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SimpleSpeaker and iPodSaver Art Edition Released

picHigoto, manufacturer of specialized accessories for mobile computing based in Germany has announced the SimpleSpeaker and iPodSaver Art Edition (neoprene case) for iPod. The SimpleSpeaker ($10) is a small stereo speaker system that requires no batteries and draws its power from the iPod’s headphone port. The iPodSaver ($25) is a grey and black neoprene sleeve case with artwork by Thomas Schostok {ths} on the front of the case. Both products are available in the U.S. at Madisonline.com and in Europe at Higoto.de.

4 comments.

iPod the Missing Manual 2nd Edition coming soon

  • December 4, 2003
  • iPod

According to Barnes & Noble booksellers, a second edition of “iPod: the Missing Manual” by David Pogue will be released January 2, 2004. A B&N sales rep stated that its stores should have the new $24.95 volume available for sale two days later.

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USATODAY: 41 more sued over music downloads

“Despite bad press for turning on its customers, the recording industry said Wednesday that it would sue 41 more people, alleging they illegally downloaded music from the Internet. [...]

Nielsen/NetRatings says the average number of users on Kazaa, the top music and movie trading program, has dropped 53% since June — when the RIAA first warned of lawsuits.”

37 comments.

Griffin ClearChoice iPod Connection Kit: $11.99

Deals On The Web: MacResQ has the new, retail boxed Griffin ClearChoice iPod Connection Kit for $14.99. Use coupon code “IPCK” to save $3 and drop the price to $11.99. The kit includes cables with gold-plated tips to connect an iPod to a home stereo or portable speakers. Coupon expires 12/8/03.

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PodPal: Personal iPod Assistant Service Launched

  • December 3, 2003
  • iPod

iLounger Rob has launched PodPal, a New York based service to help would be iPod owners buy, configure, accessorize, install and load music onto their new iPods. Think of Rob as your Personal iPod Assistant.

20 comments.

Refurbished 20GB iPod for $285

Dealmac: MacResQ offers the refurbished second-generation Apple 20GB iPod for $289.99. Coupon code “20GBIP” drops the price to$284.99, the lowest we know to be available. Shipping adds around $5. A 90-day reseller warranty applies. Offer ends December 8, 2003.

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MacDevCenter.com: iPod as Digital Photographer’s Best Friend

“Based on what I’ve already discovered in Panther, I figured there had to be more possibilities than that. So I got my hands on the Belkin reader and started testing every scenario I could think of. Bottom line: my hunch was right. You can do a lot with this setup.

What’s interesting to me isn’t so much that you can upload pictures from a memory card to a portable storage device. As cool as this is, that functionality already exists with other tools. What makes the iPod scenario compelling is that it plugs into Panther, allowing you to leverage some of its powerful technologies. And that’s what I’m going to explore here today.”

3 comments.

Future Sonic Ears model EM3 earphones for $89

Future Sonics wants to thank the Apple community by offering its Ears model EM3 for $89 - $70 off its suggested retail price of $159. This offer ends on January 1, 2004.

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Vaja Launches New Website

Vaja, makers of fine leather cases for MP3 players (including the iPod), PDAs and cell phones has launched their newly redesigned website along with a new company logo.

7 comments.

iTunes Music Store coming to Australia?

“Apple declined to comment on when its service might be available in Australia, but sources indicate that the company has been in local negotiations with record companies, music publishers and rights bodies. Those negotiations should bear fruit in the first quarter of next year, when Apple will extend the iTunes Music Store to a number of markets beyond the US, sources said.”

7 comments.

Mac: iPod Launcher 1.4 Released

You have plenty to do when you connect your iPod. Wouldn’t it be great if it all happened automatically? Well now it can. With iPod Launcher you specify items via System Preferences and, whenever you connect your iPod, they launch.

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Crutchfield Sells iPods and Accessories

  • December 2, 2003
  • iPod

Long time electronics retailer, Crutchfield is now sellings iPods through its online iPod Store along with several Apple branded iPod accessories.

