iLounge

A new proposal from the European Commission would see lower default volume limits placed on portable music players and smartphones such as the iPod and iPhone. The proposal is based on a study by the EU’s Scientific Committee published in October 2008, which found that listening that headphones at volumes of more than 89 decibels with regularity could have detrimental effects on hearing. BBC News reports that the Commission is recommending a limit of 80 decibels, at which volume the study recommended exposure be limited to 40 hours a week. The proposals could take some time before becoming standard practice and would be voluntary among manufacturers; users would also be able to override the limit at their own risk.

“It is easy to push up the sound levels on your mp3 player to damagingly loud levels, especially on busy streets or public transport,” said EU Consumer Affairs Commissioner Meglena Kuneva. “The evidence is that particularly young people - who are listening to music at high volumes sometimes for hours each week - have no idea they can be putting their hearing at risk. It can take years for the hearing damage to show, and then it is simply too late. These standards make small technical changes to players so that by default, normal use is safe. If consumers chose to override the default settings they can, but there will be clear warnings so they know the risks they are taking.”

Apple has released Software Version 2.0.3 for the iPod classic 160GB (2009). According to the release notes, the software offers support for Genius Mixes; no other changes or bug fixes are mentioned. Notably, the 2009 iPod classic 160GB shipped with Software 2.0.2; the prior iPod classic 120GB was last updated to version 2.0.1, and it is unclear whether Apple plans to add Genius Mixes support to older iPod classic models. The 2.0.3 software update for the iPod classic 160GB (2009) is available now through the Update feature in iTunes.

Update: No new updates have been released for prior iPod classic models to add Genius Mixes support.

A newly-published teardown of the third-generation iPod touch by iFixit has revealed that the player contains an 802.11n-capable Wi-Fi chip, despite being listed as an 802.11b/g only device. According to the article, the iPod touch 3G sports a Broadcom BCM4329FKUBG wireless chip, which the manufacturer states is n-compatible. Notably, this chip appears to be more advanced than the 802.11 a/b/g-only Broadcom BCM4325 chip found in the iPhone 3GS, and also offers support for Bluetooth 2.1 +EDR and an FM receiver and transmitter. In addition, iFixit found enough space left at the top of the board—6mm x 6mm x 3mm—to house the video camera found in the fifth-generation iPod nano, but not enough to fit a more robust sensor like that found in the iPhone 3GS. Finally, the iPod touch’s ARM processor is labeled 339S0075 ARM, possibly indicating a later version of the processor found in the iPhone 3GS, which is labeled 339S0073 ARM.

Amidst a slew of announcements Wednesday—new iPods, iTunes 9, and so on—Apple quietly lowered the price on its iPod touch 3.1 Software Update. Previously priced at $9.95, the update is now only $4.95 for iPod touch users running Software 2.x or earlier. Customers who purchased an iPod touch after July 17, when iPhone OS 3.0 was released, likely do not need the update, and can upgrade to the latest software—OS 3.1.1—for free via the Update feature in iTunes.

iLounge has posted a set of three videos comparing the speed of the third-generation iPod touch to that of the second-generation iPod touch and iPhone 3GS. As expected, the new iPod touch appears to be slightly faster than the iPhone 3GS, and noticeably faster than the second-generation iPod touch. All three videos are embedded below, and are also available for viewing on Vimeo (1, 2, 3).

We are now in the process of posting our complete set of third-generation iPod touch unboxing photos to Flickr. Amongst the small but notable changes in the new models is an engraving change, similar to that of the iPod classic 160GB, that sees the capacity badge shrunk, and a small amount of text removed from the bottom of the unit.

In our preliminary comparison of the new iPod classic 160GB to the older 120GB model, we have noticed several small, but notable, differences. While the latest firmware available for the 120GB model is 2.0.1, the new 160GB model ships with 2.0.2; it is unclear what changes might be present in the update, or whether it will be released for older models. Also new is the size of the storage capacity badge on the rear of the classic, which has been greatly reduced on the new 160GB model compared to prior generations. Finally, the text on the back of the player has been reduced from three to two lines, with Apple’s trademark and copyright notice cut from the print, and, curiously, the model number—A1238—is the same for both the new 160GB classic and last year’s 120GB model. For more on the differences between the two models, see our Flickr set of the 2009 iPod lineup.

