News Archive for 06/09/01

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Philips debuts GoGear SA92

09/01, 6:00pm

Philips offers iPod-style music player

Philips today announced its own iPod nano-style digital music player: GoGear SA9200 is a mid-range flash-based music player today that "shows the clear influence of the iPod nano in its slim design," according to Electronista.com. Measuring 0.35 inches thick, the SA9200 places both a data connector and a headphone jack at the bottom of the device to save space. Its screen is a more conventional 1.7-inch LCD in place of the OLED from the SA13335; it also adds photo support, a 14-hour battery life, and a fast-scrolling touchpad interface. Drag-and-drop file transfers have also been replaced with synchronization through Windows Media Player. The 2GB player is expected to ship by the "end of summer" for $200.

iTunes lawsuit settled

09/01, 11:25am

Apple settles iTunes lawsuit

Apple has settled a lawsuit that claims it used designs from another company for its iTunes application. David Contois, owner of Contois Music & Technology, was seeking an injunction against the iTunes Music Store along with unspecified damages and legal fees, saying that Apple took the design of iTunes from his own software. Contois claims he received his patent in 1999, two years before Apple's popular iTunes Music Store launched to the masses. Contois alleged that Apple's "current or future employees" viewed his patented software at the several trade shows, and later duplicated it. Contois formally notified Apple of the patent in September of 2004, but says that Apple knew about the patent as early as January 2003. He filed his lawsuit in June of 2005; in June, both sides were arguing over terminology.

Foxconn workers unionize

09/01, 10:35am

Foxconn ordered to allow worker unions

The Chinese government has ordered a Chinese supplier of Apple's iPod to let its more than 200,000 workers set up a trade union, according to the Associated Press. "Hongfujin Precision Industry Co., which operates Foxconn, is on a list of companies in the southern city of Shenzhen that have been ordered to set up such a union. The new union would be affiliated to the government's All-China Federation of Trade Unions, according to the report. While China does not allow independent labor organizing, it has recently been pushing companies with foreign investors to allow the state-sanctioned labor groups. Many other foreign companies have already allowed such unions to be set up in their China operations, the report says. Earlier this summer, Foxconn was accused of unfair labor practices in its iPod factories; however, an Apple investigation only revealed a few violations of its Code of Conduct for suppliers. Following the investigation, Foxconn's owner filed a defamation lawsuit against two journalists for their followup report on the iPod labor abuses, but later reduced the damages it was seeking.

iPod USB car charger ships

09/01, 8:20am

Sonnet launches iPod USB car charger

Sonnet Technologies today announced a new car charging kit. The new device is compatible with all iPods capable of being charged through USB. A coiled dock connector-to-USB cable adapter is included with the car charging kit, allowing for a flexible cable that can stow away easily. The adapter works with both 12V and 24V (truck) lighter/accessory jacks and features a LED indicator to show when the iPod is charged. Also included in the USB Car Charger is a user-replaceable fuse and power filtering system to protect the iPod. Designed to match as many interiors as possible, Sonnet's new USB Car Charger is a glossy black. Available immediately from Sonnet resellers and Sonnet's online store, the adapter costs $20. [image included]