iLounge

Shure has introduced its new SE102MPA Sound Isolating Mobile Headset, along with a new family of MPA-bundled headsets. The SE102MPA features Shure’s Dynamic MicroSpeakers, an MPA modular microphone/control cord attachment offering a low-profile VoicePort microphone and a button for call and music playback control, and an included zipper-less drawstring pouch and three pairs of soft flex sound isolating sleeves. Shure’s SE102MPA will sell for around $100. In addition, the company also announced its SE110MPA, SE210MPA, SE310MPA, SE420MPA and SE530MPA bundles, all of which include the MPA modular microphone attachment, and will be priced from $130-$470. Shure’s new line of MPA-bundled Sound Isolating Mobile Headsets will be available later this month.

SwitchEasy has introduced its new CapsuleNeo case for the iPhone 3G. Like the company’s earlier CapsuleRebel, the CapsuleNeo uses two separate materials to protect the device: a TactileThin silicone membrane and a GE Lexan polycarbonate H-Frame that features a patent-pending 7-point locking system to attach securely to the phone. Other features include tactile covers for the volume and power buttons and open access to the screen, camera, headphone jack, and Dock port. Included with the case are two TactileThin protectors, two anti-static screen protectors, a Universal Dock adapter, a video stand, protectors for the Dock connector and headphone jack, a microfiber wipe, and a squeegee for screen film application. The SwitchEasy CapsuleNeo for iPhone 3G is available now in white or black and sells for $30. For more information on the SwitchEasy CapsuleNeo, see our First Look article.

O2 in the United Kingdom has announced that it will begin offering the iPhone 3G to Pay & Go pre-pay customers on September 16. The 8GB iPhone 3G for Pay & Go will be available for £350 (~$625) and the 16GB model for £400 ($715), both of which will include one full year of unlimited data and Wi-Fi throughout the UK. At the end of the 12 months users can continue to receive unlimited browsing and Wi-Fi for £10 (~$18) per month. Unfortunately, Pay & Go customers will not be able to use the iPhone’s Visual Voicemail feature or call merging. In June, O2 revealed its expected pricing for Pay & Go iPhone 3G units, and had both models selling for between £40 and £50 less, but with only 6 months of included data and Wi-Fi.

Russian mobile carrier MegaFon has announced that it will begin selling the iPhone 3G in Russia later this year, becoming the second carrier in the country to do so. Last week Vimpelcom announced that it too will begin selling the device later this year; prior reports had suggested that all three of the major Russian carriers — Vimpelcom, MegaFon, and MTS — would offer the device.

Negotiations between Apple and China Mobile have reached the “final stages,” according to Chinese state media. The two companies are likely to conclude the talks soon, the 21 Century Business Herald reported, citing unnamed sources. Following the appearance of that report, China Mobile CEO Wang Jianzhou made a statement regarding the negotiations. He said, “Both Mr. Steve Jobs and myself hope the Apple iPhone can enter China as soon as possible. We are discussing this issue, but we haven’t got an agreement.” [via Apple 2.0]

Northern Irish rock band Snow Patrol plans to release an interactive album booklet for A Hundred Million Suns on the iPhone and iPod touch ahead of the album’s release next month. It is currently unclear whether the booklet, which will include extra content like artwork and lyrics, will be a web-based application or be available through the App Store. “It will be an interactive element; a digital booklet that will take you into the videos and content,” said Polydor product manager Liz Goodwin. “For fans it will be a real must-have, and the fact that they are the first band to do this gives us an additional angle for exposure.”

Appliance maker Gorenje has signed an agreement with Apple to use their technology in building a new Made for iPod-certified refrigerator/freezer. Made for use with the iPod touch, the fridge has a front-mounted iPod dock and built-in speakers for playback that also charges the iPod while connected. In addition, the company has created the iPhone and iPod touch-optimized iGorenje portal, which allows the user to browse and view recipes in either text or video format, and can also work in conjunction with other Gorenje appliances to control tasks like cooking (tap the “Start” button on a recipe to make the oven turn on and go to the correct temperature and settings) and laundry.

A new range of third-party cases labeled “for iPod nano 4G” were discovered at the IFA consumer electronics show in Berlin, Germany over the weekend. The cases, made by Hama, are considerably taller than they are wide, matching the general dimensions for the iPod nano 4G that we first reported on in July. Interestingly, a similar situation developed last year with the third-generation iPod nano, as Uniea began promoting and selling cases for the device before it had been officially announced by Apple. 

