available for every generation of iPod, including the shuffle, mini and nano lines.

There are wide arrays of iPod skins to choose from. iPod skins may be made from silicone, hard plastic, thin vinyl, or leathers and comes in various colors. There some iPod skins that even glow in the dark!

Known manufactureres of stylish and innovative iPod skins are Kate Spade, iSkin, Incase, Chums, Speck and Xtreme Iconz,.

www.iLounge.com offers the best iPod skins in the market at low prices.

GO SILICON, HARD PLASTIC OR LEATHER WITH MY iPod SKIN?

- Silicon iPod skins

iSkin has the best line of iPod skins. It offers silicone and thin vinyl type of iPod skins. Its eVo2 line of iPod skins offers all-around surface protection, including screen and click wheel protection.

Silicon iPod skins is cool and soft to the touch and keeps the iPod unit insulated from battery heat. Although silicon felt like soft, gummy rubber, it stays in your hand with its anti-slip grip.

Silicon iPod skins comes with a rotating belt clip or a plastic lanyard (if you like) and spaces for ipod, buttons, jacks, click wheel and dock port were cut out for easy access. If you want a glow in the dark iPod skins, buy silicon made iPod skins.

You can dress up your iPod with silicon iPod skins for $20 to $30.

- Hard Plastic iPod Skins

Hard plastic iPod skins are the next best thing to silicon iPod skins. It is offered in various colors, see through and with a plastic lanyard or belt clip. The best hard plastic iPod skin is from NanShield.

Hard plastic iPod skins, unlike silicon iPod skins, does not have the no-slip guarantee when your hand perspires. If you accidentally dropped your iPod, the hard plastic skin could crack and shatter and might do more damage to your iPod than with your iPod unskinned.

Hard plastic iPod skins are the cheapest iPod skins in the market, offered on the internet for just $9.

Some breaking news. This April of 2006, Gizmondo released The Jimi case, a 100-percent recycled plastic iPod skin. Attached at the back of this iPod skin is a mirror which you can use for make up touch ups or any other purposes that you could think of. This environment friendly iPod skin comes in six different colors.

- Leather iPod Skins

This is the most expensive iPod skin in the market. Priced from $20 to as much as $200, those who think they are in vogue and in style prefer the hot and tight leatherette to skin their iPods. Kate Spade has a line of expensive but elagantly crafted leather iPod Skins.

Some leather iPod skins look more like a case rather than a skin because of a flip-flop top cover. The leathery look, subdued hues and a flip-flop cover are the kind of design especially preferred by the older crowd of iPod users.

A leather iPod skin has cut out to make way for dock connector, jack port, and click wheel. It has a detachable rotating belt clip and a leather lanyard if you prefer to wear your iPod on your neck.

Get Raw With iPod Shuffle

2009-01-29T08:06:00.000-08:00

Get Raw With iPod Shuffle

Ever since the release of iPod shuffle, there has been much confusion as to the merits of this ipod series. The original iPod boasted of other features like displaying contacts, calendars, and notes; the ability to play games and to record voice notes through an external microphone and store pictures with the use of a media card reader. All of these were able to capture the high and middle end users of portable audio players. But when you close closely at the iPod shuffle, you’ll see that it was created for the lower end market.

The iPod shuffle is Apple’s smallest, easiest and most affordable audio player of the ipod series. Having storage capacities of 512 MB and 1 GB, it is not only remarkable for it’s size, price and design. It is also unique from the rest of the ipod family because of its lacking LCD display. It is this quality that makes consumers think twice before buying an iPod shuffle.

Unbelievable as this may seem, there are those who find the iPod shuffle fitting right in their lifestyle. There are those who prefer to keep low about their players and just concentrate on their music. Those consumers are the primary targets of the iPod shuffle. So despite the sacrifice in display, it is also one advantage for the device.

Stripped down of its accessories and naked on its functions, the iPod shuffle is nothing more than a simple music player. How bare is it? Aside form the lack of LCD display; iPod shuffle only has three simple toggle switches on the back for the power switch, continuous play and shuffle mode. The green stripe below the switch helps the user see what position its switch is on.

Apple’s iPod shuffle communicates with the user through two LEDs under the plastic housing out front of the player. If you don’t know what that blinking yellow light is, Apple has included an iPod shuffle “cheat card” that translate what the different blinks and LEDs mean.

Some of the blinks are fairly easy to understand. The iPod shuffle shows a steady green LED when it is fully charged. But there are times when some lights are better without it on the iPod shuffle. For example, the only way to know if the unit is activated is to plug it in. Unless you’re sure to turn the iPod shuffle off when not using it, you’ll soon be surprised to know that the battery is drained after being accidentally activated as pressure is applied through a pocket, purse, or backpack. There are dangers to over charged batteries too.

Now it’s not an iPod without the kind of click-wheel controller, and the iPod shuffle gives that to ipod fans as well. Because navigation is impossible with iPod shuffle, there’s no spinning wheel controller or even a Menu button. In its place is a device that includes a round controller, which offers a Play/Pause button in the middle and the four-way click ring on the outside for volume control, Fast Forward/Next, and Rewind/Back.

For the iPod shuffle to communicate with your computer, there is a USB connector on the tip of the iPod shuffle. This can also link to an optional third-party power supply. Having the connector built in the iPod shuffle has its pros and cons. It is convenient because you don’t need to bring along a cable to download music on your computer and move it to your iPod shuffle. But at the same time, you must charge the unit with your computer.

Another problem is the size of the iPod shuffle. Since it is bigger than the usual key drives, it won’t fit some computers like the Apple iMacs. In come the accessories especially made to resolve the iPod shuffle’s limitations: the iPod USB Power Adapter, the External Battery Pack and the iPod shuffle Dock. Another great feature is the ability to specify amounts of storage space on the device for music and data.

The iPod shuffle is as good as any of the iPod models. The petite size, it’s about a pack of gum, gives the user a chance to hide it under the shirt while walking along the streets. The weight of it though is less appealing. Not to mention that the lanyard for the iPod looks inadequate to support the weight of the unit.

The Clash of MP3 Players and iPods

2009-01-28T08:06:00.000-08:00

The Clash of MP3 Players and iPods

In the music universe, being number one means having the best of everything. From storage space and versatility to style and functionality, engineers have been moving towards the realization of that need. Not since the mp3 players and ipods have we seen the most amazing array of music devices available for audiophiles and techno rats.

It is interesting to note that MP3 players and ipods have always been mistaken for each other. And as hard as the brand managers try to differentiate their product from competitors, society has the last say on which product makes it and what its nickname will eventually become. MP3 players and ipods started out fairly the same; both are portable, audio players designed to eliminate the need for compact discs. MP3 players and ipods play a variety of music file formats from WAV, MP3, WMA, and MPEG to name a few. Both can also work as file storage devices. However, MP3 players are flash drive storage devices only. They have a limited capacity of up to 1 GB whereas ipods give the user a choice between a flash drive and a hard drive that can store up to 60 GB in memory size.

The competition between MP3 players and ipods extend to the capabilities of the devices. The features offered by MP3 players include an audio player, storage device, voice recorder telephone directory and an FM radio. Though it sounds like a fully loaded car, you are actually limited in terms of accessories. The wildest thing you can do to MP3 players is change the neck strap. Ipods have a wider selection and gives you more freedom to personalize it. Aside from being audio players, there are ipods that can show your pictures with its small LCD display. And with the latest ipods that play videos, you will always have something to keep you company on those stormy nights, alone in the car.

Ipods also give its user the freedom to dress up or dress down their units. There are websites that offer stick-on covers for ipods like the ones at Decalgirl.com or Ipodstyle.com. Ipods can also be used as a slight PDA since some fanatics have tinkered with these digital players and used it to upload their address book and calendar from their computer.

Other accessories available to this device include waterproof cases, headphones, dock, speakers, a home clock/radio system, battery pack, cassette adaptor, media reader and FM transmitters. The list goes on and on as more people find ways to enjoy their ipods.

With technology changing as often as the months do, it is no wonder that the once prized MP3 players are now only second – bit players to ipods. From just being portable audio devices, they have come out of our pockets and have invaded clubs. The most favorite accessories of hardcore music junkies are these docks that serves as a “mixing table” for tunes right from their ipods’ playlist.

Club disc jockeys have a field day with this device since they can create new dance floor beats with their trusty ipods bringing in the crowd thus spawning a new generation of digital mixers. Even club patrons can get into the action by downloading their favorite tunes and taking it to the mixing table for a spin.

MP3 players are not yet obsolete. It still is the next best thing to ipods and as long as there are people willing to make do without the extra features, MP3 players will always be around. If you are tight on the budget but would still like to carry your tunes around without lugging the heavy compact discs then this is the device for you.

Yet, hands down to the winner of this clash of the best audio device – the ipods. More than a just an audio player, ipods have established itself as the icon of the digital age. Its popularity, ease of use and huge potential has taken the music industry by storm. It has taken a life of its own because it has created numerous gadgets and applications that appeal to the geeks, yuppies, artists and fashionistas. As more and more people fall in love with ipods, engineers will continue to work and deliver us the accessories that we can use to fully enhance our beloved toys.

Reviews on the iPod

2009-01-27T08:05:00.000-08:00

Reviews on the iPod

There are many things that people say about apple ipods. iPod reviews are posted all over the Internet and there will always be good or bad reviews available for the interested reader.

Here are some of the summarized iPod reviews available on the Internet:

Pros of iPod

Throughout the years, music lovers have acknowledged the crisp sound produced by the Apple iPod. iPod reviews have always attempted to describe the different music experience is always felt by the listener and every record song seems to be played live. Aside from this, here are the features that people have written in their iPod reviews. Things that they love about Apple iPod:

1. Apple iPod reviews claimed that the hard drive can hold more than five thousand songs. Now, this number of songs is enough that a user would not be able to listen to the same song twice.

2. Apple iPod reviews reveals that the hard drive boasts of a forty gigabytes of storage space.

3. Apple iPod reviews comes with an ergonomic design which is the Click Wheel. Using the Click Wheel, users can easily browse through the controls of either fast forward, play, reverse, pause and stop. Apple iPod users can even access the menus using the Click Wheel.

4. Apple ipod reviews also counted the long battery life of up to 12 hours as very helpful to the image of Apple iPod. What is the use of storing about 5 thousand songs inside teh Apple iPod if the battery would not last until all the songs have been played.

5. Apple iPod reviews also listed the capability of users to set up play lists on the Apple iPod.

6. Apple ipod reviews also lists the shuffle function as one of the most notable function of the iPod. It creates a sense of randomness in the play list avoiding boredom for the user.

7. Apple iPod reviews revealed that the Apple iPOd is an excelent audio player. This is due to four reasons:

a. The menu system of the Apple iPod is super-intuitive.

b. The sound quality is great. Although, other users contend that the Apple iPod would be better sounding through the use of other headphones.

c. The storage size for the Apple iPod relative to its size is a bonus.

d. Lastly, but definitely not the least, they consider this the most important; thousands of accessories of the Apple iPod to choose from.

Cons of iPods

1. Apple iPod reviews revealed that post sales services of the Apple iPod are not good. The service warranty of Apple iPods does not cover "abuse," which by itself is a very general term. Service stores of the Apple iPods sometimes argue that the malfunctioning of the iPods was caused by the abuse of the user.

2. Apple iPod reviews have also revealed posts that after the warranty of the iPod expired, weird things started to happen to the iPod. The Apple iPod is supposed to be skip-free, with enough battery life to last and a robust hard drive.

After the warranty year, however, it was reported that the ipod started skipping, the hard drive usually failed and the battery life suddenly became somewhat shorter.

3. Apple iPod reviews have also revealed that the Apple iPod seem to have a software bug or design flaw. Tracks being played are meant to flow continuously from one track to the next. The Apple iPod, however, sometimes blanks out for a moment between tracks.

4. Apple iPod reviews also revealed that users wish that Apple would make the video player more perfect. Doing so would shatter the competition and make Apple iPod the number one music player.

5. Apple iPod reviews also mentioned that users have an occasional problem with the iTunes. Also, the computer which has a MAC OS sometimes have difficulty recognizing the iPod when plugged. It also occassionally freezes up.

6. Apple iPod reviews also revealed that Apple iPod are easily affected by static inside a coat pocket. This cause the Apple iPod to randomly switch off occassionally.

7. Apple iPod reviews also discussed that the battery life expectancy of the Apple iPod is realistic only if the user would avoid using the back light and the equalizer of the device.

Based from the Apple iPod reviews, the music lovers uses other products simsilar to the Apple iPod such as Creative Jukebox 3, Nuvo MP3 players, Archous Jukebox, Rio, Fist MP3 player, Creative Muvo2. Creative Zen Xtra, Creative Zen Touch, Sony minidisc player, Siemens SL-45 MP3 player, and Sony WM-D6 Pro.

iPod Repair Service Centers

2009-01-26T08:04:00.000-08:00

iPod Repair Service Centers

If you are contemplating on putting up your own business, why not try to learn the ins and outs of iPod repair service center? If you will scout the net, you will find that very few offer iPod repair service. In fact, your State doesn't even have one.

Although Apple have some offices in some States that offer iPod repair service, third party are not discouraged to put up their own iPod repair service center.

* About the Apple iPod Repair Warranty

Apple iPod offers one year warranty for newly purchased iPod nano, iPod mini, iPod video and iPod shuffle. This warranty includes replacement of the entire unit for iPod nano, iPod mini, iPod video and iPod shuffle that has factory defects, iPod repair service for screen repair and circuitry repair, and refurbished unit replacement for battery repair.

When the one year warranty expires, owners of iPod nano, iPod mini, iPod video and iPod shuffle may avail of the $59 battery replacement service. This is not a battery replacement service, actually. The $59 serves as your fee for receiving a refurbished iPod with a new set of lithium batteries.

If you require other iPod repair services other than battery replacement, you have to pay at the cost of almost half of the cost of a brand new iPod. For instance, if you would like your first generation iPod to be repaired at the Apple iPod repair center, the iPod repair service fee is as much as the cost of a brand new third generation iPod. So some iPod owners just buy a new one instead of having their old iPod repaired.

With this costs, this is the reason why many iPod users are looking for iPod repair service center that can do the job that Apple iPod center does, but at a cheaper cost.

* Why Not Put Up Your Own iPod Repair Service Center?

You can offer iPod repair services such as battery replacement, screen replacement or microdrive replacement.

Some online iPod repair service centers offer iPod screen repair service for just a hundred bucks for fifth generation and iPod video and fifty to seventy bucks for first to second generation monochrome iPods.

This is much cheaper compared to the $200 plus iPod repair service fee that Apple iPod center offers.

If you want to tap the repair market which still has a few competitors to spar with, you might learn the iPod repair market by studying the activities and services being offered of your future competitors.

Services that you can offer:

- screen replacement
- battery upgrades,
- audio jack repair
- hard drive or microdrives upgrades

* Online iPod Repair Centers

-- TECHSTORE

Techstore has opened its iPodRestore program for those those who care for their iPods more than their own mothers. With its Full-Restore plan, a box specially designed to carry your iPod nano, iPod mini, iPod video or iPod shuffle will be sent to you, which you need to ship back, with your iPod unit in it, to the iPod repair center of iPodRestore.

This costs for $29, which already includes the overnight from iPodRestore to your home and then to your home back to iPodStore and from iPodstore back to your home, and an estimate of your iPod's condition.

After iPodRestore receive your iPod, a technician will call and email you within 24 hours with a repair diagnosis and service repair price. You can opt to hire them to fix your iPod or ask them to send your iPod back to you at no extra cost.

They also offer Self-Restore program if you want to do the tinkering by yourself for $10. You have to supply your own iPod repair materials for this.

- iPodMods.com

iPodMods.com works like iPodRestore program but its approach in transporting iPods for repair differ in some ways.

iPodMods.com does not charge any fee for diagnostic testing. They will email you instructions on how to send your iPod to their iPod repair and testing center. Of course, the iPod owner bears the cost of the shipping.

iPodMods.com offers all types of iPod repair services such as battery replacement, hard drive or microdrive repair and upgrades, iPod screen repair, and earphone and jack port repair.

First-time iPod Nano User? A Quick Guide on Cases

2009-01-25T08:03:00.000-08:00

First-time iPod Nano User? A Quick Guide on Cases

iPod nano cases are designed to shelter iPod nanos from dust, dirt, scratches, and from getting wet from water or perspiration. iPod nano cases also protects the color screen and the click wheel. Most iPod nano cases in the market have a built in cover that you can flip up or back to cover the front screen.

--What's the best iPod Nano case for you?

If you are in the lookout for the best iPod nano case, know first what kind of iPod nano user are you and from there, you can select the best iPod nano case for you.

1. The Trendy iPod Nano User

If you like to name the colors in these manner: pink is to blush, blue is to atomic blaze, black is to sonic eclipse, and white is to arctic, then we can say, you are a trendy user.

The best iPod nano cases for Trendy users are those that are silicon based and made by iPod nano cases experts like: iSkin, Speck, and iCandy.

