iLounge

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]

Nike has announced the Nike+ Human Race 2009, a global 10K running event in which entrants can run in one of the 24 Nike-hosted Human Race events in cities worldwide, or use their Nike+ iPod Sport Kits at any preferred alternate location to log a 10K run on the event day. Registration for the event, which will take place October 24, is now open on nikeplus.com; U.S.-based, Nike-hosted events will be held in New York City at Prospect Park, at the University of Southern California, and on the campus of The Ohio State University, each offering post-race festivities, and with a portion of race-day fees will go to local non-profit organizations. For more information on the Nike+ Human Race 2009, visit nikeplus.com.

Update: Every 2009 iPod reviewed, photographed and more including the iPod touch 3G.

A group of pictures showing what is believed to be a prototype third-generation iPod touch used for screen impact testing confirm that the device will sport a rear-mounted camera, as had been previously rumored. The pictures, which were sent to iLounge by the Maxim Radio show Covino and Rich, show the presence of a “2009” marking on one of the device’s circuit boards, as well as a camera sensor module in the appropriate place for the rear-facing camera, shown in a separate shot. The photos also confirm that the new touch will keep the same size and aspect screen, and will keep the headphone port, volume buttons, sleep/wake button, and plastic antenna cover in the same positions as found on the second-generation device; interestingly, the camera is depicted with an iPhone-like metal ring around its lens, and a pinhole off to its right side.

A newly-published Apple patent application suggests the company is working on more sophisticated means to tell whether or not a device—such as an iPod or iPhone—has been subjected to abuse by its owner. Titled “Consumer Abuse Detection System and Method,” the patent describes a system of water, thermal, shock, and other sensors that may detect and record potential device abuse, while at the same time disabling certain components such as screens, hard drives, processor memory, and/or removable media in order to protect them from damage. The application summary reveals that Apple hopes to save money on faulty warranty claims via such as system, as evidenced by this passage: “In accordance with yet another aspect of the present invention, the system may include an interface by which a diagnostic device may access the memory to analyze the records and determine whether a consumer abuse event occurred, when the event occurred, and, in some embodiments, what type of abuse event occurred. By providing the capability to quickly and easily detect whether consumer abuse occurred in an electronic device, a vendor or manufacturer diagnosing a returned product may be able to better determine whether or not to initiate a product return under a warranty policy.” As with all Apple patent filings, this does not necessarily represent any future product release or feature from Apple, but offer evidence of the company’s research in this area. [via AppleInsider]

Apple made an attempt to silence an 11-year-old girl and her father after her iPod exploded, the Times reports. Ken Stanborough of Liverpool, U.K., dropped his daughter Ellie’s iPod touch sometime last month, which caused it to make a “hissing noise.” “I could feel it getting hotter in my hand, and I thought I could see vapour,” Stanborough said. He claims he then threw the device out of his back door, where “within 30 seconds there was a pop, a big puff of smoke and it went 10ft in the air.” Stanborough contacted both Apple and Argos, the retailer where he purchased the device, and ended up reaching an Apple executive on the phone after being passed around several departments. Following that conversation, Apple sent a letter denying liability but offering a refund — in exchange for silence.

The letter specified that Stanborough, in accepting the money, was to “agree that you will keep the terms and existence of this settlement agreement completely confidential,” and that any breach of confidentiality “may result in Apple seeking injunctive relief, damages and legal costs against the defaulting persons or parties.” Stanborough refused to sign the letter. “They’re putting a life sentence on myself, my daughter and Ellie’s mum, not to say anything to anyone. If we inadvertently did say anything, no matter what, they would take litigation against us. I thought that was absolutely appalling,” he said. “We didn’t ask for compensation, we just asked for our money back.”

