Tvmypod.com offers pre-loaded video iPods

Tvmypod.com today introduced TVMyPod, dealing in brand-new iPods pre-loaded with personally-selected DVDs of choice. TVMyPod offers a selection of nearly 100 television shows from ABC, CBS, NBC, FOX and HBO, as well as over 100 movies, sporting events and concerts. TVMyPod locates a title if it isn't already in stock, then converts the DVDs to iPod format and loads them onto the iPod at no extra charge. iPods are received in their original packaging, along with each of the DVDs purchased. In the future, TVMyPod plans to offer the service of loading existing iPods with DVD collections, and may also offer a subscription service to periodically reload iPods with new DVDs.

Harvard offers CS course as podcast...

Lectures of a Harvard extension class, Computer Science (CS) E-1: "Understanding Computers and the Internet" are now freely available as audio and video podcasts via iTunes. Since lectures have begun podcasting, "Understanding Computers and the Internet" has been featured in iTunes' top 100 podcasts and "New-and-Notable" list. Executive director Donna M. Liu said that she is noticing more and more schools capitalizing on the podcasting trend, with both individual and collective podcasts.

iTunes update disables some iPod shuffles?...

iTunes 6.0.1 appears to disable some iPod shuffles--both the 512MB and 1GB models--seemingly after performing the update. Apple's forum currently harbors many posts from angry Shuffle owners reporting green and orange blinking lights--in many cases with no response from the music player. Apple's System Profiler utility reportedly detects the Shuffle when connected, but numerous customers discovered that iTunes cannot see the player, and in one case five different versions of iPod Updater failed to recognize the device. Users report that that iPod shuffle charges normally, but that they receive messages suggesting that that there isn't enough room on the iPod to store more songs when using the "Autofill" feature--despite the fact that this feature is designed to replace songs outright. Many Shuffle owners are being told by representatives at various stores to send the devices back to Apple, and upon contacting Apple they are told that they must pay the shipping charges.

ezGear debuts ezTrip TransCharger for iPods

ezGear today introduced the ezTrip FM TransCharger for Apple's iPod. The ezTrip TransCharger combines an FM Transmitter and car charger. The TransCharger offers an LCD display, access to all FM frequencies between 87.7 to 107.9 in a small and compact device. It also includes a coiled cable to keep wires neat, and charges your iPod during use. The ezTrip draws its power from the DC socket, which it says provides a stronger signal than other FM transmitters that powered from your iPod as well as reduces interference from local radio stations. The ezTrip FM TransCharger works with all iPods that have a dock connector, including the Nano, video iPod, iPod photo, Mini's etc. It is available now for $50.

Samsung building new flash-memory facility...

Samsung Electronics today signed off on plans to invest $615.4 million to build a new memory-chip production facility to meet rising demand for NAND flash memory--the same memory used in Apple's iPod nano and iPod shuffle digital music players--as well as DRAM. Earlier this month, top executives vowed to more than double sales and obtain top global market share in 20 products by 2010, according to a report from the Associated Press. In mid October Apple dropped a joint investment plan with Samsung worth $3.8 billion that covered flash memory chips used in Apple's music player devices, however Apple backed out of the deal in favor of another chip maker. This month, news surfaced that Samsung was expected to sign a long-term contract with Apple worth several hundred million dollars, and today Apple announced long-term agreements with Hynix, Intel, Micron, Samsung Electronics and Toshiba to secure the supply of NAND flash memory through 2010. [updated]

Interview with Apple designer Jonathan Ive

The Telegraph sat down with Apple chief designer Jonathan Ive for a rare interview with the man credited for the groundbreaking industrial designs of the iMac and iPod. "Our goals are simple. We genuinely try to make the very best product that we can. [...] It's a simple goal to articulate, but a difficult one to achieve," Ive said. He is "fiercely protective of his privacy and details of his lifestyle are scarce," says interviewer David Derbyshire. He lives in a two bedroom house in Twin Peaks with his wife Heather - a writer and historian he met in England. His one concession to luxury appears to be his Aston Martin. Ive complains that many products lack proper design: "It's sad and frustrating that we are surrounded by products that seem to testify to a complete lack of care." Ive enjoys following the latest British music, and says that, "At the end of the day, it's all about the music."

Ford Fusion ad to capitalize on iPod craze

Ford Motor Company is targeting the iPod generation with a new TV spot for the midsize Fusion sedan. The automaker recently launched an aggressive marketing campaign for the new car dubbed "Life in Drive," part of which includes a series of television commercials advocating the car's hip appeal and innovative features, according to Left Lane News. One particular TV spot, called "Particles," caught the attention of several iPod fans because it opens with a young man selecting music on his iPod on a subway train, and later shows him driving a Fusion.

