News Archive for 06/06/30

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iPod delay rumors worry NAND suppliers

06/30, 3:30pm

iPod delay causes ripples?

Some memory makers are beginning to worry about a possible delay in Apple's release of new iPods, which could cause NAND flash to fall. As MacNN reported on Wednesday, one analyst believes that the iPod maker could be planning to delay the launch of iPods up to six months. Apple is the main customer of the world's largest NAND supplier, Samsung Electronics; earlier this year when reports surfaced of slowing growth in iPod nano sales, Apple cut its order of NAND flash. This cut resulted in a sharp decline in NAND prices as the surplus grew. According to DigiTimes, it's not likely that NAND production will be cut until there is official confirmation that iPod releases are delayed.

PodSmith 2.0 comes to Intel Macs

06/30, 1:35pm

PodSmith goes Universal

MAKI Enterprise today released PodSmith 2.0, updating the synchronization application that uses an iPod as a security key. PodSmith 2.0 is completely rewritten, featuring a new user interface, Mount Lock functionality to protect data from unexpected theft or logging, and native support for Intel-based Macs as a Universal Binary. PodSmith encrypts sync data to the iPod, and auto-syncs between a Mac and the digital player while allowing users to temporarily replace Safari's bookmarks with those stored on the iPod. Screen and file locking are accomplished by mounting and unmounting the iPod, while PodSmith optionally disables all applications except those specified. Users can unlock Macs by typing a password in the event that the iPod is stolen or misplaced. PodSmith 2.0 requires Mac OS X 10.3 or later, and is priced at $20.

SkinPod.it offers free printable skins

06/30, 12:10pm

Free printable iPod skins

A new website -- SkinPod.it -- has launched allowing users to download and print iPod skins for free. The site includes a skin gallery featuring various designs for Apple's fourth- and fifth-generation iPod, iPod mini, iPod nano, and iPod shuffle. Visitors register for free with SkinPod.it, choose a skin made for a specific iPod model, save the desired skin, and print it out on a blank piece of adhesive paper. Users then fix the colors if desired, cut out the new skin, clean the iPod, and stick the skin to the digital player.

France approves iTunes DRM law

06/30, 10:25am

iTunes DRM law approved

French lawmakers today gave final approval to legislation that could result in Apple closing down its French iTunes Music Store. France's lower house voted in favor of the copyright bill, marking the final legislative step before the bill becomes law which prevents the success of a last-ditch constitutional challenge filed last week by opposition, according to the Associated Press. Apple first responded to the draft law in late March, calling it "state-sponsored piracy." The U.S. government backed Apple's stance shortly afterward, saying that companies need to protect their intellectual property.