iLounge

iSkin today announced two new versions of its special edition iPod protectors. Both new cases feature stylings that mimic Apple’s special edition U2 iPod. The Special Edition iSkin for iPod nano ($30), designed to fit second-generation models, features a dual-layer design that combines a dark-tinted hard outer shell with a silicone inner layer. The case comes with a removable rotary beltclip, lanyard, and dock connector port cover. The Claro Special Edition for iPod with video ($45), for fifth-generation iPods, also features a dual-layer design with a scratch-resistant polycarbonate hard case covering a silicone inner layer. The Claro also sports an integrated kickstand belt clip.

While U.S. album sales continued to decline in 2006, total music sales were up nearly 20 percent thanks to a large increase in digital downloads. Approximately 588.2 million physical albums were sold last year, down 4.9 percent from 2005, according to Nielsen SoundScan. Digital music sales, however, increased by 65 percent over the previous year. Some 582 million tracks were sold, and digital album sales more than doubled, with nearly 33 million sold. Overall music sales—which includes all albums, singles, music videos and digital downloads—increased by more than 19 percent in 2006.

Luxpro, the Taiwan-based company known for its iPod shuffle knock-off, says it has won a lawsuit filed against it by Apple, and now plans to countersue the iPod maker for $100 million in damages. “We plan to sue Apple in a Taiwanese court before the end of the month and demand $100 million in compensation for the revenues we have lost due to their abuse of their global power,” Wu Fu-chin, Luxpro chairman, told the Financial Times.

In early 2005, Luxpro introduced a digital audio player that was nearly indistinguishable from Apple’s first-generation iPod shuffle. The Super Shuffle, later renamed the Super Tangent, had the same measurements, weight and overall design—including the control pad, backside slider switches and USB port cover—of the iPod shuffle. It also came in 512MB and 1GB sizes like the Apple player.

In August 2005, Apple sought and received an injunction to stop sales of the Luxpro player from the Shihlin District Court in Taipei. Luxpro appealed and won subsequent lawsuits in the Taiwan High Court and the Taiwan Supreme Court. Last month, the Shihlin District Court lifted the original injunction, stating that “the appearances of the two products are significantly dissimilar.”

Logitech has announced the X-240 computer speaker system, which features an audio control center that serves as a cradle for an iPod or similar device. “With plug-and-play functionality, the X-240 speaker system allows people to dock their digital device by simply plugging it into the cradle,” says Logitech. “When their device of choice is docked, people can charge it and sync or play their favorite digital music. And when not in use, the cradle can be stored flush with the control pod.” The Logitech X-240 system ($50; April) includes specialized trays for the iPod and Microsoft Zune. The speakers feature high-excursion satellite drivers, a ported down-firing subwoofer and dynamic, real-time bass equalization.

Mopar, DaimlerChrysler’s original equipment manufacturer, has expanded availability of its iPod Integration Kits for most Chrysler Group vehicles. The following iPod Integration Kits are now available for 2006 and newer Chrysler, Jeep and Dodge vehicles:

• Can-B Integrated (#82209617AC -$215) for the Chrysler Aspen, Chrysler PT Cruiser, Chrysler 300, Dodge Magnum, Dodge Charger, Dodge Caliber, Dodge Ram, Dodge Durango, Dodge Dakota, Jeep Compass, Jeep Patriot, Jeep Grand Cherokee and Jeep Commander.

•  J-1850 Integrated (#82209616AC - $179) for the Jeep Liberty, Dodge Caravan and Grand Caravan, Chrysler Town & Country and Chrysler Pacifica

•  FM-Bounded (#82210181 - $139) for Jeep Liberty, Jeep Commander, Jeep Grand Cherokee, Jeep Compass, Jeep Patriot, Chrysler Pacifica, Chrysler 300, Chrysler PT Cruiser, Chrysler Aspen, Chrysler Town & Country, Dodge Caravan and Grand Caravan, Dodge Charger, Dodge Magnum, Dodge Ram, Dodge Caliber, Dodge Dakota, Dodge Durango

•  FM-Bounded (#82210848 - $139) for Jeep Wrangler, Dodge Nitro, Chrysler Sebring, Dodge Avenger

The iPod Integration Kits from Mopar are available for purchase and installation at Chrysler, Jeep and Dodge dealerships across the country.

iLuv has introduced two new iPod speaker systems—the i277 and i199—which feature support for two-way wireless music streaming. The systems are iLuv’s first products to feature BluePin, which allows users to “wirelessly send and receive music to or from a mobile phone, laptop computer, MP3 player or other device with Bluetooth wireless technology.”

