~Tech Angel~

Get your Macbook Pro in pink

You can get a number of your electronic devices customized by Colorware and the Macbook Pro is one of the latest.  The result is pretty and it will cost you a pretty penny too.  For the 15.4 inch Macbook Pro with 2.0 GHz, 512MB, 80GB hard drive, you will pay a total of $2,649.00 for the laptop along with the new color (the regular price of the MBP is $1999).  $650 seems a little steep, but if you must be different, you have to pay extra.  You also have the choice of sending in your Macbook Pro and having them customize it.

The color in the pic is Cotton Candy.

Technorati Tags: laptops, Macbook Pro

EDGE enabled iPod on the way?

Earlier this month it was revealed that Apple filed for a U.S. Trademark for "Mobile Me" and now recent rumors are swirling around the Internet about the possibility of an EDGE enabled iPod.  Apparently, Apple is hiring quite a few RF engineers with EDGE experience.

Check out the full article from MobileMag.

Technorati Tags: EDGE, iPod, Mobile Me, rumors

External hard drive for the Mac Mini

Need an external hard drive for your Mac Mini?  Princeton Technology has created the PHD-MM series and the drives come in 160GB and 250GB with USB 2.0 or Firewire.  It looks very similar to the Mac Mini and is compatible with Windows computers as well.  Oh yeah....it's a Japanese product.  Check out the Princeton Technology site.

 

via| AkibaLive

Tags: Apple, Mac Mini, computers, hard drives

iPod sales drive Apple's profits to $320 million

Apple announced today that third quarter profits more than quintupled to $320 million, largely attributed to the sales of its extremely popular iPod.  The company sold over 6 million iPods in the third quarter, six times as many as it sold a year ago.

The company has long said that it expects the iPod's popularity to rub off on its desktops and laptops, which together still account for less than 5 percent of all personal computers sold. The hope is that customers who have been introduced to Apple through the music player will reconsider the company's computers. To encourage that, in January Apple released a stripped-down personal computer, the Mac mini, that sells for as little as $499. source: NYTimes

Tags: iPod, Apple, Mac mini, mp3 players, gadgets

Firefox browser already ported to Mactel Platform

Just in case you've been living under a rock, Apple announced last month that they would switch to Intel chips for use in their Macs sometime next year.  It was announced yesterday that with the help of the Mozilla Foundation, the Firefox browser has been ported over to the new "Mactel" platform.

Read more.

Tags: Mac, Intel, Apple, Firefox, browser, Mactel, Mozilla, technology, Internet, online

Steve Jobs calls family of teenager killed for iPod

Steve Jobs, chief executive of Apple, called the family of Christopher Rose, a teenager that was killed this weekend in Brooklyn, NY over an iPod.  The teenager was walking with friends to a bus terminal in order to head to Pennsylvania, where Christopher had been sent to school by his parents so he could thrive in a safer environment.  As many as 12 teenagers attacked the young man and his friends and stabbed Christoper two times in his chest.  The fight originally started after the boys demanded an iPod from the teenager.

Errol Rose, Christopher Rose's father, received a call from Steve Jobs who spoke with the father for several minutes.

"Calling him by his first name, Mr. Jobs asked how Mr. Rose was doing, he said, and conveyed his sympathies. "He told me that he understood my pain," Mr. Rose said. "He told me if there is anything - anything - anything he could do, to not be afraid to call him. It really lightened me a bit."" Source: NYTimes.com

Technorati Tags: iPod, Apple, Steve Jobs, technology, gadgets, Brooklyn, New York, news

Motorola e790 running iTunes?

Engadget has managed to score some pics of a phone running the iTunes software.  Take a look:
Not sure if this Motorola e790 will be the actual iTunes phone or whether it's just a test model running the software.  It supposedly sounds just as good as full-sized iPod!

via| Engadget

Tags: iTunes, iTunes 4.9, Apple, cell phones, iPod, mobile phones, software, entertainment, music, technology, Motorola e790, Motorola

HP adds iPod shuffle to its lineup

Last month, HP added the iPod mini to its HP iPod lineup. This month, they've added both the 512mb ($99.99) and 1gb iPod Shuffle ($129.99). Both iPods are compatible with the Auto-fill feature in Apple's iTunes software.

