Apple fixes Shuffle's bugs with latest iPod firmware

Apple today posted iPod Updater 2005-09-23, an update to its firmware for the iPod shuffle. Apple says the update offers bug fixes for iPod shuffle. The download, however, includes the latest firmware for all the iPods and is 32MB in size. "iPod Updater 2005-09-23 contains the same software versions as iPod Updater 2005-09-06 for all other iPod models." It supports all languages and requires Mac OS X.

myTune FM provides iPod mount, transmitter, charger

Tekkeon today launched myTune FM, an FM transmitter and car charger for iPod built into a unique cradle that holds an iPod roughly at eye level for easy access. myTune FM includes a USB 2.0 port for downloading music on the go. myTune FM plays music stored on the iPod over the car stereo, and can simultaneously charge the iPod in the car. The device mounts on an air vent, so the iPod is at a good viewing level. Users simply tune to any of the seven pre-set channels on myTune FM to listen to music from iPod directly on the car stereo. LEDs on the front of myPower provide a visual indication of the selected channel. It is compatible with all 3G and 4G iPods, as well as the iPod mini.

Noreve unveils traditional leather case for Nano

Noreve today unveiled a traditional leather case for the iPod nano, and announced a contest that will award one free Nano to the winner. Case features include a firm snap closure, headphone access, power access to charge the device, and a removable belt clip. A raffle will take place on September 30th, and the winner will be announced on the noreve website. Users can sign up signing up for a free account to enter the contest; current members are automatically entered into the drawing. The traditional leather case will be available September 30th in black, white, pink, and baby blue for $40.

TEN to offer complete iPod nano line

TEN Technology, makers of the naviPro eX and naviPod remote, told iPodNN on Thursday that it will soon offer a line of accessories for the iPod nano that use its 30 pin dock connector. Currently, most FM transmitters and remotes use the 9-pin interface found on standard iPods and the outgoing iPod mini. The iPod nano does not feature a standard 9-pin connector. TEN's naviPlay (Bluetooth adaptor and remote) and flexDock (car dock and charger) are already compatible with the Nano, according to the company. "We had already been planning remotes that would work with the 30 pin dock so they would be compatible with all dock connector-equipped iPods, including the nano," said John Lin the company's CEO.

Amzer rolls out five leather cases for iPod nano

Amzer today released five new black leather cases for the iPod nano, hot on the heels of the 10 popular "Nanowraps" that rolled out last week. New leather models include: "Horizontal Encased", a side-loading Nano case with metal closures; "Bifold Leather Encased", a wallet-style case to provide complete cover protection; "Nano Thong", showing off the Nano in a black leather thong; "Nano Jacket", a fitted black leather jacket; "Nano Jacket with Trim", adding "pizzazz" to the Nano Jacket with trimmed hand stitching detail. All five cases are available for $35. Nano wraps come in a variety of colors and designs ranging from "solid state orange" to "flower power". "Wraps" are easily removable, washable, and will never fade, smudge, or smear. Nano wraps are available for $30 from ipodstreet.com.

Margins on iPod nano could be as high as 50 percent...

Market research firm iSuppli says that Apple's margins on the iPod nano could be as high as 50 percent, making the extremely thin player as profitable as earlier models of the iPod. The company broke down the 2GB version of the $200 iPod nano and found that it costs Apple just over $90 in materials to build the unit and $8 to assemble it. That leaves a profit margin--before marketing and distribution costs--of about 50 percent, according to a report quoted by BusinessWeek. The analysis also found that Portoal Player supplies the audio chips--much like all previous iPod generations except the Shuffle and that San Jose, Calif-based Cypress Semiconductor was the component supplier for clickwheel technology --at the expense of Synaptics, which powered most of the previous iPod generations.