The iLuv i277 ($150) features a built-in iPod dock, jAura acoustic speaker technology, digital clock display with dual alarm, AM/FM Radio, video output, and remote control. The i199 ($230; shown) features an iPod dock, jAura speaker technology, CD/MP3 CD player, AM/FM radio, digital clock with dual alarm, and support for USB audio devices. Both models work with 3G, 4G and 5G iPods, iPod minis, and iPod nanos.

Piper Jaffray analyst Gene Munster expects Apple to release the retail version of the iTV at Macworld Expo next week, and says that the wireless media streaming device will expand the company’s move into the living room. “With the release of the iTV, Apple will continue its slow-but-steady push into the living room,” Munster says. “The AirPort Express (released Jun-04) enables iTunes wireless music streaming to a stereo. Apple’s Front Row application provides a media hub for music, movies and photos on a Mac. But the iTV is Apple’s simplest solution for accessing digital content via a TV and, therefore, its strongest push into the living room.”

Sakar International next week will announce the iAlbum, a new iPod accessory that allows users to transfer digital photos directly from an SD memory card or a Memory Stick to an iPod without a computer or software. The iAlbum, which connects to the Dock Connector port, works with fifth-generation iPods and color-screen fourth-generation iPods. The iAlbum will be available in black and white later this month for $90.

Kaftan has introduced a new line of iPod cases made of fabric resembling oriental carpets. “Kaftan Covers reflect the same warm tones, exquisite patterns and traditional motifs that enthralled Marco Polo in 1272 as he traversed the globe,” says the company. “Oriental carpets were hand-woven in antiquity as gifts for palaces and kings. Kaftan’s contemporary creative design securely wraps your iPod in globally inspired rich colors and ancient patterns. Complement your iPod nano and video with Kaftan’s custom-dyed, fully lined covers.” The cases come in four designs for iPod nanos ($13 each) and three designs for fifth-generation iPods ($16 each).

Apple once again dominated holiday sales of digital audio players, increasing its market share from last year, according to data from the NPD Group. “In the five-week period from Nov. 19 to Dec. 23, iPods accounted for 57.3 percent of all players sold at a panel of electronics stores that notably didn’t include the Cupertino company’s own retail outlets,” reports the Mercury News. “Apple’s share was up from 42 percent for a similar period last year. SanDisk was No. 2 with 19.2 percent of units sold, down from 22.1 percent last year. Microsoft, which debuted its Zune player in November, came in fourth behind Creative Technology with 2.8 percent of the market. Creative had 3.4 percent.”

Defunct online movie provider Intertainer has filed a lawsuit against Apple, Google and Napster, alleging that the three companies are infringing on a patent that covers the commercial distribution of digital media over the Internet. “Founded in 1996, Intertainer developed technology to distribute movies on demand through cable and phone lines for viewing on televisions and personal computers. It gained investors including Intel, Microsoft, Sony, NBC and Comcast,” according to the New York Times. The company shut down in 2002, filing a suit against the Hollywood studios behind Movielink for anticompetitive actions. The studios settled the lawsuit for an undisclosed sum, and Intertainer is now considered a patent licensing business.

Tune Belt has expanded its line of “Open View” iPod cases to include a new wristband carrier and a new belt case for the iPod nano. Both feature stretchable velcro bands and clear, protective mylar windows. The wristband carrier ($17) “securely straps to wrists, forearms, fitness equipment, handle bars, etc. making it great at the club or for outdoor activities.” The belt case ($15) “securely fastens to belts, purses and just about any other strap making it the perfect solution to protect the nano during routine day-to-day activities.”

