iLounge

Singapore Airlines has announced that it is now offering iPod and iPhone connectivity on select all-Business Class Airbus A340-500 flights. The system allows passengers to enjoy content from their iPod or iPhone through the aircraft’s KrisWorld in-flight entertainment system, which features a 15.4-inch widescreen monitor for every seat, as well as active noise-cancellation headphones. In addition, the system—which connects to the devices via a standard 30-pin connector—will offer in-seat charging, and will allow users to hear announcements and instructions made by the crew and pilots even while content is being played. The service is currently limited to flights between New York and Singapore, and will be added to flights between Los Angeles and Singapore in August.

“Customers on our all-business class Airbus A340-500 flights now have an incredible way to enjoy their own iPod and iPhone music and video on the KrisWorld in-flight entertainment system,” said Yap Kim Wah, Senior Vice-President Product & Services, for Singapore Airlines. “This is yet another example of our philosophy of creating customer satisfaction by providing an enhanced sense of choice and control.”

“The iPod is the world’s most popular digital music player and iPhone is a revolutionary mobile device, and they have become essential for millions of travelers,” said Greg Joswiak, Apple’s vice president of iPod & iPhone Product Marketing. “Singapore Airlines’ customers can now enjoy their music, TV shows and movies on their iPod and iPhone through the in-flight entertainment system.”

According to screenshots (Front view/Rear view) posted by well-known French video games publication JeuxFrance, the iPod will make an appearance as an equippable item in the upcoming Konami game Metal Gear Solid 4: Guns of the Patriots. The screenshots from the highly-anticipated game show a white 30GB fifth-generation iPod, complete with iPod markings and trademark identifiers. Developed by acclaimed producer Hideo Kojima, Metal Gear Solid 4 will be released worldwide for the PlayStation 3 console on June 12.

Coincidentally, a parody of the Apple iPhone, and indeed the company itself, appears in the recently-released Grand Theft Auto IV. A webpage for a company called “Fruit” appears in the game, encouraging its customers to “Think Fruit.” Towards the bottom of the page, an advertisement for the new “iFruit Phone” appears, with the following description: “No buttons. No reception. No storage capacity. All ego.” The phone itself resembles the real iPhone, save for its banana-like curved body.

Apple is offering a $45 credit to Canadian iPod owners as part of a class-action settlement. The credit is available to Canadian residents who own a first-, second-, or third-generation iPod purchased before June 24, 2004. The settlement is a result of a suit by two iPod owners angry over the battery life of their devices, which they claim dropped to three hours (from Apple’s claim of eight) after just one year of use. As many as 80,000 Canadians could be eligible for the credit, according to Monteal lawyer Philippe Trudel, who represented one of the plaintiffs. Full details of the settlement are available in both English and French from Apple’s website. [via CNET]

Apple has released iPod classic Software Version 1.1.2, the latest update to the full-size iPod’s firmware. According to the release notes provided by Apple, the release simply contains bug fixes, and does not appear to add any new features or cause any other significant changes. iPod classic Software Version 1.1.2 is available now through the Update feature in iTunes.

Update: Apple has also released Software Version 1.1.2 for the iPod nano (with video), which, like the iPod classic update, appears to be a bug fix release. It is also available now through the Update feature in iTunes.

Electronic Arts’ Mahjong, one of seven games previously dropped from the iTunes Store due to their lack of compatibility with the current-generation iPod classic and iPod nano, has been re-released in an updated, fully-compatible form. The title was one of nine original iPod games to debut alongside the upgraded fifth-generation iPod in Sept. 2006, and is based on the traditional Chinese board game. It offers three game modes, 72 different tile layouts, and sells for $5.

As one of seven titles surreptitiously dropped last week from the iTunes Store’s list of iPod Games, due to its lack of compatibility with current-generation iPod classic and iPod nano models, PopCap Games’ Bejeweled ($5) has just been re-released in updated, fully compatible form. As one of the only iPod games to also be available in an iPod touch and iPhone-compatible format—currently free from PopCap’s web site—Bejeweled lets the player make as many matches of colored gems as possible inside an 8-by-8 grid.

Following an extended period that saw Apple re-release some of its fifth-generation iPod Games in a format compatible with third-generation iPod nanos and iPod classics, the company today added PopCap Games’ previously-released Zuma to its master list of nano- and classic-ready iPod Games, and removed a section of the iTunes Store that linked to seven other titles. The titles are:

Bejeweled
iQuiz
Lost
Mahjong
Musika
Royal Solitaire
Vortex

Two of these titles, iQuiz and Vortex, now come pre-installed on iPod nanos and iPod classics; the other five were never updated for compatibility with the newer iPod models, and all require separate purchase for owners of the fifth-generation iPod. Though Apple has dropped all of these titles from its iPod Games index page, as of press time, working links to the download pages for each of these titles can still be found inside of the reviews above. Updated: This article was corrected after publication to reflect the inclusion of Mini Golf as an updated title.