According to a lengthy investigation by Amy Clancy of KIRO 7 Eyewitness News in Seattle, users of both first- and second-generation iPod shuffles have reported having the devices overheat. The reports, from 2006 and November 2008, respectively, come from information obtained by Clancy using the Freedom of Information Act. After seven months of delays due to blocks by Apple’s lawyers, who allegedly filed “exemption after exemption,” she eventually received access to more than 800 pages of Consumer Product Safety Commission documentation relating to iPod overheating incidents—which in turn offered information about 15 burn- or fire-related incidents, a number described by the CPSC as relatively small given the number of devices that have been sold. The report goes on to document several previously publicized fire and overheating reports of first- and second-generation iPod nano units; Apple has offered to replace units with faulty batteries in both Japan and Taiwan.

Nike has updated its Nike+ fitness site with a number of new features, and added a streamlined version for access via the iPhone or iPod touch. The redesigned main site still relies upon Flash, but features a more prominent Goals section, with a simplified interface and better context. Also new is the Levels feature, which awards users a color-coded level based on the number of miles they’ve run, the ability to rate individual runs, and the ability to integrate Nike+ data with a Twitter or Facebook account. On the iPhone and iPod touch, users are limited to viewing recent runs; both sites are still considered to be in “beta” status. [via TUAW]

A number of both first- and second-generation iPod touch users are reporting Wi-Fi irregularities after installing iPhone OS 3.0. No less than four separate threads on Apple’s Discussion boards mention Wi-Fi problems, the most common of which seems to be the iPod touch failing to reconnect to the most recent network after going to sleep, forcing the user to manually reconnect each time. Some users have reported that resetting the network settings fixes the problem; others report that this fails to solve the issue. One iLounge editor has experienced problems on first- and second-generation iPod touches, with a reset of network settings working on the iPod touch 2G, and the same thing on the iPod touch 1G resulting in the device failing to sense its own Wi-Fi chip, displaying a “No Wi-Fi” message afterwards. Other users have reported more mild problems, such as reduced Wi-Fi signal, or difficulty in getting their devices to reconnect following installation.

iLounge has confirmed that the purchase of the iPhone OS 3.0 software update for the second-generation iPod touch enables the same user to update the first-generation iPod touch as well. Prior to performing any iPod touch update, iTunes 8.2 requires the user to click through to the iTunes Store, authorize a $9.95 payment to Apple, and accept new iTunes licensing terms. iTunes then downloads the iPod Software Update for iPod touch, which is specific to the first- or second-generation devices. Upon connecting a second, different-generation iPod touch, there is no additional charge to update that device’s software to version 3.0. However, another software download from the iTunes server will be performed to retrieve the separate version of the software that runs on the different device.

Apple has posted a new support document warning iPhone and iPod users of possible shock from their earbuds. Titled “Apple Earbuds and static electricity,” the article states that “it’s possible to receive a small and quick electrical (static) shock from your earbuds while listening to iPod or iPhone.” The article goes on to offer a basic description of static electricity, noting that the “condition is not limited to Apple hardware and static can potentially build up on almost any hardware and could be discharged using any brand of earbuds.” Finally, it suggests tips—such as keeping the device out of the wind, not rubbing it against certain materials, using anti-static hand lotion, and using a humidifier to raise the moisture content of the air—for users to try and reduce the build-up of static electricity that can lead to being shocked.

A number of new international design registrations indicate that Apple is moving to protect the icons and interface of the Nike+ application found on the second-generation iPod touch. Images supplied by Apple for European Community design protection show the application in different states, including the Workouts menu both with and without a calibration option, the sensor detection screen, and the app’s Now Playing screen in various states, both portrait and landscape. Alongside these screenshot design registrations are listings for each of the icons on the app’s Workouts screen, including a circle icon for basic workouts, a stop watch for timed workouts, a road icon for distance-focused workouts, a fire icon for workouts with a calorie burning goal, and a target icon for the calibration option. Notably, each of the screenshot designs feature the iPod mark in the upper left-hand corner, offering no further evidence that Apple plans to add Nike+ support to the iPhone. All of the design screenshots can be found by searching this database.