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I Had the Biggest Crush on Ms. Pac-Man Growing Up!

Everyone’s favorite video game hottie is now available on your iPod. Accoridng to Digital Spy, in celebration of the 25th anniversary of the Ms. Pac-Man, Namco Networks has announced that the game is now available for download to your iPod via iTunes.

Available or play on the fifth generation iPod, Ms. Pac-Man for iPod ncluding the four unique maze designs, 256 maze levels and the “coffee break” animated intervals from the original game. The iPod version also features retro art from the original arcade cabinet and a tutorial level, which allows players to perfect their ghost avoidance skills. This version also allows players to listen to the original retro game sounds or music from their fifth generation iPod library while playing. It’s like reliving my childhood all over again!

Apple TV Has Been Delayed Another Month

Apple TV, the multimedia device that let’s you wirelessly stream pictures, video and audio – including podcasts – from your Mac OS X or Windows based computers to your TV was set to have released earlier to this month. To the dismay of many Apple fans though, it looks they will have to wait another month. According to Apple spokeswoman Lynn Fox, “Wrapping up Apple TV is taking a few weeks longer than we projected, and we now expect to begin shipments mid-March.” While there were no specific reasons given to account for the delay, I would venture to guess it is one of (or all of) three things:

1. Production delays. First gen products typically incurr production delays due to the “new line set-up” (See the summer I spent working in a Motorola factory I actually learn something…)
2. Firmware Issues.You can make sweet software and hardware is pretty basic, fusing the two together can be difficult.
3. Falling Demand. Demand for the product may have dropped since the original announcements causing Apple to scramble to secure retailer/reseller commitments.

All things aside, Apple TV is a pretty slick device; it syncs with iTunes, boasts a 40GB HDD, USB2.0, Ethernet, HDMI and Component ports and, vitally, features the zippy Draft 802.11n and 802.11g, with a affordable price tag of around $249 USD. I definitely look for Apple TV to be a hot seller, especially since there is rising demand in the home multi-media sector and Apple loyalists are known technophiles. I see this being much more popular than the Apple iPhone.

Goldman Sachs Thinks So…

According to a post over at iLounge, Goldman Sachs projects that the Apple will sell in excess of 14 Million iPhones by 2009. This is quite the aggressive projection, considering it is almost the end of the first calendar quarter and there have been no solid dates on when the iPhone will be released. With it’s initial pricing promotion and the fact that it is tied to Cingular service, it is tough to believe these numbers.

Here Are Some More Numbers

See my thoughts in italics.

1. The number of potential iPhone buyers is equivalent to 75% of the installed base of current iPod owners, with just under 1/2 of the potential buyers coming from respondents who have never owned an iPod. Potentially, I could make $1M this year…
2. Similarly, in the US, 71% of respondents indicated interest in a potential Apple mobile phone. Yes, because this thing was all over the television when it launched, now that the thrill has died, I wonder how many actually still care about?
3. In the US, Apple ranked as the number 4 most desired multimedia handset brand - again, coming before iPhone was even announced.This would indicate brand loyalty (which we all know they have) and it is probably overly-deisred because they never had a phone.
4. Some of the concerns about the unwillingness of consumers to switch carriers to get the handset they want seem misplaced, with 30% of UK respondents and 15% in the US suggesting that they would switch. Those percentages are not very high, especially in the US

I am going to remain pretty optimistic about this and other other statistics that are already claiming that the iPhone is going to be a huge success. Cellular phones are vastly different than MP3 and video players. It is tough to think they will get it right on the first try.

Not Sure Why They Didn’t Make Them Water Proof

Hammacher Schlemmer has introduced a new wireless water-resistant iPod speaker. The speaker’s wireless capability allows it to pick up a signal from up to 150 feet away, ensuring that your iPod can be keep far from water danger. Built ideally for use near a shower or pool, the wireless water-resistant iPod speaker delivers crisp sound through the 3 inch full range 6-watt speaker.

In addition to outstanding audio quality the speaker has a build in AM/FM radio, alram clock, easy to read LCD, and the ability to connect to a PC or CD player. The remote docking station is compatible with all iPod nanos, 30 GB and 60 GB iPod video, and the 20 GB iPod photo. The product has a retail price of $199.95 and is currently shipping!

