News Archive for 06/11/01

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Refurb Shuffles for $29

11/01, 6:00pm

Apple offers $29 refurb iPod shuffles

Apple has dramatically lowered pricing on its refurbished iPod shuffle players following the company's introduction of the smaller second-generation model. Reconditioned first-generation iPod shuffles are available in 512MB and 1GB capacities for $29 and $59, respectively. The portable music players boast a size roughly equal to a pack of gum, and store approximately 120 songs (512MB) or 240 songs (1GB), depending on the model. Refurbished iPod shuffles come standard with a one-year Apple warranty as well as free shipping, and Apple is offering its AppleCare Protection Plan for $59 that extends the 90 day complimentary support and one-year warranty to two years. The Apple Store Canada also lowered its iPod shuffle pricing, with 512MB models available for $33 and 1GB models priced at $69.

iPulse Bear for iPod ships

11/01, 5:10pm

Children's iPulse Bear for iPod ships

Sharper Image has introduced the iPulse Bear, its first child-oriented speaker set for iPod. Covered in either brown or white fur, the bear has a belly pouch with a hidden minijack cable that plugs into an iPod or other small music player, and the company says its design takes advantage of the iPod nano's bottom-mounted headphone jack to expose the main screen. Lights on all four paws light up in time with the rhythm and volume levels of the music produced from built-in speakers. The iPulse Bear is powered by four C-cell batteries, and an optional $10 AC adapter is available for owners who expect the bear to remain still during most listening sessions, according to Electronista. Sharper Image ships the bear for $40.

iTunes MP3s on BlackBerry

11/01, 5:00pm

iTunes MP3s come to BlackBerry 8100

Information Appliance Associates has released pearlTunes, a software utility for BlackBerry Pearl 8100 users that copies and converts non-copy-protected MP3s from Apple's iTunes to the MicroSD memory card on the BlackBerry. The software copies favorite iTunes playlists to the BlackBerry 8100 without requiring user intervention once playlists are selected. "At last, BlackBerry Pearl 8100 users can have the best of both worlds. iTunes in Windows to manage their music album and a BlackBerry Pearl to enjoy the MP3 (non-copy-protected) music from their iTunes playlists." PearlTunes is priced at $10, and requires Microsoft Windows 2000/XP and Apple's iTunes.

iPod shuffles arrive early

11/01, 3:35pm

Briefly: Shuffles arrive early; Quark

Briefly: Apple's new second-generation ("2G") iPod shuffles have begun to arrive early at customers' houses, despite a formal announcement from the company that it won't be available until Friday.... On the heels of the introduction of its new Flash-based QID tool, Quark today announced the appointment of Raymond Schiavone, a veteran software company CEO and former GE executive, as President and Chief Executive Officer and said that President Linda Chase will remain with the company in her ongoing capacity as Senior Vice President of Enterprise Products.... WebAssist today released Dreamweaver Tools for Google, a free Dreamweaver extension for easily integrating Google Checkout, Google Maps and Google Search to any website; it free and compatible with Dreamweaver 8, Dreamweaver MX 2004 and Dreamweaver MX.... MacForce is offering on November 7th a free lunchtime seminar with Apple’s Jim Kantor on Aperture, Apple’s professional photo-management solution... Paperless Technologies announced it will integrate its leading paperless solutions — PT Medical and PT Dental — with MacPractice, the Mac OS X-based practice management programs (but did not provide a timeline).

iSkin 2G Nano protectors

11/01, 3:05pm

iSkin debuts 2G iPod nano protectors

iSkin today debuted its new iPod protectors for the second-generation iPod nano, which are 'inspired by the very product it protects,' according to the company. "Capturing the true essence of the iPod nano, iSkin has created a protector that follows not only the form but the style of the iPod without additional bulk. Adding a mere 1.65 millimeters of all-round protection to the iPod, the iSkin boasts a dual-layer design that combines a front impact-resistant 'Visor' with a premium shock absorbing silicone layer," said iSkin. "Together they seamlessly unite with precision to perfectly encapsulate and protect the iPod nano while enhancing the original beauty of the iPod nano." The new iPod protector features full-frontal protection via the 'Visor,' while a shock absorbing silicone layer helps protect the player's surface with an anti-dust coating. iSkins are due to ship in the coming weeks in 3-packs ($30 each) with three colored silicone protectors, one 'Visor' screen protector, and a RevoClip2 removable rotary belt clip.

Slyder clear 2G Nano case

11/01, 2:55pm

Slyder clear 2G Nano case debuts

Marware and Dr. Bott today launched the Slyder, a clear case for Apple's second-generation iPod nano with a slide-down clickwheel access system and a rotating Dock connector port cover. The Slyder -- which is constructed from polycarbonate into a hard shell exterior-- is designed to combine functionality and protection with a front cover that slides or retracts via the push of a thumb. The iPod's headphone port and hold switch are accessible at all times, and a low-profile adhesive-backed mini clip provides access to all of Marware's Multidapt interchangeable clip system options. The Slyder is available for pre-order at $25.

