iLounge

Wired’s Frank Rose has written a feature article providing an inside look at the development of Motorola’s ROKR phone. “Consumers want an iPod phone that will play any song, anytime, anywhere. Just four little problems: the cell carriers, the record labels, the handset makers, and Apple itself. The inside story of why the ROKR went wrong. (And what it will take to make a truly rocking music phone.)”

Eric Benderoff of the Chicago Tribune loves the new iPod: “Apple’s mighty line of iPod digital music players has taken another remarkable evolution, this time introducing brilliant color to display music videos, TV shows and even junior’s first steps. Available this week, the new video iPod is a surprising delight to watch—and, of course, listen to. At 2 inches wide, the screen is slightly wider than on previous iPods and it sparkles in color. Videos have the clarity one would expect from a much larger screen.”

Larry Buhl of Wired News reports: “There’s a widespread notion that pornographers eagerly jump on new technology long before it goes mainstream, but with Apple’s new video-playing iPod, the adult industry is largely staying away. With a couple of exceptions, porno producers are in no hurry to provide stag movies for the iPod, thanks to fears of a public outcry and a government crackdown.”

An ABC executive said this week that the company plans to increase the number of television shows available for viewing on wireless and mobile devices early next year. “We expect our mobile video subscriber business to reach 14 million in 2009, up from about 200,000 today.” Albert Chang, executive vice president of digital media for the Disney ABC Television Group said.