iPodResQ offers Nano repair services

iPodResQ announced today it will support and repair the iPod nano in both 2GB or 4GB configurations. The new services are available immediately and are added to the company's extensive line of iPod repairs, offering 24-hour turnaround and nationwide coverage. The flat-rate nano LCD replacement is $100. This includes a custom iBox sent to the customer’s location in the continental U.S. via overnight courier to pickup the nano for overnight delivery back to the iPodResQ service center. Other repairs offer similar shipping arrangements, however prices vary according to type. "We have our pricing in place, our parts in stock, and we are ready for the demand of out-of-warranty repairs."

TuneTech offers iPod backup and music repair options

Prosoft Engineering today released TuneTech, its comprehensive software utility geared toward iPod users. TuneTech repairs lost or damaged music, corrupted data structures, creates an exact copy of iPod contents, permanently deletes unwanted files, and optimizes the file layout of music. Other features include undelete, to recover accidentally deleted music, and duplicate, to make an exact copy of one iPod to another. TuneTech requires Mac OS X 10.3 or later and is available for $60.

Iogear offers Bluetooth Stereo Kit...

IOGEAR today introduced its Bluetooth Stereo Kit, which includes Bluetooth Stereo Headphones and a Bluetooth Audio Adapter for devices such as Apple's iPod. The headset also enables users to place and receive calls from any Bluetooth equipped cell phone. The Bluetooth Stereo Headphones include integrated buttons on the earpiece that control volume and enable start, stop, pause and music track selection modes. The headphones have a built-in rechargeable battery that delivers six hours of continuous use. The company says that users can listen to music, or talk on the phone up to 66 feet away from the selected device. The headphones are designed to be worn behind the neck and fold up to fit in a bag or briefcase. It is available now for $180.

Ars offers iPod nano 'stress test and autopsy'

The 2GB iPod nano displayed amazing resilience to abuse during a stress test by Ars Technica: after throwing the device from a speeding vehicle at up to 50 Mph and running it over twice failed to stop the music from playing (despite its malfunctioning screen), according to the report. Ars finally manages to stop the music by throwing the Nano straight up into the air, roughly 40 feet, and letting it smash onto the concrete. The autopsy reveals "amazing engineering" and the usage of Toshiba flash memory chips rather than Samsung memory. Apple has also apparently moved away from Synaptics for click wheel manufacturing: the click wheel inside the 2GB Nano dissected appears to be designed from scratch, according to the report.

TIME offers "The Nano story", interviews Jobs, Ive

A report in TIME describes the tale of how the iPod nano came to fruition--from its first roots to its debut at Apple's special music event in San Francisco on September 7th. Declaring the device "the absurdly tiny, unbearably sexy successor to the iPod Mini," TIME interviews Steve Jobs of Apple Computer to fill in the gaps about how Apple contrived the Nano. Jonathan Ive, head of Apple's industrial-design department points out all of the things that nobody will ever notice, but that he sacrificed months of his life to achieve certain iPod nano design elements, such as the laser etching of the logo on the back and the click wheel surface being slightly rougher than the rest of the front. Commenting on the challenges to make the Nano reality, Steve Jobs states that "this is probably one of the most aggressive volume ramps in the history of consumer electronics."

iPod It v2.5 adds RSS support to iPod utility

ZappTek today released iPod It v2.5 a free update to the iPod utility for syncing information from your Mac to any iPod. Version 2.5 adds support for RSS feed, revamps iCal support to provide greater control over your calendars (including things like not transferring completed To Do items), improves Mail processing and a number of other enhancements. iPod It supports transferring information from Entourage, Stickies, Mail, Address Book and iCal. In addition, users can even download weather forecasts, news and RSS feeds directly to their iPod. It is available as $15 shareware and requires Mac OS X 10.2 or later.

Fast Icon Studio releases iPod nano collection

The Fast Icon Studio has released a new icon set for use with Mac OS X, Windows XP and Linux. The "iPod nano" collection offers eight freeware icons. As the name implies, this icon collection was inspired by Apple's new ultra-compact digital music player. Recently, Fast Icon Studio released "Toon System", with 31 freeware icons designed in cartoon style. The company also released "Fast Emoticons," a new set of seven Aqua-style icons for use with instant messenger software.

Samsung to offer 16GB memory in 2006

Samsung, which supplies memory for the new iPod nano, will produce 16GB memory units by the end of next year. The company reportedly controls 60 percent of the world's NAND flash memory market. Compared to rivals, Samsung feels it is "six months to one year ahead." The firm has doubled NAND flash memory capacity yearly since introducing a 256-megabit device in 1999, Samsung said. Apple plans to buy as much as 40 percent of Samsung's flash memory output in the second half of this year for its new 4-gigabyte version of the iPod nano.

Green Day case for iPods available at Circuit City

Pacific Design today announced a limited edition, 4th Generation iPod Flip Case designed specifically for fans of Green Day. Available at Circuit City, the ultra-slim Greed Pay iPod carry case fits any fourth-generation iPod. The special edition case is available at Circuit City--both at stores nationwide and from the retailer's website in the iPod accessory category. The case is olive green, black and red Green Day graphic, mimicking their album, according to the release. The $40 package, valued at nearly $60 by the companies, includes fan club stickers, a two free song downloads card, and an in-store coupon for Green Day music. The companies said that 5,000 promotional packages have been designed exclusively for Circuit City.

Tunewear offers new wallet case for iPod nano

Tunewear today announced Tunewallet nano, a business card-sized case for Apple's iPod nano digital music players. Due in October 2005, the Tunewallet nano is made from ultra-high quality genuine leather and features a flip-cover for protection against dirt and scratches. It also includes a card slot inside the flip-cover to fit credit cards, business cards and more. "Best of all, TUNEWALLET nano is small enough and protective enough that you can simply throw it in your bag or pocket and enjoy your music wherever you go without having to worry about your iPod nano getting scratched."

SkinIt.com offers vinyl skins for iPod nano

SkinIt.com today launched a new line of iPod accessories for Apple's recently announced iPod nano: the removable, adhesive backed vinyl skins are manufactured with high quality materials and are precision cut to insure a perfect device fit. Consumers can choose one of over a thousand different designs or upload their own photo or artwork to be transformed into an Apple iPod nano skin. "Once again Apple redefines the meaning of cool with the launch of the iPod nano," said Mike Stemple, Co-Founder of SkinIt, Inc. "With a SkinIt skin on the nano it becomes even cooler." They are available for $10 each, which includes free shipping worldwide. Custom designs are an additional $5.