News Archive for 05/12/27

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iJet RF iPod remote

12/27, 5:50pm

iJet wireless RF remote for iPod

Advanced Bridging Technologies has unveiled the iJet wireless RF remote for iPod, which operates an iPod from over 150 feet away. The iJet is designed to function from anywhere in a home or car, with no interference and no line-of-sight necessary. The remote can advance tracks, control volume, fast forward, fast reverse, play, pause, and put the iPod to sleep. The iJet's infrared signal travels through doors, walls, floors, and ceilings, as well as around corners. The device is water resistant, and includes five buttons with nine functions. The package includes the receiver, a universal audio cable for home stereo connectivity, and a belt clip. The iJet wireless RF remote for iPod works with iPod photo, iPod mini, fourth-generation clickwheel iPod, and third-generation iPod (pricing was unavailable).

Five iPod, iTunes hacks

12/27, 4:50pm

Five iPod, iTunes hacks

O'Reilly Digital Media has released five excerpts from the "iPod and iTunes Hacks" book by Hadley Stern that describe various modifications of Apple products. The first hack describes the process of turning an iPod into a universal remote control for televisions and other devices, while the second offers step-by-step instructions on how to permanently install an iPod into a vehicle's center console, as well as how to integrate the iPod with the auto's audio and electrical systems. Further hacks include how to install and run Linux on an iPod, as well as the process of making smart playlists in iTunes. The last hack shows users how to "tame" iTunes with AppleScript.

iKitty for iPod nano

12/27, 4:10pm

Speck rolls out iKitty for Nano

Speck Products today introduced iKitty for iPod nano, the company's third rubberized cat case designed to protect Apple's iPod digital media players. ikitty for Nano stands on four legs, offering access to the iPod controls on the "kitty's tummy." The case features a bendable tail designed to allow users to express iKitty's mood or feelings, and offer "unique cat style." "The size of the nano gave us the opportunity to totally re-design the iKitty product, giving it a much more 'cat-like' appearance," said Tim Hickman, general manager of Speck Products. "iKitty for nano stands on all fours and will be available in two color options, two changes that came directly from consumer requests." The iKitty case for iPod nano is available in white or black for $35.

Podcast bandwagon

12/27, 2:15pm

Companies jump on podcast bandwagon

While a growing number of companies are jumping on the podcast bandwagon, private podcasts and vidcasting are expected to be the next big thing. The Boston Globe says that Podcasting, which gets its name from Apple's iPod, just turned a year old in September and "has already evolved from the playground of hobbyists to a tool of Fortune 500 companies.... Still to be seen is whether Disneyland's recent podcasts will turn out to be part of a short-lived fad or will help lead the way to increasing corporate forays into a new technology for reaching customers, investors, and employees." The report notes the growing use of podcasts by large companies, including Pontiac to launch its new Solstice car, IBM inventor podcasts, Virgin Atlantic's NYC city tours, TV Guide's weekly broadcast, Edmunds.com car reviews, and educational content from Stanford and Harvard.

MP3 player of the year

12/27, 2:05pm

Nano crowned MP3 player of the year

The iPod nano has been crowned the MP3 player of the year by UK's Stuff magazine on gadgets and gear technology. Calling 2005 the "Year of the iPod", Stuff cited the Nano's "iconic mix of style, size and sheer desirability." The tech publication calls 2005 the year that digital music went mainstream, the year that download sales surpassed CD singles, and the year that MP3 players became the year's must-have gadget. Creative and Sony battled to catch Apple, however, it says Apple "stole the budget market" with the debut of the iPod shuffle. In the aftermath Apple released its most popular iPod model, the pencil-thin Nano, which flew off shelves and saw "staggering" demand straight through the holiday shopping frenzy.

Fee-based podcasts coming?

12/27, 1:50pm

Apple to sell podcasts via iTunes?

Apple may begin selling subscriptions to podcasts via its popular iTunes service begining as early next year. Although Apple currently offers a full podcast directory, all of the listed content--from both individuals and growing number of companies--is available for free; however, that may change soon. According to a Macworld UK report, Apple will begin offering fee-based podcasts through iTunes in early 2006. The report draws from a press release from a new company--called What I Want Podcasting--that promises to offer podcasts for sale through iTunes "in the very near future." The company says it will offer live performance footage from the Air Jamaica Jazz and Blues festival which takes place in late January 2006.

OtterBox video iPod case

12/27, 1:35pm

OtterBox debuts case for video iPod

OtterBox today debuted its waterproof case for Apple's video iPod, and announced that it is now accepting pre-orders. The OtterBox iPod case protects the device from accidental scratches, and offers a waterproof housing for the device to a depth of three feet. OtterBox cases are designed to protect iPods against water damage, dust, sand, and drops. A thin membrane protects the iPod clickwheel while retaining full functionality through the case. The OtterBox for iPod video fits both 30GB and 60GB video iPod models, and comes with a lifetime unconditional guarantee. The new cases are expected to begin shipping on January 15th, and are priced at $50.

Class-action lawsuits

12/27, 12:50pm

Sixth lawsuit filed over Nano scratches

Another disgruntled iPod nano owner has filed a class-action lawsuit against Apple over scratches to her the player, according to The Advocate. Apple is apparently attempting to consolidate this and five other similar lawsuits in California, New York and New Jersey. "Emily Mayo of Baton Rouge is taking one of the world's biggest computer makers to court -- over some scratches. Mayo claims the abrasions have snuffed the life from her iPod nano, and is suing Apple Computer in Baton Rouge federal court, alleging its popular petite digital music player's design is knowingly flawed." The class-action lawsuit claims the Nanos scratch excessively with normal usage, rendering their full-color display screens unreadable.

Yahoo streams CBS sitcoms

12/27, 11:40am

Yahoo streams CBS sitcoms

Yahoo today announced that it is streaming two episodes from each of the CBS' comedies "Two and a half men" and "How I met your mother" for free via its website. Pushing the envelope for online video distribution, the move could help lure potential video-viewers to Yahoo rather than the iTunes Music Store. iTunes began offering video content to consumers for $2 per episode with the debut of Apple's fifth-generation video-capable iPod in October and has also been recently offering free videos to attract potential purchasers. In early November CBS revealed that it had been in talks with Apple to offer its content via iTunes after rival network ABC made several hit shows available through the online store.