Wolfson Microelectronics, provider of audio chips for the majority of iPods dating back to the original 2001 model, has been passed over as a supplier for third-quarter 2008 editions of the iPod nano and iPod touch, according to Reuters. Previously omitted from the iPod classic, which has generally been praised for an impressively low noise floor, as well as the first-generation iPod shuffle, which Apple previously acknowledged as the family’s best bass performer, Wolfson’s audio chips have nonetheless remained key components in other iPod models, including full-sized iPods, iPod minis, and iPod nanos, as well as the iPhone. These Wolfson-powered models have earned respect for their neutral presentation of audio, as well as criticism for weaknesses in bass extension and noise levels. Apple is believed to have used a relabeled Cirrus Logic audio chip for the iPod classic, and a SigmaTel part for the first-generation iPod shuffle, with both Cirrus and long-time Apple supplier Samsung vying for roles in future iPod audio hardware.

Updating three titles previously available only for fifth-generation iPods, Kaplan and Apple today re-released the 2008 versions of SAT Prep Reading, SAT Prep Writing, and SAT Prep Math in a downloadable format compatible with the iPod classic and third-generation iPod nano. Though sold through the iPod Games section of the iTunes Store, the titles are actually not games, bur rather educational software designed to help high school students prepare for the well-known U.S. college admissions examination, offering tutorial, quiz, and tip modes described in our First Looks above. The Kaplan 2008 SAT Prep programs sell for $5 each, and leave only six iPod Game section downloads unconverted for the iPod classic and iPod nano.

The U.S. Patent and Trademark Office today published a patent granted to Apple, Inc. which broadly covers the iPod’s use of a touch-sensitive scrolling surface for accessing media in combination with on-screen and possibly audio scrolling cues. Titled “Touch pad for handheld device” and originally filed in 2006, U.S. Patent 7,348,967 describes a handheld music player that “includes a controller disposed inside the housing and configured to acquire motion information from the touch pad assembly and to control various features of the music player based on motion information provided by the touch pad assembly. The features include at least moving the visual indicator through the list of songs. The direction and speed of the movement of the visual indicator is based at least in part on the direction and speed of the finger sliding across the planar touch surface of the touch pad assembly.” The associated images (pictured) show an early (first- or second-generation) iPod, with a touch wheel and separate control buttons for selection, track forward/backward, play, and pause. As explained, the patent could conceivably cover certain post-iPod touch-based media players, such as recent Microsoft Zunes. [via MacNN]

Apple has released software 1.3 for fifth generation iPods. According to Apple, the software contains bug fixes, and supersedes all previous versions. iPod Software Version 1.3 for fifth-generation iPods is available now through the Update feature in iTunes. 

Apple has dropped its prices on the iPod classic and iPod nano (wth video) in several European markets by 10-20€. In France, the 4GB and 8GB iPod nano models have dropped from 159€ and 209€ to 149€ and 199€, respectively, while the 80GB iPod classic was reduced from 259€ to 249€ and the 160GB model went from 359€ to 349€. In Germany and Italy, both nano models saw price reductions of 10€, while the iPod classic was reduced by €20. Similar price cuts were seen in Spain, as well. These cuts follow similar drops for the iPod touch, which saw its French pricing reduced by 20-30€ back in January.

Update: Apple has also reduced its prices on the iPod nano (with video) and iPod classic in Canada. The 4GB iPod nano dropped from $169 CAD to $159 CAD and the 80GB iPod classic was reduced from $279 CAD to $259 CAD; similar price adjustments were also made to the 8GB iPod nano and 160GB iPod classic.

Alongside the re-release of Mini Golf, Electronic Arts today released Scrabble as a downloadable game for the third-generation iPod nano, iPod classic, and fifth-generation iPod. Mini Golf was originally released in 2006 as one of the first iPod games, and lets players putt their way through three themed courses, complete with various obstacles and secret shortcuts. Based on the popular crossword game, Scrabble lets players vie for high score by forming words from individual lettered tiles on a 15-by-15 game board. Both games are currently available from the iTunes Store and sell for $4.99 each.

Note: At the time of publication, the Mini Golf game notes have yet to be updated to show compatibility with the third-generation iPod and iPod classic, although the game does appear in the section of the iPod games page set aside for updated titles.

Apple debuted a new iPod touch ad this evening during “American Idol” on Fox. The ad shows ten iPod touches displaying various features, laid out on a wooden table similar to those found in Apple’s retail stores. During the commercial, some of the units are shown close-up to highlight the features further; towards the end of the ad, hands reach out and grab the touches off the table as the words “Everybody Touch” are displayed. Features highlighted include the Safari browser, the Weather application, email, Notes, the photo browser, Cover Flow, Maps, and video playback. Brendan Benson’s song “What I’m Looking For” is featured in the spot and the track information is also briefly shown on screen. You can now view the ad on Apple’s web site.

