http://www.iLounge.com en jeremy@ilounge.com (Jeremy Horwitz) jerrod@ilounge.com (Jerrod Hofferth) http://www.expressionengine.com/ News-15738 http://www.ilounge.com/index.php/news/comments/apple-releases-itunes-802/ Apple has released iTunes 8.0.2, the latest version of its digital media management software. According to the release notes, the update addresses a quality issue creating MP3s on some computers, fixes a connectivity issue with the iTunes Store when using some internet proxies with Mac OS X, and improves accessibility with VoiceOver. iTunes 8.0.2 is available now as a free download from itunes.com or via Apple’s Software Update utility. ...… iTunes news@ilounge.com (Charles Starrett) Fri, 21 Nov 2008 02:33:12 GMT Reviews-15735 http://www.ilounge.com/index.php/ipod/review/iskin-duo-for-ipod-nano-4g-duo-touch-for-ipod-touch-2g/ As evolutions of the company's earlier Duo cases for the iPod nano and iPod touch, iSkin's new Duo for iPod nano 4G (3-Pack, $35) and Duo touch for iPod touch 2G ($35) both use a combination of silicone rubber cases, hard plastic screen protectors, and clear film to protect the iPods inside. Duo for iPod nano 4G is sold in three different three-case sets: you get either clear, black, and purple cases ("Chill Pack"), clear, pink, and red cases ("Cruise… Cases - iPod nanoCases - iPod touch jeremy@ilounge.com (Jeremy Horwitz) Thu, 20 Nov 2008 20:42:20 GMT Reviews-15736 http://www.ilounge.com/index.php/ipod/review/iskin-vibes-for-ipod-nano-4g-ipod-touch-2g/ Based somewhat upon the company's earlier Vibes for iPhone 3G, iSkin's Vibes for iPod nano 4G ($25 each) and iPod touch 2G ($30 each) appear to use the same soft plastic we've seen in Jet Navy hydrocarbon cases, and feature uniquely iSkin molding and etching. The iPod nano version of Vibes is a single clear case with one of seven different patterns etched into the body, allowing the color of your iPod nano to shine through. By comparison, the iPod… Cases - iPod nanoCases - iPod touch jeremy@ilounge.com (Jeremy Horwitz) Thu, 20 Nov 2008 20:39:16 GMT News-15734 http://www.ilounge.com/index.php/news/comments/dlo-ships-homedock-hd-pro-for-ipod/ Digital Lifestyle Outfitters has announced that it is now shipping its HomeDock HD Professional entertainment dock for iPod. The HomeDock HD Pro features an integrated iPod dock offering video upscaling to 1080i or 720p and an optical digital audio output. Other features include HDMI output and an HDMI input for extending the reach of other HDMI equipment, RS-232 and RS-485 support for integration into a custom home entertainment system, component… iPod Accessories news@ilounge.com (Charles Starrett) Thu, 20 Nov 2008 19:02:14 GMT News-15733 http://www.ilounge.com/index.php/news/comments/apple-patent-points-to-iphone-ipod-status-indicators/ A recently published Apple patent application suggests the company is developing a new system of status indicators for its iPod and iPhone devices. The patent describes a system in which the main backlight of the device sports a semi-transparent area, allowing a low-power, secondary backlight to show through, displaying simple icons to show whether the iPod is playing music, indicate new email or voicemail, missed calls, and so on. As with all Apple… Apple news@ilounge.com (Charles Starrett) Thu, 20 Nov 2008 18:46:04 GMT Articles-15726 http://www.ilounge.com/index.php/articles/comments/instant-expert-secrets-features-of-apple-tv-23/ Yesterday evening, Apple quietly released an Apple TV Version 2.3 update, providing bug fixes, stability improvements, and a few additional new features. Version 2.3 may well be the company’s least publicized and least glamorous Apple TV software update yet, but the changes are interesting nonetheless. As usual, we have gone through Apple TV 2.3 with a fine-toothed comb to see exactly what has changed. Curious about what’s new? Read on.