The silicon material of these iPod nano cases ensure that your iPod nano is free from dust and stay inside the case even if you shop your way around the mall.

Silicon iPod nano cases, even those with colors, are translucent. So, if your iPod is black, don't choose a light colored iPod nano case. Your pink case would look like as though it had been smeared with black ink.

The best thing with silicon iPod nano cases, they have this anti-slip feature and is soft and cool to the touch.

You can either have these cases with a rotating clip or a lanyard.

2. The Practical iPod Nano User

If you are the type of person who thinks shelling out $20 to $100 for an iPod nano case is utterly ridiculous, the hard plastic iPod nano cases fit you perfectly.

Priced for as low as $2, these hard plastic iPod nano cases could also protect your iPod nano from dirt and scratches. These cases could do the job of silicon iPod nano cases less the price.

Nanshield offers well designed hard plastic iPod nano cases that come in various colors, are see through also, and bundled with a plastic lanyard or rotating belt clip.

The disadvantage of owning a hard plastic iPod nano case is that, unlike silicon iPod nano cases, it does not offer the no-slip guarantee when the case gets wet or your hand perspires. These iPod nano cases are also maleable and could easily break when dropped once or a few times.

3. The Elegant iPod Nano User

If you think black and ultra white are elegant, you should find your way in e-stores where a collection of italian leather iPod nano cases are showcased.

Apple released in 2006 its own line of italian leather iPod nano cases, which were priced from $89 up. It's true that leather iPod nano cases are pricey; but, these iPod nano cases satisfy your need for a fashionable yet elegant dress for your iPod nano.

Leather iPod nano cases also come in other colors: pink, red and blue, but in hues that don't shout but merely whisper its presence with a simple, "Hello, I'm here." The texture of the leather are soft to the touch.

Leather iPod nano cases have precise and detailed cut out to make way for the iPod nano's important features such as the click wheel, jack and dock connector,

4. The Sporty iPod Nano User

You love snowboarding and swimming and you wish you could listen to your iPod nano playlist, but you know you cannot possibly do this because your precious nano will get wet.

Well, this is the iPod nano case you have been waiting for.

H2O Audio, in April 2006, answered the wishes and prayers of sporty ipod nano users by announcing the release of its Waterproof Housing or casing for iPod nano.

With this waterproof iPod nano case, users can dip their iPod nano by 10-feet without the nano getting wet. The case is thin, waterproof and has a see through exoskeleton for the click wheel.

Better save some bucks for this iPod nano case for it costs $80.

Free iPod Games and the Apple iPod

2009-01-24T06:16:00.000-08:00

Apple iPods were promised to be the greatest breakthrough in the music industry. Somehow, it did not disappoint the fans and more; it has added various capabilities to the iPod that made it famous to people worldwide.

Aside from playing various kinds of music files (which includes MP3, WAV, AAC, MP3 VBR, AIFF), the Apple iPod can play and record video, can store data files, and can download various free iPod games from the Internet.

Free iPod games are available in the Internet. Through the years, the number of Internet hits on thesse websites offering free iPod games for download, increased suggesting that the popularity of the Apple iPod extend not only to music lovers but for gamers as well.

The iPodArcade Website

The Internet website that offers free iPod games is iPodArcade.com. It was was created in the year 1979 by two brilliant people who realized that a demand for ipod games is imminent and would soon increase as time passes by.

By the year 2005, the two creators of iPodArcade believed that the iPod world is finally ready for the free iPod games. They released their creation and iPodArcade.com was born.

After more than a year since its creation, Apple iPod users of every age started talking about the latest website catering to Apple iPod lovers. This website specially catered to the younger generation. Kids of any age just can not stop chatting about iPodArcade.Com.

iPodArcade.com reported that peering into any locker available in every high school or college universities in America would make you realize that iPodArcade is a hit. You will hear all the smatterings and murmurs about iPodArcade website and the free iPod games. All the brilliant free iPod games that it offers. But all of these are claims by iPodArcade.

The Real Score

An internet site such as iPodArcade.com can cater to most need of the iPod gamers. It is a one-stop storage for all popular iPod Games. All of these iPod games are completely free, no hidden charges and are readily available for download.

iPodArcade also offer different types of iPod Games. You can choose from a variety of options that includes strategy, memory games, trivia, and even jokes.

As of March 6, 2006, iPodArcade is beginning their development of redesigning the iPodArcade design. The interface would be cleaned up, features would be added, as well as other improvements.

This website offering free iPod games supports the following iPod products: 3G Apple iPod, 4G Apple iPod, Apple iPod Mini, Apple iPod Nano, and Apple iPod Video.

Previously, iPodArchive discontinued their support to Podzilla, another source for free iPod games. This is because Podzilla is only capable of supporting the first few generations of Apple iPod. Many of the Apple iPod users of today have newer iPods and needs to download the latest free iPod games. iPodArcade discontinued their business arrangement with Podzilla.

Apple iPod users can remove the installed Podzilla from their iPod by using Apple's Firmware Restore Utility. This would reinstall Apple's iPod Operating System. Reinstalling this would remove Podzilla and make the Apple iPod work as if it was newly bought.

However, the stored music on your iPod might be lost so be sure to have a back-up when reinstalling Apple's iPod Operating System.

Currently, note games are also available for download at iPodArcade. This array of note games is only possible for Apple iPods with the Notes feature. These includes the Apple iPod Mini, the Third and Fourth Generation Apple iPod, Apple iPod Photo, and the Apple iPod Video.

The best thing about the iPod Notes feature is that it lets Apple iPod users have a feature to let you create Note Games. Apple even has an iPod Note Reader User Guide in PDF file that will give you information regarding the iPod notes.

This gives power to the Apple iPod user to make a game and entices them to sent it to Apple. Some of the free iPod games available at iPodArcade are created by Apple iPod users out of fun.

Another program that can let you create your own free iPod games is iPodSoft's iStory Creator. Using iStory Creator, no coding experience is needed. Also, you can create any type of note game from quizzes to adventure story games.

Spin Tunes With the iPod Nano

2009-01-23T08:02:00.000-08:00

Spin Tunes With the iPod Nano

Welcome the age of innovation! Welcome the Apple iPod nano. The iPod nano is the successor of Ipod mini. The ipod nano was born on September 7, 2005. It works on flash memory instead of a full a hard drive unlike the other ipods. The iPod nano is 62% smaller than its predecessor, with memory available in 1 GB, 2 GB, and 4 GB sizes. The 65,536 color LCD display can show photographs and connects to a computer with the use of a USB 2.0. The iPod nano has a headphone jack on the bottom and also has a dock for other peripherals. One setback though is that the iPod nano is the only one in the ipod series that does not sync to any PC or Windows through firewire.

The iPod nano has many features that would be copied and included into the fifth generation video iPod. These iPod nano features that are new to the ipod series is the addition of the world clock, a stopwatch, and the screenlock option. The world clock permits the users to set time in world cities and set alarms for their time zones. The clocks are ready to adjust for the Daylight Saving Time. The stopwatch feature enables users to start the timer and to stop. The screenlock feature lets users set a passcode for their iPod nano. Should the user forget his or her passcode and the iPod nano is locked, the iPod nano must be plugged into the computer and it will be unlocked.

Spinning tunes with the iPod nano is easy. All the user has to do is upload their chosen songs from iTunes or other external websites, attach their iPod to the computer and start using it. You can choose an iPod nano with colors in white or black. The memory size varies from in 1 GB, 2 GB and 4 GB models. The price for an iPod nano ranges from $149 to $249, depending on the memory capacity you want.

One of the most appealing things about the iPod nano is its sleek design. However, there have been a number of complaints about the nano’s screen softness thus becoming easily scratched or cracking if too much pressure is applied. The iPod nano body is also delicate and scratch easily. Its surface is soft plastic and frequent use can damage the surface.

Because of this, Apple has had to defend its iPod nano from lawsuits, stating that they found the units not living up to its claim. Also the battery life is not as reliable. Since then, Apple began to package the iPod nano and fifth-generation iPods along with soft fabric cloth carrying case to help prevent scratches on the screen and body. The bad side to this is that the case does not give access to the control and the screen. The user must really exert effort in using the function of the iPod nano under the soft case.

Lucky for us, there are iPod nano accessories that solve this problem. One such device is the rubberized skin covers. These skins not only prevent the unit from being scratched, it also protects it from moisture and dust. The snug fit ensures that it does not slip and the rubberized feature gives the user a tight grip on their iPod nano. For the battery problem, users can always purchase a new adapter that they can carry to charge their units anywhere, as long as there is a socket.

Along with the car charger, earphones and loud speakers, the iPod nano has loads of peripherals available to really give you listening pleasure all day long. Among the favorites is the iPod FM stereo and cassette adaptor. Now you can search for tunes and play them through conventional devices like a car stereo the use of your iPod. It’s fast and simple.

And also there is the iPod Groove Purse Tote with Built in Speaker & Amplifier System. This classy tote bag lets you display your iPod and share your music with everyone around you. The flawless integration of style, clear sounds and amazing technology, make this a hot item for gifts.

Spin your way into the world of music and multimedia with the iPod nano. Its great tunes, great photos and the coolest gadgets to show everyone what you’ve got are what turns an audiophile into an iPod lover. Once you get the beat started, it’s really hard to back down.

Great Accessories for Your iPod Nano

2009-01-22T08:03:00.000-08:00

Great Accessories for Your iPod Nano

One of the latest ipod innovations is the ipod nano. Though it is a little more expensive than you can imagine, lots still grab ipod nanos off the racks. Now, you think, what makes the ipod nano click so much?

What Accessories Do You Need For Your iPod Nano?

Ipod nano accessories give the ipod nano a unique look. Ipod nano accessories aren’t all about looking good. Most of these accessories help in the ipod nano’s portability and also in the convenience of its use.

It comes with a leather case that is handcrafted from Italian leather. Touching it makes your fingers feel ticklish because of its extremely soft and very durable lining that makes up for its nice, fine, rich look. This ipod nano accessory secures your ipod nano like a baby snuggling in its crib. It has a ribbon case design, wherein you just have to pull at the ends of the ribbon and, voila! You’re ipod nano is in plain sight for you to manage and use again.

In-ear Lanyard earphones also accessorize the ipod nano. This accessory turns your ipod nano into a wearable music player. Not only that, but these earphones are also very artistic, a stunning piece of art indeed. These ipod nano accessories are unlike any other type of earphones, for these increase the clarity and the bass response of the song you are listening to.

Most earphones look unmanageable because of the cluttered look they portray, which is not offered by this ipod nano accessory. In-ear Lanyard earphones give an uncluttered look due to the fact that the audio cable is integrated with the Lanyard itself.

You do not have to worry about using your ipod nano while busy with something else. The armband is another ipod nano accessory that gives you easy access to the Click Wheel and also to the other controls an ipod nano has. This ipod nano accessory can also be used for fashion for it has a variety of hues and shades that you can choose from.

If you want a character of a hopeless romantic, the pink armband is perfect for you; if you’re the nature person, either that or you’re a hippie, then the color green is the armband color usually recommended for people of your genre; the shades of red depict confidence and determination, the color usually bought by a dominatrix; and other colors like blue and gray, etc.

The ipod nano dock is an ipod nano accessory that makes your residence, not only a home for you, but also for your ipod nano. This accessory makes a convenient home base for chargine and syncing. With this ipod nano accessory, you can also connect your ipod nano to an audio system, to share the good music, your ipod nano plays, with everyone else.

Together, with the aforementioned ipod ano accessories, is the USB power adapter. With this adapter, you can charge your ipod nano when it is not connected to a computer. To do so, you need to have with you your dock connector and USB cable.

Ipod nanos do not just play what you have downloaded. You can also enjoy the good music of FM radio on your ipod nano. With the radio remote, yo can control everything you need to control to set your FM radio. This ipod nano accessory also makes things a lot easier for you because the remote is conveniently wired. With this package comes a shorter cable that seems to fit the remote with perfection.

The tubes fit the ipod nano like a glove and gives you a full Click Wheel control form the outside. This ipod nano accessory clothes your ipod nano, yet it doesn’t decrease your ipod nano’s manageability. The tubes are also colorful; a set of the colors clear, blue, purple, green and pink.

The last ipod nano accessory that completes the package is the AV connector kit. This kit is inclusive of everything that you need to connect your ipod nano to your home stereo. With this ipod nano accessory, you can enjoy your music library right in your home. You can share your favorite trackes with your family and friends this way too.

“Accessories” may sound like all they do is accessorize. Well, they do, but that’s not the whole story. They also make things easier or more manageable for you. That is exactly what ipod nano accessories do.

Now Showing On Your iPod: Movies

2009-01-21T07:59:00.000-08:00

Now Showing On Your iPod: Movies

The fifth generation ipod created the buzz since its release. Many users have enjoyed television shows, movies and music videos played on their beloved iPod video. Hundreds of software has circulated the market to rip DVD and so users can upload their favorite movies, tv shows, music video, games and other multimedia clips. iPod movies are now the latest trend among iPod fanatics.

How do you add a movie to become a part of your iPod movies? The first step is to choose what movie you want to put in your iPod movies. You can opt to download movies straight from the Internet but that might cost a bit more, around $2 USD for a movie. It is highly recommended that users download their iPod movies through the Apple iTunes Music Store. For one thing, it is not so easy to convert DVD into iPod movies because of the possibility of incompatibility with the software. Secondly, you can be sure of the quality of your iPod movies.

If you still want to rip an existing DVD movie on to your iPod video, start by downloading software available on the web but be careful! Choose only those that support the iPod video format. Look for features that are easy to use and fast,brief interface and design. Make sure that all encoders/codecs are built-in.

The iPod video converter should be able to integrate with all video/audio encoders/codecs. It should also support a preview function so you can be sure that the iPod movies turn out well. Examples of these are PQ DVD to iPod Video Converter, Handbrake or ImTOO iPod Movie Converter v2.1. Each of these software converts all of the popular video formats to iPod Movies MP4 (iPod video format MPEG-4) and they also convert audio files to iPod supported MP3, AAC, M4A file format. The conversion process happens automatically so all you have to do is set what format you want the movie converted then set the volume and the directory to save it in. Presto! You now have an addition to your iPod movies.

But as legal issues over piracy and copyright laws are beginning to be strict, many are concerned about the future of iPod movies. Will the users be made liable for home videos or ripped DVDs downloaded on their iPod movies’ play list? The economics of iPod video distribution are very different and is dominated by the Hollywood moguls, including licensing and windowing agreements. Not to mention the progress of theatre shows to other markets like rental shops, pay TV, retail stores, free-to-air and now to iPod movies.

And what about porn? The advent of 3G technology on mobile phones has also opened the gates of thrash content when sex videos started to circulate. Will the iPod movies follow suit? Will there be a regulation in the near future of what we can or can’t download to our iPod movies? It is not too hard to see the iPod movies being used for such frivolity. After all, we are free to put whatever content we want on our iPods.

Aside from the iPod movies, the TV shows that can be played on the iPod video are endless. Right now, Desperate Housewives rule the iPod video landscape. Another great ipod feature is the video pod cast, users don’t just watch pod casts but they can also create their own. Eventually home movies will be added as users explore the iPod movies and its limits.

To fully enjoy your iPod movies, there are accessories available for your iPod video. With its TV OUT and wide screen option, you can share you iPod movies with friends inside your living room. The video quality will somewhat depend on the file compression but over-all the resolution is a great. External speakers are also available for you to fully appreciate the audio sounds of the iPod movies you are watching. Add the optional audio cable so you can play music from iPod to your home stereo or use the S-video cable play VJ on your TV. You can also perform the same big-screen feat with iPod photo slideshows and iPod movies.

iPod Music - the ultimate music experience

2009-01-20T08:01:00.000-08:00

iPod Music - the ultimate music experience

iPod music has sold models to over 10 million users. With the growth of iPod users, iPod music among the most sought after kind of music through the Internet. During the second quarter conference of its company, Apple, company executives said that it is actively going for the international digital music market.

In the United States alone, Apple's iPod and iPod music has a 78% share in the market, while it is also leading in the United Kingdom with 40%. In Japan, Canada and Australia, iPod music is also popular with market shares of 54%, 45% and 58% respectively. Apple Chief Operating officer Tim Cook said that while the iPod is the top portable audio player in these countries, Apple is also eyeing on improving iPod music sales in other countries like Italy and the rest of Eastern Europe, and Asian countries like China and Korea.

Cook said that Apple is planning to make local advertising and distribution points to help boost the sales of iPod and iPod music in these areas. The Apple executive said that there are now more than 35,000 storefronts in the world that sells iPod and promote iPod music. He said that the company is increasing the capacity of resellers in the United States that will enhance and increase the number of channel partners to distribute iPod and promote iPod music in Latin America and Asia.