Update: Apple has posted a new support document (Link currently down) stating that the new firmware “is not compatible with previous iPod classic models.”

iLounge has posted full unboxing photos of the family of new fifth-generation iPod nanos, third-generation iPod shuffles, and second-generation iPod classic. Follow our Flickr photostream to get a look at the photos right now as they’re being posted.

For those who just can’t get enough pictures and details on the fifth-generation iPod nano, third-generation iPod touch, and newly colored third-generation iPod shuffles, we’ve been posting a flurry of additional images over the last day and night, and wanted to bring them all to your attention here.

First Look: iPod nano (Fifth-Generation)
Hands-On Video: iPod nano (Fifth-Generation)
First Look: iPod touch (Third-Generation)
Hands-On Video: iPod touch (Third-Generation)
New! Pictures and Comparative Details: iPod shuffle (blue, green, pink, special edition).
Hands-On Video: iPod shuffle (Third-Generation, Colored).

We’ll be adding many, many more photos and details today.

iLounge has posted its hands-on videos of the third-generation iPod touch, fifth-generation iPod nano, and updated third-generation iPod shuffle on Vimeo. The iPod nano 5G is embedded below; follow the above links to catch the two other clips.

Though we are in the process of posting individual First Looks, videos, and photos for the new 2009 iPod lineup, we wanted to provide you with a collective article discussing the new models together, as the iPod shuffle and iPod classic changes in particular are not significant enough to merit full articles at this time. Click on the headline of this article for all of the details.

Apple has introduced its updated line of iPod touches, lowering the price of the entry model and increasing storage and speed in the two more expensive models. The price of the 8GB model has dropped from $229 to $199, marking the first time the iPod touch has broken the $200 barrier. The $299 16GB and $399 32GB models have been replaced with 32GB and 64GB versions selling for the same prices, respectively; both larger models also feature OpenGL ES 2.0 support, Voice Control, and up to 50 percent faster performance. Notably, none of the new iPod touch models sport a camera, as had previously been reported, and look virtually identical to last year’s models. All three models are available immediately.

Update: A hands-on video of the iPod touch 3G is now available for viewing on Vimeo.

Apple today announced its latest update to the iPod classic. The new model—the third iteration since the hard disk-based model was given the “classic” moniker—features a 160GB drive, up from 120GB in the prior model, but retains the same dimensions. In addition, the new model retains the $249 price of its predecessor, and remains available in both silver and black finishes. The new iPod classic 160GB is available now.

During today’s Rock and Roll media event, Apple CEO Steve Jobs revealed that the company has now sold 30 million iPhones in just over two years. The App Store now offers 75,000 apps, and has seen 1.8 billion apps downloaded—a figure that does not include updates, Jobs disclosed for the first time. iTunes is now in 23 different countries, and is the #1 music retailer in the world, with sales of over 8.5 billion songs. Overall, the iTunes Store has 100,000,000 accounts with credit cards, making it one of the largest stores on the web.

In addition, Apple revealed that it has now sold 220 million iPods to date, including 20 million iPod touch units and 100 million iPod nano units. Based on the latest data, the iPod accounts for 73.8% of the US MP3 market, followed by “other,” Sandisk, and Microsoft, which accounts for 1.1%. Overall, the company said that 50% of iPods sold are bought by new to iPod customers, and that the iPod touch is the company’s fastest growing model.

In a press release touting its latest home theater receivers, Harman Kardon has made mention of yet-unannounced high-definition video output features for the iPod and iPhone. Both the Harman Kardon AVR 3600 and AVR 2600 are compatible with the company’s The Bridge III Universal Dock for the iPod and iPhone, which, according to the release, allows the receivers to “play back HD videos from iPod or iPhone products.” While it was previously discovered that the iPhone 3GS is capable of playing back HD content on the device itself using a third-party application, this is the first mention of HD output for the iPod and iPhone, suggesting Apple may be planning to announce such a feature at its media event later today.

