News Archive for 05/12/15

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SportWrap for iPod video

12/15, 11:10pm

XtremeMac offers SportWrap for iPod video

XtremeMac has released a new version of its popular SportWrap case that supports all third, fourth, and fifth generation iPods. "Whether you're biking, jogging, walking or working out, SportWrap for iPod makes it easy to take your tunes with you. SportWrap features a moisture-resistant, play-through design and can be comfortably worn on your upper arm or forearm." It features an adjustable Velcro strap that holds the iPod securely in place and an elastic loop keeps excess earbud cord out of the way. Dual openings accommodate the position of the headphone jack on the 3G, 4G iPod and iPod with video. The company has not announced a ship date, but the item is available for pre-order from the company's website for $30.

Griffin responds to DLO

12/15, 6:10pm

Griffin responds to DLO patent lawsuit

Griffin Technology today responded to Digital Lifestyle Outfitter's lawsuit against the company for alleged infringement of patents related the company's RoadTrip FM Transmitter. Griffin says company that DLO's patent is not valid. "We do not believe that the DLO patent is valid, nor that any of our products infringes the patent." Griffin said that it has sued Netalog in 2004 for a declaration to the same effect. Griffin told MacNN that it has filed motions asking that the case be dismissed on those grounds and that the court is currently considering those motions. Griffin also claims that DLO filed the lawsuit while simultaneously and secretly recruiting one of Griffin's senior managers, which the company says is under separate litigation.

Gadget Grips for iPod

12/15, 5:00pm

HandStands launches Gadget Grips for iPod

HandStands today launched Gadget Grips--small pads that attach to an iPod or other device to hold it securely to a car dashboard. Gadget Grips takes advantage of HandStands' patented "Sticky Technology" and is available in nine cut-outs that fit all iPod and mobile phone sizes. The pads are washable, reusable, use no adhesives, and leave no residue when removed, according to the HandStands. Each measures 7 3/8 x 3 x 5/16-inches, and are available for $6 from HandStands.com. The company also recently unveiled its iSnug Nano Armband, which is designed for Apple's iPod nano and features a leather glove that wraps around a Velcro closure to secure the device.

iPod CIO\'s favorite gadget

12/15, 4:45pm

ETrade CIO's favorite gadget is iPod video

Forbes.com's Executive Toy Box interviewed ETrade's vice president and CIO, Greg Framke, about his single favorite gadget. The exec said he favors his 60GB Apple iPod video. "When The Daily Show becomes available for download, I will be an official iPod video junkie," Framke said. "Anyone who owns one will know why." Asked what he would change about the iPod, Framke responded: "Me, improve on Apple's design? I don't think so." The one device he wishes someone would invent is tiny, wireless, high-fidelity bud earphones.

Newspaper podcast no. 1

12/15, 4:25pm

Newspaper podcast tops iTunes chart

Guardian Unlimited's podcast of the Ricky Gervais Show saw 180,000 downloads during its first week online, overtaking Chris Moyle's BBC Radio 1 breakfast show in the U.K. and soaring to number one in the Apple iTunes podcast chart both in the U.S. and the U.K. Gervais and his regular writing partner Stephen Merchant are co-creators of television shows The Office and Extras. Teamed with producer Karl Pilkington, they feature shows with all new material that are similar to their shows on XFM, according to a report from creativematch.co.uk. The three individuals are broadcasting 12 half-hour shows on The Guardian's website, the first of which aired last Monday. Meanwhile, The Telegraph's daily podcast, which launched a month ago, has ranked as high as number seven in the iTunes chart. It consists of actors and journalists themselves reading out a series of articles from each day's newspaper.

HBO interested in deal

12/15, 3:10pm

HBO interested in deal with Apple

HBO's CEO today said the network is hoping to make a deal with Apple Computer at some point to deliver programming to the video iPod, according to a report from Reuters. "I'm very excited by the video iPod," said Chris Albrecht. "At some point, I think we would have some arrangement with them." Apple may have to stand in line, however, as Cingular Wireless reportedly has plans to reveal a multiple year exclusive deal with HBO to send video clips of hit television shows, such as the Sopranos, to mobile phone customers.HBO operates multiple premium networks in the United States, Europe, Asia and Latin America, as well as HBO's many other lines of business.

iShok iPod case debuts

12/15, 2:00pm

iShok protective hard case for iPods

SBS Innovations today debuted its iShok 4G20, a protective case that shields Apple's iPod from accidental damage through a combination of hard plastic and soft rubber. The iShok 4G20 provides wrap-around protection with a removable clickwheel cover that offers optional access to controls. The iShok also features a snap closure, a built-in stand, and a form-fitting shape that protects the device without adding bulk. The iShok 4G20 is available for $30, fitting Apple's fourth-generation 20GB iPod, as well as the 30GB iPod photo and U2 iPod models. The company announced plans to eventually cover the entire iPod series, including the Nano (to be released in March of 2006), fifth-generation models, and iPod Shuffle.