More gadgets, accessories for iPod music

iPod music can now be played in Teac's two new offerings. The first one is called SRL-200 that features an integrated iPod dock, digital AM and FM radio tuner with 20 FM station presets, LCD display, and wireless remote. It lets you awaken or fall asleep to iPod music. It sells for $150.

The second offering is called GR-10i. It is a similar clock radio with iPod dock that sports a silver exterior. It also features digital AM and FM radio tuner, LCD display, remote and sleep/alarm functions.

iPod features

iPod can allow you to store up to 15,000 songs and up to 150 hours of video in your pocket size gadget. iPod and its music has surely brought the ultimate music experience both in sight and sound. It is now in thinner and lighter design that is available in white and dramatic black. Its 320x240 pixel QVGA color display allows you to view photos and videos in iPod music and video formats. These are all available in iTunes Music Store by Apple.

You can play more and more iPod music from your iPod with the 60GB and 30GB iPod but without occupying a big space. Incredibly, iPod plays almost countless music and videos yet measures only a half inch thin that can easily pit into your pocket.

There are many gadgets that you can plug into your iPod that does not only play iPod music but videos and slideshows as well on your TV. You can show and share your iPod music and other iPod files. The optional Audio video cable helps you do this and combined with a new Apple remote with an optional iPod Universal Dock, you can easily have control on your iPod music, videos and slideshows from across the room.

You can play iPod music up to 20 hours non stop. The 60GB iPod offers 20 hours of battery life for your music playing. The 30GB can be used for 14 hours non stop. The battery of your iPod can be charged up to 80% of its total capacity in just two hours while a full charge can take four hours all in all.

iPod has become the best travel companion when taking pictures during your vacation. In the absence of memory cards, you can automatically store extra files of pictures in your iPod. The optional iPod Camera Connector helps you do this while playing iPod music. You can connect the cable and transfer the pictures from your digital camera to your iPod. From your iPod, you can view your pictures immediately.

iPod is definitely not exclusive to playing iPod music alone. It has evolved to become best handy player of audio and video files in the world. No wonder that iPod is music lovers' most favored gadget.

Bono of U2 simply says it all, "iPod is the most interesting artistic creation in pop since the electric guitar.

A Biography of the iPod Mini

2009-01-19T07:59:00.000-08:00

A Biography of the iPod Mini

Yes, the ipod mini said its goodbye to the technology market last September 7, 2005. It seems only proper to pay our respects to this whimsical gadget that once put a smile on our face. When the iPod mini was released on February 20, 2004, many were delighted. Being the smaller version of Apple Computer's iPod first generation portable audio player, it’s variety in color (though still somewhat limited to five colors: silver, gold, pink, blue, and green) appealed to a much broader market. The ipod mini operated with both Macintosh and Windows PCs.

The iPod mini’s feature was the click wheel, where four buttons were located above the wheel. To use one of the buttons, a user had to push the wheel edge inward over one of the labels. The click wheel is now used in the fourth and fifth generation iPods as well as in the iPod nano. Above the wheel was the monochrome display that gave the menus or information of the currently selected track. The new generation of ipods now has a colored screen display.

The iPod mini made use of the ultra-thin Compact Flash Microdrive hard drives. The first-generation mini models only had to content itself to a 4GB hard drive. The second-generation mini models were then available in 4GB and 6GB memory size. The iPod mini 4 GB is capable of storing 1,000 songs while the iPod mini 6GB stored 1, 500 songs.

Later the drive size was laser engraved on the case to distinguish between the two minis. Near the end of the iPod mini’s life, Apple laser etched two lines of 32 characters on top of the reverse side on the mini free of charge. Such a feature would originally cost more money. However, Apple seemed sentimental enough and the gesture was a sign of respect for the mini’s impeding demise.

The battery life of its first generation iPod mini was 8 hours that led to some argument on its short duration. This problem was solved with the second-generation models that claimed a battery life of 18 hours.

Unfortunately, the 2nd generation had no FireWire cable or an AC power adapter, a compromise made by Apple to reduce the retail prices of the new iPod minis. The iPod mini also had a dock connector provided on the bottom for a connection to the computer (Hi-Speed USB or FireWire). The battery was charged during its connection. On the top it was a headphone jack, a hold switch, and remote port for other accessories.

Like the larger iPod, the iPod mini supported a host of file formats like MP3, WAV, AIFF and MP4. It maintained it’s flawless integration with the iTunes Music Store and the files being downloaded there. Software-wise, the iPod mini was as reliable as the original iPod units.

The appeal of the iPod mini is it’s compact and colorful design. And the accessories that come with it are there to enhance the iPod mini’s sound quality and functions. It is true that some of the accessories are expensive but aren’t all the iPod gadgets expensive too?

Besides if there was something good to be said about the iPod mini, it’s the option it gave the consumers when getting a digital audio player. The Ipod mini competed directly with players like Creative's Zen Micro and the Digital Networks Rio Carbon. The smaller display was one line shorter than the previous models, thus limiting its on-screen track information display to title and artist only, taking the album information off.

The original price for the first generation iPod mini was around $249 for the 4GB memory size. The second-generation lowered the price to $199 and kept the 4GB model. An increased-capacity 6GB mini model sold for $249.

As the Ipod family began to expand, the Ipod mini was laid to rest when Apple launched the introduction of the iPod nano. The iPod mini was no more and stopped its production. Though it seems the iPod mini only stayed for a while, its influence as the pioneer of the click wheel will always be remembered.

Apple Drowns in iPod Lawsuit

2009-01-18T07:58:00.000-08:00

Apple Drowns in iPod Lawsuit

When a product is meant for sale, it has to meet certain quality standards. It is not different with the case of the Apple ipods. With the release of up to five generations of the unit, one has to wonder how strict they are with its manufacturing procedures. An ipod lawsuit being filed by different complainants project the image that Apple has been very irresponsible with the production of these portable music devices.

One of the ipod lawsuit filed are claims that the unit causes hearing damages. The complainant in the ipod lawsuit states that the company does not warn users of its physical risks, and the design of the ipod’s white earbud phones increase the chances of hearing loss. There was even one rumor that fuels this ipod lawsuit that said that Apple's engineers increased the ipod’s sound because they reasoned that CEO Steve Jobs is almost deaf.

Such childish remarks only serve to discredit the ipod lawsuit. But in this case, it only shows how irresponsible Apple has been with neglecting to consider quality standards. But with the new release of the fifth generation ipod, this ipod lawsuit will no longer be a problem since ipod has included the capability to lower the volume and even fix a volume range to a certain level so that parents can limit the sounds their children take when listening to their ipod.

Another ipod lawsuit raised is the battery life. The consumers, who filed the suit, alleged that iPod failed to stand to its claims of the rechargeable battery lasting the product's lifetime and continuously play music for up to 10 hours. Thousands of consumers who has read the ipod lawsuit also complained that the ipod’s battery —costing $99 to replace — lasted only 18 months or less and it only played music for four hours before recharging.

Because of this, many consumers with battery problems on older versions of the iPod digital music player will receive $50 vouchers and an extended service warranties as ordered from a tentative settlement filed under the said class-action lawsuit. The ipod lawsuit could affect 2 million users in the US who purchased first-generation, second-generation and third-generation iPods through May 2004.

Environmentalists were also upset, saying the short-lived battery encouraged consumers to dispose of their old devices, which were ending up in landfills and possibly leaking toxins. Apple has been the target for yearlong campaign by these environmental groups, who are asking the executives to reduce/eliminate recycling fees for their consumers and build recycling centers for the ipod.

However, Apple has done almost nothing to discourage the iPod as a disposable unit and there is a possibility of a future ipod lawsuit should they continue to neglect the problem.

One can quickly address this ipod lawsuit and say that there are available third-party gadgets to prolong, charge the ipod easily or even replace the battery. These batteries contain more capacity than its original standard Apple batteries. However, since the battery is a major part of the music player device, its inability to meet the claims on the box does implicate that Apple ipod is liable to those who filed the ipod lawsuit.

The ipod lawsuit does not end there. Another class suit was filed against Apple for the replacement fees being charged to customers for replacing the broken iPod nano screens. The ipod lawsuit alleges that the iPod nano is defective because the screen is easily scratched and the company is breaking the product warranty by charging $25 for their replacements. They contend in the ipod lawsuit that since the Nano cannot withstand normal use without being damaged, the company should have appropriate warnings to the consumer.

What does this entire ipod lawsuit mean for Apple Computer? Make better products or they end up paying settlements left and right. Just like every other industry, Apple Computers must fix products deemed defective for free or refund the costs its paid customers, especially when it is within the warranty period to lessen the ipod lawsuit filed against them.

Many see this ipod lawsuit as a wake up call for the billionaire company to be strict with their quality control, be responsible in their advertising, and be efficient with their after-sales service. As long as greedy companies are duping people into buying inferior products, many more lawsuits like the ipod lawsuit will surface.

Yes, Folks! There are Free iPod Downloads on the Internet!

2009-01-17T06:15:00.000-08:00

Third party manufacturers create skins and covers to dress up iPods of all generations including iPod shuffle and iPod nano. Third party developers do not want to be left behind. They also create software programs for the iPod and offered free iPod downloads in their websites or at the Apple.com website.

There are lots of free iPod downloads at the Apple.com website. There are lots to download for to achieve that maximum iPod experience.

Below are the top 5 free iPod downloads that we've seen, so far. They come as a freeware, shareware, or a demo. Demo free iPod downloads are offered to the public for test use. iPod users who downloaded the demo software are encouraged to send comments about the software, bugs or glitches that they encountered, if there is any, and promote the demo free iPod download to their iPod user friends.

* Free iPod downloads #1 - Video Converter for iPod (like iSquint)

iSquint is one of the many free iPod downloads that third party developers offer for the public. This free iPod download is an Apple iPod video conversion application for Mac OS X.

This free iPod download is faster than QuickTime Pro and works with almost all video formats.

It is so easy to use.

Just drag in or copy-paste your file. And then, click Start.

You can set your quality and choose between these two sizes: “TV” or “iPod.”

A 20 minute video takes up 50-150MB of disk space.

If you shot an amateur video that you wish to play in your iPod you can use iSquint, one of the free iPod downloads at Apple.com, and format your amateur video for iPod and then share the video with your friends.

* Free iPod downloads #2 - Podcast and Music Mixer (like Podcast Mixer)

If you want to create a Podcast that contains music in between, look for Podcast and Music Mixer free iPod downloads.

This is one of the best free iPod downloads. With this free iPod download, you can compile individual playlists from the playlist in your iTunes and podcasts. You can listen to a song with a podcast or podcasts of your choice interspersed in between the individual songs or tracks.

So if you want to be a DJ Podcaster, this free iPod download is for you. Download it for free at the Apple free iPod downloads center or at the Podcast Mixer official free iPod downloads site. Since this is a freeware, you can share this magnificent free iPod download with your friends.

* Free iPod downloads #3 - Get Healthy With iPod Workout (like iWorkout)

The number 3 in our list of best free iPod downloads.

The only realistic way to lose unwanted fats and pounds of weight and look great is to exercise. With iPod workout free iPod downloads, you can start exercising and enjoy it too.

At Apple.com, there is a free iPod download. Named iWorkout, this is one of the best free iPod downloads. This free iPod download has 42 different workout routines created by an ACE Certified Personal Trainer. This free iPod download contains workout routines in illustrations that can be viewed in new iPods. the workouts in this free iPod download can be spoken to you like a podcast on your your iPod.

This free iPod download, unlike some free iPod downloads, is easy and simple to install on any models of iPod. iWorkout is a shareware and can be downloaded for free for evaluation at Apple.com free iPod downloads section. This free iPod download is the exercise companion for you.

iWorkout free iPod download has some restrictions. The full version includes the following features:

- Full body workouts
- Abs workouts
- Circuit training
- Workout machines
- Cardio workouts
- Upper body workouts
- Lower body workouts

You can download these free iPod downloads at the official website of Apple at Apple.com or at the official website of the third party software developer.

At the Apple.com website, you can view lots of free iPod downloads as well as shareware or for a limited time free use of iPod software.

Aside from the above-listed free iPod downloads, there are also many free iPod downloads of your favorite movie or book character as screensaver or icons.

No Need to Shout for iPod Help (iPod Help is Here)

2009-01-16T07:57:00.000-08:00

No Need to Shout for iPod Help
(iPod Help is Here)

In the last two years, Apple iPod has been releasing new models every six to eight months. Every new iPod that come offers new feature not available from the previous ones. In fact many features have been totally changed that some units need to be phased out (like the iPod mini). It is for this reason that iPod help center regularly updates their iPod help at the Apple's official website, the Apple.com

iPod help are specifically made to accommodate and answer the needs of iPod users owning iPods of different generations. If you are a new iPod owner, of a first to fifth generations or iPod nano, iPod mini, or iPod shuffle, you might wonder what are the things you could do with your iPod. Now that you have shouted help, we will bring you five top things that new iPod owner ask for and the iPod help and answers that correspond them.

iPod Help 1: Know thy iPod Battery

iPod help states that your iPod battery shall last for 300 to 500 recharge cycles. Meaning, after the 500th discharge and recharge, you need to replace not just the battery but the entire unit at the Apple Center for a refurbished unit with new set of iPod battery.

There are many iPod help documentations about iPod batteries. iPod help iPod users to understand how an iPod battery works, how new iPod users can save power and thus enjoy their iPod batteries longer.

iPod Help 2: Know thy special features

iPod help states that iPod is not just for entertainment. iPod nano, iPod mini, iPod shuffle, and iPod video may actually be used as a personal assistant.

You can add your address book and personal information of all the people you know from your computers to your iPod nano, iPod mini, iPod shuffle, and iPod video. You can do this by following the instructions from the iPod help center.

It's quite easy. It is just a simple sync in feature that can be done by simply attaching your iPod nano, iPod mini, iPod shuffle, and iPod video to your computer and then by pressing some tabs on the iTunes.

Aside from the 'Sync My Address Book' feature of iPod nano, iPod mini, iPod shuffle, and iPod video, you can also sync your schedules using iCal for Mac or Microsoft Outlook and Outlook Express for Microsoft Windows.

With the ipod help center, you will be taught on how to attach and read small sticky notes to and from your iPod nano, iPod mini, iPod shuffle, and iPod video.

iPod Help 3: Know thy third party software

iPod help center also offers free downloads of iPod software. iPod can help you on how to install dictionary, translators and text-to-speech translators to your iPod nano, iPod mini, iPod shuffle, and iPod video.

Some iPod software from the iPod help center are offered for free. iPod help center call this a freeware. iPod help center also has shareware software which you can use for free but for a limited time only.

There is this shareware offered at the iPod help center that will work best for travellers: the Accio Dictionary for iPod.

With this shareware, you can listen to translatations of phrases and words that a tourist often ask to a native, like asking directions or asking for a name or saying thanks and sorry. The translations in Accio Dictionary are spoken by native speakers.

iPod Help 4: Earn thy living through Podcasting

You might have heard of Podcasting before, but never did it make you turn around the computer and read about it again. Here is your chance to know about it and earn through it. Podcasting is an entertainment media, a new generation, that is, that permits listeners to subscribe to shows, radio-style. These podcasts can be downloaded from the subscribers' computers and can be listened either in their computer or in their iPod nano, iPod mini, iPod shuffle, and iPod video.

iPod help center accepts podcasts submission, which the iPod help center will submit to the iTunes store. Podcasters can offer their podcasts for free or for a fee.

Many people have earned money through podcasting. You can also benefit from podcasting too by learning the ins and outs of podcasting at the iPod help center. Just log on to Apple.com website and go to the iPod and iTunes support and help center.

Two iPod Headphones Clash

2009-01-15T07:56:00.000-08:00

Two iPod Headphones Clash

On the right red corner, weighing one ounce and priced at around $80 is Shure E2c Sound Isolating Earphones. On the left blue corner, weighing one ounce and priced at around $30 is the Apple In-Ear Headphones.

Let's get ready to rrrrrrrumble!

Which do you think is the best between these two iPod headphones?

For standard use, Apple iPod headphones seem to work fine. But the point will come wherein you will wonder, is there any iPod headphones out there that could offer me better sound, crisper, more booming base and has a surround sound quality?

This question will prompt you to Google for best iPod headphones in the market. After seeing the search results, you will be amazed that there are handful of iPod headphones out there that have features that may seem to read too technical for you.

We have tried a couple of those so called isolating Headphones and the aurally-probing ones and we come up with the Shure E2c Sound Isolating Earphones to see if it really is better than Apple in-Ear Headphones.

The one thing that we noticed that these two iPod headphones both share is the ability to lock in the sound. The person sitting next to you wouldn't know that your iPod nano, iPod mini, iPod video or iPod shuffle is actually on. He won't hear the treble or the bass sound that comes out in that light scratching sound (which are the cons of some low standard iPod headphones offered by third party manufacturers).

In fact, if you wear these two iPod headphones in public, you won't hear that a car is coming or that the person beside you is being mugged. So, with this feature, these iPod headphones should be better be used in-doors or when you are playing text-to-speech notes or recorded lectures, or any listening activity that requires your full attention and focus.

