http://www.iLounge.com en Copyright 2009 iLounge, Inc. All rights reserved jeremy@ilounge.com (Jeremy Horwitz) jerrod@ilounge.com (Jerrod Hofferth) http://www.expressionengine.com/ Backstage-17718 http://www.ilounge.com/index.php/backstage/comments/early-thoughts-on-logitechs-very-cool-new-squeezebox-radio/ Logitech’s Squeezebox series of devices have ranged from “hmmm, interesting,” to “wow, that’s pretty cool” in the past, and the new Squeezebox Radio ($200) is definitely in the “cool” category. We’ve been playing with it today, and apart from some little issues—ones that won’t bother some people—we’re so impressed by the little Wi-Fi Internet Radio and speaker unit that… jeremy@ilounge.com (Jeremy Horwitz) Fri, 06 Nov 2009 21:28:29 GMT News-17951 http://www.ilounge.com/index.php/news/comments/apple-launches-reserve-and-pick-up-retail-service/ Apple has launched a new Reserve and Pick Up service ahead of the holiday shopping season that allows customers to reserve products online for pick up in one of Apple’s retail stores. Included in the service are all models of iPod, and most Mac computers; curiously missing from the reservation system is the Apple TV, while the iPhone link simply pops up a message promoting the iPhone Gift Card. All iPods and laptops are also available for gift… Apple news@ilounge.com (Charles Starrett) Fri, 06 Nov 2009 21:19:32 GMT Reviews-17725 http://www.ilounge.com/index.php/reviews/entry/elexa-consumer-products-iblink/ To Elexa’s credit, iBlink is available in six different colors, so you can choose from either white or black plastic with white, blue, or pink LED lights inside. Each pair includes three sizes of rubber tips for small, medium, and large ear canals, and a USB charging cable is included for the battery pack. These choices are improvements on Design Annex’s 2005 product iBeat, which didn’t have the same variety of colors and relied… Headphones & Earphones jeremy@ilounge.com (Jeremy Horwitz) Fri, 06 Nov 2009 20:18:37 GMT Reviews-17949 http://www.ilounge.com/index.php/ipod/review/ihome-ihm79-rechargeable-mini-speakers/ As a sequel to the earlier iHM77, dome-shaped, magnetic portable speakers that formed an oversized pill when stuck together for travel and then transformed into rechargeable satellites when placed on a desk, iHM79 ($50) uses an updated design with slanted, metal-grilled speakers that promise improved sound. With rechargeable batteries inside, each speaker has its own power switch, and when they're chained together with an included hybrid audio and… Speakers - All-in-One/Portable jeremy@ilounge.com (Jeremy Horwitz) Fri, 06 Nov 2009 18:56:42 GMT News-17948 http://www.ilounge.com/index.php/news/comments/apple-patent-points-to-simplified-data-sharing/ A new Apple patent application published this week suggests the company is working on a system of simplified data transfer between devices such as the iPhone, iPod touch, Mac computers, and Apple TV. The application covers a variety of transfer methods, including local Wi-Fi, cellular, and near-field networks, and also mentions the use of online data storage services that could serve as an intermediary between devices. In addition, the system would… Apple news@ilounge.com (Charles Starrett) Fri, 06 Nov 2009 18:45:36 GMT Reviews-17945 http://www.ilounge.com/index.php/ipod/review/bowers-wilkins-zeppelin-mini/ Like you, we've seen the official photographs of Bowers & Wilkins' new speaker system Zeppelin Mini ($399) but didn't know exactly what to expect from the unit in size, shape, or audio performance. Surprise: while Zeppelin Mini's interestingly mirrored top surface sort of preserves the elongated football shape of the original Zeppelin, it trades the double-conical body for a very considerably smaller curved housing that is far easier to squeeze into… Speakers - All-in-One/Room-to-RoomSpeakers - iPhone Shielded jeremy@ilounge.com (Jeremy Horwitz) Fri, 06 Nov 2009 16:27:20 GMT News-17947 http://www.ilounge.com/index.php/news/comments/ipodweek-coming-shortly-still-time-to-register/ iPodweek, iLounge’s weekly newsletter recapping the last seven days in news, articles, reviews, and more, will be sent out to our email subscribers later today. In addition to rounding up