There’s still time to enter our iDuo Dock Giveaway if you haven’t already. iLounge and Atech Flash Technology are giving away 50 iDuo Docks with built-in multi-format memory card readers. To enter, simply fill out and submit the entry form. The contest ends on September 18 at 11:59 p.m. Pacific Time; for official rules and more info, visit the official contest page. Good luck!

ShadesCases has introduced its new Shades for iPhone 3G. Shades for iPhone 3G are made from 100% polyurethane, measure only .4mm thick, and offer built-in clear screen protection, while allowing for full usability of the iPhone’s touch screen and full access to all ports and controls. Shades for iPhone 3G are available now in 11 different colors, and sell for $17 each.

iPodweek, iLounge’s weekly newsletter recapping the last seven days in iPod, iPhone, iTunes and Apple TV news, articles, reviews, and more, will be sent out 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 use the simple form below to submit your email address.

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Harman/Kardon has introduced its new MS 100 all-in-one audio system. The MS 100 offers a number of audio options, including a slot-loading CD player with MP3 and WMA support, FM radio, and an iPod dock. It features S-Video and composite video outputs for output of iPod pictures and video to a TV, a USB port for syncing the iPod with a computer, 5-inch high-excursion woofers, dome tweeters, and built-in amplification. The Harman/Kardon MS 100 audio system is expected to ship in October; pricing has yet to be announced.

Grantwood Technology has announced the release of its QuickFlipCase for iPhone and iPhone 3G. The QuickFlipCase is a horizontal leather case featuring contrast stitching, a permanent belt clip, a magnetic closure for the lid, open access to the iPhone’s headphone jack, sleep/wake button, speaker, and microphone, and a center push-up hole for easier removal of the device. The Grantwood Technology QuickFlipCase for the iPhone and iPhone 3G is available now and sells for $19.

Philips has announced its new CinemaOne home theater system, which packs a DVD/CD player, iPod dock, five channel amplifier, six speakers, and a subwoofer all in a single unit. The all-in-one system features six precisely angled speakers spread around its body and a 4-inch subwoofer built into the base, all of which are powered by a five channel amplifier and Digital Signal Processing unit. A built-in iPod dock in the top of the unit lets users play music and video with on-screen track information, and the iPod can be controlled via the CinemaOne’s remote control. Other features include DVD upscaling up to 1080p, auxiliary input, Composite video and HDMI output, and a USB port for connecting other digital music devices. Pricing and release information has yet to be announced.

Twentieth Century Fox, the first studio to offer an iTunes Digital Copy on select DVD and Blu-Ray releases, has announced 20 upcoming Digital Copy releases. “Our research shows that when given the option, consumers recognize the incredible value proposition that Digital Copy provides as a simple, fast way to move content to a portable device,” noted Mary Daily, Executive Vice President, North America Marketing, Twentieth Century Fox Home Entertainment. “Digital Copy puts the disc at the center of the digital revolution happening in households nationwide and meets the entertainment needs of the entire family from the TV, to the computer to an iPod.” Fox titles Napoleon Dynamite, Office Space, The Girl Next Door, Grandma’s Boy, There’s Something About Mary, Dodgeball, Super Troopers, Behind Enemy Lines, The Day After Tomorrow, Die Hard, Fantastic Four, Hide & Seek, I, Robot, Independence Day, Speed, The Transporter, X-Men, X2: X-Men United, X3: The Last Stand, and Reno 911!: Miami - More Busted Than Ever Unrated Cut will all be released on September 23 for $20 each, with an iTunes Digital Copy included. 

Vimpelcom, the second-largest carrier in Russia, has announced that it has signed a distribution deal with Apple to sell the iPhone 3G in Russia. “Vimpelcom announced today it has signed an agreement with Apple to bring iPhone 3G to Russia, expected later this year,” the company said in a statement. Last week it was reported that all three major Russian carriers, MTS, Vimpelcom, and MegaFon, has signed iPhone deals with Apple; Vimpelcom is the first to make an official statement confirming an agreement.

More labels are considering keeping new release albums off iTunes in a bid to increase full album sales, according to a Wall Street Journal report. iTunes policies prevent artists from selling their music in full album format only, requiring songs to be sold as singles, on which they see less profit. The article points to Warner Music Group, which kept Kid Rock’s latest album “Rock ‘n Roll Jesus” off iTunes and has seen sales increase in 19 of the past 22 weeks, recently pulled an album by R&B singer Estelle from the iTunes Store the same week that one of its songs entered iTunes’ top 10 best-selling list.

Bloomberg News inadvertently published a pre-written obituary for Apple CEO Steve Jobs, only to retract it a short time later. While the lengthy document contains little to no new information on Jobs, it discusses various people that the organization would contact for comment, and highlights a number of career and personal events. Gawker has saved and reprinted it in its entirety. It is quite common for major publications to have obituaries on hand for high-profile people such as business leaders and politicians; thus, the appearance of the obituary likely has little to do with recent concerns of Jobs’ health.