**Design wise

Apple In-Ear iPod headphones, aesthetically speaking, looks better than Shure E2c Sound Isolating iPod headphones. Apple In-Ear Headphones has the standard Apple white and Apple sleek design that most people has come to associate with beautiful and techie gadgets.

Shure E2c Sound Isolating iPod headphones look like two sets of mechanical bugs that are to buzz their way inside your ears.

**Fitting of earpieces

Shure E2c Sound Isolating iPod headphones fits better than Apple In-Ear headphones. Many users complain that Apple In-Ear iPod headphones do not fit their ears and always slip even if you choose the right size for you.

Shure E2c Sound Isolating iPod headphones come with a foam or flex earpieces to ensure that the earpieces stays in place even if you move around. Shure E2c Sound Isolating iPod headphones, however, seem not to have the right fit for people with small ears.

Putting on these two iPod headphones for the first time will give you a strange unfamiliar sensation in your ears, such as a small pressure and a feeling of not being in this world (since you won't hear any sound from the outside world). Don't worry, you will get used to it, eventually.

**Sound Quality

Shure E2c Sound Isolating iPod headphones produce high quality sound. You will hear the deep bass in perfect balance with the treble. White noise are blocked and you will hear every note that is plucked on the guitar and every sigh and breathing made by the singer.

The sound quality of Apple In-Ear iPod headphones is disappointing. It can isolate sound, true but the bass sound cracks, especially the deep ones. You would not want to listen with these iPod headphones with fast and upbeat music because it will sound like a crackle. Best for use with country or western music.

Shure E2c Sound Isolating iPod headphones' performance is far better than Apple In-Ear iPod headphones. But this good performance comes with a price, an extra $50. If your purpose for buying an isolating iPod headphones is to listen to iPod music with clearer lyrics, then the Apple In-Ear iPod headphones fit you perfectly (or if you're a transcriptionist or a student who listens and needs to understand the recorded spoken words). It is much cheaper and can do the job of isolating of sound just right.

How to turn an iPod into a Remote Control

2009-01-14T07:55:00.000-08:00

How to turn an iPod into a Remote Control

The Apple Ipod

Users of the Apple iPod could not get enough of the music experience. These are some of the features of the Apple iPod that makes it so attractive to music lovers and techies:

1. The Apple iPod have so much space available of up to forty gigabytes that it can store up to about five thousand songs.
2. The Apple iPod also comes with the ergonomically designed Click Wheel wherein you can do fast forward, play, reverse, pause and access the menu with ease.
4. The Apple iPod can be used up to 12 hours non-stop due to its long life battery.
5. The Apple iPod was also designed in such a way that you would have the ability to set up your own play list and it also has a shuffle function to introduce randomness during playing.

iPod Hacks

Through the years, however, the Apple iPod has been modified by techies by using iPod hacks, bent on providing more power to the user in terms of customization and personalization of their Apple iPod.

Strictly speaking, iPod hacks are anything that gives changes to your iPod in terms of appearance, either in terms of software or hardware. Various firmwares that provides iPod hacks, are available on the Internet websites like the iPodWizard that is capable of changing the graphic and text of the Apple iPod.

Some users of the Apple iPod are already content with their iPod simplying playing music, however, some people use iPod hacks because they seem to want more.

Turning an iPod into a Universal Remote

Latest technology capabilities have provided a user power to modify his Apple iPod. These iPod hacks can even transform a normal Apple iPod into a universal remote.

The Apple ipod can be used to control any home electronic equipment in your house. It can control your television, DVD player, Media Center, even a robot. This is the power of iPod hacks.

Simply put, you can use a Pocket PC to possibly record the waves an infrared remote produces. Transfer these waves to your iPod and start changing your TV channels. You now have a new universal remote control.

The following are required before starting this example project of iPod hacks:

1. An Apple iPod
2. A Mac or Personal Computer with a sound recording software installed.
3. A Pocket PC, could be a Pocket PC 2002 or 2003.
4. A total remote software and IR device

The following procedure guides you through changing your iPod into a remote control using iPod hacks:

1. The most important element in this iPod hacks project is the sound or wave to infrared converter.

First, install the total remote software on the MAC or PC. This software is meant to extend the range of the Pocket PC to include consumer IR capabilities.

2. Record the infrared signal by using a sound-editing program that can modify sounds and remove channels. An example of such sound-editing program is the SoundForge.

Input the infrared signals from your remotes to the PC by using the software. Input all infrared signals of the home electronic equipment that you want to control.

You can observe if you have recorded the sound effectively if you'll hear weird beeps or pulses. This is basically what an infrared signal would sound like. Using the SoundForge, you can actually view the pulses and signals on a graphic representation of the wave.

Do not forget to increase the right channel. Then mute it. The process through the IR device would not function properly if you missed this important step.

3. Convert the signals into sound files (actually saved as WAV files).

4. On the Apple iPod, make a new playlist and add the WAV files to the playlist.

5. Now, you can test the new universal remote. Use the Apple iPod to play the sounds through the converter for remote controlling any home electronic equipment.

This basic example of iPod hacks is obviously very easy to understand. Softwares are already available that users can use to modify their Apple iPods.

iPod hacks are still, however, very risky with regards to its effects on your iPod device. Unless handled by a professional technician, the Apple iPod could malfunction if the modification is not right.

Liven Up Your iPod With Great Games

2009-01-13T07:55:00.000-08:00

Liven Up Your iPod With Great Games

Many have branded ipods as the most entertaining thingamajig in this generation, and they are, but not only because of the music it plays. There are ipod games that can relieve you of your boredom. Ipod games are very good and entertaining, which will be perfect for you, if you are the impatient type of person. Ipod games certainly do wonders for your patience. But these wonders do not limit to this justification. There are things that ipod games can do that no other game can.

Once you start playing a certain ipod game, you get hooked to it and you will not last a day without playing it. Most of the ipod games are very addictive. Once you start playing an ipod game, it suddenly becomes part of your system. Or rather, your system becomes a part of the game.

Ipod games have their own way of transporting you to another world. This doesn’t necessarily pertain to anything cosmic, these ipod games bring you to a different world; a world of fun and enjoyment, and sometimes, for survival; fighting for your life. You run away from your own nightmares (though it is very hard to understand how you can run away from your own dreams, just think Freddie Krueger); you can be an amateur Sherlock Holmes and crack a murder case.

You can also become an exotic hero, with only a tattered piece of cloth wrapped around your hips, probably living in the deep jungle, talking to apes and other exotic creatures. There are also ipod games that relate to office work. If you’re not the office worker you wanted to be, you can be your ideal self in this game.

There are also ipod games involving architecture and construction work. There are beaches and airplanes, wherein you have to play the role of a tycoon and build your own beach resort or your own airstrip. There are a very wide variety of ipod games you can enjoy. Ipod games rank from reality to fantasy. You can play anything, that is available, that strikes your fancy.

Since ipods are portable, you can play your favorite game anywhere. When you’re waiting in a line, that seems to take for eternity, you can just whip out your ipod and play that impatience away. Also, when you’re in the loo, waiting for the cessation of God’s call, you can experience life-changing games, which may even quicken the “evacuation” of certain “residents”. You can play ipod games simply anywhere.

If your fingers get tired from all those pressing and clicking, you can just exit, then and there, and continue when you feel like embarking on your legendary journey again.

There are quite a number of companies that release ipod games. One of the top producing would be Malinche.

Malinche has released various games already, but nothing among the then-produced ipod games can match to this one. This ipod game is called The First Mile. Experiencing horror fiction interactively? Cool. Have you ever been in a horror story? Listening to it gives you goosebumps. Can you imagine what playing a role in it can do to you?

The first part of the game makes horror fiction an understatement. This game has been commented by those who have played it, that they were scared to death with this one (which you’d probably find hilarious for how, then, could they comment on it if it killed them in the first place, but that’s beyond the point).

Hearing, or in this case, reading about this ipod game terrifies you with its details on its work of horror, what more when you’re experiencing it? This is only one of the ipod games that you can enjoy. There are lots more of ipod games that you can play; your choice, your game.

So load an ipod game, or better yet, ipod games, in your ipod, and play them while swinging to the beat of your favorite track on the background. “Music adds an extra dimension to an already incredible experience”.

Apple was indeed pleased and quite impressed with these ipod games. The Apple creators felt flattered that their invention was used in such an entertaining and unique manner. In debt of gratitude, they featured the game, The First Mile, in their Apple Product Guide.

Another reason for their thanks to Malinche, is that, you do not need to graduate elementary school to know how to download an ipod game. Their device was used as a medium for kids, who are not music lovers, to enjoy them too. It just takes a few seconds, but the fun and experience last for hours on end.

Do not wait until the fat lady sings. Download that ipod game you have been having a crush on and be in on the hottest trend in the ipod world today.

The Coolest iPod Downloads Around

2009-01-12T07:54:00.000-08:00

The Coolest iPod Downloads Around

iPod is only five years old but it dominates the digital audio player in the world. Around 42 million iPod unit sales has been recorded for the fiscal year of 2001 to 2005. The rate of iPod sales in the first quarter of 2006 shows that iPod is selling 100 iPod units every minute.

That is how popular iPod is. For this reason, third party manufacturers are jumping to the iPod craze and are manufacturing iPod skins, iPod covers, iPod cases and iPod special headphones, and iPod battery kits to meet the demand of the users to achieve maximum experience with their iPods.

The third party software developers do not want to be left behind so they created software and plugins for iPod mini, iPod nano, iPod Video. Third party developers offer their products as iPod downloads.

iPod downloads maybe a software or an image or video file for your iPod mini, iPod nano, or iPod shuffle. iPod downloads may be for free, freeware iPod downloads, or shareware, of for free for a limited time of use iPod downloads.

Software iPod downloads may be a dictionary, foreign words translator to english or a video file converter from computer to iPod.

Image or video file iPod downloads include screensavers, icons, free videos, and free music videos.

Below are some of the best iPod downloads.

--Accio Dictionary for iPod

Accio Dictionary is not a Harry Potter dictionary, although this iPod download works magic.

There are many dictionary iPod downloads out there but we consider Accio as one of the best if not the very best dictionary iPod downloads in the industry. With this iPod download, you can manage to ask a simple, "Where is the train station?" in Spanish or German or Portuguese or Italian by just simply referring to your Accio Dictionary in your iPod nano, iPod mini or iPod shuffle.

With this shareware iPod download, you can listed to translatations of phrases and words that a tourist often ask to a native, like asking directions or asking for a name or saying thanks and sorry. The translations in this iPod download are spoken by native speakers.

The Accio iPod dictionary has 8,000 indexed translations. The vocabularies in this superb iPod download are those you need for traveling and everyday usage.

Accio iPod dictionary offers five shareware iPod downloads. iPod Downloads are for: English-German, English-Spanish, English-French, English-Italian, English-Portuguese.

The four Accio iPod downloads also offer the following:

- Quick reference using the iPod “Notes.”
- It also has a "Talking Phrasebook!" You can listen to translated words or phrases for travelling and everyday use, spoken by native speakers.
- This iPod download is expandable. You can add several Accio modules into your iPod — these iPod downloads have everything you need for tours and travels.
- Up to 8,000 indexed translations.

--About iSpeak It

This is one of the most incredible iPod downloads to date. Imagine, you can convert into an audio file your favorite e-books simple by using this iPod software. Compatible with iPod nano, iPod mini, and iPod shuffle, you can install this fabulous iPod downloads software from the Apple.com or at its official website.

If you're a writer and would like to hear how you writing sounds, get this in iPod downloads center immediately for this is for you. This iPod download works best if you are working on a dialogue. You will know if your dialogue sounds more like your mother than a dialogue for a literary piece; unless the character that is speaking is inspired by your mother.

iPod downloads center offers iSpeak as a shareware. You can take any document that you want and convert in into an MP3/AAC track\. You can do this in your iTunes by turning on the built-in text-to-speech of Mac. Windows XP also offers text-to-speech capabilities.

What can you do with iSpeak once you downloaded it from the Apple iPod downloads center? You can download news, driving directions, email messages, weather, and then text-to-speech it in your computer with the help of iSpeak and then transfer it in your iPod nano, iPod mini, or iPod shuffle.

This spectacular software from the Apple iPod downloads center accepts files such as Word, RTF, Pages 2, PDF, AppleWorks, text and even HTML files.

You Gotta Love iPod's Covers!

2009-01-11T07:53:00.000-08:00

You Gotta Love iPod's Covers!

With the release of iPod in 2001, third party manufacturers of iPod covers and cases had sprouted, offering iPod covers in various colors for first to fifth generations of iPods, the iPod mini and the iPod nano, and the iPod shuffle.

iPod covers are created to protect or shelter the ultra sleek iPods from dust, dirt and scratches. Most iPod users buy iPod covers to protect the iPod skin that they have dressed on for their iPods.

-FABRIC iPOD COVERS

iPod covers are usually made from cotton fabric. It may be stitched like a pouch bag or a slip on. Some third party manufactureres create plastic iPod covers, but this kind of iPod cover is not very popular.

Although iPod covers are not necessarily needed, most iPod users buy iPod covers to look fashionable with the colorful designs of their iPods.

iPod covers made from fabric are washable and reusable.

1. Pouch iPod covers

Pouch iPod covers are usually made from cotton fabric. The added tie (to create a pouch) serves like a lanyard so you can slip it on your wrists whenever you are in the move.

2. Slip on iPod covers

Slip on iPod covers may come with embroidery or printed image of your favorite character in a movie or a book or even of your own face.

Lucas online arts store has some sets of Star Wars slip on iPod covers with an imprint of faces of Princess Leia, Luke Sky Walker, Darth Vader, Hans Solo, Obi Wan Kenobi and the robots. iPod covers containing scenes or faces in movies like Pirates of the Carribean or the iconic head of Hello Kitty, are offered also in the net either as hard plastic iPod cover or fabric slip on iPod cover.

3. Innovative iPod covers

Some designers offer innovative iPod covers. Like the handmade iPod cover muffs from Australia which is made from printe polyester canvas with a matching foam and polar fleece inside to keep the iPod in place.

But the most innovated iPod covers are baby's socks. These iPod covers are very cute to look at. They are offered in bold colors that is so striking to look at. These iPod covers are made from yarn knits and are also washable.

METALLIC IPOD COVERS

For those who wants to look techie and very modern, the metal iPod covers fit you perfectly.

Metallic iPod covers are made of aluminum, with grade of that anodized aircraft, and have designs and sizes to fit first to fifth generations of iPod and also the mini, nano and shuffle lines.

These metallic iPod covers are lighweight, and scratch-resistant, which means your iPod unit is not only protected inside, but the protective metallic iPod cover is also protected from scratches and could last for a longer time than washable iPod covers.

A lining called Neoprene holds the iPod securely in place and likewis cushions it from sudden impact.

Metallic iPod covers have cut outs to give way for dock connector pork, headphone jacks, click wheel and the hold switch, so the iPod is fully functional even though it is encased in the metallic iPod cover.

Metallic iPod covers are priced slightly higher than the fabric iPod covers. Some says that the high price is worthy considering that metallic iPod covers could last at least 100 times compared to fabric iPod covers.

LEATHER iPOD COVERS

For those who wish to have an elegant cover for their iPod, they should look out for fine-grain leather iPod covers.

Leather iPod covers are offered in cool tones. They have heavy-duty stitching around the edges to ensure protection for your iPod. It comes with a detachable, rotating belt clip or lanyard.

Apple, in 2006, came up with their own line of iPod covers. Apple's iPod covers are made from italian, fine-grain leather, and are clearly aimed for the high-end market. Apple's leather iPod covers has cutout to give access to to important features of the iPod such as the ports for the dock connector and the headphones, and also the click wheel.

Leather iPod covers are costly. They are priced more than half of the price of polyester or fabric made pouch, slip on or baby socks iPod covers.

The Pleasures Of Getting A Free iPod

2009-01-10T06:14:00.000-08:00

We all know that an ipod is expensive. The new releases of APPLE ipods are really unaffordable for normal people. But if you are only after listening to songs and don’t really care about videos, playlists, etc, I suggest that you buy the ipod shuffle instead.

It is the cheapest ipod out in the market today but it already cost thousands of pesos. It is already expensive considering people without big paychecks. So if it is expensive, why would you want to have it anyway if you can’t afford it? It is not even a necessity anyway. We don’t exactly need it to live and you are not obliged to buy one.

But having an ipod would be a big benefit because it brings you wireless entertainment. Plus considering its uncanny portability, it is really a must have gadget. It can play hundreds of songs even though it is just a small box. The ipod is simply an amazing and entertaining device. Imagine a gadget that has the capability to play songs, organize playlists, and show videos.

But let us go back to reality here, the reality I was mentioning earlier. These devices are definitely not cheap and it will be hard to buy one. You will really have to save for it. You might even have to cut short on other stuff and limit your meals. These high prices deprive of people of their passion to listen to music.

