Microsoft advises against iPod shuffle?

Microsoft's "PlayForSure" has published "six tips for buying an MP3 player with flash memory." The checklist, which offers advice that appears to be geared against iPod's shuffle, advises users to "make sure you're getting all the goodies" -- voice recording, FM recording, and a stopwatch. The report also says "you'll want a display ... this is critical if you want to find that one song or artist you really want to hear." The list emphasizes FM radio: "let a professional make your next playlist ... having an FM radio lets you put your player on autopilot." On the topic of music purchasing, PlayForSure says "don't get locked into one online store ...Having the flexibility to choose from over 1 million tracks of music from multiple online music stores such as MSN Music, Napster, MusicMatch, and Wal-Mart can be the key to getting the music you want."

Sydney private school bans iPods

The teenagers' gadget of choice, the iPod, has been banned by a Sydney private school because they lead to "social isolation." The principal of International Grammar School, Kerrie Murphy, said her decision to ban the devices coincided with the international debate on how "people were not tuning into other people because they're tuned into themselves". She was also worried that students using iPods could not hear teachers, that the iPods put stress on ears when played at high volumes and were a security risk. "They allow students to avoid communication with others and may lead to social isolation or escape from our community," she told parents in a letter last week. Murphy said yesterday that significant numbers of her Ultimo secondary school's 500 students had shown up at the start of new year with iPods. "I think iPods are fantastic, they're brilliant pieces of technology but kids don't need them at school."

Mad Catz ships iKit connector, case bundles for iPod

Mad Catz Interactive today announced its iKit bundles for iPod and iPod mini are now shipping. The iKit bundle contains a high performance RCA cable to connect an iPod to a home stereo, a car adapter with a 6-foot extension cord and an elegant horizontal carry case. The iKit is available for $40: "With a rapidly growing user base already in the tens of millions, the iPod is one of the hottest products launched in the history of consumer electronics, and we are leveraging our capabilities of design, manufacturing and access to the distribution channel to expand our potential market and add new revenue streams for Mad Catz."

PodGear releases clear iPod, iPod mini cases

U.K.-based PodGear today announced the launch of IceBox for the iPod mini and iPod 20 GB. The crystal clear, thin hard case enables iPod users to protect their iPod whilst still being able to "show off it’s iconic looks." The case features a lid that securely holds the iPod inside and gives it protection from every angle, while also offering cutouts to allow easy access to all controls and ports. Both models come with a belt clip and lanyard. IceBox allows full access to dock connector, headphone socket and remote output. Both IceBox models are £20.