iPad + iPad mini Buyers Guide

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Another iPod lawsuit on the horizon

  • January 8, 2004
  • iPod

It seems another lawsuit is on the horizon regarding iPod batteries - this time out of Florida.

“In the last year, many iPod owners got bad news after their iPods’ lithium-ion batteries died. The owners were told there was no replacement battery available and so therefore they should go buy new iPods! With the smallest-capacity iPods starting at $250 on eBay, that seemed like a very expensive solution. In response to numerous complaints, Apple recently instituted $59 extended warranties and $99-battery-replacement programs for iPod. If you are unhappy with your iPod’s battery performance and you want a confidential, no-cost consultation about your rights, please e-mail us by filling out the form below.”

21 comments.

NY Times: Early adopters will snap up all the iPod Minis that Apple can make

“The actual price is $250. That’s only $50 less than the 15-megabyte, full-size iPod, which holds nearly four times as many songs.

Apple argues that that’s the wrong comparison. It points out that the Mini is only $50 more than a 256-megabyte, flash-memory-based player like the Rio Cali. Such players hold only about 60 songs (and, of course, lack the elegance of Apple’s hardware and software).

In any case, early adopters and gadget fetishists may well snap up all the iPod Minis that Apple can make, even at this price; Apple can always lower the price later.”

3 comments.

Lajo Announces exo Inferno case

pic

“Inferno is the launch of exo, exo2 and exo3 art cases.  #### a well known professional Canadian artist for over twenty years, who’s work has sold from 1,000 to 20,000 USD has now taken his exo, exo2 and exo3 design to the art level. After months of experimenting #### is ready to release inferno.  Inferno symbolizes the heat and passion of music. Every week there will be new releases, in addition silk screened, air brushed and hand painted cases will be part of his gallery collection.  The first silkscreen designs will be launched within a few weeks starting with the works of Aaron an extremely talented artist. The prices of these cases will vary depending on the creation and the artist. The #### Gallery will offer artists an opportunity to create designs and if the are selected they will be paid for each case sold through ####’s realtime Key Program.  Over the next few weeks you can find these cases by clicking (just released) on his main menu or if you know the name of the artist you can search all of that artist’s work by using the search function.”

19 comments.

Guardian: iPod mini outcry prompts price review

“Apple Computer is set to review the UK pricing of its iPod mini music player, launched on Tuesday, after complaints about a substantial mark-up for non-US buyers of the device. The iPod mini will go on sale next month in the US for $249 - which would translate to a UK price of £162 including VAT if today’s exchange rates were applied. Yet Apple’s UK arm announced on Tuesday that it plans to sell the device for £38 more, at £199, immediately sparking an outcry from the company’s European customers.”

8 comments.

Used iPods from $149

Dealmac: A reader found the used first- and second-generation 10GB iPods for $169 each at PowerMax. That’s $20 off our last mention and the lowest price we know to be available. A used first-generation 5GB iPod is also available for $149. Each carries a 30-day reseller warranty.

1 comment.

Belkin Corporation: 50% off no minimum

Dealmac: Expo special. Belkin.com cuts 50% off sitewide with no minimum required via coupon code “35491”. (Refurbished units are excluded.) Offer ends January 30.

17 comments.

Apple 1984 commercial side-by-side video comparison

  • January 7, 2004

iLounger Marcus Kirsch has posted a side by side comparison of the original 1984 commercial and the new 2004 Edition 1984 commercial featuring the iPod.

Add your comments.

Ironic iPod Tshirts Announces Gollum and iPod

A recent addition to the Ironic iPod Tshirts line – from Lord of the Rings. Gollum is featured in silhouette holding his ipod in front of the bright colored backdrops we have come to love from the iPod ads. The “my precious” iPod tshirts start at $17.

7 comments.