But what would you feel if someone would give you a free ipod? Now, you do not have to spend your own money and savings, instead it would be given to you for free. That would be wonderful, won’t it? But the question there is, where in the world will you get a free ipod?

Nowadays, many people use this free ipod as a gimmick. They could attract many people for the promise of a free ipod. Most of the promos include a free ipod as one of their prizes. If you would only join, you would have the chance of winning a new and free ipod. I guess that they are including a free ipod as one of their prizes to invite more people to join the promo because almost every people want an ipod inside their pockets.

If you would be one the winners of the free ipod, you will definitely be excited about it. If you think about it, a device worth thousands will be yours for free, it is like a gift from heaven.

A promise of a free ipod can also be use for advertising. You can advertise a certain event of maybe a product given that if they but, they might win a free ipod. Many would be buying your product or will be going to your event.

Another example is, if you a restaurant and the number of customers are low, try on giving a free ipod a prize in a raffle and that they can acquire the raffle tickets only if they ate at your place. Next thing you know, there will be a sudden increasing in the number of your customers. The results may be shocking.

You would be surprise see that many people would be eating at your place because they want to have a chance on winning that free ipod. A free ipod brings wonders to your life. Now, it is no longer just a device for entertainment but for business as well.

But why and how does a free pod do this? As we all no, gadgets is the in thing today and the ipod is one of the front runners in that category. Although we hate to admit it, it is human nature to want what is in. Even if people can’t afford it, they really still crave for it. That is why a free ipod is so attractive and catchy for those poeple who want it but don’t have the money to purchase it.

But is it all about being in? In my opinion, a free ipod is attractive because it will bring you entertainment with comfort because it is portable and is easy to use. You can listen to music and watch videos with one click. This is like the extreme gadget for music lovers. And music doesn’t only include those of the rich, it goes all the way down to the middle class and the poor.

And for their love of music, a free ipod is all that’s left for them to have this magnificent device and enjoy music.

Great Things Behind iPod Commercials

2009-01-09T07:53:00.000-08:00

Great Things Behind iPod Commercials

Since the advent of the Apple iPod, Apple is continually making iPod commercials as part of their advertising campaign. iPod commercials is another way of marketing their product. Though the Apple iPod has gone a long way in the market, the iPod commercials is a sure way of boosting the sales of the Apple iPod.

In fact, one of the evident effects of iPod commercials to customers is that they just keep noticing them. A user even wrote an article on why Apple does not tell you the music. This is from the HP ipod commercisl.

Another notable one from a list of ipod commercials is the ipod commercial released last Spring of 2005. This ipod commercial depicts people roller skating, break dancing plus a robot voice.

A background song called "Technologic" played by Daft Punk which is from the album "Human After All" is being played on the background. This breakdancing sound was the reason that this one from the iPod commercials was called the Breakdance commercial.

Music played a strong figure in all iPod commercials. In fact, it was the moving force in depicting the emotions or themes that the director aims to express with the iPod commercials. It is synonymous with the role of the Apple iPod in the lives of the user, which is music.

There are other songs that was played in the background in some of the newer iPod commercials. The songs include:

1. "Jerk It Out" by Caesars. This was from the iPod Shuffle commercial, this is the one with the arrows.

2. "Feel Good Inc." by Gorillaz. This song was played in the Rollerskating iPod commercial.

3. "Mr. Lee" by The Bobbettes. This song is from one of the iPod commercials called "Mashup."

4. "Work It, Shake It" sung by by DJ Assault. This song is from one of the iPod commercials called "Mashup."

5. "I Love to Polka" sung by Jimmy Sturr. This song is from one of the iPod commercials called "Mashup."

6. "Orange Blossom Special" was sung live by Charlie Daniels Band. This song is from one of the iPod commercials called "Mashup."

The ipod commercials were so hip that some even premiered or was shown in the MTV Music Video Awards. The iPod commercials are continuously being aired on other television and cable channels.

There was this iPod commercial where you can see a Cowboy bar that includes square dancers. The background music was as usual very hypnotic. The music was found out to be "The Boogie That Be" which was sung by Black Eyed Peas. If you would search the Internet for this iPod commercial, you would notice that there is no single mention of the commercial or the song used in the iPod commercial.

The reason for this is that the management is cross promoting the HP branded iPod along with the Apple Music Store. It is evident that the goal is not only to promote the iPods but also to sell music. After all, music is the heart of all Apple iPods or even HP branded iPods.

One of the iPod commercials, "Mash Up," had an ad that includes the URL "hp.com/music." But similar to the other iPod commercials, users can not find any other part of the site where they list the songs that was used in the commercial.

The iPod brands have a habit of burying the iPod commercials on their website, oblivious that the iPod commercials are their ticket to higher sales. The facts are there about iPod commercials fanas only have to search and dig for it. The iPod brands forgot to include put all of these facts in a website that is convenient for viewing by iPod users. Having a website would further promote the iPod commercials that would in turn further increase the sales of their iPods.

The iPod brands should also consider the transfer of iPod commercials to your iPod. DVD to iPod technology is already available from the Internet. One particular DVD to iPod software is the iPod Media Studio.

iPod commercials also belong to the iPod users. The DVD to iPod technology is a feature that every iPod user dreams to be able to do. Unfortunately, iPod brands do not provide this technology feature. The iPOd Media Studio gives these capabilities to the iPods.

What You Need to Know About iPod Cases

2009-01-08T07:52:00.001-08:00

What You Need to Know About iPod Cases

If you’re a music lover and updated on the latest technology, then the ipod is the thing for you. It might be too much for your weekly allowance, but it is worth it. You would be heartbroken if something damaging happens to it. So to keep our ipod safe and sound, the ipod case should be on top of your list.

You do not have to worry about their durability because these ipod cases have been tested since 2001. However, you must not forget the fact that not all companies that manufacture ipod cases are very knowledgeable when it comes to case design.

So this leads us to the conclusion that some ipod cases may leave some parts of your ipod scratched and decolored. Other ipod cases would make your ipod not so user-friendly, for you would almost want to tear your hair out just moving the controls. This makes your ipod unmanageable.

But not to dampen your intention of purchasing an ipod case, lots and lots of ipod cases are sellable. These cases are proved to be worthy of the market because these have undergone various tests and juries.

Ipod cases are reviewed on six main criteria. First, the appearance should be beautiful. The design should be enticing and make you go gaga for that certain ipod case. Second, the quality is considered. Ipod cases should be of good quality before it hits the stores. Third is the ease of use.

These cases should be user-friendly and make it easier for you to manage the controls. Fourth, innovations are improved. The special features of an ipod case should entertain you, at the same time, helpful in your certain condition.

Some ipod cases are in the form of armbands, and this special feature makes the ipod a lot more portable for you. Next, the protectiveness is justified. What’s the use of having an ipod case if it can’t protect? (aside from its being fashionable, that is). Last, but certainly not the least, is its value. The value assigned to a certain ipod case should be proportioned to its quality. If it was built on cheaper material, then it must have a cheaper price. The price of an ipod case should not be contrary to its value.

Most ipod cases sell for more or less $35, but those that are of premium quality cost under $100. There are also multi-hundred and multi-thousand cases that are manufactured by certain fashion houses. There is the ipod 5G case and has five interchangeable colored bungee cords that accentuate the black and gray body, which makes the case look more slick.

This is appropriate for 30GB and 60GB ipods and it has a detachable and sturdy belt clip to go along with the whole package. It is not all about looking good, it protects your ipod quite finely as well. Another most-purchased ipod case is the Neoprene ipod 5G case. It protects your ipod, just like any other ipod case would. Why wouldn’t it? It is made of tough material, which are neoprene and plastic. So expect type-A protection for your ipod.

There are also art-covered plastic cases for your ipod. These make your ipod’s controls more accessible. These are inclusive of lanyard and a rotating RevoClip belt clip. This kind of case design has very usable and artstic features.

Iskin and Griffin, two of the most productive companies that release case designs for ipod cases, sent out a new and unique case design, the ijacket. The ijacket is an ipod case that has a colorful frontwork and a unicolor rear. The ipod cases manufactured by iskin are called Vibes, while those of Griffin are called Chameleons. The main feature of these said cases is their artwork.

Tokidoki is the one responsible for these artistic designs. The cartoony anime designs are very impressive, because most of his designs have metallic paint and are always eye-catching. The ipod cases manufactured by iskin rate a whopping five, out of five. On the other hand, since Griffin cases are more generic-looking, the excitement rate tends to be lower.

These only become advantageous when it comes to the terms of variety of designs. Chameleon cases have twenty-six different designs, that are also attention getters, compared to the eight choices of Vibes.

There are lots of ipod cases to choose from. You only have to choose wisely to get an artistic and attractive case that suits your ipod well. Don’t just buy an ipod case off the rack because you need a case so badly. Ipod cases also reflect your personality, so don’t purchase a design, faute de mieux.

The Ipod Video Converter

2009-01-06T08:12:00.000-08:00

The Ipod Video Converter

First, there came BetaMax. It lasted for a long time, but had to end when the VCD was invented. VCD are discs, which, alone, is one of the reasons why it is more referred to than the hard tapes of the BetaMax.

The VCD still works but more and more people use the DVD compared to those who still watch films on VCD. DVD always has clear copies. The only problem is, you need to have a number of wires, to be connected to a medium, most usually a television set, before you can actually avail of the entertainment a certain movie can give you. This is not the same case with the ipod.

Ipod videos are now hitting the markets and are quite a trend. These said videos are videos that you can watch on your ipod. Neat, huh? But like any other good thing, there is always a bad side.

But the good side always wins, so there’s no reason to fret. However (the bad side), not all videos can be viewed. Reason, mainly, is that not all video files match the type that of the ipod videos. This leads you to the conclusion that a conversion is needed before you can attain the experience of watching box office films on your ipod. There has only been one converter, that has been invented, that can do something about this dillemma (this is another good side that overpowers the bad side).

You need an ipod video converter. Not just any ipod video converter, but the Xilisoft ipod video converter. The Xilisoft ipod video converter builds in a lot of codecs to be able to convert video files like AVI, MPEG, WMV, MOV, RM, RMVB, DivX, ASF, VOB, and 3GP. These different types of video files are not so easy to convert, but the Xilisoft ipod video converter does it all.

When it converts the videos into ipod MP4, the clarity and level of comprehension does not lessen. The Xilisoft ipod video converter connects audiso files too. The audio file types that are WAV, WMA, MP2, AC3, RA, and OCG, are converted by this said ipod video converter into ipod MP#, M4A, or AAC.

You do not have to worry about getting the file you downloaded tampered or, even worse, destroyed, for the Xilisoft ipod video converter doeas all these conversion processes in a very fast manner, at the same time, very easy to manage and handle. The quality of your files are in good hands, thus, well intact.

If you have a very high satisfaction level, and are not easily impressed with the settings of the Xilisoft, then you can just readjust the settings. The settings are very easy to adjust. You can change a file’s video size, if the file is either too big, or too small for you to view it on your ipod; bit rate; frame ratio; and many more adjustable settings.

The Xilisoft ipod video converter also supports batch conversion and multithreading, which allows you to convert a multiple number of files at the same time. This way, you save time and could allot the time left for doing something else that is constructive or helpful. You use the time left to look for other videos or video files or audio files for your Xilisoft ipod video converter to do what it does best. This way, you can get to enjoy more music and videos on your ipod.

This ipod video converter does a lot of things for you. This is so because it lets you see the preview of the files’ conversion first before actually converting them. Here, it acts like a fortune teller, wherein the future state of your ipod file is revealed to you, only that, in this case, you are given a chance to decide whether to proceed with the conversion or not.

This prevents you from downloading tracks or videos that do not really sound good once converted. It saves you time, space, and your patience as well.

The Xilisoft ipod video converter is indeed a thing to have, for with this kind of ipod video converter, you get to enjoy the comfort of your television sets, even if you’re far from home.

The advent of DVD to iPod Technology

2009-01-03T06:13:00.000-08:00

Why DVD?

DVD is the latest craze in technology breakthroughs. Since the advent of the timetable discs in the 50's, technology has reached new heights almost every decade with the release of the Betamax tapoes, VHS tapes, audio cds, laser discs, video cds, mini discs and all sorts of data storing accessories. The DVD is the latest of these data-storing acessories. Carrying Dolby Stereo sound and high end picture image, viewers and listeners can be assured of the best quality possible in movies and music records.

The Features of Apple iPod

The Apple iPod has always been a stand out not only in design but also in its features. Below are some of the features people love most about the Apple iPod:

1. The Apple ipod users can store and record about five thousand songs.

2. The Apple ipod users can store data on a forty gigabytes of harddrive space. The storage of the five thousand songs is not the end of it.

3. The Apple ipod users can easily manuever their way with the iPod controls because of the Click Wheel.

4. The Apple iPod users can expect to have a longer period of music and videos because of the long battery life of the Apple iPod. The battery life of an Apple iPod usually last about 12 hours.

5. The Apple ipod users can expect a more easier tuning to music due to the ability of the iPod for an easy set up of a music playlist.

6. The Apple iPod users can also expect to be happy with the shufle function providing them with random feel to the playlist.

With these basic features, the iPod have increased its sales and is now number one among the MP3 playin devices. Apple, however did not stop there, they started introducing more accessories, more add-ons that eventually gave the Apple iPod an edge over other multimedia players. A feature, however, that was missed by iPod is the DVD to iPod software.

The iPod Media Studio 2.0

iPod Hacks

For sometime, Apple techies and fanatics have introduced many modifications to the Apple iPod. These modifications aims to help the Apple iPod user to personalize their iPods. Apple iPods has been modified by techies by using iPod hacks. Techies are bent on giving more power to the user in terms of customization and personalization of their Apple iPod.

What are iPod hacks?

iPod hacks are either softwares or hardwares that improves the appearance, capabilities or features of an Apple iPod. Summing it up, iPod Hacks is anything that provides modifications to the Apple iPod. One such avaialable iPod hack is a software that provides DVD to iPod capability to the usual Apple iPod. Various firmwares on the Internet offer free softwares of DVD to iPod technology.

DVD to iPod Software

DVD to iPod, this is the feature that everyone wishes to have, but unfortunately, the Apple iPod did not provide. The iPOdMedia provides DVD to iPod capabilities to the Apple iPod. It is the fastest software available for DVD to Ipod transfers or to move DVD's directly into your video Apple iPod. By using this DVD to iPod software, you can enjoy watching DVD movies on the beautiful 2.5 inches LCD monitor of the Apple iPod. It is currently 400 percent faster than any other DVD to iPod products on the market.

Imagine this, anyone can convert any movie from DVD (DVD to iPod), and not only that; any recorded material from the television, or even movies that you recorded from home using a DV-camcorder, even a movie record from a digital still camera is possible for conversion.

With 2 mouse clicks using the DVD to iPod software, convert the movies into a file that is optimized for playback. It must be optimized with the Apple iPod's built-in video player.

Anyone can now enjoy movies with a surprisingly sharp and clear picture with additional quality stereo CD sound. Also, new Cyberspeed technology will allow a user of up to 400 percent faster conversion from DVD to iPod. In fact, in a span of less than 45 minutes, a user can put a complete DVD movie on the iPod.

The DVD to iPod technology is the ideal solution for all frequent travellers or just to manage the kids while driving the car.

Apple iPod users can store up to 100 video hours (if the Apple iPod is a 60 Gb model) or 50 video hours (if the Apple iPod is a 30 Gb model). Any video of either feature films or TV and movie content.

Do not worry if the DVD is sourced from abroad, all subtitles, foreign languages, and even the quality of Dolby surround sound are supported. Users have no need for the Quicktime Pro. The DVD to iPod software would run on any PC with Windows NT, XP or Windows 2000 Operating System.

This DVD to iPod software can also automatically zoom or widescreen movies with the ratio 16:9 to be able to fit on the 4:3 iPod screen. The user can even have a manual option to turn this feature off.

The iPodMedia Studio is about US$ 32.95 and has a lifetime support.

Jazz Up Your Player With iPod Accessories

2008-12-30T06:25:00.000-08:00

The ipod is the ultimate symbol of the digital age and if you haven’t heard about it, then you’ve been in cave for a very long time. The iPod is today’s coolest gadget. Having one elevates you to the status of the ipod people – audiophiles in love with their ipods. And what self-respecting ipod person would you be if you didn’t dress up your ipod with ipod accessories? Luckily there are hundreds of companies who offerthe best and amazing hardware and software ipod accessories to compliment and personalize your “baby.”

Let’s start with the basics of ipod accessories: ipod skins. The first, second and third generation ipods often has to content itself with the ipod accessories of cases in leather, rubber, aluminum or fabric to protect the ipod from scratches, dust and moisture. Depending on your needs, there are covers that allow you to carry your ipod in all your activity. From water-resistant cases to sweat proof sleeves, these ipod accessories define the meaning of portable.

