iLounge

Apple has updated its Pro section with a story about watchmaker, Fossil and how the in-house design team uses Apple products. In a sidebar story titled ‘iPod Does Booth Duty’, Tim Hale, Fossil’s Senior VP tells how he and his workers use iPod to play music at trade show booths and manage their to-do list.

Source: MacMinute

The iTunes Music Store was awarded the number 2 spot in this year’s Blender 100 of the most sizzling stars, gadgets, bands and booties. The list is only available in the print edition. What’s really strange is that the iPod did appear anywhere in the list of 100. How could this be?

Source: MacMinute

To be eligible to win, you have to register and mix a track using Bacardi’s online music mixer then enter the contest. The music mix with the highest number of online votes will be selected the Grand Prize Music Mix Contest Winner. Grand prize consists of (1) 2,000 gift certificate toward DJ equipement, 2nd prize is twelve 10GB iPods and 3rd prize is (100) t-shirt, CD and sticker. There are also random winners who will recieve one set of Harmon Kardon SoundSticks. Contest ends on July 15, 2003.

For all the DJs out there… wouldn’t it be nice to have pitch control on your iPod for mixing live sets? Wired magazine (August 2003) reports that Apple invited world famous DJ, Ritchie Hawtin to perform at the opening of the Soho NY store, but Hawtin’s mixes were ‘choppy’ due to the lack of pitch control on the dualing iPods.

Not sure if you guys already know about the CBDTPA bill, but it is an important bill for us iPod users and music listeners in general. The “Consumer Broadband and Digital Television Promotion Act” is a plan to restrict our freedom through computers.

Sign the petition to tell these senators their bill is out of line and against our rights as citizens of the United States.

Launch Yahoo reports musician John Mayer praises his iPod for helping him write songs for his new, upcoming album.

As the articles’ title notes, an interesting Q&A has been published by BBC News regarding the possible suing of individuals by the RIAA and the state of digital music.

Below is a copy of my letter printed in MacUser Magazine (UK) dated 11 July 2003:

Last week a friend was having his 40th birthday party. As he was born in 1963, a Sixties theme was decided. You know: Sixties dress, music, food, psychedelic drugs and so on (well maybe not the drugs).

Deals on the Web: Target is once again carrying iPods. You can save 10% on any iPod if you click the link in this deal post and use coupon code “TCAF2SAVETEN ” during checkout. With the coupon, the 10GB iPod is $269.99, the 15GB is $359.99 and the 30GB iPod is $449.99. Search for “iPod” to find the deal. Expires 8/31/03.

Dealmac: ClubMac knocks $25 off the 10GB iPod for Mac for dealmac readers. It costs $269 after the discount, the lowest price we know to be available, and shipping is free. Offer ends tomorrow.

Dominic Mohan has written a general article about iPod culture.

“Market research company Music Programming Ltd (MPL) said 87% of its respondents who downloaded music admitted they bought albums after hearing tracks through the internet.

An MPL spokesperson said: ‘Downloading is actually a ‘try before you buy’ tool for a significant amount of people.’”

VoodooPad is a new kind of notepad.  It’s like having your own personal hypertext library, where you can jot down notes, web addresses, to-do lists… Anything on your mind. VoodooPad automatically links each page together, to form a miniature world wide web, on your desktop!  Anybody familiar with the WikiWikiWeb will feel right at home with VoodooPad.

German based SendStation has developed the PocketDock, a standard 6-pin FireWire cable to docking iPod adapter. The tiny device allows you to utilize exisiting accessories such as car chargers for old iPods. PocketDock is available for pre-order at $16.95 and is expected to ship at the end of July.

DealMac: Today only, ClubMac offers dealmac readers the Apple 30GB iPod with free Altec Lansing speakers for $469. That’s $30 off and the lowest price we know to be available for the pair. Add around $10 for shipping.

Deals on the Web: Amazon.com is offering a $50 Amazon Gift Card with purchase of any Apple iPod.  They have the 10GB for $299, the 15GB for $399, and the 30GB for $494.  Ground shipping is Free.  Expires 7/27/03.

MusicPublisher is a utility to share your iPod, or any music container, and make them directly available into iTunes. Very easy to use, just drop your iPod or a folder from the finder to the preferences window, and start sharing! MusicPublisher uses a free implmentation of DAAP protocol, used by iTunes.

Speck Products had recently announced new iPod Skins, iSport and Flip-Stand cases for new iPods. Today the new iPod Skins and iSport cases are now shipping. The iPod Skin ($18.95) is a case similar to popular Silicone cases, but the iPod Skin is made from DynaFlex elastomer plastic and one size fits all new iPod models (10, 15 and 30GB). A flip-lid on the bottom of the case allows access to the FireWire port for syncing or charging. The iSport ($44.95) is a belt case made for active users, provides extra pouches for storage of small items and also features a safety light for increased visibitly day or night. Also note that Speck Products’ new, all-clear, Flip-Stand hardcase/stand ships July 22nd and costs $29.95.

Matthew Daneman of the Democrat and Chronicle writes about Mitsunori Ogihara’s software that will “‘listen’ to songs and categorize them into specific genres and by emotional content.”