MP3 Gym Announced - Your iPod as Personal Trainer

Your very own personal trainer to help you work off those excess pounds and turn fat into muscle through your Apple iPod. Personalized Workout Systems (PWS) unveiled their latest and most innovative product – MP3 Gym, the very first audio personal trainer recorded on mp3 files for multi-gigabyte mp3 players like Apple’s iPod. MP3 Gym is a revolutionary breakthrough for tech-savvy fitness buffs and is specially designed and programmed for your health and exercise commitments.

Additional details and 8 comments.

BusinessWeek: A maxiPrice for Apple’s miniPod

  • January 7, 2004
  • iPod

“Macheads witnessed a Cube moment the other day at MacWorld San Francisco when Jobs trotted out the new iPod mini as a highlight of his much anticipated keynote speech. It’s an iPod that comes in many bright, funky colors. The miniPod, as it’s already being called, has far less capacity than the previous versions, but it costs about the same (only $50 less the previous lowest-price model). And it weighs just three ounces less than the heftier iPods. [...]

Even Jobs’s Jedi-esque powers of reality dispersion can’t alter the unfavorable math behind Apple’s new offering. Here are the hard numbers. The new miniPod will cost $249. That’s about $100 more than the rumor sites had posited. It will offer 4 gigabytes of capacity on its hard drive. By comparison, the entry-level iPod now costs $299 and has 15 gigabytes of disk space. The miniPod’s cost per gigabyte is $62.50. In the entry-level iPod, it’s about $20.”

26 comments.

TheMacMind Day 1 Video

For a fun and humorous look at Macworld, iPods and even a shot of myself (iLounger), check out TheMacMind video of Day 1 at Macworld San Francisco. TheMacMind crew kept me entertained while iPod minis swirled in my mind.

2 comments.

The Age: Owners and iPods: a love story with the sweetest sounds

  • January 7, 2004
  • iPod

“In a world increasingly absorbed by digital entertainment, an electronic phenomenon called the Apple iPod reigns as king of right-in-yer-ear mobile music. Its significance is not in the clarity of its pop tune delivery but the speed with which it has created a series of flourishing new enterprises.

Suddenly there is a new multibillion-dollar industry. More than 50 accessories are available for the tiny white MP3 music player - skins as funky as those made for mobile phones, ear buds, holsters, microphones, FM transmitters - and much else.”

Editor’s note: The Age states iLounge attracts 4 million unique visitors per month, but it should read 3.5 - 4 million page views per month.

1 comment.

dealmac’s iGiveaway, Day 3: Win an iPod

The dealmac Mega 5-Day iGiveaway continues today with a dealmac-engraved iPod 10GB MP3 player. Limit one entry per person. Hurry ... registration ends tonight at midnight. Come back tomorrow to win an iBook G3. Then on Friday: an iMac LCD.

Add your comments.

iPod mini features 4GB Hitachi drive

“The 4GB drive, which measures 1 inch across, marks Hitachi’s second major contract in the music player field. Last October, Dell came out with a music player that contained a 1.8-inch Hitachi drive.

Apple did not state which company is manufacturing the drive for the new iPods, but sources close to Hitachi confirmed it is the Japanese computing giant.

The process of elimination is also fairly straightforward on this issue, because there are only three companies with product plans in this area.Cornice, a start-up that makes a 2GB minidrive that can be found in music players from Digital Networks North America (makers of the Rio line), said it wasn’t involved, and Toshiba, which manufacturers 1.8-inch drives for Apple’s other iPods, won’t come out with a drive in the 1-inch range until late this year.”

7 comments.

Macworld: TEN Technology Announces naviPlay Bluetooth remote control

“The TEN naviPlay brings Bluetooth wireless CD-Audio quality stereo sound and remote control to the latest docking iPod models. iPod users no longer have to be tethered to their iPods with their headphone cord. The naviPlay includes a Bluetooth adapter that attaches to the iPod�s dock connector, and a BT headphone adapter that allows use of any stereo headphones or speakers with a standard 3.5mm stereo plug. The headphone adapter also has an LCD display and buttons for basic remote audio functions as well as playlist and menu navigation. Each adapter is powered by rechargeable lithium ion battery that provides approximately 8 hours of airtime. TEN plans to introduce additional BT-based products including stereo headphones, stereo speakers, and BT car stereo interfaces in the coming months. naviPlay will be available only for 3rd generation iPod models with Dock Connectors. TEN plans to begin shipping the naviPlay in Q1 2004. Pricing has not been finalized.”