Kenpo jacket for iPod

12/15, 1:25pm

Kenpo jacket with touchpad for iPod ships

Apparel manufacturer Kenpo recently released its Kenpo Jacket for iPod, designed to keep wearers completely "en vogue" and in control of their iPod without fumbling with zippers, gloves or pockets. The coat utilizes a patented smart fabric touchpad technology that transforms sleeves into a five-button electronic control panel, the touch-sensitive fabric creates an easily accessible interface allowing wearers to play, pause, skip tracks and adjust volume. The coat uses ElekTex for its touchpad controls, a five-layer laminate of electrically conductive materials that is lightweight, flexible, durable and washable. The Kenpo Jacket for iPod is available in four men's styles for $275 in department stores, as well as online. The jacket is machine washable, requires no batteries, and is completely self-powered.

iTunes song incentives

12/15, 1:05pm

PayPal offers free iTunes songs

Several companies are once again offering free iTunes songs as promotions or incentives to buy their products or use their services. PayPal, eBay's popular online payment service, is offering 10 free songs with the purchase of any $20 iTunes gift certificate using PayPal or 25 free songs when purchasing a $50 iTunes gift certificate using Paypal. The company says that users must use PayPal to pay for the songs and that their free songs, which must be redeemed by May 31st, will be credited to their account within 24 hours. PayPal's iTunes promotion ends December 31, 2005. Play is also offering 3 free iTunes songs to users who purchase two pairs of Play underwear, which feature a pocket to store your iPod.

Shieldz Collector Series

12/15, 12:45pm

Shieldz Collector cases for iPod shuffle

XtremeMac earlier this week announced the Shieldz Collector Series of cases for the iPod, which combine officially licensed Shieldz Characters with eye-catching artwork to offer durable protection for the iPod shuffle. Versions of the hard plastic case are available featuring Spongebob Squarepants, Star Wars' Darth Vader and Yoda, Batman, and more. "The impact-resistant cases allow you to personalize your iPod shuffle with your favorite pop culture icons while protecting it from nicks and scratches." The comapany says that Shieldz offer play-through access to iPod shuffle’s controls and are compatible with the Apple neck lanyard and the XtremeMac SuperHook. Each Shieldz Characters design will only be available for a limited time for $20. (Not available outside the US.) In addition, the company offers Shieldz Sport cases for the iPod, which feature officially license logos and designs from Major League Baseball, including the New York Yankees, Boston Redsox, and St. Louis Cardinals.

DVD-to-iPod app released

12/15, 11:25am

Super DVD-to-iPod Converter for Windows

Lenogo Software has released Super DVD to iPod Converter for Microsoft Windows, a conversion application which the company claims is the fastest in the world. The software can convert many different kinds of DVD formats to iPod video (mp4), and the conversion speed is significantly faster than real-time converting. A single DVD movie can take approximately 30 minutes to convert on some high-end computers--such as a Pentium 4 running at 2.8GHz. The application supports single-step conversion of DVD video into iPod-ready MPEG-4 format, which reduces the amount of time necessary to complete conversion. Super DVD to iPod Converter is available for $30, and requires Windows 98/Me/NT/2000/XP.

Napster edges iTunes

12/15, 9:05am

iTunes, Napster dominate digital music

A new study from global marketing research firm Ipsos Insight reveals that the battle for mass market consumer awareness remains essentially a two-horse race between Apple’s iTunes and Napster 2.0. The survey found that while that more downloaders recognize the Napster brand, Apple's iTunes was more consistently rated the "The Best" download service. Both services also boast the highest usage levels among all online music services, while iTunes was lauded more often for its integration with the iPod and new comers MTV and MySpace were associated with being "hip" or "cool." Despite the dominance by both companies, Ipsos said that its TEMPO Digital Music Brandscape study also provides encouraging news for other digital music providers, finding that American downloaders are showing significant increases in awareness of a wide variety of digital music services, and only nuanced brand differentiation among them.

DLO sues Belkin

12/15, 8:30am

DLO files patent lawsuit against Belkin

iPod accessory maker Digital Lifestyle Outfitters (DLO) today announced that it has filed a lawsuit against Belkin, following a similar lawsuit against Griffin Technology last year. Filed in the United States District Court for the Middle District of North Carolina, DLO's lawsuit alleges that Belkin has willfully infringed United States Patent No. 6,591,085 (085 Patent), entitled FM Transmitter and Power Supply/Charging Assembly for MP3 Player, by importing, using, offering for sale and selling its product known as the TuneBase FM. Netalogs says it is seeking injunctive relief to prevent Belkin from selling devices violating the patent and monetary damages as well as "enhanced damages for willfulness." The lawsuit is currently in the early stages of discovery.

Apple media portal?

12/15, 12:30am

Taking the iPod craze to the next level

"If Steve Jobs can make the iPod an entertainment hub, Apple will be the company to beat, a feat it could never accomplish with personal computers," writes Adam L. Penenberg for Slate. "Apple will become a force here on the day when the iPod is expressly designed to plug into your television—not to mention your car stereo and broadband network." Penenberg examines ways Apple could become a dominant player in digital video. His idea revolves around a "vast media portal" -- "essentially an Amazon.com for digital downloads." Apple has already sketched out a description for such a portal in numerous trademark applications, including its "Vingle" application. "It can be folly to predict Steve Jobs' next move, but this is one he almost has to make," Penenberg concludes.