Tags: HP, iPod, iPod Shuffle, Apple, music, mp3, entertainment, technology

Make your iPod better

Roxio has released The Boom Box:  “five software applets that work seamlessly with iTunes on the Mac to add features and functions we think most iPod owners will appreciate. The bundle includes MusicMagic Mixer, which helps you build better playlists by assessing the mood of a "seed" song and picking songs from your collection that match it. CD SpinDoctor converts your analog music sources into AAC, Apple Lossless, or MP3 digital files. iSpeak It converts text files into spoken audio files.” via| Ziff Davis

Tags: Roxio, iPod, iTunes, Apple, music, software, applets, mp3, aac, technology

iTunes podcast subscriptions reach one million in 2 days

In two days since the release of iTunes 4.9, over one million podcasts have been subscribed to.

“With the release of iTunes 4.9, listeners are voting with their ears,” said Adam Curry, co-founder of the PodShow Podcast Network in the press release. “Subscriptions have dramatically increased across our entire PodShow Podcast Network, and I predict over the coming months that iTunes will introduce tens of millions of new listeners to the world of Podcasting.”

iTunes 4.9 allows users to subscribe and download their favorite podcasts.  Each time a new episode appears for that particular subscription it is downloaded to the computer and synced with their iPod.

Tags: Apple, iTunes, iPod, podcasting, software, iTunes 4.9, technology, entertainment

iPod lines merge

Apple has announced that two of its products will be merging to create a single line of iPods.  The iPod and iPod Photo will be merging to create a line of iPods with color displays that can show artwork, photos, and play slideshows. 

The line will feature a 20GB iPod for $299 and a 60GB model for $399. 

Tags: Apple, iPod, mp3 players, music, iPod Photo, technology, gadgets, entertainment

Macworld...Now Digital.

iTunes 4.9 references compatibility with mobile phones

As expected iTunes 4.9 was released today with support for podcasting.  However, a library file within the software referenced several times compatibility with mobile phones.  With such statements as "Automatically choose songs for my mobile phone" and "The name of my mobile phone is" can only mean on thing.....a mobile phone capable of downloading iTunes is on its way.

via|CNet

Tags: Apple, iTunes, iPod, podcasting, mobile phones, cell phones, mobile, technology, entertainment, software, music

iTunes 4.9 released tomorrow?

Engadget is reporting that iTunes 4.9 may be released tomorrow instead of the rumored date of July 7th. As you know, iTunes 4.9 will support podcasting. There's also some speculation that Apple will be announcing an unnamed "big corporate content partnership".

via| Engadget

Tags: iTunes 4.9, iTunes, podcasting, music, iPod, Apple, software, entertainment, technology

New Trends in cell phone may hurt Apple

Cell phones with the ability to download and play music may jeopardize Apple's future.  This new trend is a direct threat to Apple's most popular product, the iPod.

"Barron's said that while some analysts believe Apple might sell 45 million iPods next year, that pales next to the 750 million or more handsets that might be sold."

Last week, it was reported that Cingular might be selling a Motorola phone that is capable of downloading song's from Apple's iTunes.

Tags: Apple, Cingular, cell phones, iTunes, music, mobile, technology, gadgets, iPods, mp3 players

Cingular may sell iTunes phone

Sources are reporting that Cingular is considering selling a Motorola cell phone that can play music from Apple's iTunes.  The companies are reportedly working out the final details on revenue sharing. 

"Music and wireless companies are betting that mobile phones equipped with digital music players will be a key source of growth in the next few years. Music providers see phones as a new distribution channel and phone makers believe that music player features will boost cellphone sales."

Many network operators are concerned that consumers will not use the network to download songs (less money for them, of course), but just use their computers to transfer songs.  If a deal is worked out between all parties, you may be see this on Cingular as soon as the third quarter of 2005, which is the purported release date of the Motorola phone.

Tags: Cingular, Motorola, Apple, iTunes, wireless, cell phones, mobile, technology, music, gadgets, entertainment

Apple sued over iTunes

Based on recent events, we're used to seeing Apple doing the suing.  Well, Contois Music & Technology has decided to turn the tables.  They are suing Apple over patent infringement related to the iTunes software.  They allege that Apple has permanently damaged the company and are seeking a preliminary and permanent injunction, plus damages. 

According to Contois, Apple employees saw Contois' computer interface for music software at a 1995 Comdex event and said to themselves "That sho is nice...let's make us something like that and call it iTunes".  The company also claims that they gave written notice to Apple in 1994. 