Zune details revealed

11/01, 2:10pm

Wal-Mart reveals Zune details

Wal-Mart today inadvertently revealed additional details of Microsoft's Zune media player ahead of its official launch, which could increase competition with Apple's iPod. An update to Wal-Mart's pre-order page for the Zune this morning reveals Microsoft's plans to spur business by offering a 14-day trial subscription to its Zune Pass, according to Electronista. The $15 per month service mimics the subscription features of existing stores such as Napster and URGE, and will allow Zune owners to download an unlimited number of songs while their subscription remains active, deleting those songs afterwards if subscription fees are not paid. Microsoft has often cited the Zune Pass as an advantage over the iPod and iTunes, which requires a-la-carte sales for $0.99 a piece.

Exotica leather cases

11/01, 10:50am

Difusi unveils exotica leather cases

Difusi has introduced its exotica European-style cases for iPods and notebooks. The new cases are designed to integrate luxury and technology with a selection of genuine Ostrich, Camel, Snake, Lamb Shearling, and Alligator leather exteriors. Difusi's exotica line features smooth black lambskin interiors, and the company allows users to select custom features prior to the construction of each case. Exotica cases are designed to work with 12 to 17-inch notebooks, with prices ranging between $1,500 and 4,800 depending on materials used and custom features selected. Supported platforms include Apple, Dell, Toshiba, Sony, Acer, HP, Compaq, and Alienware. Exotica cases built for Apple's fifth-generation video iPod, iPod nano, and second-generation iPod nano will ship first in the near future for between $130 and $330, according to Difusi.

iTMS adds spanish TV

11/01, 9:35am

iTMS adds shows from telemundo, mun2

Apple, Telemundo, and mun2 today announced that popular Spanish-language television programming from Telemundo and bilingual programs from its popular Latino youth network, mun2 are available for purchase and download on the iTunes Store. The new content features popular Telemundo programming such as "Pasion de Gavilanes," "El Cuerpo del Deseo" and "Decisiones," as well as mun2 reality content such as "mun2: The Immigration Special." The shows are available for purchase and download for $1.99 each, with more Telemundo content coming to iTunes in the coming months. "We're thrilled to be iTunes' first Hispanic TV property," said Don Browne, President, Telemundo. "Partnerships like these are all about our viewers and following their needs. We can offer our original content to our audience through innovative and hugely popular platforms such as iTunes, which is why we are pioneers in the Spanish-language television and digital media industries."

Apple adds iTunes Latino

11/01, 9:20am

Apple adds iTunes Latino to iTMS

Apple today launched iTunes Latino, a dedicated area within the US iTunes Store featuring top Latin music, music videos, TV shows, audiobooks, and podcasts. iTunes Latino offers hundreds of thousands of Latin and international music tracks, including exclusive tracks and albums available only on iTunes, according to the company. The iTunes Latino area on the iTunes Store is dedicated to Latin and Latin influenced music in many genres including Regional Mexicano, Rock Alternativo, Baladas y Boleros, Pop Latino, Reggaeton and Hip-Hop. "We're thrilled to offer customers their favorite Latin music and video programming with iTunes Latino," said Eddy Cue, Apple's vice president of iTunes. "Latin music has been a huge hit on iTunes and now we're bringing music fans even more of what they love in a dedicated area on the iTunes Store."

Cingular excludes Apple

11/01, 9:10am

Cingular music deal excludes Apple

Cingular is partnering with Napster and Yahoo to launch a new music service on its cellular network, catering to users with mobile phones that also offer music playback capability in a bold move to defy Apple's dominance as the leader of digital music downloads. Previous reports speculated that Cingular might partner with Apple as the Cupertino-based company's highly-anticipated 'iPhone' nears its rumored launch, backed by a trademark filing, various patents, and industry insider tips. Cingular's new service, which is expected to debut as early as tomorrow, will likely spoil any potential agreements between the mobile carrier and the iPod-maker. Cingular in September of 2005 expressed desire to work with Apple to create a music service that would allow users to download songs to their mobile phones, but said it hoped for "slightly higher" pricing on tracks than the iTunes Music Store.

Apple defeats Oricon

11/01, 8:30am

Japan music competitor concedes to Apple

The overwhelming success of Apple's iTunes Music Store in Japan today marked the company's first victim in the PC music download market. Oricon, a publishing company of music hit charts, has withdrawn from Japan's MC music download market as a result of iTunes and the iPod, saying it will instead post links from its website to online music stores while concentrating on music downloads for mobile phones. "The iPod has outrun us all," said Oricon spokesman Teruaki Hidaka. "If iPod users could download music from our site, we may have waited to see if the tide turns from mobile phones to online downloads." Oricon's online store has lost nearly $214,000 each month since its launch in March of 2005, according to a report from News.com, and raising its monthly download volume of 90,000 tracks while earning a profit is impossible in the near future, according to Hidaka.