Escient today announced the availability of its FireBall FP-1 Music Manager with Universal Dock for iPods. The $599 system provides an on-screen user interface for managing and controlling an iPod in the home. “Unlike typical home iPod docks, which offer very limited benefits when the iPod is removed, the FP-1 provides access to a user’s PC- or Mac-based music collection and free Internet radio streams even when the iPod is not docked,” says Escient. “Because the FP-1 is truly an Escient FireBall Music Manager (which uses the iPod for local music storage) it integrates seamlessly with other FireBall products in the home, enabling other connected FireBalls to access and play all of the iPod’s music, including Apple’s FairPlay DRM protected audio files.”

Micromat has released TechTool Protogo, a Mac OS X application that lets a user “easily turn an old iPod, a flash drive or other similar device into a bootable diagnostic tool that contains several of Micromat’s utilities.”

The Wall Street Journal reports that Apple’s internal investigation into backdated stock options focused on two former executives—former CFO Fred Anderson and former general counsel and board secretary Nancy Heinen.

A number of second-generation iPod nano owners are complaining of high-pitched whining or buzzing sounds coming from the players. Owners of all models—2GB, 4GB and 8GB nanos—have reported the noise.

According to a recent survey by Solutions Research Group, an iPod phone could have the “potential to increase Apple’s customer footprint substantially. Currently just over 20% of Americans 12+ (about 50 million) own an Apple product—within 18 months of the introduction of a new iPod phone, Apple’s footprint can increase to over 30%.”

In its quarterly report filed with the SEC last week, Apple disclosed that it is facing a lawsuit over the Nike+iPod Sport Kit. Apple said PhatRat Technology filed a lawsuit in October alleging patent infringement. The company claims Apple’s product is infringing on several patents held by PhatRat, including: U.S. Patent number 6,499,000 entitled “System and Method for Determining Loft Time, Speed, Height and Distance,” U.S. Patent number 6,885,971 entitled “Methods and Systems for Assessing Athletics Performance,” U.S. Patent number 6,963,818 entitled “Mobile Speedometer Systems and Associated Methods,” and U.S. Patent number 7,092,846 entitled “Systems and Methods for Determining Performance Data,” as well as allowed U.S. Patent Application number 11/358,508 entitled “Shoes Employing Monitoring Devices, and Associated Methods.”

Chestnut Hill Sound has introduced George, a new high-end tabletop iPod sound system. George features a built-in iPod dock, an AM/FM radio with bandless tuning, and an alarm clock system. The system has a removable front panel LCD screen that serves as a wireless remote with full iPod functionality, including the ability to browse music on your iPod by artists, albums, songs and playlists. George will be available next week for $549. A charging stands and a consumer-installable, no subscription HD radio tuner will also be sold separately.

Apple has posted an intriguing new welcome message on the home page of Apple.com. The fresh graphic features a backlit Apple logo with the text, “The first 30 years were just the beginning. Welcome to 2007.” While the message could simply be a harmless New Year’s greeting, it will no doubt stir up much anticipation before Apple CEO Steve Jobs’ keynote at next week’s Macworld Expo.

Heading into 2007, the entire staff of iLounge would like to take a moment to thank all of you in our community for this spectacular 2006. The year that’s passed has been full of memorably great moments, and we can’t wait to top them in the year to come.

Happy New Year, and again, thank you from iLounge! The comments thread below is continued from our holiday gift comparison thread - feel free to continue the discussion.

ZoomSystems says that its iPod vending machines have been very successful for the company since launching them last year. Anita Leopold, a Zoom executive, said the company’s first two machines at the Hartsfield-Jackson International Airport in Atlanta have performed especially well. “We’ve done about $55,000 in a month in gross sales just for the one on Concourse A,” she said. Zoom’s Mark Mullins said the company now has machines, which dispense everything from skin-care products to batteries, in more than 300 locations nationwide—but that iPods are the big sellers. “We put in some iPods and found we couldn’t keep them in stock,” he said, “We found no customer resistance to swiping a card and buying a $300 item from a machine. We’re selling thousands (of iPods), and the machines at the Atlanta airport are major contributors to that.”

Digital Lifestyle Outfitters has announced new versions of its Action Jacket in colors to match the second-generation iPod nano. The new Action Jacket for iPod nano is now available in green, blue and pink. The “workout safe” accessory features a protective, cushioned case with secure armband that provides play-through access to the player’s controls. The armband adjusts “to fit any arm size from toothpick to python.” The Action Jacket for iPod nano retails for $30.