19 comments.

Alpine Announces Car Stereo w/iPod Display & Control

“Alpine Electronics of America, Inc., the industry-leading manufacturer of high performance mobile electronics, will demonstrate at CES the world’s first solution that enables consumers to connect and control their iPod from their in-vehicle sound system.  Alpine’s iPod Ready strategy is part of the company’s overarching mission to create innovative in-vehicle electronics that are easier to use and provide great sound in the mobile environment.”

31 comments.

Apple’s 2004 Edition of 1984 Commercial

  • January 6, 2004

Apple has created a new 2004 edition of the infamous 1984 Macintosh commercial to commemorate the 20th anniversary of Macintosh. It depicts a sledge hammer-wielding woman wearing an iPod - which aired only once during the 1984 Super Bowl.

Additional details and 37 comments.

Macworld: New Apple iPod mini announced

picIn the final part of his Keynote speech today at MWSF Steve Jobs related how the Apple had sold 730,000 iPods and had propelled Apple to over 2 million iPods sold in total. In Oct/Nov Apple had taken 31% of the entire market share of MP3 players, 55% share of revenue and it was now Number 1 in units and revenue.

He announced that the 10GB iPod would be replaced by a 15GB model selling at the same price of $299.

Also Apple has released a pair of In-ear headphones selling at $39 and they are available from today. (These look very similar to the Sony EX71SL’s)

Today Apple launch the second member of the iPod family - the iPod mini. This will have a

  • 4GB HD storage capacity

  • Hold 1000 songs

  • 0.5 inches thick

  • Size of a business card

  • Cost $249

    It will use the same award winning interface as its big brother but will feature a new solid state “clickwheel” with function buttons moved under the wheel. The iPod mini Click Wheel gives you the enhanced durability and sensitivity of the iPod Touch Wheel. The Click Wheel takes best advantage of miniscule space and lets you scroll single handedly though your songs. Like its (slightly) bigger brother, iPod mini gives you over 25 minutes of skip protection and lasts up to 8 hours on a single battery charge.

    It will use the familiar top controls of the 3G iPod and the Apple docking port on the base. It will come complete with a Firewire and USB cable, belt clip, Dock and armband.

    The finish is anodised aluminum and a range of colours will be available -

  • Silver

  • Gold

  • Blue

  • Pink

  • Green

    These new iPods will start to ship in the US in February and Worldwide in April.

    224 comments.

    •   GarageBand - a pro-music tool for ever

    GarageBand consists of a pro-quality musical instrument and recording studio. This is not a “niche thing”, as surveys show that 50% off all households in the US have at least one person who plays an instrument.

    You can digitally mix up to 64 tracks, play up to 50 digital software instruments and use up to 1000 pro-quality loops. There are 200 audio effects and even vintage guitar amp sounds.

    Play any USB or MIDI instrument or keyboard and live record your music over any pre-recorded loops. Then save the resulting composition to iTunes and even export it to your iPod!

    This software comes bundled with iLife and is on sale for $49.

    13 comments.

    Monster Cable announces 8 new iPod accessories

    Monster Cable today announced eight new iPod accessories including; The Monster iCharger, iSplitter, iCable, iCarPlay Wireless, iSpeaker Portable, iSportCase, Ultra-Low Profile iCharger, iCase Travel Pack and iCarPlay cassette adapter. Click ‘Read more’ for a complete list with descriptions.

    Additional details and comments.

    Shop for Accessories: Cases, speakers, chargers, etc.