News Archive for 05/12/12

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Capsule Accessory System

12/12, 8:25pm

Capsule Accessory System for the iPod nano

SwitchEasy today launched the Capsule Accessory System for Apple's iPod nano. The Capsule Accessory System for iPod Nano is a full line of accessories designed for the protection. The base product offering features a duo-toned, custom fitted polycarbonate carrying case made from the ultra-tough GE LEXAN plastic resin with a easily replaceable color lens cap "for everyday fashion needs." The case also features two insert holes which is compatible with third party lanyards and the ever popular telephone handstraps; it is also designed to be a perfect match for third-party necklace headphones. The Capsule product also includes a custom printed reusable touch wheel protector (Stickies) made from static cling plastic and a color-coordinated lanyard. It is available in five colors, Black Amber (Black), Shaved Ice (White/Clear), Red Mama (Red), Tangy Orange (Orange), and Citrus Apple (Green/Yellow) for $20 (€20).

Video distribution hurdles

12/12, 7:20pm

Apple faces hurdles in video distribution

Although speculation abounds about a forthcoming "storage" locker service from Apple, the company may face a few technology and patent hurdles, according to technology pundit Robert X. Cringely: "Apple will be in the business of streaming movies rather than downloading them. Downloading is easy, streaming is hard.... To make streaming of high-bandwidth content as painless as possible, Apple would need the kind of distributed architecture I've been describing at Google.... Maybe Apple is using the Akamai network or its equivalent. Maybe the distribution system leverages peer-to-peer in the same manner as BitTorrent." Apple could also face a few patent hurdles, according to the column. Cringley notes that Burst.com holds nearly 40 video distribution patents, which have already been licensed by Microsoft in 2004 for nearly $60 million dollars.

PopXpress iPod store

12/12, 2:25pm

London's PopXpress iPod store adds vendors

PopXpress--the UK's first chain of Apple iPod and accessory stores--today announced the full list of vendors available in its London store. The store features products from Disruptive Technology, Better Energy Systems, NUMark, Griffin Technology, Koss, and more. "Griffin Technology and their UK distributor A M Micro are proud to have been chosen to supply key iPod products for the new PodExpress stores. We have a long standing relationship with Computer Warehouse and believe PodExpress will offer a fresh and exciting approach to the iPod culture," say Paul Griffin, CEO Griffin Technology and Steve Hawkins, MD of A M Micro. PopXpress is planning to open 12 stores by 2006 in key cities and retail centers across the UK. The popXpress store concept takes a minimalist approach displaying all iPod related accessories in glass cabinets, so customers can understand the look and feel of the products before making a purchase.

iPod searches top 6.6M

12/12, 1:45pm

iPod-related searches top 6.6M in November

Apple's iPod digital music player, predicted by numerous analysts to be one of this holiday's hottest selling gadgets, appears to be winning the hearts of shoppers and those looking for online products and information. A recent survey conducted by comScore found that more than 6.6 million iPod-related searches were conducted during the month of November, more than Microsoft's Xbox 360 console gaming and media center, which saw roughly five million searches in the same time period. Apple has successfully dominated the digital music industry with its portable music players, and that trend shows now signs of slowing as the holidays approach. Recently Apple saw iPod sales skyrocket when online retailer Best Buy reported selling out of both white and black 4GB Nanos, even as the Nano was named Amazon's sixth biggest-selling item. The survey results suggest that Apple's dominance could continue through the end of year, as the company strives to fill demand for its intensely popular portable players through the end of its quarter.

iPod accessory market

12/12, 7:25am

iPod accessory market reaches $300 million

While Apple's iPod continues to be the best selling MP3 player, the iPod accessory market is growing at a faster pace. The $300 million iPod accessory market includes over 1,000 accessores that extend the reach and versatility of the device well beyond its native form as an already impressive mobile music and video player," according to The Boston Globe: "The iPod accessories market has become a powerhouse in its own right, to the tune of more than $300 million annually, and sales of such products are growing faster, on a percentage basis, than the device itself, said Gavin Downey, a director of product management at accessory maker Belkin Corp., in Compton, Calif. In the early days of the iPod, he noted, there was a relatively low ''attach rate" from the unit. For every 15 to 20 iPods sold, one unit of accessories moved. Today, it's almost a one-to-one ratio."