Technorati Tags : Apple, iTunes, iPod, computers, technology, music, software, news, lawsuit

~I really should have become a lawyer.~

Targus iPod case

Looking for a case for your iPod and can't swing the $215 for the Louis Vuitton or Dior case?  Well, Targus will be entering the iPod case market soon with a reasonably priced case ($29.99). 

The Targus Slide case for iPod is a premium leather case that provides both travel convenience and protection for your iPod. Uniquely designed to allow your iPod to face in or out, this case lets you decide whether to show off your iPod or conceal it. For protection, it is constructed of form-fitted leather on a rigid frame that is durable with a sophisticated style. For convenience, the Slide case allows full access to the headphone, remote and dock ports. The Slide case also has a fixed belt clip for hands free ease of use.

Technorati Tags : Apple, iPod, iPod accessories, music, gadgets, cases

Apple beaten to the punch

A company called BadFruit has beaten Apple to the punch with podcasting in iTunes. The company has created a plug-in called "BadApple" that adds podcasting support to the popular Apple software.  Steve Jobs, CEO of Apple, announced only a few weeks ago that version 4.9 of iTunes would add the same support.  Is that a lawsuit I smell in the air?

Direct from the BadFruit website:

After downloading and installing BadApple, you will have a "Podcasts" link you can click on from iTunes. You can use this to browse through categories to find the Podcast you want. Each podcast has a description. Once you locate a podcast you are interested in, double clicking on the podcast will load it to your library. When you plug in your iPod the podcast will be loaded to that depending on your settings. 
BadApple is free software. There is no charge to download the software or use the software.

Alternative to Bose SoundDock

Looking for a cheaper alternative to the Bose SoundDock for your iPod?  You might want to take a look at Altec Lansing's inMotion iM7.  This cylindrical player has two tweeters, two midrange drivers, and a four-inch subwoofer.  It will play any iPod except for the Shuffle and can be powered with 8 D batteries when you need to take it on the road.  Retailing for $249.95, it also has a remote and a video ouptut so you can view your photos from iPod Photo on a TV screen.

~I'm really and truly starting to hate anything that begins with a lowercase i.~

Technorati Tags : iPod, Altec Lansing, Bose SoundDock, Bose, iM7, Shuffle, iPod Photo, music, technology

Some fear Blackberry service could be shut down

A $450 million patent settlement reached between RIM and NTP has begun unraveling.  NTP has indicated that if the settlement cannot be revived, they will plan to file injunctions in the U.S. to prevent RIM from selling Blackberry devices and wireless services.  Considering the fact that 3/4 of RIM's customers are in the United States, this could be devastating for the company.

Companies such as Turner Broadcasting already have a contigency plan in place in case RIM is shut down.  However, even with the contigency plan to move to another wireless email service, employees could be without service for up to three months.  One investment analyst has recommended that owners of RIM stock liquidate their holdings, saying that until the settlement is resolved, investors should park their money elsewhere.  However, many insiders, including the competition, are sympathetic to RIM's plight and do not believe the service will be stopped. 

Read more.

Tags: RIM, Blackberry, wireless, wireless email, patents, NTP, Turner broadcasting, technology, gadgets

Nokia & Apple working on mobile browser

Nokia has been a busy little bee today.  Besides announcing seven new phones, they are working with Apple on a mobile browser for their Series 60 smartphones, despite an earlier deal they signed with Opera.  This new browser will have the same open source components as Apple's Safari browser and will be available during the first half of 2006.

Microsoft's direct attack on iTunes

It seems like everyday another company decides to try and take down one of Apple's products, whether it be the iPod shuffle or the Mac Mini.  Today, it's Microsoft's turn to try and take on iTunes.  Microsoft announced that later this year, they would be adding a new subscription service to their online music store.

"The tentative features of the new service--which is still under development--include advanced community aspects and playlist-sharing. But sources say Microsoft is also considering a more direct attack on Apple, seeking rights from copyright holders to give subscribers a new, Microsoft-formatted version of any song they've purchased from the iTunes store so those songs can be played on devices other than an iPod."

Although the iTunes replacement aspect is unique, it may not occur since it would involve agreements from multiple copyright holders. 

Read more.

Tags: Microsoft, iPod, iTunes, MSN, music, mp3, technology, news, Apple

 

Competition for the iPod Shuffle?

