UC Berkeley offers free podcasts

The University of California, Berkeley today announced "Berkeley on iTunes U," a free service offering a growing number of video and audio course lecture recordings available both on and off campus. "This reinforces the digital bridge to our students, alumni and the world, and allows us to explore new distribution channels," Obadiah Greenberg said, product manager for webcast.berkeley.edu. "It also allows UC Berkeley to broaden what we make available, including video podcasts and other digital material." Courses are fully available to the public without password protection, marking the first time a school has offered all of its "coursecasting" content to the public, according to UCBerkeleyNews. "As a public university, UC Berkeley has a tradition of openness," Greenberg said. "It really speaks to our motto -- 'Fiat Lux,' Let there be light." UC Berkeley joins Stanford University, the University of Michigan's Dental School, Oregon State University, and numerous other schools that already signed similar deals with Apple.

iPod flourishing, gaining market share...

PiperJaffray senior analyst Gene Munster today maintained an "outperform" rating on Apple shares with a price target of $99, following an examination of data from his Amazon Top Seller list ratings. Apple's iPod is flourishing on the lists for portable MP3 players and all electronics, holding all 10 spots in the top 10. The analyst believes that Apple's iPod is still gaining market share, noting the device's recent rise to 77.9 percent in March, up from 76.8 percent in February. "We believe the increase is noteworthy given that the last time we recorded 10 iPods in the Top 10 occurred on September 9th, 2005, prior to the holiday shopping season," Munster noted. The number of Macs in the Top 10 and Top 20 decreased to eight and nine, from nine and 11, respectively. "The eight in the Top 10 remains at the upper end of all observations since we began tracking the Top Sellers," Munster wrote.

Be-ez launches LEmini satchel

Be-ez today began shipping the LEmini satchel, a carrying case for fashion enthusiasts designed to stow multimedia devices, such as Apple's iPod. The satchel is designed to carry everyday items with style and security, due to specially designed pockets. "Here at Be-ez we are dedicated to producing the most fashionable yet intelligent protection for mobile devices. We offer the best available material and design that people on the move will really appreciate. With the holiday season well on its way, one item you need to add to your list is the Be-ez Lemini. This superbly styled bag could provide you with easy access to your passport and airplane tickets, so you don't have to fumble for them desperately in your bulky fully loaded backpack, plus it's roomy enough to carry your digital camera, video recorder, PSP or MP3 Player. You needn't sacrifice style for convenience, when it's all in LEmini, travel could be so easy!" LEmini is available in three different color combinations, each priced at £35.

GelaSkins cases feature over 100 styles

GelaSkins has launched its GelaSkins protective cases for iPod, featuring designs ranging from artistic prints to graffiti style street art. GelaSkins are made from vinyl to guard against scratches and create a personalized look without adding bulk to the iPod. Featuring more than 100 designs spanning across four iPod models, GelaSkins lists contributing artists from Japan, the U.K., Turkey, Spain, France, Canada, and the U.S. GelaSkins are easy to apply with a special textured adhesive technology, which channels air out and prevents the formation of bubbles. The skins remove cleanly after extended use, leaving no residue on the iPod, and each Gelaskin includes a custom fit display protector which also removes cleanly. GelaSkins are priced at $15, and are compatible with iPod Mini, fourth-generation iPod, iPod nano, and iPod video models.