News Archive for 05/05/11

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KeyChainPod for Shuffle

05/11, 6:15pm

KeyChainPod: rigid Shuffle protective case

The KeyChainPod is a protective aluminum case for the iPod shuffle that doubles as a keychain. All the Shuffle's buttons are easily accessed when mounted in the case. To plug the shuffle into a USB port, users simply pull the two halves apart. No tools are required because the halves are held together with magnets. The KeyChainPod greatly increases the iPod shuffle's durability, enabling users to bring their Shuffle skateboarding, rollerblading, mountain biking, snowboarding, skiing, and so on. The manufacturer says KeyChainPod remained intact during a test that involved driving over the KeyChainPod five times with a car. The $35 case is available in red, blue, gold and polished aluminum. Each case weighs 27 grams, equal to the weight of five nickles.

iPod/iTunes dominance

05/11, 1:50pm

Apple dominance not threatened by new services

The recent pull-back in shares of AAPL represents a "buying opportunity" for investors, according to a report published by investment firm Piper Jaffray. Echoing similar sentiments by J.P. Morgan, Piper does not anticipate the marketshare of the iPod will be meaningfully impacted by the emergence of Yahoo! and other music subscription services. In addition, if subscription services become more successful, Senior Research Analyst Gene Munster believes that by year end Apple will introduce its own version of a subscription-based music service. "We have seen over the last 2 years that the success of online music services is driven by compatible devices," explains Munster. "In other words, the risk to Apple is a killer new MP3 player, not a new online music service." The Yahoo! music service will be available for use on the same devices as Napster-To-Go and Rhapsody To Go, but not the iPod.

SanDisk Sansa e100

05/11, 1:40pm

SanDisk ships flash-based Sansa e100 music players

SanDisk has begun shipping its SanDisk Sansa e100 series of small, portable digital music players that use embedded flash memory to store digital music; the players include an SD card slot for additional storage capacity as well. The Sansa e100 line features SRS WOW technology for 3D audio enhancement, support for MP3/WMA formats, a built-in digital radio with 20-presets, a multi-line backlit LCD, and software from RealNetworks' Rhapsody (online digital music service) and AudioFeast (commercial-free digital radio), and Audible. The SanDisk Sansa music players include improved stereo headphones, carrying case with armband, USB 2.0 cable, and AAA Battery. It is available in 512MB ($140) and 1GB ($190) models.

New Speck case for Shuffle

05/11, 1:25pm

'Connect and Protect' debuts for iPod shuffle

Speck Products today announced its newest case for the iPod shuffle. The new case allows users to wear Apple's smallest iPod in four different ways. "Connect and Protect has your Shuffle covered and connected: around your neck, on your bag, keys, pants, tie, dress, scarf... wherever you want it! The rubberized Skin keeps your Shuffle protected- the 4 caps keep it connected." Connect and Protect features a clear main skin with separate lanyard cap, key chain cap, caribiner cap, and pen cap. It is available now for $30 from Speck and will be available soon at most major retailers.

Yahoo not an iTunes threat

05/11, 8:45am

J.P. Morgan: Yahoo Music not a threat to iTunes

J.P. Morgan analyst Bill Shope believes Yahoo's launch of a new subscription music service should put "some pressure on Apple Computer's stock, but feels feels Apple's barriers to entry into the market remain formidable, and Yahoo's new service 'does little to break the tight grip that Apple has on the nascent digital music market with its iPod-iTunes link.'" Shope reiterated his 'overweight' rating on the stock, said the current valuation presents an "attractive buying opportunity," and thinks Apple look to further distance itself from its competition by adding functionality to its iTunes music store, such as video downloads, according to Marketwatch.