EDGE dock and multi flash card reader for iPod

EDGE Tech today began shipping its EDGE dock and multi flash card reader for iPod, providing access to various formats of flash cards while also charging the iPod, playing music via external speakers, and syncing the device with a computer. Offered in "iPod white", the new EDGE dock works with iPod nano, iPod mini, iPod photo, and the original iPod. The device reads all popular flash card formats including xD Picture card, SD Memory cards, MultiMedia (MMC) cards, Memory Stick, Memory Stick PRO, Memory Stick Duo, SmartMedia cards, Type I/II CompactFlash cards, and IBM Microdrive. Connectivity is provided with a USB 2.0 interface for high-speed transfers. The EDGE dock and multi flash card reader is available for $50 before an (additional) mail-in rebate of $10 with a one-year warranty (external speakers are not included).

ezGear ships ezSkin Nano cases for Apple's iPod

ezGear today began shipping its today the ezSkin nano cases for the iPod nano. Made of high quality silicon with an anti-dust coating to reduce dirt and provide a smooth surface, ezSkin nanos have an opening on the top for the hold switch and openings on the bottom provide access to the iPod dock connector and headphone jack. ezSkin nanos cover the iPod's clickwheel with a thin layer of silicon which keeps dirt and scratches out, but provides full touch sensitivity. Each ezSkin comes with a removable neck strap, an integrated removable belt clip, and a clear ezShade screen protector. ezSkins Nanos are available in five stylish colors: Sky Blue, Princess Pink, Lime Green, Onyx Black, and Frost White. The Onyx Case is opaque, while the other 4 cases are semi-transparent. They are available now from retail store and its online website for $25.

Apple donates 50 iPods for teaching-aid research

Apple has donated 50 iPods to Gracemount High School in Scotland, enabling pupils to look at ways that the devices can be used to teach languages, as well as other classes. Whizz-kids at the school have won a prestigious competition to develop the potential of the latest iPods as teaching aids. After a last-minute hitch threatened to put an end to the deal, local MP Nigel Griffiths stepped in to make sure the school received the iPods by persuading Direct Line to provide insurance coverage for the devices so that pupils can take them home to work on the new initiative, according to a report from Scotsman.com. The iPods will arrive at Gracemount High later this month, according to the report.

iPod accessory market booming, no end in sight

iPod owners spend an average of more than $150 on accessories, and the market has exploded to over $2 billion with companies such as Belkin, Speck Products, Kiwali, and many more fuelling the fire. One company even manufactures multi-colored baby jumpers featuring the iPod click wheel on the front, reporting sales of over 1,000 since it launched just a few weeks ago, according to a report from The Buffalo News. Harman International has also sold over half a million iPod accessories since the fall of 2004, according to the report. During the first quarter of this year roughly 500 iPod accessories were on the market, and Apple posted a record 6.2 million iPod shipments in its fiscal third quarter.

iPodMods offers lifetime battery replacement service

iPodMods has begun offering new lifetime battery replacement service for iPod owners. The iPod Platinum Battery Program is available for all iPod owners--including the original iPod 1st generation, 2nd generation, 3rd generation, 4th generation, iPod mini, iPod Shuffle and iPod photo. "Once you purchase the iPod Platinum Battery, we'll replace your battery for as long as you own your iPod (once every 12 months)! Simply purchase the iPod Platinum Battery service and select an installation option (self installation or iPodMods professional installation). Once your iPod has been received, we will install a brand new battery within 48 hours with around 30 percent more power than a factory new battery." Customers can then send the battery back to the company for replacement every 12 months. The $100 service is non-transferable and is only valid for use by the original purchaser of the Service. The company charges charges an additional $10 for each battery replacement following the initial replacement.)

Waterfield debuts new protective case for iPod nano

Waterfield today introduced its iPod nano Case, a protective case for the Apple's new MP3 player. "The slim iPod nano Case weighs next to nothing, and incorporates three layers of protection. The exterior is sturdy Indium nylon which comes in five eye-popping colors, the plastic middle layer provides protection against impact; and the interior layer of cushiony neoprene has a silky liner, making it smooth and easy to slide the iPod nano in and out of the case. An elastic band, cleverly sewn in the back, is for storing the ear buds." It is available for $22 in Blue, Celeste, Checkers, Lead, Taxi. In addition, the company announced that it has re-designed its existing small iPod Gear Pouch and added a padded compartment which hugs the slim iPod nano. The pouch is small enough to hold on the palm of your hand and can fit an iPod nano (with its WaterField case) ear buds, USB power adapter and either an arm band or a power supply, according to the company. The small iPod Gear Pouch ($29) can also still be used with iPod, iPod photo and iPod mini.

SanDisk Sansa m200 rivals iPod nano...

SanDisk today introduced the Sansa m200 series of digital music players. The flash-based device offers capacity ranging from 512MB to 4GB, placing it in direct competition with Apple's iPod nano (and, to a lesser degree, the iPod shuffle). All four models feature the same enclosure, with a small monochrome display for track selection. The 512MB model will sell for $80, while the top-of-the-line 4GB version is $200. The new players support music purchased from Rhapsody To Go , Napster To Go and Yahoo! Music Unlimited. The devices take advantage of the company's new 70-nanometer NAND/MLC 8-gigabit chip technology. The new m200 players can store hundreds of songs and play up to 19 continuous hours on a single AAA battery. The Sansa m200 series is available now in the United States and will be available in Europe by early November.