… Features jesse@ilounge.com (Jesse David Hollington) Thu, 20 Nov 2008 17:45:35 GMT News-15732 http://www.ilounge.com/index.php/news/comments/mms-coming-to-iphone-via-re-branded-mobispine-app/ Following a report from MacWorld Sweden (Translated Link) claiming that iPhone carrier Telia would soon offer a Multimedia Messaging Service (MMS) application for its iPhone customers, mobile services company Mobispine has announced that it is developing a native MMS application for the iPhone. According to a posting on the company’s blog, Mobispine will sell a specially-branded version of its MMS application to operators, who in turn will make… iPhone news@ilounge.com (Charles Starrett) Thu, 20 Nov 2008 17:03:27 GMT News-15731 http://www.ilounge.com/index.php/news/comments/mix-softbank-frenzic-goldstriker-zune-marketplace/ Softbank Chief Strategy Officer Tetsuzo Matsumoto recently said that the company is “happy” with its current situation regarding the iPhone 3G, despite reports of slower-than-expected sales. “We introduced the iPhone without any big market trial, so the initial package had some problems,” Matsumoto told Dow Jones Newswire at the GSMA Mobile Asia Congress. Citing research from MM Research Institute, Newswire reports that Apple… Mix news@ilounge.com (Charles Starrett) Thu, 20 Nov 2008 15:55:05 GMT Backstage-15730 http://www.ilounge.com/index.php/backstage/comments/protecting-the-metal-macbook-invisibleshield-part-2/ As you’re no doubt already aware, iLounge—unlike other publications—is not willing to tell readers to rush out and buy the things we review. Our belief is that you’re smart enough to know whether something meets your needs and budget, and it’s our role to provide both facts and informed opinions to help you make your own decision. By the same token, if we really like or love something—the marks of our “recommended”… jeremy@ilounge.com (Jeremy Horwitz) Thu, 20 Nov 2008 16:03:01 GMT News-15728 http://www.ilounge.com/index.php/news/comments/westone-rolls-out-westone-3-triple-driver-earphones/ Westone Music Products has introduced its new Westone 3 triple-driver in-ear headphones. The 3 features three balanced armature drivers and a three-way crossover network for improved sound, braided cables, and a frequency response of 20 Hz - 18 kHz. Each pair will include a fit kit with ten different styles of eartips to ensure a proper, comfortable fit, a soft zippered carrying pouch, a 1/8” to 1/4” plug adapter, and an inline… iPod Accessories news@ilounge.com (Charles Starrett) Thu, 20 Nov 2008 14:08:01 GMT News-15725 http://www.ilounge.com/index.php/news/comments/apple-releases-apple-tv-software-23/ Apple has released Apple TV Software 2.3, the latest update to its set-top box. According to the release notes, the update adds the ability to stream music from the Apple TV to Airport Express speakers or other Apple TV units on the same network, to learn other remote controls’ commands and use them in addition to the Apple Remote, and to see playlists in iTunes that contain movies, TV shows, podcasts, and music videos. It also adds support… Apple TV news@ilounge.com (Charles Starrett) Thu, 20 Nov 2008 02:18:48 GMT News-15724 http://www.ilounge.com/index.php/news/comments/puzzle-mmorpg-aurora-feint-ii-shown-for-iphone-ipod-touch/ Now operating under the corporate name Aurora Feint Inc., developers Danielle Cassley and Jason Citron have unveiled Aurora Feint II: The Arena for the iPhone and iPod touch. Based on the original RPG-slash-block-matching game Aurora Feint: The Beginning, the new game is described as an asynchronous massively multi-player RPG, which promises to let users play against “ghosts” of other players that persist in the game even when the ghost’s… iPhone Applications news@ilounge.com (Charles Starrett) Wed, 19 Nov 2008 20:55:37 GMT Reviews-15246 http://www.ilounge.com/index.php/ipod/review/gameloft-sa-csi-miami/ Games - iPod and iPhone jeremy@ilounge.com (Jeremy Horwitz) Wed, 19 Nov 2008 21:41:11 GMT Reviews-14810 http://www.ilounge.com/index.php/ipod/review/gameloft-sa-uno/ Designed to be played either alone against the CPU or in a multi-player mode with up to four total people, Uno gives each player a set of cards that need to be matched by color or number to a communal stack in the center of the table. If the current color is