Needham looks at failed HP iPod deal...

It's impossible to place blame for the failure of the Apple-HP partnership to sell iPods, Needham analyst Charles Wolf said in a report today. "HP’s strategy to enhance the iPod with brightly colored paper covers was hardly consistent with the company’s desired image of an innovative company. And despite the opportunity to sell the iPod abroad in markets Apple could not reach, HP appears to have confined its sales to US retailers." Of course, other factors may have also affected the decision to end the partnership. "The relationship between Apple and HP undoubtedly deteriorated when Apple began to expand the iPod’s presence into retail outlets, such as Radio Shack and Wal-Mart, that already stocked HP’s version of the product."

Google missed early Podcasting opportunity

Apple reported more than one million podcast subscriptions shortly after launching a directory of thousands of free podcasts on its iTunes online music store. Roger McNamee, a Silver Lake partner and famed Silicon Valley VC asked "How did Google miss podcasting?" last week during the "Legends in Internet & New Media" gathering, according to the report from Mercury News. "In one day, they won [...] Google whiffed on it."

iPod culture influences advertising strategies

The iPod is influencing the direction of audio advertising, according to a special report by Reuters. Marketers are becoming "purveyors of the content itself," rather than just sponsors of someone else's programing. "iPod has really changed the world for people in terms of them having their own playlists," Burger King marketing chief Russ Klein told Reuters. "We have to earn our way into it." Much like product placements in film and television scripts, music is quickly becoming another stage for advertisers. Traditional commercials may never make it to the iPod, according to the report. "People are using an iPod because they want to choose the music they listen to," said Craig Davis, chief creative officer of WPP, ad agency JWT Worldwide. "To interrupt and intrude on that with advertising would be pretty unwelcome."

iPod revolutionizes music culture, radio

Apple's iPod has not only revolutionized the way we listen to music, but the way we think about it, according to a column in The Detroit News. The iPod has had a dramatic effect on radio as well as other parts of music culture: "Now, individual songs -- the established currency of iPods and MP3 players -- are coveted more than full-length albums. Bulky stereo systems are no longer necessary: Buy a docking station for your iPod/MP3 player, put it on a tiny shelf in your living room, and you're set. It's also led to a new form of communication: podcasting. Businesses and media outlets have figured out that creating the downloadable, radio show-like audio files is a way to communicate with people via their music players. The iPod's influence on radio has been most dramatic. Because studies show that younger listeners are more likely to tune out radio in favor of their iPods and MP3 players, radio programmers are scrambling to imitate the digital menace."

Apple's "halo" still strong despite fears

The iPod "halo" effect is still strong, despite the recent announcement that Apple would switch to the Intel-architecture. eWEEK reports that despite some concerns following the announcement, resellers and analysts have seen continued growth in Mac sales, primarily due to the iPod halo effect, but also to other factors, such as Mac OS X Tiger operating system, "fear of Windows," and delays in the release of Windows Vista. Despite some initial fears, one analyst downplayed the "Osborne effect"--a downturn in sales following a pre-announcement of upcoming products: "The transition isn't an immediate sales problem, but a long-term logistical one.... I would be surprised if the [Intel] transition has any impact on Mac sales in the short term. In fact, the opposite might be the case."

Tatuz announces new iTatus for iPod Shuffle, giveaway

Over the course of the next five weeks, Tatuz will release 5 new iTatu designs, one per week, from award winning graphics designer Andres Conde of Digital Assault. These new iTatu will feature "cutting edge designs and a splash of personality for your iPod shuffle." In addition to the new designs, each week for the next five weeks, Tatuz International will also be giving away one free iTatu with each online order placed via the company’s Web store. "Since our iTatu designs from Digital Assault are very popular with kids, we wanted to bring out a new collection for ‘Back to School’. We believe that this awesome new lineup of designs will be a big hit with kids of all ages." said Brett Casadonte, Co-Founder and General Manager of Tatuz. The first new iTatu, called ‘Mask’, is available immediately and orders placed online will be shipped within 24 hours. Pricing is $3.50 each.

Otterbox announces Waterproof iPod shuffle case

The OtterBox is a waterproof (3ft/1m), dust-, dirt-, sand-, and drop-resistant case for the iPod Shuffle. When used with waterproof headphones users can take their iPod Shuffle swimming, jet skiing, kayaking and more. A flexible rubber button on the front permits use of all shuffle functions while a clear back panel allows visibility of playback position and battery light. A removable neck lanyard for hands-free carrying is included and the external headphone jack is usable with any headphones using a standard mini stereo plug. The OtterBox is available for $30.

TechRestore offers battery upgrades for 4G iPods

TechRestore is now offering a new overnight iPod battery upgrade service for 4th generation ("4G") "click-wheel" iPods and all color screen iPod models. The upgrade service includes the replacement of the standard iPod battery with a TechRestore 1000mAh high-capacity battery with over 50 percent more charging power than the original 4th generation iPod battery and 38 percent more charging power than the original color iPod battery. The TechRestore Overnight iPod Battery Upgrade with 1000mAh iPod Battery is available starting at $70; it includes overnight pickup of users' iPod, same-day installation of the replacement high-capacity iPod battery and return overnight shipping. A self-service 1000mAh upgrade is also available for $30.