Date Archive > July 2005

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July 29, 2005

Weekend reading

- I don't know much about the "POWER shuffle CHARGER" pictured at right, but I think it looks hysterical, like a tall skinny guy standing on the shoulders of a short, fat guy. Via iLounge.

- Digital Media Thoughts is having a giveaway for 30 Vaja iVod cases. That's right, three-zero. Go to it. Also, check out my review of the iVod case that was published this week.

- Create Gapless CD's and AAC Files with iTunes 4.9: Kind of a cludgie way of doing it and seems like a lot of work, but it's an interesting proof of concept.

Category: News | Comments (0)

Amy Greer, Lafayette’s luckiest iTunes user

The Lafayette, Indiana Journal and Courier has a short article about their lucky citizen Amy Greer who won the recent iTunes 500 millionth song contest. Amy, who is 18 years old and a fan of country music, won the contest by downloading the song "Mississippi Girl" by Faith Hill (hubba, hubba).

But this is my favorite part of the story, Amy doesn't even own an iPod. I mean, she does now - 10 of them to be exact - but I think it's just great that someone like Amy won that contest. Good on ya', as they say in Australia.

Visit this page at the Apple web site for a list of all of the winners and the songs they downloaded.

Category: Culture | Comments (0)

Fake iPod video

This is not real. But since I'm trying hard to warm up to this iPod video idea, I thought I'd post it. Plus, the graphic is well done and the design actually has some merits to it. (They shouldn't have capitalized the word video in the title bar though. Everyone knows the iPod video has a lower case "v".)

Via Gizmodo

Category: Culture | Comments (4)

Griffin Technology announces the iFM - everything but the kitchen sink

Griffin Technology has announced a new product called the iFM. It would be easier to list the things that this products didn't do, but I'll give it a shot anyway. Griffin states that the iFM provides, "FM radio tuning, recording and remote control functionality to the iPod, all in a tiny aluminum enclosure."

With the radio function you can save 6 station presets. With the remote control function, you can control basic iPod functions such as play, pause, fast forward, rewind, next song, previous song, volume. With the recording functions, you can record from the FM tuner or by using the built-in omnidirectional microphone. The recording functions work only with regular iPod 3G, 4G, and photo models, and the remote control works only with regular iPod 3G, 4G, photo, and iPod mini models. The iFM will cost $50 when it ships in August, but you can preorder it now at the Griffin Technology web site.

Category: Gear | Comments (0)

July 28, 2005

Marware TrailVue case now for regular iPods too

Previously only available for iPod mini, the TrailVue case from Marware is now available for the regular iPod too. The TrailVue case is a rugged, padded, flip-style case made from balistic nylon. It features elastic sides on the sleeve that holds your iPod secure in order to accommodate iPods of different thicknesses and a velcro closure to keep the lid down. The TrailVue case is strong on style too, it comes in the following colors: black with gray strip, black with red stripe, blue with gray stripe and gray with light blue stripe. You also get Marware's Multidapt clip system when you plunk down $35.

When I reviewed it, I quite liked the TrailVue case for iPod mini, it is well designed and manufactured, looks great, and it proved itself to be very versatile.

Category: Cases | Comments (0)

July 27, 2005

PortalPlayer’s financial statements hint at future iPods?

According to an article posted at AppleInsider, there are some juicy tidbits in the latest financial filings of PortalPlayer, maker of the chip that Apple uses in iPods.

PortalPlayer expects revenue to increase from flash-based memory chips, which is interesting because the iPod shuffle uses flash memory from SigmaTel. Does this mean that an additional iPod model will start to use flash memory?

PortalPlayer also stated that they've invested in "innovative" wireless technology that they expect will help fuel growth in 2006 and beyond. Nothing like a wireless iPod to put that USB vs. Firewire debate to rest.

The article then cites a research note released today by American Technology Research analyst Shaw Wu, "Based on Wu's checks throughout the industry as well as recent comments made by PortalPlayer of a late production ramp in September, the analyst believes new iPods including color iPod minis, higher capacity flash-based iPods, and a video capable iPod will not ship until the October time frame."

It just makes sense that Apple would be gearing up for the holiday shopping season to take advantage of the shopping mania, the question is what new goodies will we see from them? I think that the electronics industry as a whole will move towards utilizing flash memory as capacities increase and prices drop. This just makes sense, especially in a portable device like the iPod. A color iPod mini model seems like a great idea, and I think it would certainly appeal to the mini owner demographic. Video iPod? Whatever... you know how I feel about that.

BTW, I'd take a wireless iPod over a video iPod any day.

Category: News | Comments (1)

Fill your iPod

Here are some resources that I found recently that you can use to fill your iPod with free and/or low-cost content and enrich your mind at the same time:

- 1 Million Free and Legal Music Tracks: Lots and lots and lots of links to sites with free/legal music. Wow.

- TellTaleWeekly: A collection of free and low-cost audio books.

- Free Classic Audio Books: Read by a robot (not really, just text-to-speech technology). I just can't get past that synthesized voice though, and the cadence throws me off too.

