Apple 'punishes' Samsung for 'gaffe'...

Apple's penchant for all things secretive may have cost Samsung some business. The EE Times reports that Apple's has "punished" the South Korean semiconductor giant for revealing details about the forthcoming iPod before they authorized it. The report says that an apparent "gaffe" by an executive from Samsung Electronics has cost the South Korean semiconductor giant some of Apple's iPod chip business. The company has since decided to stick with SigmaTel, according to an analyst. "Despite signs that Samsung was taking over the iPod chip business, struggling SigmaTel has managed to hold on to its key chip design within Apple's current — and new — iPod Shuffle MP3 line, said Craig Berger, an analyst with Wedbush Morgan Securities Inc. (Los Angeles)."

Intellicaster podcasting system debuts...

Intelligent Assistance has released Intellicaster, a turnkey automated podcasting system that records TV or radio broadcasters' locally originated programming and publishes it to the Web. Intellicaster is a intelligent hardware/software combination that automatically records specific time intervals -- evening newscasts, morning, or afternoon programming -- that optionally deletes commercials, encodes for podcasting, and uploads/publishes the programming repeatedly on a daily basis. Hardware encoding to iPod format is also available as an option on some configurations. Complete systems, including installation, start at $4500, and all Intellicaster systems include a Mac.

uSport headband for iPod shuffle ships

HeadProng has begun shipping the uSport headband for iPod shuffle. The uSport is a combination of an elastic terry cloth headband and a neoprene iPod shuffle pouch that allows users to wear the music player on the back of the head, keeping the shuffle's earbud cables entirely out of the way during exercise or other physical activity. The uSport headband is available for $25, and ships in either black or white.

Dr. Bott offers i-doll iPod cases

Dr. Bott has announced an exclusive partnership with i-doll, and has already begun offering the company's iPod cases via its website. The i-doll cases are hand stitched by French leather craftsmen, resulting in a minimalist design that closely fits the iPod. Each i-doll case features a metallic spine with an attachment ring on the back, as well as a plexiglas stand to maintain the shape and form of the case. "Dress your iPod (fifth-generation, Nano, or Shuffle) with style, glamour or fun. Over 20 different designs are available from classic luxury leathers to the most modern and original materials (genuine and metallicized python skin, glossy cotton, or fluffy fur). Fashion victims can now protect their iPod in style!" The new i-doll cases are priced from $28-50.