iLounge

Dealmac: A reader notes that CompUSA.com offers the iPod 5GB for Mac [or PC] for $159.99. It’s the best price we’ve seen for a new, factory-sealed iPod, although The Apple Store has been offering factory-refurbished 10GB iPods for $169. Add $5 for shipping.

Terforma has informed us that they have released a new type of case for iPod named iSleeve. Made of molded rubber, the iSleeve encases the iPod like an armored exoskeleton. The iSleeve features a retractable HipClip™ belt clip, StoBand™ for holding the case in your hand and StoPhone™ for storing earbuds. The iSleeve retails for $49.99, is available in black (nox) or white (mono) and comes in two models; G1 for older iPods and G2 for all new iPods. Terforma is currently taking pre-orders and a representative said, “We anticipate shipping by the end of this month if not sooner.”

Christian Heber of i-Pod.de emailed information regarding a new case he discovered while attending Apple Expo Paris. RadTech debuted their new iPodsleevz for iPod. According to the photo, the cases seem to be made of a synthetic suede material and covers the face of the iPod. Christian reports that the touch wheel and buttons are functional while the iPod is in the case. iPodsleevz feature a clear screen protector, access to the top of iPod, and an access hole for the dock connector. iPodsleevz will be sold in a multitude of colors (see photo) for about $18 and are ready to ship. Note: The RadTech website has not yet been updated with iPodsleevz information.

I’ve done some extensive searching and managed to find two UK retailers that stock iTrips. The first one is Alta Technology, and they have stock of iTrips for 1st and 2nd generation iPods. The iTrip for new 3rd generation iPods are not yet shipping. Join the email list to be notified. The second retailer is Everything iPod UK, and they have stock of iTrip for older iPods for £40. The new iTrip (albeit at £43) for new 3rd generation iPods are not yet shipping. Join the email list to be notified. Don’t forget the iTrip is illegal in the UK due to the UK Wireless Telegraphy Act of 1949. You can own one, but you can’t use it.

Dealmac: Got an MBNA credit card? Use it on a purchase at The Apple Store of $249 or more and get $25 off via coupon code “FACU7FMW3B”, as a reader found. Offer ends September 28.  A $50 off $499 coupon for MBNA cardholders is also available.

In a MacNN reader report, Steve Jobs was interviewed on the French TV show during the Apple Expo in Paris.

Allabouttheaccessories.com is offering 35 iShade colored screen protectors and 5 EXO Cases available to Illinois members for test drives. The first 5 people to respond to me will receive an EXO case and a colored iShade. The remaining 30 people will receive one colored iShade protector. Please respond to me at .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address) with your iLounge user ID and I will reply with details on how to get the free stuff. Thanks

Dealmac: A reader notes that the factory-refurbished Apple iPod 30GB fell to $349 in The Apple Store’s Special Deals section. That’s $30 off and the lowest price we’ve seen for this third-generation iPod. (The dock connector is included.) Shipping is free, although sales tax is added where applicable. A one-year Apple warranty applies.

Dealmac: AllAboutTheAccessories.com has the iSkin EXO iPod case (in 24 colors) for $25.50. It’s the best price we’ve seen by $4.

Belkin has posted information on two new cases for use with 3G docking iPods. The Leather Holster features an open face design, swivel clip and retails for $24.99. Belkin notes the Holster ‘complements’ only 10 and 15GB iPods. The Leather Flip Case features a Velcro cover which swings out-of-the-way for docking, PVC screen protector, swivel clip and retails for $29.99. Belkin does not say, but we assume the Flip Case fits all docking iPods. iPoding notes that Apple Store online has the Leather Holster listed for $19.95.

I just received an email from Sendstation, makers of the PocketDock FireWire adapter. It states that preorders for the PocketDock are now shipping. The website states that shipping time to the USA and Canada is 4-7 weekdays, shipping within Europe is 1-4 weekdays and the rest of the world is 4-14 weekdays. The PocketDock costs $18.95 for a single adapter and is also available in a 3-pack for $52.95.

A UK night club in East London called dreambagsjaguarshoes is featuring a vinyl-free ‘noWax’ club night using iPods. Club goers are encouraged to bring their iPods to join in the mix.

A simple program to copy files from your iPod to your computer. 

Dealmac: ExperCom offers the Apple iPod 30GB MP3 Player for $434.50 plus $9 shipping. It’s the lowest total price we know to be available by $5, although Dell had it last week for just under $400. Small Dog Electronics has a demo unit in stock, with the full one-year Apple warranty, for $425. Shipping starts around $7.

I was heading over to the iPod discussions on Apple.com, and I noticed this header in bold:

This is just pure speculation, but it is encouraging. Hopefully, the shutdown is for a server upgrade or something.  You know, to upgrade their hardware in preparation for a massive spike in visits…?  With recent reports pegging the release of iTunes for Windows as sometime in October, it looks like Apple is finally going to give all us Windows iPod users a present soon.

Play, pause, skip. Create playlists, edit tags. As if you were in front of iTunes. Ovolab RemoteTunes offers a familiar interface for controlling other Macs’ iTunes on the local network, or over the Internet. The music will play from the remote Macintosh, every tune under your control.

Keep your iPod always updated with the freshest music. An amazing utility for every music lover, Ovolab AAChoo converts all your MP3 songs to AAC, the new high-quality and compact audio format at the core of MPEG-4, with an easy drag-and-drop interface and full control over every encoding parameter.

iSkinWorld is offering 35 iShade coloured screen protectors available to the UK for test drives. The first 35 people to email .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address) with their name, iLounge user ID and a UK address will get to choose one of 7 iShade colours. iShades are designed to be used with iSkin eXo cases and together create an individual look and offer great protection for 3rd Gen iPods.