The skins can also serve a fashionable function. DecalGirl.com has a vast array of ipod skins, from your loud colors to your favorite anime characters, anything you can think of is possible. You can even satisfy the abstract lover in you with graphic designs printed on your ipod skin. Just make sure that the ipod accessories you get have a guarantee, in case of an inferior product.

The next basic ipod accessories you need are the headphones or earphones. Although the ipod box set comes with earphones, there are but a few who prefer an all-surround sound experience. Other ipod accessories for headphones include the retractable headphones, which is great to use on the outdoors. And then there are the ipod accessories of headphones with speakers, the infrared wireless earphones and water resistant earphones for those times when you can’t even take a bath without listening to your ipod.

Aside from this basic earpiece, external speakers and the carry case ipod accessories are quite popular. The iBoom iPod player has a dock for your ipod player with speakers on the side. It fits perfectly for those picnics and beach outings where music is a must to liven up the party. Another brand called the iBag ipod player with FM stereo tote carrying bag adds more fun since you have the option to surf through local radio stations for more hopping beats.

More ipod accessories are available to the ipod junkie via the Internet. A lot of websites do product reviews of these ipod accessories and you can get a preview of the items you want to buy through them. Among these sites are welovemacs.com, and connectingpoint.net. They have a wide range of ipod accessories for all the generations of iPods. They not only give you the price, features and product compatibility details but they also give you the pros and cons of each ipod accessory.

Other ipod accessories that is a must have for any iPod warrior is the Belkin Voice Recorder that lets you record reminders, meeting and notes into your iPod. Then there’s the hands free accessory called the iPod remote and earphones. You don’t have to worry about fumbling over the iPod controls as you drive or make that last 2-mile run. A stationary version of this remote is available. Called the NaviPod IR Remote, it allows you to control your iPod’s audio from across a room. Another one of the essential ipod accessories is the iPod Dock that charges iPod at work or at home.

For the car lovers, ipod accessories have been created to accommodate your music players. First of these is the Belkin TuneDok Car Holder that hold your iPod in place. Another one of these nifty ipod accessories is the Sony Car Cassette Adapter that connects your iPod to the car stereo. And not to forget is another one of those wonderful ipod accessories, the Griffin iTrip FM Transmitter. Your ipod can now play your music through the FM radio of your car. All it needs is the iPod dock connector to work. It draws a small amount of power from your iPod and doesn’t need any batteries.

You can really personalize your iPod in more ways than one. These ipod accessories not only enhance your iPod but it is also the number one status symbol for any true iPod lover.

The Good Things You Get Out of Cheap iPods

2008-12-27T06:11:00.000-08:00

People today are wireless. Everything is on the go. The young generation, according to the older people, cannot live or stay by themselves for a long period of time. That is quite true, you can see that almost everybody has a pair of earphones, and are listening to, either the oldies music or the latest tracks, or watching videos on their portable gadgets. We can say that today’s generation is dependent on the new technology.

The most popular wireless device on the market today is the APPLE’s ipod. It is popular because it is very small, which makes it very easy to bring, plus you no longer have to bring a cd, otherwise known as compact disc, or a cassette tape to play on it. But with this convenience comes also a flaw. It is quite expensive (make that oftenly impractically expensive). Yes, it is and that is why not all people can enjoy such luxury because of its high price.

As you must know, life is rough and every cent counts. So these gadgets are no’t the first priority for a lot of people, approximately half of the globe’s population. If you are rich and your money does not have much to go on, this want is not a problem for you. But if you are on the harder side of life, then you have to depend on prayers to avail of a gadget like the said ipod.

So if you want to have an ipod but your low on budget, there, on the market exists cheap ipods. These cheap ipods are not necessarily copies or imitations, or worse, fakes. Its just that these cheap ipods were probably built with cheaper materials and are may also not be so super in its special features. The cheapest model is the 512 megabyte iPod shuffle. This device can hold up to a whopping 120 songs. You can spend a day without taking your earphones off your ears with this one. This is about $70 or 3570 pesos.

That is the cheapest ipod that you can buy. The price actually differs on the memory of the ipod. Though they are all the same, they are all ipods, the memory they contain are different with one another’s. Some have bigger memories that allow them to save more songs, while others have a smaller memory that opposes the function of the bigger memory. The bigger the memory, the more expensive it is going to be. So if you just want to have a device which is portable and can play music, the cheap ipod isgoing to be the device for you.

Hey, 120 songs is a lot for this small ipod. Considering the comfort, convenience and enjoyment it will bring you. The price is really cheap. Instead of spending too much on a music player, an ipod, you can just spend your left money on things that are more helpful for your being. So it is recommended that you avail of the cheaper models of ipod.

Next on the line of cheap ipods is, the ipod shuffle. It is not as big as the other ipods that have been invented but they still play good music, so there is not much of a difference. Ipod shuffles are designated under the category of cheap ipods, though you should be mindful that it only has a memory span of 1GB.

It is not much, but it can still allow you to save a big number of your favorite hits. Since it has a bigger memory, also compared to those others, it is much more expensive than the other one. This cheap ipod can play up to 240 songs, double of that of the cheapest ipod. This mars the saying that goes “Entertainment is a price to pay”.

You do not have to pay so much, so high an expense, just to be entertained. The ipod shuffle does that for you, entertains you, yet it does not cost so largely. This product is about 100 dollars or 5000 pesos. Again, you’ll have more song selections but the physical appearance of your ipod is the same. That’s about the cheapest ipods you can buy on the market.

With these cheap ipods, you not only save money, but you get to own one of the latest technological trends in this generation. So grab one of those cheap ipods now.

The iPod and the Cool Cases That Go With it

2008-12-25T06:29:00.000-08:00

Apple iPod users have always been satisfied with the music experience. Based from a survey online, Apple iPod users love the following features of their iPod:

1. The original iPod have a hard drive space of forty gigabytes. This amount of space made it possible for Apple iPod users to store up to five thousand songs.

2. The original iPod has a "Click Wheel," an ergonomic design for button controls on the iPod. Instead of the usual play, stop, pause, fast forward, and reverse, you can also access the menu with convenience.

3. The original iPod has a battery life that extends up to 12 hours. This time line is from a non-stop usage of the Apple iPod.

4. The original iPod was also built with a design that would make it more convenience for users to set up a playlist of songs. Apple iPod users can also activate the shuffle function and would introduce randomness in listening to music.

The Sexy Apple iPod Mini

The latest collection on the Apple iPods is the Apple iPod mini. This iPod mini is usually compared to a US$ 1, 200 Chanel bag. This is very true because the Apple iPod mini exudes worldwide class and posh with its variety of iPod case. An iPod case has a variety of five colors.

iPod Case

An iPod case has an anodized frame made of aluminum. Apple iPod mini usually weighs 3.6 ounces. The frame measures 2 inches by 3.6 inches, with only half an inch in thickness. Though it does not look like it because an iPod case is meant to camouflage the real weight. At first glance, it would seem that an iPod case is made of heavy metals, but iPod skins such as that of the Apple iPod mini can be weighed almost as light as a featherweight.

An iPod case is also also silky and smooth to the touch. The frame of an Apple iPod mini fits perfectly inside your palm and an iPod case is meant to give you more comfort while holding your Apple iPod mini.

To give it a sleek design, an iPod case has no breaks in them, meaning Apple iPod minis have no externally moving parts. Underneath the iPod case, however, is a sensitive circuitry that provides the Apple iPod user convenience in using the Apple iPods.

This sleek design of an iPod case was supported by a highly ergonomic design of the control buttons. A "Click Wheel" is available for the user if he wants to play music, pause, stop, fast forward or reverse. The Click Wheel also provides access to the users for the menu.

The Click Wheel control buttons are located on the pad and matches whatever the color of iPod case is. The Click Wheel buttons is a revolutionary design as compared to the original four function buttons of the previous Apple iPods.

An iPod case is available in various warm minimalist choices of possible colors. Apple iPod users can choose from pink, green, silver, blue and gold.

Other Features of the Apple iPod Mini

The Apple iPod mini was also incorporated with a tiny Hitachi hard drive. This hard drive can hold various music files such as Audible, MP3, WAV, AIFF and AAC.

It is also possible for the iPod to integrate with iTunes. There is a software that enables this integration. After the seamless integration, you would be able to cruise with the tunes.

Battery life is always important for Apple iPod users. The battery life of an iPod mini extends up to 8 hours which is enough to listen to about 5,000 songs.

In addition to the options available when choosing an iPod case, the iPod mini have an array of accessories that includes a USB 2.0 cable, a Firewire dock connector, an AC adaptor, a belt clip, earbuds and the Apple iPod mini installation software. Another accessory available in the market is the armband.

iPod Hacking

Over the years, due to technological advances, techies started to experiment with the iPod vis a vis the cellphones. They started introducing modifications to the iPod case, themes and even use.

These modification were made to provide more power to the user for the customization of their iPods.

To define briefly, iPod hacking is done to introduce changes to the Apple iPod not only in terms of software or hardware but also in appearance. There are many softwares and firmwares available to the Apple iPod user to introduce modifications to their iPod case etc. such as the iPodWizard.

The iPod Junkie’s Dilemma

2008-12-23T06:24:00.000-08:00

Modern society keeps creating new and better ways of fulfilling a need. Living in the digital age has never been more exciting and for anyone who can afford these gadgets, life is indeed sweeter. One of the most influential devices ever created is the ipod. These nifty portable audio players created by Apple Computers has redefined our understanding of personal freedom and customization. For anyone who loves music and multimedia, ipod is the best media player out there in the market.

Before the ipod, MP3 players were the best portable players around. Primarily a flash drive, these devices had limited features. The screen size was small and only text is allowed. The colored screen was optional and the memory size only went up to 1 GB. But with the introduction of the ipod and its succeeding generations, music lovers were transported to another realm. A world where they can only listen to all the songs that they want to hear. Once they put on their ipod, they have total control over what tunes should fill their heads. Call it listening to their daily-personalized soundtrack.

Is all this ipod play list personalization good for its users? Apparently some detractors don’t think so. They argue that too much personalization limits the listener to the new genres of music. Constantly listening to Eminem or Christina Aguilera on your ipod can deny you the pleasure of discovering new artists like Ne-yo or new music styles like trip hop. Ipod users become islands of their own, trapped in a floating music bubble of their own making.

Not only that, frequent users have become oblivious to their surroundings making discovery of new sounds very difficult. It can be of grave concern especially for those emergency cases when one is not able to hear a call for help because the other person is too distracted by their ipod. Such cases may seem extreme but turn to Hollywood movies and you’ll see how prevalent such instances are.

Ipod fans say otherwise. They say they can be as entertaining as the FM radio that has more content and users are exposed to more styles and artists on a regular basis. Plus there are some trivia and entertainment news that you cannot get from this device without buying accessories. Because of this, a new trend was born through the ipod called podcasting. Podcasting is a radio-style program that can be shared to other people through the Internet and played back in their ipod. You can create your own program and broadcast it to the World Wide Web.

Ipod users and fans have come up with ingenious ways of making their toy into more than just a digital audio player. Some have opened up it up and tinkered with its hardware and software. The result? An ipod that has an organizer function that stores addresses and calendar events in its memory. While it does need some getting used to, fans are thrilled at the devices’ limitless possibilities. Apple Computers then gave us the fourth generation of ipod more commonly known as the ipod photo.

This generation boasts of a colored display and photo transfer capabilities. As the company realized the need for something more innovative, the fifth generation was released. This ipod series is currently the hottest model because of the video function. Ipod video can play MPEG-4 and H.264 video with resolutions of up to 480 x 480 and 320 x 240. Its potential as a marketing and advertising tool is so huge that even Apple is overwhelmed with the idea. One possible product for this is the selling of video formats like music video clips and television show reruns.

The personalization of ipod is not a big issue among its many patrons. It is this quality that makes the device so appealing to them. Our age today holds value to the importance of self-expression. Ipod can deliver that self-expression through personalized covers, skins, accessories and a host of other complimentary software. It becomes an extension of one’s taste in music and other multimedia formats. The only real dilemma for any ipod junkie nowadays is getting the money to buy all those accessories.

What You Need to Know About Your iPod's Battery

2008-12-18T06:28:00.000-08:00

iPod's battery life is an issue to most iPod users. Users say that an iPod battery degrades over time and is irreplaceable. Users' contention have certain bearing since (1) the iPod battery is lithium-based, its recharge cycles last roughly around 300 to 500 times and it really does degrade over time, and (2) apple's design of an iPod battery is done in such a way that users cannot easily replace the internal lithium ion battery with a new one.

So, many ask, are iPods made to be a disposable digital audio player.

The answer is no.

Apple designed iPods to last a long time. But since an iPod battery is lithium based, we cannot expect it to last longer than two years. 300 to 500 complete charges and discharges wears down the power of a lithium battery. Apple, nevertheless, published guidelines about iPod battery on its website and gave tips on how to maximize the life of an iPod battery.

An iPod battery cannot be removed or be replaced the way a user does with a digital celfone by just clicking the open button at the back of the unit to remove and replace the battery when it wears down. The iPod battery is integrated in the circuitry.

You will ask now, why did Apple engineered the iPod this way?

Apple integrated its iPod battery with the main circuitry to achieve the ultra thin and ultra sleek design that it boasts. If the iPod battery is removable, the iPods will be as bulky as regular digital celfones.

Previously, Apple does not accept replacement of a worn-out iPod battery. Under their official policy customer should buy a refurbished replacement worth as much as a brand new iPod.

Because of this situation, third-party manufacturers offered battery replacement kits, with instructions on how to disassemble, remove and replace the iPod battery and then reassemble your iPod.

It was only on November 14, 2003 that Apple had announced a cheaper battery replacement program. The battery replacement program which costs $99 had been trimmed down to $59.

Some tips to maximize your iPod battery's power.

Keep your iPod at room temp.

An iPod battery works at its best when the iPod is at room temperature, between 0° to 35° C (or 32° to 95° F).

If your iPod has stayed in the cold for many hours, let it warm up first before turning it on. Otherwise, a low-battery warning will appear and the iPod won't turn on unless you recharge it. But you wouldn't want to recharge it because it will deduct a recharge cycle to its 300 to 500 recharging cycle, right? So use it at room temperature and don't forget it! If after warming up your iPod remains asleep, do this: connect the iPod to the power adapter. Press the Menu + Play or Pause buttons. Do this repeatedly until the Apple logo appears.

* Do not leave your iPod inside a car, especially during at noontime.
* Do not expose your iPod to direct sunlight.

Extra tips

*When charging

An iPod battery can be fast-charged in an hour with eight percent (80) of its capacity. But it would be better if you charge it for four (4) hours fully recharge the iPod battery to 100%. This will save you discharge and recharge cycles by 20% for every recharging.

An iPod battery slowly empties even when the iPod unit is not in use. The iPod uses, even when asleep, a small wattage of current. So, store your iPod in room temperature to maximize the battery and slow down the draining of power. If you do this your iPod batter can last from 16 to 28 days.

Important!

* Empty the iPod battery fully before you recharge it.
* iPod skins and iPod covers look good on your iPod, but please do not charge your iPod while it is still dressed with iPod skin or cover.

When unattended, Press the Pause

Pause your iPod if you will leave it on a table to pee, or do anything else. iPod will continue to play if left playing until the iPod battery drains out. Always turn off your iPod when not in use to save battery life.

Backlighting

When the room is well lit, you do not need backlighting. Backlighting can use use up a lot of your reserved battery power. Turn off backlighting when you do not need it. Select: Settings > Backlight Timer > Off.

All About the Apple iPod

2008-12-16T06:23:00.000-08:00

The Apple iPod has been on the music scene for sometime. Users of the Apple iPod have posted many reviews through the years. iPod reviews, iPod hackings, as well as free iPod videos are posted all over the Internet.

iPod users have the following to say about the Apple iPod:

1. The Apple iPod has a hard drive that can hold more than 5,000 songs. The number of songs that can be stored in an Apple iPod is enough that users can expect to listen to a non-stop music experience using the Apple iPod. This hard drive has a forty gigabytes of space available for the 5,000 songs. The free iPod videos are also included.

2. The Apple iPod was manufactured in such a way that the control buttons are incorporated in a sleek design that ergonomically provides ease of movement to the user. The ergonomic design is called the Click Wheel.

Using the Click Wheel, Apple iPod users can now easily browse through their favorite free iPod videos. The Apple iPod users can either fast forward, play, pause or stop, and control the reverse. An added plus is the access of the menu via the Click Wheel.

3. The Apple iPod have enough battery life that coudl make it possible for non-stop playing of songs or free iPod videos. Apple iPod users are capable of the set up of a playlist of songs or free iPod videos on the Apple iPod.

4. With the shuffle function of the Apple iPod, users can choose randomly the free iPod videos they want to watch and the MP3 songs that they want to hear.

5. The Apple iPod is not only an excellent audio player but also an excellent player for the free iPod videos. The system menu of the Apple iPod is super intuitive. The sound quality is world class, The storage size is sufficient to store not only MP3 songs but free iPod videos. Lastly, the Apple iPod has an assortment of accessories available for use.

