NZ Apple reseller rides the iPod craze

The iPod boom has propelled New Zealand-based Apple distributor Renaissance to records profit and a strong outlook. Shares of the computer distribution and services company jumped 6.6 per cent to a four-year high of $1.30, which is up 30 per cent this year and is just below its record high of $1.35 set in February 2001. Renaissance reported a 36 per cent jump in revenue to $69.5 million for the six months to June 30. Net profit more than doubled to $1.93 million and the company is confident of a strong result for the full year. "We believe that the second half of 2005 will show solid growth and produce another record profit for the group," Renaissance said.

Speakercraft introduces MZC iPod interface kit

Speakercraft today introduced the MZC iPod interface kit, "the first" multi-zone system which can display iPod song information in every room of the house on a high resolution color display. Designed to control all iPod models with a dock connector, the system can display song titles, artists, albums and music genres as well as a user-defined playlist while a scroll wheel and push button allow users to browse through iPod music information. The kit supports up to six iPods and each can be accessed individually as a separate source from any keypad. Users can also control and display information from hard drive music servers, XM/AM/FM radio tuners and other infra-red receiving devices. (Pricing and availability were unavailable.)

Ultimate Ears rolls out Super.fi 3 studio earphones

Ultimate Ears today rolled out its Super.fi 3 studio earphones implementing a proprietary, vented, single-speaker design which has been engineered to deliver full-spectrum sound at low cost. The Super.fi 3 studio earphones utilize a special form factor that securely seals the ear against external noise (26 dB of noise isolation) while combining the deep, "feel-it-in-your-gut" bass of less expensive single-diaphragm devices with the clear midranges of higher-priced single-armature products. While the Super.fi 3 earphones are available for $100, the Super.fi line also offers two premium dual-speaker models with low- and high-frequency speakers in each ear. The $200 Super.fi 5 EB (extended bass) features big bass sound particularly suited for hard rock, hip-hop and rap, with 16dB of noise isolation. The $250 Super.fi 5 Pro has an audio signature that lends itself to all musical genres, greater resistance to outside noise at 26dB of noise isolation, and a smaller and sleeker exterior housing.

More evidence of video iPod?

A Bay-Area media executive claims to know the Taiwanese manufacturer that is currently making an iPod with a screen for video images, according to InsideBayArea. The executive was told by the unnamed company that the product should be out in at least six months. Further evidence surfaced today when Engadget reported that Apple altered its iPod trademark to include image and video files. According to the report, the trademark previously read "portable and handheld digital electronic devices for recording, organizing, transmitting, manipulating, and reviewing text, data, and audio files", but now reads "portable and handheld digital electronic devices for recording, organizing, transmitting, manipulating, and reviewing text, data, audio, image, and video files."

Higher-capacity battery upgrade kit for iPods...

Newer Technology today introduced a new 2200mAh iPod battery replacement kit for first- and second-generation iPods. According to the company, the new 2200mAh battery replacement offers 78 percent more runtime capacity than the original battery shipped by Apple. The $35 installation kit includes installation tools and instructions, while a video installation guide is also available online. With the introduction of the 2200mAh battery, NewerTech is discontinuing its 1800mAh and 2100mAh iPod battery replacements for first- and second-generation iPods. NewerTech is offering the 1800mAh battery upgrade kit for $20 and the 2100mAh battery upgrade kit for $30.