Duke renews iPod program with focus on courses...

Duke University today announced that it will continue its iPods for students program, following a preliminary review of its year-long effort to incorporate iPods into its curriculum. The program, however, will continue in a more targeted manner and the university says it will also explore other educational applications of multimedia technologies. The university’s Center for Instructional Technology (CIT) will coordinate the use and distribution of iPods to students who enroll in a course whose proposed use of iPods is coordinated through CIT. Students who receive an iPod through the program will own the device and be expected to retain it for future use in any other Duke classes using iPods, according to the university.

Tunewear debuts Icewear shuffle case for iPod shuffle

Tunewear today announced a new high-density transparent silicone case, the ICEWEAR shuffle case for the iPod shuffle. It users the same silicone found in diving masks which allows for both scratch protection and a clear view of the iPod's original form. The company says that any ink or pen marks can be removed with the swipe of a hand and that the case can be washed (using soap and water). The ICEWEAR shuffle enables access to all ports, features shock absorbing ribs on each sides, and includes two cap covers--one for the regular USB cap and the other for the USB cap with the lanyard--as well as a removable ball-bearing style chain to prevent users from misplacing the USB cap or lanyard. It will ship at the end of May for $20.