Top 10 iTunes Songs This Week

1. This Is Why I’m Hot (Edited) - Mims
2. Break It Off - Rihanna & Sean Paul
3. Don’t Matter - Akon
4. This Ain’t a Scene, It’s an Arms Race - Fall Out Boy
5. Cupid’s Chokehold - Gym Class Heroes
6. What Goes Around…/…Comes Around - Justin Timberlake
7. It’s Not Over - Daughtry
8. The Sweet Escape - Gwen Stefani
9. Say It Right - Nelly Furtado
10. Here (In Your Arms) - Hellogoodbye

To download these and other HOT songs, go to iTunes now!

All-in-One Pack of Nano Goodies

The Freestyle iPod nano 2nd Gen Utlimate Starter Pack is the ultimate starter kit for iPod nano users. The Freestyle ulitmate pack features 3 silicon cases (pink, white, black), an FM transmitter, a iPod multicharger (Main, Car, USB), a screen protector, armband, and a lanyard, all for 24.99GBP! Not that you would ever use all of these items, but standalone, these products would most certainly cost well over 120GBP. For more information about the Freestyle iPod nano 2nd Gen Ultimate Starter Pack visit Advanced MP3 Players.

Crazy Kids and Their iPods

60 year old Frank Burd, a Germantown High School math teacher had his neck broken by a pair of students over a confiscated iPod. According to the police report, Mr. Burd, a popular Germantown teacher, had confiscated the iPod from the 11th grade student. After class two students, one 17, the other 15, bum-rushed Mr. Burd knocking him to the ground. Mr. Burd was rushed to the hospital, with two broken bones in his neck and cuts to his face, which seems to imply that the students may have stomped on Mr., Burd after knocking him down.

What Is Wrong With Kids These Days?

We all know how passionate some iPod owners are, but beating up a 60 year old teacher? C’mon, that is inexcuseable. The students knew that the iPod was a prohibited device and that if caught with it, it would be taken away. What is wrong with kids these days?

Don’t ask me how I came across these, but within 15 minutes, I came across two of the most bizarre iPod accessories yet. First, ironically enough while grooving to Salt-N-Pepa’s “Push it”, I came across a device called the “iCarta“. The website’s description reads “Stereo Dock for iPod® with Bath Tissue Holder”.Now wait a second… I am not sure which part is more bizarre, the fact that this product even exists, or the fact that the product description makes it sound like the “Bath Tissue Holder” was an afterthought. The bright side is that you no longer have to bother with the pesky task of figuring out how to rest your iPod on your leg. Looking forward to 2008 - introducing iBidet… that is right, you heard it here first.

Next up, iBuzz.

I’ll let the video speak for itself.

All of a sudden, Marvin Gaye doesn’t sound so romantic anymore…

Get the iBuzzTwo here

Celebrities Everywhere Take Notice

Popgadget has the scoop on some new Swarovski crystal laden iPod accessories. Created by Boutique for you, a UK company, celebrities and wannabe’s alike can now pimp their iPod with Swarovski Crystal iPod covers and iPod ear phones. The Swarovski Crystal iPod covers are currently available for the iPod nano and the iPod shuffle.

iPod Shuffle Wins 2007 Design Week Consumer Product Design Award

Not that this is a huge surprise as the iPod line gained its tremendous following due to its design, user inteface, ease of use, and style, it is always nice to make it “offical”. The second generation iPod shuffle has been a tremendous success and has gotten excellent reviews from it users. According to Sebastian Conran of Conran and Partners,

“We were in a quandary with Consumer Product Design. Though there was a wide variety of interesting products, there was also a raft of entries from Apple’s design team, of which, though all were excellent, only the Shuffle was truly ‘new.’ It feels a bit unfair to all the other entries, which were mainly very good indeed, that Apple—with its relentless commitment to innovative and evolutionary design, and its attention to detail—should again win pole position. The Shuffle is a simple, beautifully executed concept with minimal, re-useable packaging that is fantastic value for money.”

I couldn’t agree with him more!