Ipod Touch, Ipod Classic And Ipod Nano

Showing posts with label Apple Ipod Mini. Show all posts

Monday, March 30, 2009

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

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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Sunday, March 29, 2009

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

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/

Saturday, March 28, 2009

Loving the iPod shuffle

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.

source

Wednesday, March 25, 2009

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

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

Monday, January 19, 2009

A Biography of the iPod Mini

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.

Tuesday, January 13, 2009

Liven Up Your iPod With Great Games

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.

Sunday, January 11, 2009

You Gotta Love iPod's Covers!

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.

Tuesday, December 16, 2008

All About the Apple iPod

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.

Thursday, December 4, 2008

Quick Guide to iPod Accessories

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.

Saturday, November 29, 2008

The Apple iPod Mini

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.