6. The Apple iPod was said to have a poor post sales service. One user of the Apple iPod claimed that he was just watching free iPod videos when the LCD screen suddenly went broke.

The service representative of the Apple iPod, however, claimed that the service warranty of the Apple iPod does not include abuse. In this case, it was decided that it was abuse and the Apple iPod was now beyond warranty.

7. The Apple iPod also has a clear lineage of the warranty. Several users of the Apple iPod claimed to experience weird things on their iPods after the termination date of the warranty.

Below are some of the faulty events that user of Apple iPods experiences:

a. The Apple iPod is claimed to be skip-free in playing free iPod videos, but after the warranty period, it started skipping free iPod videos.

b. The Apple iPod is claimed to have a long life battery, but after the warranty period, the battery was constantly experiencing shortage in power especially in playing free iPod videos.

c. The Apple iPod is claimed to have a robust hard drive, but after the warranty period, the hard drive of the Apple iPod usually fails.

8. The Apple iPod was also reported at one time or another as having a software bug or design flaw. Music tracks or free iPod videos being played are meant to be skip-free and to flow continuously from one track or video to the next. The Apple iPod, according to some users stalls for even a single moment between tracks.

9. The Apple iPod is said to be the best in MP3 audio playing. Users, however, pray that Apple would try to improve the video playing capability of the iPod such that playing free iPod videos would not be a hassle. Making the video player more perfect would definitely boost the sales of the Apple iPod.

10. The Apple iPod is also said to be susceptible to static. Some users reported that the Apple iPod could easily affected by static when put inside a coat pocket. Static caused the Apple iPod to switch off suddenly at times. This has an effect to the overall circuitry.

Cheap iPod Anyone?

2008-12-13T06:11:00.000-08:00

Having an iPod these days is not a status symbol anymore. For those like me who works for the web and designs graphics with high MB file size, iPod nano, iPod mini, or iPod shuffle is an investment. With iPods's 6 to 60 GB capacity, it is a dream of every techie. You can save all of your important files in a small, sleek and very elegant iPod.

But of course, a $300 to $400 ++ iPod nano or iPod video costs too much for some of us. If you want to have a cheap iPod and wouldn't want to settle for anything less (and go for the cheap flash audio players around), then you may need to read my suggestions below to be able to have that cheap iPod that your money can buy (and your conscience to allow).

GO FOR REFURBISHED

No one would notice that your iPod nano, iPod video, iPod mini or iPod shuffle was bought from a cheap iPod refurbished e-store. In fact if you buy a new iPod, it will look the same like the refurbished cheap iPod after a few months of use. No one would try to look for your receipt just to know you bought your iPod nano, iPod video, iPod mini or iPod shuffle from an Apple store and not from a cheap iPod store, or would they?

Also, if you bought a new iPod from an Apple iPod store and then the time came that you needed an iPod battery replacement, you will need to pay Apple iPod store 59 bucks for a refurbished iPod nano, iPod video, iPod mini or iPod shuffle, only this time, with a fresh iPod battery.

cheap iPod nano, iPod video, iPod mini or iPod shuffle costs for about $190 to $250 from the cheap iPod or refurbished iPod e-stores.

BID AT EBAY

Try your luck at Ebay and you might get a cheap iPod that costs only $250 for a brand new line.

Many people bid their equipment at Ebay because they need the money far better than the equipment immediately and badly. So most of the times, Ebay sellers sell cheap iPod and part ways with their sleek and sexy iPod because if the immediate need for large sums of money.

You can bid for cheap iPods at Ebay simple by searching "cheap iPods" or sale iPods. There is a chance that you might get a cheap iPod for a brand new iPod nano, iPod video, iPod mini or iPod shuffle.

Take your chance at Ebay, you may never know, you might get that cheap iPod that you want for as cheap as 100 bucks!

BUY YOUR FRIEND'S USED IPOD

All of us have friends who can afford to buy a brand new iPod without the need to starve for a few months of saving or can buy a Porsche car and still remain mortgage free. If you don't have this kind of friends, your friends maybe have this kind of friends.

Apple iPod regularly changes their models; regularly as in every 6 months since the last two years. iPod fanatics do not want to be caught tinkering on their old and already cheap iPod, they want to have the latest model in the market.

These kind of people, your friends or your friends friends, will gladly sell their 3 month old Apple iPod for a cheaper price.

Cheap iPod doesn't always come in a persons way that easily, so grab the chance when someone offers you a cheap iPod for sale!

GO TO EXCHANGE CENTERS

There are some exchange centers on the net or on local newspapers that offer cheap iPod, brand new and refurbished, in exchange of any items of, more or less, equivalent amount. If you have some items that are still of superb condition and might interest those people who are selling cheap iPods, offer your equipment or items in exchange of the cheap iPod.

If you think you don't need your 3G celfone, you can have it exchanged to a person offering brand new but cheap iPod. Or if you have two items that you think with their selling amounts combined could match that of the cheap iPod, then you can part with those items.

Remember to test first the cheap iPod before you make the exchange.

The iPod Ad's Silhouetted Success

2008-12-11T06:27:00.000-08:00

Apple has sold about 250 million tunes from its iTunes Music Store and 10 million iPods. With the release of updated iPod models, Apple has launched a new iPod ad campaign in different national and international magazines, billboards and in the Internet. The new set of iPod ad features a variety of vibrant colors and design schemes with a black silhouetted figure of a person dancing with or simply enjoying an iPod. Cropped versions of these iPod ads can also be seen in updated Apple iPod web pages.

The new style is very different and colorful compared to the usual simple, white advertising they are popular of in the past. The colorful and silhouetted iPod ad campaign of Apple makes the white iPod earphones very recognizable.

An iPod ad is being run by 3 a mobile operator in the United Kingdom. It is the first ever 3G mobile video ad campaign for the Apple iPod. The iPod ad runs for 14 seconds that features the ever famous silhouetted dancers from the brand's campaign concept.

iPod ad has become very popular indeed that in the Simpsons episode entitled "Thank God, It's Doomsday," Homer Simpson noticed in the Gospel for Less shop this iPod type of ad.

On the other hand, the copying of the idea has gone wild as Apple threatens to sue Music Channel Fuse over their new ad campaign that looks just like the iPod ad campaigns. Music Channel Fuse and its owner Cablevision's Rainbow Media are threatened by Apple's lawyers with a lawsuit unless the music channel stops the campaign.

In the similar campaign, figures of people in silhouette are watching while television with the colorful background. The campaign may mirror iPod ad campaign but Fuse takes the idea to a very different direction with one of their ad versions showed a man apparently masturbating while one showed a man doing a beer bong.

Rapper Eminem and Music group Black Eyed Peas also rode with the sucess of iPod ad campaign's bandwagon, as the former was featured in a version of an iPod ad rapping and appearing on screen.

Also, the latter and their song "Hey Mama" from the album "Elephunk" became more popular after the song was used in another iPod ad campaign. The song was selected for the iPod television ad campaign by Apple and the creative team at TWBA Chiat Day. They thought the song was appealing and would definitely attract the attention of the viewers.

Apple ad is also reported lately to be included within iTunes soon. The testing advertisements are sure to lure advertisers interested in reaching million of iTunes users. But, many users are not excited about this because they have been used to an Apple ad free iTunes. As much as the Apple ad will appear only on the lower left corner of the iTunes Library, this can still prove to be risky.

iPod ad in iPod pages, posters, magazines, and billboards have been popping up all over key cities around the world. This also proves that Apple is aggressive with this new iPod ad push.

As a matter of fact, Business 2.0 has included the U2 silhouette iPod ad campaign in its 2005 Smart List. The annual tip of the hat to the brightest minds in business of this magazine has given their nods to Apple in its unique idea of advertising iPod.

The iPod ad was a collaboration of lead singer Bono of U2 and Apple CEO Steve Jobs. They happen to be long time friends who worked closely for this iPod ad campaign. They both contributed to the ad campaign and their efforts in advertising iPod paid of quite well. At the same time, Apple's iTunes Music Store made the exclusive release of U2's How to Dismantle an Atomic Bomb.

With the success of the iPod campaign, the album also hit the charts for weeks after its debut in November 2005.

Free iPod Video Converter: Easy video conversion at no cost

2008-12-09T06:21:00.000-08:00

With the video features of iPod, you can now enjoy watching video files in the palm of your hand. Free iPod video converters are frequently downloaded by iPod users to make file conversions easy and fast.

Here are some of the free iPod video converters you can find online.

Free iPod video converter is an easy and completed way to convert all video formats to iPod video. By using free iPod video converter you can automatically enjoy videos in your iPod from different video files like DVD, VCD, AVI, MPEG, WMV, RM, RMVB, ASF, VOB, and DivX.

Its key features include being clean and free without any adware or spyware. Free iPod video converter supports all popular video formats while completely stable and fast. Free iPod video converter's interface is easy to use that helps you set up conversion process easily. The final video that you see in your iPod is also excellent in video and audio quality in using free iPod video converter.

ID3 Tag can be derived from the input files easily while batch processing is supported which can process an unlimited number of files at one time. Other features are detailed hypertext markup language (HTML) is included, and the installing and uninstalling is very easy.

Free iPod video converter also allows you to drag multiple sources files regardless of format from Windows Explorer directly at one time.

You can also download for free a Xilisoft iPod video converter 2.1 which is a powerful software for iPod video conversion. This Xilisoft iPod video converter can also convert all popular video files to iPod video files including:

AVI to iPod

MPEG to iPod

WMV to iPod

MOV to iPod

RM to iPod

RMVB to iPod

ASF to iPod

3GP to iPod

DivX to iPod

Xilisoft iPod video converter 2.1 also converts audio files including WAV, WMA, MP2, AC3, RA, and OGG. Its encoders and decoders are built-in. This iPod video converter offers multi-threading and batch conversion with an adjustable setting such as video size, bit rate, frame rate and others.

This iPod video converter also supports preview which the user can use prior to actual conversion process. You can check on the Internet for the availability of a free downloadable Xilisoft iPod video converter.

Other iPod video converter that are free for download include PQ DVD to iPod video converter with which you can convert DVD to iPod video, DVD to MP4, and gives support to DVD subtitles.

Free Cucusoft iPod video converter suite is an all-in-one solution to iPod MP4 video conversion. It includes Cucusoft iPod video converter and Cucusoft DVD to Ipod converter that help you to convert video and DVDs to iPod MP4 format.

You can also download iPod Media Studio - an iPod video converter that allows iPod users to put DVD directly to your video iPod and enjoy its 2.5" LCD monitor.

The Super DVD to iPod video converter is one of the fastest DVD to iPod video converter software with which you can covert almost all kinds of video formats to iPod MP4 video format.

MovKit iPod Video converter is a handy and powerful iPod video converter that makes easy conversions of all video format to iPod video and audio formats.

WinXMedia AVI/MPEG iPod converter is a powerful iPod video converter converts AVI (DivX, XviD, MPEG4, and YUV), MPEG and WMV files to iPod video and audio formats.

WinAVI MP4/3GP/iPod video converter is a powerful but easy to use MP4 video file conversion utility for iPod and portable video devices that can convert almost all video formats to iPod and Sony Play Station Portable.

Magicbit iPod video converter is also powerful in video and audio conversion for your iPod.

Super Video to iPod converter is a professional video to iPod converter software that supports the latest industry standards.

Lenogo Video to iPod converter is a professional video to iPod converter software that converts all video formats to iPod MP4 format.

A-one iPod Video Convertor automatically converts almost all formats of video files such as DivX, XviD, RM, RMVB, AVI, WMV, MPG, MPEG, ASF, MOV, ASX, SVCD, and VCD stream formats into iPod MP4 format.

Other free iPod video converters are Cucusoft DVD to iPod Converter and Xilisoft iPod Video Converter.

These video converters are free to download for period of time. If you wish to buy, the prices may vary for the different iPod video converters but its prices usually range from $30 to $40.

Apple iPods on Parade

2008-12-06T06:06:00.000-08:00

At the time when everything is going digital and the technological world had been bombarded with digital this and digital that -- digital camera, digital camcorder, handhelds, digital celfone, laptops -- Apple Computers saw nothing much digital in audio technology, except maybe for the compact disc players. In 2000, Apple had decided to tap this unchartered market, with Jon Rubenstein as the Chief Engineer of the iPod project. A year after, released the first generation of Apple iPods.

GENERATIONS OF APPLE iPODS

Currently, Apply iPods come in three iPod names. Technical specifications of these Apple Ipods differ either in storage capacities or in exterior design, weight, and size. As of February 7, 2006, the Apple iPods are classified into the following:

- iPod (Original) (Capacity: 30 GB and 60 GB)
- iPod Nano (Capacity: 1GB, 2GB, and 4 GB)
- iPod Shuffle (Capacity: 512 MB and 1GB)

Two years ago, in 2004, Apple released Ipod Mini (4 GB and 6 GB in various pastel colors). iPod Mini's marketing was discontinued in September 2005 and was replaced by iPod Nano, which was 62% thinner and has a color screen.

Since Apple iPod's release in 2001, Apple has sold 42 million units. Which is why Apple iPods has been constantly re-engineered to cater the growing demands for faster, sleeker, and feature-packed Apple iPods.

Apple iPods have evolved from monochrome (black and white) screen, the first generation, to its color screen with video player, the fifth generation of Apple iPods.

APPLE iPODS ON PARADE

1. Apple iPods (Original)
1.1. First Generation of Apple iPods

Criticized for being costly for an initial release, the $399 First Generation Apple iPods were, nonetheless, instant hit. Apple iPods, after the October 29, 2001 release, dominated the digital audio player market, quickly overtaking sales of MP3 players (such as JukeBox and the NOMAD).

The first generation of Apple iPods was designed with a mechanical scroll wheel that was divided in four buttons that worked as Menu, Play or Pause, Back, and Forward. Apple iPods' scroll wheel has become a prominent design and feature of Apple iPods.

1.2 Second Generation of Apple iPods

This was the first generation of an iPod that was compatible with Microsoft Windows OS. Although it also had the prominent scroll wheel feature, the mechanical wheel of first generation was replaced by a touch-sensitive wheel, now know as teh "touch wheel."

1.3 Third Generation of Apple iPods

The "ultrathin" Apple iPods were shown to the public on April 28, 2003. Apple CEO Steve Jobs introduced these slightly smaller, and with beveled edges iPod series to the public as the third generation line of Apple iPods.

Aside from being ultrathin, this was the first set of Apple iPods that had a built-in Hi-Speen USB connectivity.

1.4 Fourth Generation of Apple iPods

If third generation Apple iPods were called ultrathin, I don't know what to call the fourth generation of Apple iPods which are slimmer than the ultrathin line. The sleek and trendy design had skyrocketed Apple's sales, and made the name iPod synonymous with digital audio player.

This generation of iPod was introduced with the monochrome screen; but after a few months, only, it was marketed with a color screen and thus named: iPod photos.

1.5 Fifth Generation of Apple iPods

Apple launched in October 12, 2005 the fifth generation and was quickly known to the public as video iPod or iPod video, although Apple refer to it as the Fifth Generation iPod

2. iPod Nano

2.1. iPod Mini

Digital player manufacturers such as Creative and Digital Networks released digital audio players smaller than that of iPods sometime in 2003. Their Zen Micro and Rico Carbon products were starting to attract a number of supporters and this had prompted Apple to create their own line of small iPods; thus, the birth of iPod Mini. The 4 to 6 GB storage of iPod mini was made possible by using Microdrive hard drives.

2.2. iPod Nano

On September 7, 2005 Apple announced that marketing of iPod minis would be discontinued to be replaced by a thinner and color screen iPod, which Apple named as "iPod Nano."

3. iPod Shuffle

Apple iPods were known for using Microdrive hard drives. Although most of iPod's competitors were already using flash memory for their digital audio player, Apple didn't jumped the flash bandwagon immediately. Apple waited until 2005 to release an iPod using flash memory instead of Microdrive, and named it "iPod Shuffle."

Keeping up with the taglines, "Give chance a chance" and "Life is a random," iPod shuffle plays music in random order although users can still play songs in order that has been set in iTunes.

iPod Shuffle has no screen. Its size is as small as a pack of chewing gum, and weighs less than an ounce.

Quick Guide to iPod Accessories

2008-12-04T06:26:00.000-08:00

Since iPod's initial release in 2001, manufacturers of iPod accessories has grown so big and is continuously growing that financial analysts now call the market of iPod accessories as "iPod ecosystems."

Engineers and stylist are not running out of ideas on how to accessorize an iPod from generations one to five, including the nano and shuffle lines. Even the established corporations such as the Altec Lansing and Bose joins the crowd of iPod accessories retailers. This shows how iPod has etched its name as the leading brand for digital audio player market.

But beware. There are many iPod accessories out there that are expensive but useless. So as for you to save time and energy in finding the most useful and least expensive iPod accessories, we have scouted the net and listed the five (5) topmost iPod accessories worth saving money for.