Flickr user and iPhone 3G owner eastrain has posted an interesting series of photographs taken with an iPhone camera that has been modded to change its focus for more up-close photography. Explains eastrain, “Both iPhone models have the same style generic mobile phone camera module with a screw style focus adjustment which has been glued at infinity in the factory. Once you break this glue, you can turn the lens counterclockwise to bring the focus closer.” Note that attempting to modify the iPhone in this way will likely void any remaining warranty with Apple.

Marware has introduced its new Sidewinder Deluxe case for the iPhone 3G. The Sidewinder Deluxe combines a slim clear Flexi-Shell case and a rubberized snap-in holster featuring a detachable low-profile belt clip and a patented slide-out side arm cord management system. The Flexi-Shell case offers open access to all the iPhone’s ports and controls, while the snap-in holster offers compatibility with the Sport Grip for iPhone 3G as well as the included case. The Sidewinder Deluxe for iPhone 3G also includes clear protective film and a microfiber cleaning cloth, and is available now for $35; additional black and white Flexi-Shell cases will be available soon.

iPhone developer Nicolas Solan has released Earth3D, a new application for the iPhone and iPod touch that presents the user with 3D views of the Earth, Moon, and Sun. The application allows users to drag one finger to rotate the Earth; multiple fingers stop and start the rotation of the camera. Earth3D is available now as a free download from the App Store.

Sony has introduced three new iPod-ready car stereos. The CDX-GT630UI features the ability to connect directly to both iPods and iPhones via USB, and Passenger Control which allows passengers to control the connected device while being charged. Other features include front, rear, and subwoofer preamp outputs, a flip-down detachable faceplate, and a 13-segment, LCD with black LED display. The CDX-GT430IP comes with a 1.5 meter cable featuring a 30-pin connector to provide full menu control and charging for iPod. It too offers Passenger Control, as well as a black LED screen and front and rear/sub preamp outputs. Finally, the CDX-GT330 offers compatibility with the $50 XA-120IP adapter to allow for charging and head unit control of iPods. Sony’s CDX-GT630UI, CDX-GT430IP and CDX-GT330 head units all include a wireless remote control, and will sell for $160, $130, and $100, respectively, when they go on sale in September.

Digital Lifestyle Outfitters has introduced its new HomeDock HD Professional TV entertainment dock for iPod. The HomeDock HD Pro features an integrated iPod dock offering video upscaling to 1080i or 720p and an optical digital audio output. Other features include HDMI output and an HDMI input for extending the reach of other HDMI equipment, RS-232 and RS-485 support for integration into a custom home entertainment system, component video and RCA audio outputs, an auxiliary audio input, an included RF remote and an IR input jack to allow for control via universal remote, and an on-TV interface featuring album art in an icon-based visual flow format. The DLO HomeDock HD Pro will be available this Fall; pricing has yet to be announced.

Following iPhone 3G reception testing and an informal survey from earlier this week suggesting that the device’s speed problems were tied to its individual carriers and not the phone itself, an Orange representative has confirmed (Translated link) that the company is capping all French “hybrid” phones to 384kbps. According to France Info, the cap is placed all phones with handheld computing capabilities; Orange has promised to raise the cap to 1 megabit per second starting on September 15. [via AppleInsider]

ION has introduced its new CarbonFiber Leather Shell for the iPhone 3G. The open faced case features a hard shell wrapped in premium leather, with an exposed stripe of carbon fiber running down the center of the case’s rear. It offers open access to the iPhone’s touch screen and home button, volume and power buttons, ringer/silent switch, and headphone and Dock Connector ports. Available in white, black, or grey, the ION CarbonFiber Leather Shell for iPhone 3G is available now and sells for $80.

An Apple television ad for the original iPhone misled customers, ruled the Advertising Standards Authority (ASA), a regulatory body in the United Kingdom. BBC News reports that the ASA received two complaints concerning the statement that “all the parts of the Internet are on the iPhone.” The group said that because the iPhone lacks support for Flash and Java, the claim was misleading. Apple has argued that the claim referred to the availability of webpages, rather than their specific appearance; however, the ASA said the spot “gave a misleading impression of the internet capabilities of the iPhone” and must not be aired again in its current form. “Because the iPhone doesn’t support Flash or Java, you couldn’t really see the internet in its full glory,” said Olivia Campbell, a spokesperson for the ASA. “They made a very general claim that you can see the internet in its entirety, and actually that’s not quite true - so we’ve upheld.”