News Archive for 05/09/28

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Nanos snatched up

09/28, 3:30pm

Taipei department store sells out of Nanos

The Shin Kong Mitsukoshi Department Store in the Xinyi District of Taipei, Taiwan sold out of iPod nanos. The iPods went on sale at 3:30 p.m. last Sunday morning, after people began forming lines as early as 9:00 a.m. Simon Yang, an analyst at the Topology Research Institute said: "affordable pricing combined with large storage is the main attraction of the gadget. iPod nano is a breakthrough in MP3 players as it comes in such a compact size yet offers huge storage," according to a report from the Taipei Times. Yang said iPod fever is expected to sweep through Taiwan's market over the next two years, driven by the product's exquisite looks, user-friendly interface, mini size and large storage. Hot sales of the iPod may force other similar gadgets that offer only 256MB or 512MB of storage to become entry-level products, according to the report. Unless vendors selling these items slash prices to below NT$1,000 from the current NT$2,000 to appeal to buyers who are price-conscious, they will find it hard to survive, Yang said.

Warner may cut off iTunes

09/28, 2:55pm

Warner says cutting off iTunes maybe necessary

Warner's digital strategy chief says that labels might have no other choice than to cut off Apple's digital music sales, leaving the iTunes Music Store without many of its popular tracks. "What if Jobs says 39 cents or 29 cents per download - what then? The industry can say, OK we'll cut him off - very few people people buy music from digital downloads," said Nash, according to the report from The Register. Digital downloads form a fraction of the music market, and Apple only makes four cents from every 99 cent download, but the company has been using the iTunes Music Store to supplement its wildly popular iPod music player. Earlier this month, Jobs called the music labels "greedy" based on their desire to raise prices on some music and said the move would be detrimental to the industry by pushing consumers back piracy. [corrected]

Nano LCD flaw confirmed

09/28, 11:00am

Apple confirms LCD flaw in "limited" iPod nanos

Apple today confirmed an LCD manufacturing flaw in some of its iPod nanos, while downplaying other complaints about the device's external finish. First noted last week, the news of cracked/broken LCD screens has led to widespread news coverage as well as a new website to track how widespread the problem is and allow customers to share their experiences with Apple's support/return policies. Apple said the issue was very limited and only affects a small number of owners, according to Macworld UK: "This is a real but minor issue involving a vendor quality problem in a small number of units. Our figures show this issue has affected less than 1/10 of 1 per cent of the total iPod nano units that we've shipped. It is not a design issue." Apple is offering free replacement to affected customers. [updated: first published 9/27]

inMotion iM5 for iPod

09/28, 9:55am

Altec ships inMotion iM5 audio dock for iPod

Altec Lansing today began shipping its new inMotion iM5, a travel-friendly mobile audio dock that adds "out-loud listening powers to your iPod anywhere from your bedroom to your hotel room. You get big sound with special bass enhancement in a package small enough to tuck in a backpack or suitcase, plus a variety of updates to the original inMotion product." The iM5 is a sleek pencil box-shaped unit with a striking new design dominated by a silver grille trimmed in iPod white. The 20-oz. portable device offers both AC and battery power (up to 24 hours of battery operation), a headphone jack, and an auxiliary input port on the back of the unit for connecting other devices. The 20-oz device ships for $150 and includes a deluxe carry case.

MP3Band-It armband

09/28, 9:10am

Dr. Bott offers MP3Band-It for iPod nano, shuffle

Dr. Bott today announced that its MP3Band-It for iPod shuffle and nano are available exclusively through its authorized resellers. Designed for use with the iPod shuffle and iPod nano, the MP3Band-It is a simple, lightweight armband designed to securely hold the iPod while on-the-go. The adjustable armband is made of high-quality elastic and Velcro to comfortably fit most arm sizes, providing hands-free flexibility while you move and exercise. MP3Band-It retails for $19 and is available in black and white through Dr. Bott authorized resellers worldwide.

Nanofabric covers

09/28, 8:30am

New thin, protective "nanofabric" iPod slip covers

Wrappers has announced a range of five, ultra-slim, soft protective covers for the iPod. All five covers are made from a new nanofabric designed and manufactured in the U.K. The very high density of nanofabric makes it "almost impenetrable," according to the company. In tests against fabrics four times as thick, nanofabrics proved much more resistant to penetration from a sharp object. A further benefit of nanofabric is that it is very soft to the touch so there is "no chance of a nanofabric scratching your iPod." Wrappers' new nanofabric covers are available for iPod, iPod mini and iPod nano music players. There are five different designs: two single-color designs, a dotted pattern, a chequered design, and a striped style. Prices range from £16 to £20.