1 comment.

iPod Books in Japanese

  • December 2, 2003
  • iPod

We found several books for our Japanese readers titled, ‘iPod Fan Book,’ ‘New iPod Perfect Mini Guide,’ ‘iPod Perfect Mini Guide’ for older iPods and ‘With iPod iTunes Life’ while at Amazon Japan.

1 comment.

The iPod Book in German

  • December 2, 2003
  • iPod

Galileo Design has released the first iPod book by MACup magazine authors, Soenke Jahn and Matthias Kremp simply titled “The iPod Book.”

1 comment.

iPod Envy and Subculture

  • December 2, 2003
  • iPod

Vern Seward for The Mac Observer describes his iPod envy and the subculture that drives it.

“I know, I know… I had intended to buy one when the prices got to around US$200. The price of a new iPod still isn’t there yet, but there have beenlots of decent refurb models around for well under US$200. In fact, I bought my son one for his birthday; a spiffy 10 gigger. I think he likes it, at least, he says he does. Toby lives in Southern CA so we don’t see each other much and I don’t know for sure if he’s really using it or just saying so to be nice to his old man. If he’s not, he’s really missing the boat; there seems to be a California-esque subculture growing around the iPod that he, and I, are missing out on. I’ve had several experiences recently that will illustrate what I mean:”

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iTunes shoppers buying into Digital Rights Management

“‘By buying into DRM they have given the seller complete control over the product after it’s been sold,” he wrote. ‘The RIAA can at any time change the DRM rules, and considering their history it’s likely that they will when the majority of consumers have embraced DRM and non-DRM products have been phased out. Some DVDs today include commercials which can’t be skipped using ‘sanctioned’ players. If the RIAA forces Apple to include commercials, what excuses will the Mac zealots come up with? ‘It’s a good compromise’?’”

5 comments.

Jobs: iPod’s Rivals ‘Don’t Get It’

  • December 2, 2003

‘Apple CEO has dismissed other companies’ attempts to win MP3 market-share from the iPod, saying they “don’t think about design innovation”.

Jobs told the New York Times: “As technology becomes more complex, Apple’s core strength of knowing how to make very sophisticated technology comprehensible to mere mortals is in even greater demand.

“The Dells of the world don’t spend money on design innovation. They don’t think about these things.”’

16 comments.

ColorWave offers custom painting for iPods and more

The Screensaver’s Yoshi DeHerrera has a review of ColorWares custom painting service for PCs, iBooks, PowerBooks, and iPods. Also coming soon is custom painting for G5 desktops. You can watch the ScreenSavers at 7 p.m. and tomorrow at 12 a.m. and 8 a.m. Eastern.

“The iPod is painted without taking it apart. This means the warranty is not affected. Considering how clean the job is, I thought the iPod was taken apart and painted. I was pleasantly surprised to find out I was wrong. The paint quality is the kind most people would be happy to have on their car.”

14 comments.

iPod & iTunes Tops Prophet’s List of 2003 Branding Hits

“The insightful brand strategy behind the iPod, iTunes and the latest part of this digital music package, the iTunes Music Store, wins Apple kudos for one of the clear brand hits of 2003, according to Prophet, a leading management consulting firm specializing in the integration of brand, business and marketing strategy.

‘We’ve identified a short list of three of this year’s brand hits and two of its misses,’ said Prophet Chief Executive Michael Dunn.‘Combined, they provide a very succinct lesson in the importance of understanding brand’s value to customers, how well the organization delivers on what the brand stands for, and how to make it stretch (or not) into new space to help the business grow.’”

2 comments.

Apple Launches iPod-a-Day Giveaway

“From November 28 to December 24, we’ll be giving away a 10GB iPod every day. Download iTunes and create a new iTunes Music Store account, and you’ll be automatically entered* into our daily drawing. Once you create an account, your name remains eligible until December 24, so the earlier you sign up, the more chances you have to win.”

12 comments.

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