Is good old Microsoft getting desperate and succumbing to all the pressure? Confused about what I am talking bout? Well just take a look at the picture, which showcases “an iPod amnesty Bin”, right outside “Zune HQ,”. Taken by flickr user imoculous, the concept may be funny however totally uncalled for! If Microsoft thinks that the Zune can really dethrone the iPod, well kudos to their optimism!
[Via PC World]
Gear4 has announced their HouseParty Blu Bluetooth speaker system for the iPod. The HouseParty Blu features A2DP stereo Bluetooth, 30W output from dual speakers, slick blue LED controls on the front of the unit, an auxillary input, and also is interoperable with your Bluetooth enabled cellular phone, in case you have MP3’s on your phone that are not on your iPod. With a convientently located docking station for your iPod, which also acts as a charging station, and a reasonable price of $159.99 USD, the HouseParty Blu system is an excellent choice for those who are looking to fill a room, or small apartment with iTunes.
Gene Munster a Piper Jaffray analyst says that this year Apple may just sell over 9.5 million iPods in the third quarter and not the expected 9.8 million. He basis his claims on the first month of sales data from NPD, a market research firm.
“While it is way too early to make a definitive call on June quarter iPod results, we have analyzed the first month of NPD data (April) for the quarter and found that it suggests iPod unit (sales) of around 9.5 million,” Munster wrote in a client note. “Our current iPod unit estimate at 10.5 million is ahead of Street consensus, which is 9.8 million for the June quarter.”
Hell hath no fury like Apple scorned! Looks like Apple is not amused by ‘iGasm’ iPod sex toy advertisements and feel its in bad taste. Now Apple is threatening to sue iGasm if they don’t remove the provocative ads.
“iPod-maker Apple is threatening to sue a sex shop over a vibrator that hooks up to an iPod and has similar advertising to that used in posters for the digital music player,” Simon Jary reports for PC Advisor.
Jary reports, “Apple is demanding that stores remove all posters for the gadget, called an iGasm. ‘We hope this request to remove it immediately will prevent us having to consider further action,’ said Apple lawyers.”
Jary reports, “The Ann Summers neon-pink ads feature a sexy woman with wires coming out of her iPod and into her knickers, teasing ‘ Go at it hard and fast with a pounding drum and bass track or chill with the ambient classic.’”
Via PC Advisor
I doubt the music on your iPod will sound any better just because the Monster iFreePlay Cordless Headset mounts your iPod Shuffle directly to the headset, but I would believe it if the extra weight on one side of your head threw off your balance just enough to make you fall while running. Then again maybe not. Either way, the Monster iFreePlay allows iPod shuffle users to play music with no need for clips, armbands or pockets. The iFreePlay features an exclusive iDock™ port that directly connects into the headphones eliminating the need for headphone cords while delivering great sound. All of which makes this perfect for running and working out.
NexTune in a press release today announced that their newest version of its digital music playlist software is now compatible with Apple’s® iPod, iTunes and Microsoft’s® Windows MediaPlayer. The MoodMaker version 3.0.4 can easily manage restricted music purchased from iTunes and downloads from music stores featuring Microsoft’s PlaysForSure DRM.
For the uninitiated NexTune lets users share their playlists across other music software and most portable players. The software is also capable of creating playlists according to mood, vocals, tempo, style and genre.
Michael DuKane, NexTune president stated, “we revolutionized the way consumers can make playlists and with every step forward we are breaking down the barriers that limit the consumer’s freedom of choice. With NexTune, consumers can easily change their mind about which portable device they would choose to use without loosing their playlists or without having to change their music software”.
The only thing that tops my love for the iPod is the TV Show Lost. Hence with the new Lost iPod Game, I am in iPod heaven! The game is now available on the Apple website for purchase and you can play as Jack who is the protagonist of the show. (sorry Locke fans).The Lost iPod game has been developed by Gameloft.
“Join your favourite castaways in their quest to seek the truth and survive,” the company says. “Help Jack search for dynamite, tend to the wounded, and avoid the black smoke,” says the iTunes page.
Main Lost iPod Game Features:
Griffin Technology unveiled their iTrip Pocket recently which is yet another FM transmitter for the iPod. The iTrip Pocket’s minuscule form factor is the first, which catches your attention and hence is ideal for the 2nd Gen iPod Nano.
The iTrip Pocket is also compatible with the 1st generation iPod nano as well as 4th and 5th generation iPod models. It comes outfitted with the proprietary Griffin SmartDisplay™ Technology, which displays frequency information directly on the screen of your iPod, and also features stereo/mono modes. The iTrip Pocket is now available for $49.
Mondo Systems announced the Mondo™ Mint™ Digital Music Station, which seeks to provide you some respite from the run of the mill docking systems!
The Mondo Mint Digital Music Station adopts a contemporize look when comes to form factor and features a mini Class-D digital amplifier, two bookshelf speakers, a remote control, and a wireless dock which can remotely stream music from an iPod® up to 100 feet away. Non-iPod users may not fret as the system can also be used out of the box with PC, Mac® computer, iPod, MP3 player, CD player, satellite radio, TV or video game console.
Tired of the same old boring compact speakers for your iPod? If you like your gadgets big and powerful, then you may just dig the Portable PA Audio System by Front Gate! While I am sure it won’t be a Bose, the system does claim to be a “professional-quality sound system”. It also promises to break you away from the shackles of this dreaded wires!
The Portable PA Audio System also comes bundled with a microphone and the battery can last up to 6 hours. Other key features include’ High-output two-way speaker system, aluminum casing and the inclusion of rugged suitcase-style wheels for easy transport. It is available here for $299.