Analyst: iPod needs more video content

Standard & Poor's Equity Research analyst Megan Graham-Hackett reiterated a "hold" rating on Apple stock, but raised the firm's 12-month price target from $56 to $66, following news that TiVo would release software to link its DVR to the iPod, according to Forbes. "In a research report Graham-Hackett said, 'In our view, the video iPod needs expanded content to be a more attractive device.' However, Graham-Hackett noted that the process for converting the TV programming onto the video iPod 'is still a bit complex and may limit demand.' The analyst noted that while Apple trades at a price/sales multiple of 3.9 times, well above peers, 'we believe it can continue to do so with its new product momentum.'"

HiFi-Link for iPod plays through stereo, TV

Xitel today unveiled HiFi-Link for iPod, a docking station that connects iPods to home stereos or televisions while charging the device. HiFi-Link for iPod provides gold-plated line-level RCA outputs with matching studio-grade audio cable, and offers SRS TruBass to enhance the lower frequencies of music. The dock uses composite video output to view videos and photos through any TV, while advanced buffering ensures sharp, crisp pictures without interference. Utilizing the Apple Universal Dock, HiFi-Link for iPod ensures complete compatibility with the fifth-generation video-capable iPod, iPod nano, iPod photo, iPod color, iPod mini, and all future iPod models with Dock Adapter clips. The smart-charging dock ships with a full-sized remote control; batteries for the remote control; a power adapter; a shielded audio cable; an audio adapter cable; a user manual; and five Dock adapter inserts. HiFi-Link for iPod is expected to be available in the U.S. starting in mid-November for $100.

Apple prepays $1.25B for iPod flash memory

Apple today announced that it has reached long-term supply agreements with Hynix, Intel, Micron, Samsung Electronics and Toshiba to secure the supply of NAND flash memory through 2010. As part of these agreements, Apple intends to prepay a total of $1.25 billion for flash memory components during the next three months. "We want to be able to produce as many of our wildly popular iPods as the market demands," said Steve Jobs, Apple's CEO. Earlier this month, reports had emerged indicating that Apple had turned to Hynix to help supply flash-memory for the low-end iPod shuffles, following expected constraints on flash-memory for the holiday season and last week there were reports that Apple may sign a mega-memory deal with Samsung.

Parliant updates PhoneValet Podcast bundle...

Parliant has announced that it will include BIAS Peak Express 5 as part of its PhoneValet Podcast bundle ($250), a product extension of PhoneValet Message Center 3.0. The upgrade to BIAS Peak Express 5 audio filtering and editing software offers PhoneValet customers the abiilty to leverage optimizations for Mac OS X Tiger and also adds audio recording capabilities, support for opening 3GPP files, auto-latency compensation, support for Unicode and file names longer than 32 characters, multi-document recording, improved sample rate conversion, and Load/Save/Bypass buttons for AU plug-ins, etc.. The PhoneValet Podcast bundle also includes VST edition of the highly acclaimed BIAS SoundSoap 2, a high-quality audio noise reduction and restoration software available for Mac OS X.

Speck ships SkinTight 3-packs for video iPods

Speck Products is now shipping its SkinTight 3-packs, new rubberized cases for Apple's video iPods. SkinTight 3-Packs are available in two sizes (for 30GB and 60GB iPods) and are available now from both online and to major retailers nationwide "We've got SkinTights in two sizes, which is a 'first' for Speck," said General Manager Tim Hickman. "They've got the 'docking flap' so you can dock your iPod without removing the case. The back and sides of the case have also got a great grippy feel and texture." Each package ships with one clear, black and blue skin cases and three color-coodinated rubber backed (around the edge) screen protectors. The back and sides of the case feature a great looking 'hump' pattern for a solid grip and a cool texture, according to the company, while Speck's 'docking flap' feature lets you dock your iPod without removing the case. The three-pack is available for $30.

Appeal filed in iPod battery settlement

An appeal in the iPod battery lawsuit settlement may delay the disbursement of benefits by up to a year or more. In August 2005, a judge had approved a settlement in the case alleging that Apple misrepresented the iPod's battery life, offering vouchers, store credits, partial reimbursement of paid services, and more to select owners of first-, second-, and third-generation iPods. Apple, who said it had not filed the appeal, was A new statement on the iPod settlement website reads: "On October 24, 2005, a notice of appeal was filed in the Superior Court of California, County of San Mateo, challenging the approved iPod Settlement. As a result, Settlement benefits will not be provided unless and until the appeal is resolved. This could take an extended period of time (up to a year or more). Until that time, Apple's normal policies are in effect. [However], the appeal does not alter the Important Dates deadlines in any way."

New TiVo software transfers video to iPod...

TiVo users will soon be able to transfer their recorded television content to their video iPods and Sony mobile handhelds. The company today is expected to announce a plan later today, which will let users of its popular digital video recorders download any TV show stored on their TiVo boxes onto iPods. The move will greatly expand the TiVo said it will begin testing the feature over the coming weeks and will make it available in the first quarter of next year to its TiVo Series2 subscribers as part of its TivoToGo feature, which is used by about 300,000 of its total 3.6 million subscribers. TiVo also said it plans to modify its software to let its users download shows to Sony PlayStation Portable mobile game device.