iLounge

Lucid Audio Video, Inc. is the newest player in the exciting iPod accessories market. Lucid AV has just released its website and is asking for all iPod users to take part in its brief product survey. The survey focuses on the preferences of the iPod user when purchasing accessories. Lucid AV will use the survey results to create products tailored to the needs of iPod users. In return for completing the survey, participants will receive a 25% off coupon for future Lucid AV products.

The iPod has more cases designed for it than any other handheld device, but the iPod Cozy is a whimsical case for those looking for something different. Chuckles Central is offering made to order, hand knit Cozies in several animal motifs including a dog, bear, mouse, rabbit, fox and bunny.  The Cozies come in two sizes to fit iPods (large) and iPod minis (small) at $18 each.

A MacSlash reader is reporting that Apple has notified him that his iPod mini is delayed and will not ship on the estimated date, and is offering an upgrade to a 15GB iPod at no additional charge.

Dension USA today announced the release of their new ICE-Link v1.1 auto interconnect kit for iPods. The new version features the 3G cradle, a docking station which supports the 30/40GB iPod and the 10/15/20GB models with the help of a user installable spacer. Charging the iPod while in the car is effortless - just place the iPod into the cradle. For classic iPods the connection option includes a FireWire plug that connects directly into the iPod and supplies 12V DC at all times. The dock connector models now feature a variable output line voltage to match the specifications of the OEM or aftermarket amplifier system - 0.8V-1V-2V-4V. For classic iPods, output is derived from the top connector and power-on volume level may be pre-set by the end user. Mini dock cradle, dock cable, and classic iPod connection options are scheduled to be available in May, 2004, and will connect to the existing ICE-Link v1.1 module. The ICE-Link v1.1 module should be available the week of April 19.

XPlay 2 provides a variety of new features, including compatibility with Audible files, AAC files, and even automatic WMA-to-MP3 conversion. XPlay 2 is also much faster than the original XPlay, has improved support for international characters, displays album art, supports play counts, and has a greatly-enhanced interface under Windows XP.

BiblePod is a new program that allows you to transfer books and chapters from the Bible to your iPod. BiblePod is free and available for Mac and Windows.

iLounge has received the first Vaja Classic case for the iPod mini. Constructed from genuine Argentine leather, the flip-lid case features snap closure, access to all functions and the Ultra-clip swivel belt clip (optional). The mini Classic case will cost about $34.90 and be available in approximately 10 days. The i-Volution case for iPod mini is also coming soon.

Apple has listed new 10GB and 30GB iPods for $249 and $399 respectively in its Special Deals section. The 10GB does not include the dock. Units are covered by Apple’s One-Year Limited Warranty. Supplies are limited, and these products are offered “While Supplies Last”.

DeadEnd Software is pleased to announce the update of ListSaver to version 2.0. Version 2.0 adds many new features, including the ability to rebuild manually updated iPods from scratch, including automatically copying the music files from the local library to the iPod. This allows a user to perform a software restore on a manual iPod, and then return it to its previous state, as well as creating multiple iPods with the same set of music.

The PlayFair project, which removes fair-use restrictions from music purchased through Apple’s [iTunes] online store, has become the latest victim of offshoring. Actually, that’s not quite true: only the hosting provider has moved to India. Not surprisingly, Apple has used the Digital Millenium Copyright Act to ask SourceForge to remove the project. SourceForge declined to use the Safe Harbor provisions of the Act. [...] The new location for PlayFair is at Sarovar, a hosting company for software libre projects based in Trivandrum, India.

The new online retailer of iPod accessories, i-magine, has launched an Easter Special. You can now buy any iSkin eXo2 from www.iskins.co.uk for just £17.50 (including VAT).

Amazon.com has the Sony MDREX71SL earphones (black only) on sale for $29.94 including free shipping.

A reader notes that iSkin.com has posted a gallery of photos of its ‘coming soon’ iSkin mini case. Also note that iSkin.com is reporting a delay in shipping the new case as of March 30. “The release of iSkin ‘mini’ has been faced with a slight delay due to manufacturing. We now expect to begin shipping within the next 7 to 10 days. We apologize for the inconvenience. An announcement will be made once the product is available for order.”

Many forum members have been reporting that their iPod mini is creating audio distortion when used. One such member claims to have discovered a major ‘design flaw’ in the iPod mini, which results in sound distortion when placing pressure anywhere on its surface or headphone port. The source of the noise may be a weak connection between the headphone port and the main circuit board.

PowerDesign USA has recently released several new iPod mini BodyMasks including; BodyMask Clear ($5.50), BodyMask Color ($7), Self-Design BodyMask ($9.50), and Carbon-Fiber BodyMask ($12). Each BodyMask comes with stickers for all sides (top, bottom, front, back) plus the click wheel. BodyMask for the iPod mini dock is optional. BodyMask Clear comes with an LCD protector.

#### has released yet another case for the iPod mini. The exoflpmini features a dock friendly design, access to all functions, includes protection over the mini’s click wheel and comes in a variety of colors. The exoflpmini sells for $21.50 (case only) plus $5 shipping to anywhere in the world.

iPodMods is now offering several new iPod modification services including; changing the color of your iPod’s LCD backlight ($75), changing the color of the four touch buttons on a 3rd generation iPod ($65), changing the LEDs on the Belkin Battery Pack ($25) and TuneCast FM Transmitter ($25). All modifications are available exclusively at iPodMods.com.