green and the number is 9, you can add any of your cards that is green colored or numbered 9. Additional cards you possess can be used to change the color, force other players to take more cards,… Games - iPod and iPhone jeremy@ilounge.com (Jeremy Horwitz) Wed, 19 Nov 2008 20:58:18 GMT Backstage-15722 http://www.ilounge.com/index.php/backstage/comments/protecting-the-metal-macbook-invisibleshield-part-1/ I had hoped to be able to share a complete end-to-end discussion of ZAGG’s version of InvisibleShield for the 13” metal MacBook ($55) with you today, but the installation is still ongoing. Even having gone through the process with numerous iPod and iPhone variants of the same product, trying to get all the pieces of this clear, scratch-resistant film onto the computer is no easy feat. The major challenges are alignment and keeping the… jeremy@ilounge.com (Jeremy Horwitz) Wed, 19 Nov 2008 20:26:51 GMT News-15723 http://www.ilounge.com/index.php/news/comments/apple-talks-with-holdout-labels-on-drm-free-music/ Apple is in discussions with Universal Music Group, Warner Music Group, and Sony BMG in hopes of offering DRM-free music from the labels on the iTunes Store, according to a new report. Citing two anonymous music industry sources, CNet reports that the talks are still preliminary, and although no deals have been finalized, one source suggests at least one of the three holdouts is close to an agreement. Apple first began offering DRM-free music, dubbed… iTunes news@ilounge.com (Charles Starrett) Wed, 19 Nov 2008 19:18:34 GMT News-15721 http://www.ilounge.com/index.php/news/comments/genevalab-launches-genevasound-home-theater/ GenevaLab has announced its new GenevaSound Home Theater, a combination theater sound system and TV stand. The Home Theater, available in black or white, features 2.1 surround sound with EmbracingSound DSP technology, an all-digital 700-Watt amplifier, seven speaker drivers including a 12-inch subwoofer, an integrated iPod/iPhone dock, a radio receiver, a CD player, and interior space for components such as a cable box, DVD/Blu-ray player,… iPod Accessories news@ilounge.com (Charles Starrett) Wed, 19 Nov 2008 18:57:33 GMT News-15720 http://www.ilounge.com/index.php/news/comments/recover-debuts-revive-cases-for-ipod-nano-4g-touch-2g/ ReCover, formerly known as Imoeba World, has introduced its new Revive cases for the fourth-generation iPod nano and second-generation iPod touch. Made of thermoplastic elastomer (TPE), a recyclable copolymer that combines plastic and rubber, both cases feature open access to all ports and controls and ReCover logo art. In addition, both cases come in packaging made from 100% renewable plastic and 90% recycled paper. A portion of all proceeds to Earth911,… iPod Accessories news@ilounge.com (Charles Starrett) Wed, 19 Nov 2008 18:35:18 GMT News-15718 http://www.ilounge.com/index.php/news/comments/report-wal-mart-to-sell-iphone-3g-starting-december-28/ Wal-Mart will begin offering the iPhone 3G at select Wal-Mart and Sam’s Club locations on December 28, according to a supposed internal company memo posted online. The Boy Genius Report, which previously suggested the retailer would begin offering Apple’s handset on November 15, has posted the alleged leak, which states: “We are pleased to announce that Wal-Mart has reached agreement with Apple to offer iPhone 3G in Wal-Mart and… iPhone news@ilounge.com (Charles Starrett) Wed, 19 Nov 2008 14:58:40 GMT News-15717 http://www.ilounge.com/index.php/news/comments/hitachi-maxell-unveils-noise-canceling-ipod-headphones-in-japan/ Hitachi Maxell Japan has announced (Translated Link) its HP-NC20.IPs Noise Canceling Headphones for iPod. These unique in-ear headphones offer active noise canceling without external power by connecting to the iPod’s Dock Connector port, reducing noise by 20dB. The headphones, which come in black, feature a volume slider on the Dock Connector plug, and because they are powered by the iPod itself, cut the iPod’s playback time by about half… iPod Accessories news@ilounge.com (Charles Starrett) Wed, 19 Nov 2008 14:44:54 GMT