the week’s top stories, iPodweek also features giveaways and accessory discount offers from various companies. If you haven’t yet signed up to receive iPodweek, there’s still time to register and receive this week’s edition — just… Site News news@ilounge.com (Charles Starrett) Fri, 06 Nov 2009 16:16:46 GMT News-17946 http://www.ilounge.com/index.php/news/comments/apple-rolling-out-updated-itunes-lp-extras-files/ Apple has begun sending out emails to customers who purchased iTunes LP or iTunes Extras content prior to the release of Apple TV Software 3.0, informing them that updated files are now available. As Apple revealed in a Support document last week, the new Apple TV software requires updated iTunes LP and iTunes Extras files to work properly. The emails states, “We have updated the iTunes LP that was included with [Album title and artist] so that… iTunesApple TV news@ilounge.com (Charles Starrett) Fri, 06 Nov 2009 16:14:42 GMT Reviews-17943 http://www.ilounge.com/index.php/reviews/entry/bose-sounddock-10/ Though we have a lot more to say about this system, and the full answer is complex, the short version is a somewhat tepid “sure.” With SoundDock 10, Bose doesn’t offer a better $600 audio experience than either of its peer-priced rivals, and like earlier SoundDocks, the company has basically thumbed its nose at those who expect high design or special features for the prices the company charges. As we said in reviews of Zeppelin and… Speakers - All-in-One/StationarySpeakers - iPhone Shielded jeremy@ilounge.com (Jeremy Horwitz) Fri, 06 Nov 2009 15:34:42 GMT News-17942 http://www.ilounge.com/index.php/news/comments/apple-seeking-new-iphone-security-manager/ Apple has posted a new job listing on its website seeking an “iPhone OS Platform Security Manager,” suggesting the company is looking to further secure its mobile operating system. The job description says the company is ” looking for a talented and inspired manager to lead a team focused on the platform security of iPhone OS. The team is responsible for secure booting and installation of the OS, partitioning and hardening of security… iPhone news@ilounge.com (Charles Starrett) Fri, 06 Nov 2009 14:23:02 GMT News-17941 http://www.ilounge.com/index.php/news/comments/vers-launches-open-front-shellcases-for-ipod-iphone/ Vers has introduced its new open-front Shellcase wooden cases for the iPod touch and iPhone. Made from Walnut, Cherry, or Bamboo, each case features a soft, scratch-resistant lining, steel pin reinforced corners for added strength, a durable UV and moisture-resistant clear coat, and offers access to the screen and home button, iPhone sensors, camera, headphone jack, and sleep/wake button. Vers’ new open-front Shellcase wooden cases for the… iPod Accessories news@ilounge.com (Charles Starrett) Fri, 06 Nov 2009 13:56:45 GMT News-17940 http://www.ilounge.com/index.php/news/comments/iphone-developer-accused-of-stealing-phone-numbers/ A class action lawsuit (PDF Link) has been filed against iPhone game developer Storm8 accusing the company of secretly transmitting and collecting players’ phone numbers. Storm8 makes a variety of games available for download from the App Store, including iMobsters, Vampires Live, and Zombies Live, which the company says have been downloaded more than 20 million times, making them “the number one role-playing games for the iPhone and iPod… iPhone Applications news@ilounge.com (Charles Starrett) Thu, 05 Nov 2009 20:37:10 GMT News-17939 http://www.ilounge.com/index.php/news/comments/quirky-intros-beamer-case-for-iphone-3g-3gs/ Quirky, a community product development service, has introduced the Beamer, its new case for the iPhone 3G and iPhone 3GS. Made from hard plastic, the Beamer is a two-piece case with an integrated LED light. A recessed button on the side of the case opposite the volume buttons and ring/hold switch allows users to turn the light on for 10 second bursts—good for photos—or indefinitely if needed for longer periods. Other features include… iPhone Accessories news@ilounge.com (Charles Starrett) Thu, 05 Nov 2009 18:34:48 GMT News-17938 http://www.ilounge.com/index.php/news/comments/apples-jobs-named-ceo-of-the-decade/ Fortune magazine has named Apple