Category: Resources | Comments (0)

iPoditude Review: Vaja iVod case for iPod mini

I want to tell you that I've been a fan of Vaja iPod cases for a while now. I got one of their cases for my 15GB 3G iPod shortly after I bought it, and it actually looks better today, with a little bit of wear and tear on it to add character, than when it was new. That is a sure sign of quality materials and construction.

It was excitement - full-on Christmas-grade excitement - that I experienced when Vaja sent their iVod case for iPod mini. And I can tell you right now that this iPod case didn't disappoint. So if you want to read on and listen to me gush about how great this case is (with the exception of one irritating problem), click through for the full review.

Continue reading "iPoditude Review: Vaja iVod case for iPod mini"

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July 25, 2005

Arty customized iPod covers

From the people that make the original (and beautiful) Wrappers iPod shuffle covers, comes the new Arty customized covers for regular iPod and iPod mini. Using an embroidery process, they custom design and layout an iPod case from a graphic that you provide. The company states, "The very high density stitching used to reproduce pictures creates a tapestry panel with similar, long lasting qualities to upholstery fabric. The strong but soft finish provides plenty of protection but not at the expense of making gadgets bulky." The finished covers are durable and even washable. Prices start at £32.00 and they will happily ship worldwide.

Category: Cases | Comments (0)

Jeep Liberty iPod install at Fortworthless Blog

What do you get when you drill a hole in your car's dash and dissect a Belkin TuneDok? A really nice mobile iPod stand, of course. Reader Dave W was kind enough to write in and tell me about the iPod install he did in his Jeep Liberty. It's a simple, clean job that still looks really nice. He used a BlitzSafe interface to integrate it into the car's factory sound system. "...look at what I created while sitting in the car waiting for my laundry. Doesn't it look awesome?" Yes, yes it does.

The permanent page at the Fortworthless blog. Check out the gallery for more pics.

Category: Car Gear | Comments (1)

iPoditude Review: Tunewear Poptune shuffle stickers for iPod shuffle

There are so many names being bandied about for these types of things - iPod wrappers, iPod tattoos, iPod stickers, and even iPod skins - that I have made an official iPoditude decision and I'm just going to start calling them all stickers, regardless of what the company that makes the product calls them. Because, marketing-speak aside, that is really what they are.

So now that we have that out of the way, I can get down to business and tell you about Tunewear's newest Poptunes for iPod shuffle stickers. Click through for the full review.

Continue reading "iPoditude Review: Tunewear Poptune shuffle stickers for iPod shuffle"

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July 22, 2005

SendStation donates to charity, number two

SendStation, makers of the insanely handy PocketDock, have announced that they will donate US $5 for every PocketDock sold through their online store before August 21st to help fight hunger in Niger. And to make the deal even better, they're offering free international shipping. Specifically, the money will go to UNICEF.

As you may recall, this is SendStation's second charitable effort. In January they gave a portion of their proceeds to support tsunami victims, which wound up totaling $3,250. I applaud SendStation for being such a socially responsible company. If you've been thinking about getting a PocketDock (a product that I highly recommend), now is the time.

Category: News | Comments (0)

July 21, 2005

Radio Shack to start selling full line of iPods

AppleInsider is reporting that Apple has inked a deal with electronics retailer and electrical engineer geek hangout Radio Shack to start selling the full line of iPods in time for the Christmas shopping season. Radio Shack has almost 7,000 stores, so this agreement has the potential to add significantly to the amount of retail locations for the iPod. In addition, AppleInsider reports that Radio Shack stores will flesh out their line of iPod accessories.

I think Radio Shack is great, and every time I go in there I find the coolest stuff. But I can just hear the person working behind the counter, "Would you like a 75-ohm resistor to go with that iPod, sir?"

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July 20, 2005

Afternoon Links

- How The iPod Changed My Life by Dylan Jones at Mirror.co.uk: "The iPod not only changed the way I felt about music, it helped me re-establish relationships with records I hadn't heard in years."

- Lajo is having a 50% off sale on their iPod cases.

- HOW TO make Enhanced Podcasts at Make Blog: Very complete. Lots of pretty pictures. Gotta love the enhanced podcast.

- Motorola plans media event, Jobs likely to attend at AppleInsider: Unveiling the iTunes phone finally?

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Chums iPod Cases

Man, I hadn't thought of the Chums brand since those sunglass straps from the 80's. Well, not only are they still around but, to my surprise, they've got quite the collection of iPod cases. Their web site lists nine styles that range from the standard flap-style iPod case to the unique iFrame case (pictured at right), and even includes the Asian-inspired Lotus case, which is quite beautiful. Many of their cases feature goodies such as a removable lanyard and carabiner, a rotating belt clip, and a grommet lined headphone port.

The iFrame case has a transparent window on the front, a belt clip on the back, and comes in five colors for $25. Check out eBags.com to purchase on line.

Category: Cases | Comments (0)

Date Archive > July 2005

July 29, 2005

July 28, 2005

July 27, 2005

July 25, 2005

July 22, 2005

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July 20, 2005

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