iLounge

Dealmac: Apple’s iPod 10GB MP3 player costs $254.15 in the Dell Small Business Software and Peripherals store. (Search for “M8976LL/A” to find it.) That’s $15 off our last mention and the lowest price we’ve seen for a current generation iPod. Shipping is free, although sales tax is added where applicable. Offer ends June 18, 2003.

iTunes Tracker is a client which connects to a server maintaining a list of iTunes shared library addresses. This list is displayed on your computer allowing you to access any of the shared iTunes library on the list. For iTunes 4.0 ONLY.

iTunes Tracker detects if you’re sharing your iTunes library. If your library is shared then your address is added to the list of shared iTunes libraries. This list is what is downloaded when a client connects to the central server. For every client connected with a shared library the list grows. With more users comes more selections and so on.

New open letter to Apple needs everyone to help spread the news. With a catchy Apple-Like “Think Differently” image, I spent hours in the hopes that classic iPod users will be heard!

If, somehow, everyone could unite and possibly contribute a dollar we might even be able to put this image on a billboard somewhere near Apple Headquarters in Cupertino, Ca. How we’d accomplish that I’m not sure, but sending this page to let everyone know about how we’ve been treated by Apple is a great start!

Ediotr’s note: The above ‘open letter’ regards the fact that Apple has not released iPod Software 2.0 and all its new features for Classic iPods.

Charles Wright, columnist of The Edge, writes an opinion peice about all things iPod:

There is an active thread at Macintouch about shipping delays from Dell of up to 45 days for iPods that were discounted over $80 for one day only (reported at iLounge). Other users having this issue? I bought mine on May 19, and currently there is an estimated ship date of July 7.

MacMinute via BusinessWeek reports that Apple had ‘threatened to sue’ Samsung over the physical similarity of its Yepp YP-900 MP3 player to the iPod. Samsung has backed down from the threat and will be redesigning the Yepp player before releasing it to the public.

Dealmac: ClubMac offers the iPod 20GB for Mac or PC for $269. That’s $30 off our last mention and the lowest price we know to be available. Plus, a mail-in rebate yields free shipping. Rebate ends June 30, 2003.

Roberto Amorim of Rarewares.com is conducting a public test to find out which encoder is best at encoding AAC at 128Kbps CBR. Everyone is welcomed to particpate.

There is a weekly flash animation produced by the folks at HomestarRunner.com about a character named Strong Bad and the emails he receives. In this weeks episode, his brother Strong Sad enters the room at one point listening to what can only be an iPod!

Mind’s Eye Entertainment and Inksword.net are looking for a handful of beta testers for a new interactive fiction game that is in development for use with Apple’s new iPod. The game is a series of notes that are hyperlinked together, giving you the feel of the “Choose Your Own Adventure” books from the 1980’s. Beta testers must have a new iPod (10, 15, or 30GB models using iPod Software 2.0).

The BBC has posted a story about website CDBaby.com posting a transcript from a recent meeting between Apple and top independent record label executives.  The story includes information about the success of iTunes Music Store.  It also mentions that a Windows version of iTunes is planned for “later this year,” and that the iTunes Music Store will become available outside the U.S. in the future.

Editor’s note: In our earlier report, CD Baby had posted points made in the Apple meeting, but the report has since been removed due to Apple’s confidentiality agreement.

MediaChest, an old multimedia Java based multi-platform software adds iPod support. Although iPod support is in beta stage, it’s completely functional. 100% Java implementation (no external MP3 player program required) and open source makes this program valuable for people who don’t want to stay with one platform and are also interested in adding iPod support.

Recently I wrote this tutorial on how to enable the feature of sharing your music collection in iTunes 4.0.1 again… which Apple disabled with the latest update. The funny part is it can use freeware made by Apple itself! The tutorial shows you how to set up a proxy for the iTunes server and makes iTunes think the stream is coming from a local area network.

Have fun, but don’t steal music!

Leander Kahney has a report about Apple axing iTunes’ Internet sharing feature and how developers are answering back by programming new solutions to keep the sharing feature alive and well. Two software solutions and a tip are presented in the report, including iCommune 401(ok), Andromeda and author Jim Heid’s simple solution to use both iTunes 4.0 and 4.0.1 on one Mac.

Yesterday Apple gathered independent record labels for a meeting to explain how they could participate in the iTunes Music Store. Derek Siver, President of CD Baby was at the meeting and has posted key points from the presentation by Steve Jobs. A few points from the meeting:

• Everyone is going to get the exact same deal. It’s not negotiable. It’s take it or leave it.”
• This is a reseller agreement: Apple buys at a wholesale price. Apple resells them to users. “No complicated or messy licenses.”
• Apple only deals with the partner/label. It’s up to the label to pay the artists, writers, publishing, etc.
• Rights are a 3 year term. For iTunes only, of course. This is totally non-exclusive.

Apple Store has factory refurbished, original iPod 5GB for Mac or Windows at $149. Shipping is free and comes with a one-year warranty.

MARWARE is now accepting online pre-orders for the new redesigned SportSuit Convertible for new iPod. MARWARE has also posted several photos of what the new case will look like. The new Sportsuit fits all new iPod models and sells for $39.95

Features include:

#### Cymbalski, the designer of iSkin and Maclear products has announced the Zip case for iPod. Zip fits new iPod 10/15/30GB models.

Cymbalski also mentioned to look out for new features on the iSkin iPod case and more new case designs in the near future. Zip is available now for pre-order at ThinkDifferentStore.com at a special introductory price of $10.

Internet Magazine reports MP3.com Europe will be promoting its service to registered iPod owners by offering exclusive tracks.

MacFixit reports that Belkin’s soon to be released Auto Kit w/ Dock Connector for new iPod is too long for some car’s cigarette lighter power adapters.