co-founder and CEO Steve jobs its CEO of the decade. “Superlatives have attached themselves to Jobs since he was a young man. Now that he’s 54, merely listing his achievements is sufficient explanation of why he’s Fortune’s CEO of the Decade (though the superlatives continue),” Adam Lashinsky writes in a two-page overview of Jobs’ business history. “In the past 10 years alone… Apple news@ilounge.com (Charles Starrett) Thu, 05 Nov 2009 16:19:01 GMT News-17937 http://www.ilounge.com/index.php/news/comments/intel-responds-on-iphone-sync-issues/ Intel has issued a comment concerning the iPhone sync issues some users are experiencing with certain PCs containing a specific Intel chipset. “Our leading theory is a BIOS or system configuration issue, but we are still investigating,” Intel said. The basic input/output system (BIOS) is the boot firmware run by a PC on startup, which identifies, tests, and initializes core system devices such as the graphics card, hard disk, and other… iPhone news@ilounge.com (Charles Starrett) Thu, 05 Nov 2009 14:28:35 GMT News-17936 http://www.ilounge.com/index.php/news/comments/iflipwallet-debuts-iflip-case-for-iphone-3g-3gs/ iFlipWallet has introduced the iFlip, a new case for the iPhone 3G and iPhone 3GS. The iFlip is a combination case and wallet, made from genuine leather and offering a wallet-like, flip-out addition on the rear of the case. Features include access to all ports and controls whether the wallet portion is opened or closed, access to the camera when the wallet is open, and several card slots on the interior of the wallet, including one with a clear cover… iPhone Accessories news@ilounge.com (Charles Starrett) Thu, 05 Nov 2009 14:03:17 GMT Reviews-17873 http://www.ilounge.com/index.php/reviews/entry/shure-se115m-sound-isolating-headset/ There’s some good news and bad news to share with SE115m+, so we’ll start with the good parts first. In keeping with recent Shure low-end earphone traditions, SE115m+ comes stocked with a number of additional items—six sets of foam and rubber eartips in various sizes, a cleaning tool, and a carrying case with a hook. We’re big fans of the foam eartips Shure is using, which we’ve previously noted are amongst the most comfortable… Headphones & EarphonesHeadphones and Earphones - iPhone WiredRemote Controls jeremy@ilounge.com (Jeremy Horwitz) Wed, 04 Nov 2009 22:12:32 GMT News-17935 http://www.ilounge.com/index.php/news/comments/iskin-rolls-out-solo-fx-se-for-iphone-3g-3gs/ iSkin has introduced its new solo FX Special Edition (SE) case for the iPhone 3G and iPhone 3GS. Like the previously-released solo and solo FX for iPhone 3G, the SE is a form-fitting case, featuring integrated volume and power button protection, an embossed design pattern for added visual interest, and unobstructed access to all ports and controls. Unlike prior models, however, the solo FX SE features a more subdued matte finish with a textured surface,… iPhone Accessories news@ilounge.com (Charles Starrett) Wed, 04 Nov 2009 20:50:51 GMT News-17934 http://www.ilounge.com/index.php/news/comments/boomwave-unveils-kruz-cases-for-ipod-touch-2g-3g/ Boomwave has unveiled its new Kruz cases for the second- and third-generation iPod touch. Like the company’s prior Kruz cases for the iPhone 3G, the Kruz cases for iPod touch feature an inner ABS hard shell with a faux leather exterior, and come in white, pink, or black, each with a unique design on the rear shell. Each case offers full access to all ports and controls, and also includes a screen protector. Boomwave’s Kruz cases for the… iPod Accessories news@ilounge.com (Charles Starrett) Wed, 04 Nov 2009 18:19:46 GMT Reviews-17923 http://www.ilounge.com/index.php/reviews/entry/apple-remote-2009/ As is obvious from the photographs here, the new Apple Remote is the extremely rare example of an Apple design that actually has grown significantly from its predecessor—previously 3.5” long, it’s now roughly 4.7” long, and thus taller than the iPod nano, a design change that enables it to feel better in your hand. It shaves a fraction of an inch in width to fall from 1.25” to around 1.2”, and similarly cuts 1/16”… Remote Controls jeremy@ilounge.com (Jeremy Horwitz) Wed, 04 Nov 2009 17:13:57 GMT