Abilene Christian University has announced plans to supply all incoming freshman with an iPhone or iPod touch as part of an initiative to enhance learning through the use of technology. According to ACU Chief Information Officer Kevin Roberts, freshmen will use the devices to receive homework alerts, answer in-class surveys and quizzes, get directions to their professors’ offices, and check their meal and account balances – among more than 15 other useful web applications already developed. The plan has gained attention from Apple and Ivy League universities — Roberts recently gave a presentation at Apple headquarters to company executives and selected leaders from universities including Harvard, Yale, MIT, Duke, Stanford, Oxford, Princeton, and UCLA outlining ACU’s “creative vision for converged media devices.”

“We are not merely providing cutting-edge technology tools to our incoming students,” said Roberts. “We are also providing the web applications that ensure these tools will become critical to the students’ learning experience. Because 93 percent of ACU students bring their own computers with them to college, we are choosing to take them to the next level by providing converged mobile devices.” Dr. Dwayne VanRheenen, ACU provost, said, “This is exciting to me, not only because we’re giving students new tools, but because we are transforming the learning environment. The extensive research that’s been done on campus in the past 10 months has prepared us to launch with freshmen this fall, and research will be ongoing as we expand the program in the future.”

Designed to appeal to iPod, PDA, and cell phone owners without access to portable chargers, Smarte Carte’s Charge Cartes are now appearing in airports across the United States. Equipped with three white iPod Dock Connector cables and nine additional blue cables that have popular cell phone and PDA plugs at their ends, a Charge Carte offers 30 minutes of rapid recharging time for $3, enabling you to connect your iPod and charge up to half of its battery capacity. An LED countdown timer lets you know how many minutes of power remain.

The stations can be placed by airport operators at any location, including in departure areas or baggage claims, enabling users to charge up while they’re waiting to leave. Like the company’s baggage cart rental services, the Charge Cartes accept credit cards; unlike them, the Cartes do not accept cash.

Gameloft S.A. has released its Bubble Bash game for the iPod nano (with video), iPod classic, and fifth-generation iPod. Bubble Bash is a puzzle game set in an “island paradise” that features 100 evolving levels and a variety of power-ups, and appears to resemble Taito’s Puzzle Bobble. In the game, players toss multi-colored bubbles into the sky to pop three or more of the same color, in an attempt to break up a larger cluster of bubbles before they drop to the bottom, and time runs out. In addition, obstacles such as “angry monkeys, spiders, and parrots” try to stop the player, and 17 different bubbles allow for added strategy. Bubble Bash is available now from the iTunes Store and sells for $5.

Just released as a downloadable game for the iPod classic, third-generation iPod nano, and fifth-generation iPod, Disney’s Pirates of the Caribbean: Aegir’s Fire ($5) places you in control of a pirate ship on a series of quests to find treasures, sink enemy ships with cannonballs, and track down the five daughters of Aegir. Wind, the types of power-ups you find for your cannons, and both the speed and strength of your ship will influence your success; you can buy your way into better ships, including the Black Pearl, as you earn money. A map screen lets you travel from Europe to Africa, Hawaii, the Maldives and Caribbean on quests, and of course, familiar faces from the Pirates of the Caribbean movies make appearances as well.

Orange has launched a promotion in which it is offering a free 8GB iPod touch to UK customers who sign up for an 18-month business plan. Customers must visit a participating store and sign up for an Orange Solo, Orange Venture or Orange Momentum 18 month business plan at £35/month and above to be eligible for the promotion, which is available while supplies last. “The work/life blur often means doing work in your free time. We want to redress the balance and encourage our customers to take time out of their working day for themselves and the iPod touch is a great me-time device with which to do that,” said Martin Lyne, director of small business, Orange UK. While Orange is the official iPhone carrier in France, the device is offered by competing carrier O2 in the UK.

Sega of America boss Simon Jeffrey recently praised Apple for its iPod gaming efforts, as well as for its iTunes payment system. Speaking in an interview with MCV, Jeffrey said, “The iPod is arguably the most pervasive cross-demographic piece of consumer electronics today. There are no age or fashion barriers to iPod adoption, and making Sonic available to tens of millions of iPod owners really is a fantastic opportunity for us.” While keeping quiet on possible future releases, saying, “We don’t have anything to talk about at this time in terms of future projects, but naturally we are thrilled and honoured that Apple chose to partner with Sega,” Jeffrey went on to praise Apple for its iTunes billing and payment system. “iTunes and Apple’s whole banking/payment system is flawless,” he said. “They have to be one of the smartest companies in the world. Being able to buy a game and have it on your iPod with a couple of clicks is just brilliant.”