Apple this morning quietly lowered its prices on the current-generation iPod nano, iPod touch, and iPod classic, ahead of its Rock and Roll media event which is set to begin at 10:00 a.m. Pacific Time. Pricing on the 8GB and 16GB iPod nano dropped to $129 and $149, respectively, while the three tiers of iPod touch—8GB, 16GB, and 32GB—saw their prices cut to $189, $249, and $279, respectively. Finally, the iPod classic dropped $20 to $229, while the third-generation iPod shuffle remains $79. Interestingly, the pricing has only been changed on the individual item pages, and not anywhere else on Apple’s online store or website; it is unclear whether the lower pricing will be carried over to the new models Apple is expected to announce today, or whether this will be considered “closeout” pricing on these older iPods once they are supplanted by new models.

Apple has experienced technical difficulties with cameras intended for updated iPods, according to two reports. Separately citing “reliable” and “strong” sources regarding upcoming Apple announcements, HardMac and AppleInsider report that camera problems may push back the release of new iPods until after their official unveiling at Apple’s Rock and Roll media event this week. The reports differ, however, in the specific models said to be impacted by the issues; HardMac claims that the problems are limited to the third-generation iPod touch, while AppleInsider suggests problems with both the iPod touch and the fifth-generation iPod nano. According to HardMac, “the problem has been spotted in the first dozen of thousands units produced,” and those units have been “put aside.” Apple has in past years had new iPods available within days of announcement; it is unclear whether the reports are accurate, and if so, how much of an impact the issues will actually have on the rollout and performance of the new models. Possible scenarios include no delays—under conditions that the rumors are unfounded, that potentially problematic units are released anyway, or that all potentially problematic units have been isolated—as well as delays related to additional quality assurance.

Citing sources from Apple Authorized Resellers, Ars Technica reports that the entire current lineup of iPods has been discontinued. Stock of the current screened iPods, announced and released last September, is dwindling, with no more expected to come in; the fate of the third-generation iPod shuffle, released earlier this year, is unclear. Apple is reportedly planning a special event for early September—possibly as soon as Sept. 9—to introduce updated models, which sources have previously said will include camera upgrades for both the iPod nano and iPod touch.

Nicholas Woodhams of Kalamazoo, MI, once known as the “iPod Mechanic,” has been sentenced to 13 months in prison after pleading guilty to mail fraud and money laundering earlier this year. Woodhams was also ordered to pay $648,568 in restitution to Apple and $8,066 to the U.S. Postal Service. “This was not a victimless crime,” U.S. Attorney Donald Davis said in the press release, “because the costs of fraud are borne by both the consumer and the taxpayer, perpetrators of such crimes must be held accountable.”

According to an earlier lawsuit filed by Apple last year, Woodhams allegedly took advantage of Apple’s iPod shuffle Advance Replacement Program in 2007, by filling out an online form for customers that saw Apple ship him “replacement” iPod shuffle units, with a credit card kept on file in case the broken shuffle was never returned. Apple claimed that Woodhams used a credit card he knew could be authorized for a potential charge, but would immediately decline any actual charges made by Apple should the broken shuffles fail to appear. Woodhams then sold the players for $49 each, according to court documents filed this week in Grand Rapids, MI.

In addition to the shuffle replacement scheme, Apple also accused Woodhams of ignoring an agreement to stop using the iPod Mechanic name for his business and accompanying website, claiming it was misuse of the company’s “iPod” trademark; Woodhams is also said to have swapped out the back plates of out-of-warranty iPods for those of still-covered models in an effort to avoid paying repair and parts charges. [via Cult of Mac]

Apple is curiously offering a limited quantity of refurbished first-generation iPods through its online store. Although the product number—F8513LL/A—and description—which mentions a 5GB iPod for Mac—suggest the item being offered is a first-generation model, the listing page features a picture of the third-generation iPod. The units come with headphones, an iPod Power Adapter, a 2m Apple FireWire Cable, a getting started manual, a CD with iTunes and electronic documentation, and a one-year limited warranty. These refurbished first-generation iPods are available now for shipping “within 24 hours” and sell for $129. [via TUAW]