1. SPEAKERS.

Companies such as Altec Lansing, JBL, Bose and Kessington jumped into the iPod accessories bandwagon and started manufacturing speakers that are designed to work with iPods, using the iPod's dock connectors.

Speakers come in the usual "Apple white" color, and sleek, lightweight design to complement other iPod accessories. Although these speakers are smaller in size compared to the usual speakers bundled with audio component systems, iPod speakes' sound remain crisp, there is no cracking sound, and the bass booms in that thick, pumping sound.

We rated Altec Lansing inMotion iPod speakers as No. 1, for staying cheap while remaitaining its high quality. It is priced for only $149.

Why speakers?

Although iPod does have a small, built-in speaker, it is not working to emit sounds from audio files. The small, built-in speaker's use is for warning tones only.

A separate speaker will allow you to play your favorite song outside of the earphones. The rich and crisp sound of iPod speakers are good enough to play for small parties.

2. FM TRANSMITTER.

Companies such as Monster Cable and Griffin Technologies introduced to the iPod accessories community the FM transmitter. With this iPod accessory, you can play not just the songs from your playlist but also music played over the radio.

3. iPOD CASES AND iPOD SKINS

These iPod accessories are designed, primarily, to protect iPods from dirt and scratches. iPod skins and iPod cases manufacturers, so as to increase sales, came up with stylish and innovative iPod skins. Known manufactureres of fashionable iPod cases are iSkin, Kate Spade, Incase, Xtreme Iconz, Chums, and Speck.

www.iLounge.com offers the best iPod skins in the market at low prices. These iPod accessories are a must have for your iPods to last longer. Choose the silicone types than the leather ones since silicone skins are much cheaper than leather skins and offers better insulation from heat.

4. ARMBANDS

You can enjoy your iPods while running or jogging with iPod armbands.

iPod armband is one of the most innovative iPod accessories there is. It allows you to do your daily workouts while listening to your iPod Abs Workout Music. You can even do the most difficult Yoga position and still keep your iPod, playing a soothing crystal and waves sound, in place.

These iPod accessories keeps your iPod in place and screen scratch free with Screen Protector.

5. SOUND ISOLATION EARPHONES

These iPod accessories are best for those who works as a transcriptionist, is a musician or a student reviewing for the bar exams.

Etymotic Research ER-6i sound isolating earphones offer high accuracy in emitting sound treble and bass, and keep all the noise at bay. It is lightweight and portable and comes in the usual "Apple white" color.

SOME UNIQUE IPOD ACCESSORIES

1. CAR INTEGRATION ACCESSORIES

BMW is the first automotive company to release an iPod releated accessory for itsautomobiles. BMW introduced iPod automobile interface sometime in 2005. An iPod control was integrated into the built-in steering wheel, alongside the control and radio head buttons. The iPod unit is safely confined inside the glove compartment, and is attached to a cable harness to keep it in place everytime the car speeds up or is traversing rocky and bumpy roads.

The iPod steering wheel control allows the driver to create and shuffle five (5) "BMW playlist." The playlist is displayed through the small LCD of the vehicle's radio head.

2. iTalK VOICE RECORDER FOR iPod

Tired of listening to your iPod everyday? With this iPod accessory, your iPod can now listening to you.

Thank You Internet! Free iPods on the Net

2008-12-02T06:19:00.000-08:00

Due to the success of Apple iPods, numerous websites on the Internet have invested on offering free iPods to website visitors with little strings attached.

An example website would be FreeiPods.com. FreeiPods.Com gives away free iPods to website visitors and potential participants who completes an offer. Then they would be required to recruit 5 friends to do the same. Internet websites such as this claims that it is not a scam, though it does require a little bit of work on your part.

If you're extremely gullible, you will easily be enticed to get one o fthe free iPods, although we must admit, this promise of a free iPod from Internet websites such as FreeiPods.com looks very dubious.

But closer scrutiny would make it appear that the site is legitimate. The scheme does not look every bit like a networking pyramid scheme. It seems like a new type of marketing online. It looks so professional with support from major Internet companies like AOL, eBay and Columbia House.

Also, many happy customers are appearing like mushrooms all over the internet claiming receiving free iPods. All the more that skeptics are analyzing the economics.

How it Works

This is basically how it works:

1. An internet website offering free iPods like FreeiPods.com would offer either an iPod or a US$ 250 gift certificate to potential contestants that would sign up for several online promotions.

2. It would also be required that they persuade five more people to sign up.

3. The subscribers are then given the option of choosing from 10 different offers, that includes a trial of 45 days of AOL, and a trial of two weeks of the genealogy service of Ancestry.com. As you can see, these offers are easily cancelled and are free.

4. When the online trials are finally over, for both the main customer and the five referred people, the free iPod is provided.

Several people have written on their blog about the free iPod. At first they were skeptical, but when they tried it out, they eventually had the free iPod. Some also had a nice feedback for the set up since the Internet company did not require any credit card number or any hidden fees.

In fact, some receivers of the free iPods are so convinced that they created Internet websites that are affiliates of the free iPods websites. These websites are called "conga lines," and are supposed to persuade other people that the free iPods schemes are not a scam. Some of the websites, to name a few, are FlatScreens.com and FreeiPodGuide.

Gratis Internet

People behind the free iPod websites also denied that the site is a a networking scheme. It is not like an advertised networking scheme on eBay that also promises to give away free iPods.

They also revealed that Gratis Internet, maker of FreeiPod.com receives a huge amount of money for sending potential subscribers to sites like eBay, AOL, or RealNetworks. These internet websites offering free iPods are marketing firms sending potential customers to client websites or advertisers. The scheme is closely related to viral marketing.

The management refused to specify the money involved in the business, and said that they do not directly deal with the major companies involved. Gratis Internet was just commissioned by a third-party marketing agency, such as San Francisco's Adteractive.

For four years, Gratis Internet was in operation of customer-acquisition schemes via these websites: FreeCDs.com, FreeVideoGames.com, FreeDVDs.com, and FreeCondoms.com.

More than US$ 3 million worth of free merchandise that includes free iPods and CDs were given away, including five to six million condoms.

Since its launching last June, FreeiPods.com was successful in dispatching more than 2,500 free iPods. In monetary terms, that is more than US$ 1 million.

During the last few weeks, Internet traffic hits have exploded. About one million Internet visitors have enrolled in the scheme. Though majority of these people are using fake names and addresses, it reflects the interest of the public on the free iPods and other stuffs.

Successful customers that have finished the requirements of the scheme would receive a message of "Sent to Vendor, Waiting on Product." This message means that the free iPod is already on backorder. Though, previously, iPods were delayed in shipment, the process would be improved.

The Apple Ipod and the Nano

2008-11-29T06:04:00.000-08:00

What do people love about an Apple ipod? These are the cold hard facts people say they love about Apple ipod:

1. The original ipod can hold about five thousand songs.
2. The original ipod can give the user up to forty gigabytes of harddrive space.
3. The original ipod comes with an easy to use wheel.
4. The original ipod also has a battery with a life that lasts up to about 12 hours.
5. The original ipod can also provide you with the ability to set-up a play list.
6. And last but not the least, the original ipod has a shuffle function.

Even with a minimum layout of the features of ipod, users have agreed that the original ipod gives one an exhilarating experience of music.

With basic ergonomics, the Apple ipod has captured the heart of millions of music lovers all over the world.

The Apple Ipod Nano

With the list of facts regarding the original ipod enumerated above, the characteristics of the new Apple ipod nano would reveal a measure of smaller comparison:

1. The Apple ipod nano can hold about one thousand 1,000 songs. That is with the 4 gigabytes version, the one with the full color album art.

2. Another version of the Apple ipod nano can hold about five hundred songs in a smaller four megabytes of space.

3. The Apple ipod nano has a medium sized Click Wheel and a full color screen. With the click Wheel, you can fast forward, rewind, pause, play or access the menus. The full color screen is about 1.5 inches of display.

4. The Apple ipod nano has a battery life that would last to about fourteen hours. Fourteen hours is about a day without charging.

5. The Apple ipod nano also has a shuffle function like the original ipod.

6. The Apple ipod nano is available to make use of the armband accessory. All that is needed is a USB external cord that would also charge the Apple ipod nano.

7. The Apple ipod nano has a skin that acts as a sort of protection for the ipod.

8. The Apple ipod nano also has the iTrip. The iTrip lets you play the music you want via any radio. This accessory is very much in demand when buying an Appled ipod nano.

9. The Apple ipod nano has about the following statistical measurement: 3.5 x 1.6 x 0.27 inches and about 1.5 ounces in weight.

10. The Apple ipod nano also boasts of a perfectly skip-free playback and works well on either a Mac OS X or a Windows 2000 or Windows XP.

11. The Apple ipod nano, just like any other Apple ipod can play music, podcasts and audiobooks.

12. The Apple ipod nano can also hold up to about twenty five thousand photos.

13. The Apple ipod nano can also be used to synchronize contacts and calendars and to do lists.

As you can observe from the available features, what you love about the original ipod, take all of it and try to shrink it a bit and you got the Apple ipod nano. Not yet a believer? Put on the headphones and try to volume up the music. Everything now becomes clear -- it is an ipod.

This pencil thin ipod packs into your ears the entire original ipod experience. What makes it unbelievable is despite its small frame, it can still hold a 3 days worth of music and can play for 14 hours straight.

Accessories of the Apple iPod nano includes a leather case, an in-ear Lanyard headphone, armbands, dock where the iPod takes its rest, a radio remote, a USB power adaptor, an AV connection kit and Tubes, the iPod skins.

Integration of the ipod Nano in Cars

Users can take the ipod music experience on the road by seamless integration of the ipod and the car. Top automakers like Audi, Chrysler, Dodge, Ferrari, BMW, Acura, Honda, Infiniti, Mercedez Benz and others have designed elegant solutions to both their new and prior year car models.

Top automakers call this strategy as part of their After-Market Solutions. They have available options to the car user of iPod integration products for use. Available options vary from iPod-ready head units to self installation options as wells as professional interface installation. People now can customize their ride with iPod music.

You can also opt to have iPod integration options from car stereo accessory stores and manufacturers available within your area. They can outfit any car to play well with the iPod nano.

The Apple iPod Mini

2008-11-29T06:03:00.000-08:00

Owners of the original Apple iPod clamors for more from the makers of the iPod music experience.
The latest ipod player available in the market comes in a smaller and leaner frame, and is marketed in a rainbow of colors. This is the Apple iPod mini.

The Apple iPod mini has a platform of MAC or Windows OS. Some original Apple iPod users have already seen the Apple iPod mini with a new four gigabytes harddrive space for a US$ 249 price tag. It is not a secret that an additional of US$ 50 will get you a fifteen gigabytes iPod that would store somewhere around 2,700 more music files. That is a lot more than the Apple ipod mini.

This is because harddrive space is so much important for Apple iPod users, the original Apple iPod have so much space available to the user of about forty gigabytes. This amount of space can store more than five thousand songs. Aside from this, the original Apple iPod also has a longer battery life.

However, criticizers should consider the frame of the Apple iPod mini. It is slender and is more styled, that which made it seem more functional and more attractive to the eyes and has a more ergonomic feel to the fingers. To most people, it would not be the ideal music player, but to the 99,000 or so Apple iPod mini users, they beg to disagree.

The Too Sexy Apple iPod Mini

The Apple iPod mini is compared to a US$ 1,200 purse from Chanel. This is because the US$ 249 Apple iPod mini, with its variety of five colors, brings out class and posh.

It has an anodized body made of aluminum and weighs about 3.6 ounces. It measures about 2 inches in width, 3.6 inches in height, and only about half an inch in thickness. It does not look like it at first glance, but the Apple ipod mini is almost like a featherweight than the original Apple iPod.

It is also silky to the touch and smooth. It also fits wonderfully in your palm. This is the reason for the premium price tag.

The Apple iPod mini also has no external moving parts. You will notice that underneath the smaller 1.67-inch LCD screen lie the light touch-sensitive and highly ergonomic Click Wheel. This Click Wheel is the one which incorporates the Apple iPod mini's other controls. The control's buttons are located on the pad itself. This is much different than the original Apple iPod's four function buttons that is located above the scroll pad.

Anyone who is familiar with the software for the iPod knows about the seamless integration of iPod with iTunes. In no time, you would be cruising with the tunes.

The Apple iPod mini behaves just like exactly as other newer generation Apple iPods. It now even packs a battery life of 8 hours. The original Apple iPods have a longer battery life.

Besides the smaller physical dimensions and the new warm minimalist choices of color, which can be gold, silver, pink, green and blue. A major difference observed between the original Apple iPod and the Apple iPod mini is the harddrive space capacity.

The Apple iPod mini has a tiny Hitachi harddrive that can hold about four gigabytes of music. Music files include AAC, Audible, MP3, WAV and AIFF. This is enough storage for a number of Apple iPod mini users.

Apple iPod users usually prefer to carry an entire library of music any time of the day. Rather than manually selecting and transferring specific songs to the Apple iPod mini. The Apple iPod mini can only hold as much as a fraction of the forty gigabytes music collection.

The Apple iPod mini also has accessories that include the earbuds, a USB 2.0 cable and a FireWire dock connector, an AC adaptor, a belt clip, and the Apple iPod mini software.

The Apple iPod mini could have been more lenient by adding a dock or armband to teh package.

The US$ 29 armband is a great help for joggers who want to listen to good music while jogging and carrying the very lightweight and effectively skip-free Apple iPod mini.

Conclusion

To summarize, the Apple iPod mini has a sleek styling, it is a small size and has an excellent integrated Click wheel. It has a possible disadvantage to the user, though, that is the price per megabyte which is much higher as compared to the original Apple iPod.

Handling the Apple iPod Fame and Lawsuits

2008-11-29T05:49:00.000-08:00

With the success of the apple ipod series of Apple Computer, it is no wonder that there will be an apple ipod lawsuit on the table. Apple Corps sued the apple ipod creator, Apple Computer, of a breach in their agreement over the use of their famous trademark. Last March 2006, the hearing for the Apple ipod began before the London court.

Before any of the loyal fans of this iconic device dismiss this Apple ipod case as envy,it is important to look behind the court history of these two companies. The Apple ipod case is the latest court battle of these companies. In the early 80’s, Apple Computer paid Apple Corps $80,000 and promised that they will never enter the music business. 1989 proved to be another hot year between them after Apple Corps took Apple Computer to court again, this time for a music-making program and a microphone.

The latter paid Apple Corps another $26 million and was allowed to sell goods and services for the reproduction, play, running or otherwise delivery of music content. Apple Corps maintained the rights to creative works containing music. Their agreement only prevented Apple Computer in distributing content on media like CDs and tapes. It is vague on the stand pertaining to later inventions like digital music files or even the devices that they run on.

Mainly a trademark dispute, the Apple ipod case has become a much-anticipated issue. Because of the 1991 agreement, Apple Computer says that they are allowed to use the logo on the apple ipod and iTunes because they don’t own the rights to all their music, just the digital technology to handle its distribution. Whatever they have used the trademark on is well within their agreement.

Anthony Grabiner, Apple Computer’s lawyer believes they have a strong defense against Apple Corps. Meanwhile, Apple Corps is seeking damages and demands that the company and apple ipod maker to stop its use of the apple logo on their iTunes Music Store and the in advertising for the site.

Many fans of the Apple Computer products think that the Apple ipod case has some bearing. There are those who suggest that Apple Computer should just completely change its logo to end any lawsuit from being filed against them in the future. Ilounge.com visitors see this Apple ipod case as an admission that Apple Computer has indeed violated their agreement with Apple Corps especially when they are judged by the previous settlements that the former offered.

What this Apple ipod case really shows is a warning to all companies. Trademark and copyright lawsuits can be very expensive to settle especially when your company has just picked up business. That is why many companies invest heavily in market research, branding and patents. Make sure that you check the copyright of any of your business processes, logos and symbols before releasing it to the public. Setting everything in order will help your company avoid nasty court battles such as the Apple ipod case.

Eddie Cue, iTunes vice president at Apple Computer, took the witness stand April 3, 2006 to defend his company. Cue testified that the Apple Computer did not violate their 1991 agreement by using the Apple logo on their iTunes Music Store. What they provided was data transmission and not the original rights to the songs.

During the closing in the Apple ipod case, Anthony Grabiner defended Apple Computer’s right to use the logo because they are promoting the iTunes store and not the music itself and as long as they indicate the origin of the software and downloading services, they have not breeched anything.

Apple ipod will still remain as the most popular audio and multimedia player device in the market despite lawsuits filed against them. The apple ipod sales will continue to soar as users and patrons find more and more ways to use their apple ipod in their daily lives. Of course, there will be dissidents. By experience, anyone who can complain will complain so no matter how Apple ipod tries to meet its consumer’s needs, they can’t please everyone.

The ruling for the Apple vs. Apple trademark case is unlikely to be before the Easter break. As to how this all ends for the apple ipod, we will just have to wait and see.