Sony has released a new mp3 player...the Sony NW-E507 Network Walkman.  It's as small as a pack of gum, has a built-in FM tuner, and supposedly has up to an amazing 50 hours of battery life (a mere 3 minute charge can give you an additional three hours of play time)!  The 1GB of built-in memory can store up to 695 songs. 

The display shows song title, track duration, and battery information.  It is compatible with MP3, ATRAC2, and ATRAC3 (they still haven't given up on that yet?) and it supports WMA and WAV.  You can purchase it for $199.95.

~I'm loving the design of this "Walkman" and the 50 hours of battery life and quick charge make this oh so attractive. ~

Tags: Sony, mp3 player, mp3, ATRAC, WMA, WAV, iPod, walkman

Apple releases Quicktime 7 for Windows - HD streaming/playback

Apple has released a preview version of Quicktime 7 for Windows. They're claiming that it is the first mainstream software for H.264 streaming and playback of HD (high-definition) video.

"QuickTime 7 Player can play up to 24 audio channels, including 5.1 and 7.1 surround sound, with new playback controls, including variable playback speed, jog shuttle, so you can adjust the speed at which you search through individual movie frames, and live resizing of the viewer window. It also features zero-configuration streaming for optimum stream quality and new AV controls to adjust audio balance and volume, bass and treble response, brightness, colour, contrast and tint."

You can download the new software here.

 

New Apple OS due - end of 2006, early 2007

Yesterday, Apple announced that this week they expect to hit the two million mark in sales of its latest operating system, Tiger.  Only six weeks since its release, the new OS is breaking records with the number of developers who have signed on to offer support.

It was also announced that Apple would be releasing the fifth major revision of its OS at the end of the 2006, early 2007....right around the time of the release of Microsoft's Longhorn.  The new operating system will be called "Leopard"

via|AppleInsider

Tags: Apple, Tiger, Leopard, computers, operating system, technology, news, Longhorn, Microsoft

Apple to announce deal with Intel

It's pretty much confirmed that Apple will announce tomorrow its deal with Intel to start using their chips in Mac computers starting next year.  After much speculation, this change in strategy will affect Macintosh users due to the adaption of programs to run on Intel x86's chips.

~All eyes will be on this partnership, with some people predicting Apple to suffer negatively.  Insight 64 analyst, Nathan Brookwood, believes that Apple's market share cannot afford another shift in architecture and believes Apple will lose customers and software partners.
Tags: Apple, Intel, Macs, Macintosh, computers, technology, news

Apple stock falls on iPod rumor

Apple's stock fell 5 percent today after an unconfirmed rumor swept across the Internet.  AppleInsider.com stated that sources reported that Apple was sitting on tens of thousands of unsold iPod shuffles and quite a few iPod photos. 

~With only a month left in the fiscal quarter and the highest number of iPod shuffles in inventory since its launch in February, this rumor is probably causing smiles across the faces of all Windows fanatics across the Internet.

Tags: iPod, iPod shuffle, Apple, technology, news

HP adds iPod mini to lineup

HP announced today that they were adding the iPod mini to the lineup of iPods.  It will be available in two sizes: 4 GB and 6GB.

They also unveiled their new HP Printable Tattoos for the iPod from HP.  These tattoos allow consumers to personalize their iPod artwork and designs.

Apple to settle iPod battery claims

Any customer who owns an older iPod that has had battery problems will receive a $50 coupon and extended service warranties under a tenative settlement in a class-action suit.

In 2003, eight iPod owners came forward and filed suit alleging the iPod failed to live up to battery claims.  The battery cost $99 to replace and lasted less than 18 months and could only play for four hours before it needed recharging.  This was contrary to Apple's claims that the battery could last ten hours.

Read more.

Tags: iPod, iPod battery, lawsuit, Apple

Want to carry your iPod in style?

If your have a couple of hundred dollars laying around, you might want to consider some luxury cases for your iPod. 

The Dior Black Tie iPod case - $215.00
15-20GB models

Dior's iconic iPod case is a chic marriage of technology and design. In structured leather with a glossy, line-etched finish. This smaller version neatly carries Apple's 15GB and 20GB models, allowing the cord to pull through one end and securing the case with a double-snap flap on the other end.


Louis Vuitton Monogram iPod case - $215.00

The chicest way to tote your tunes. Crafted in the classic Monogram canvas, this sleek iPod Case features a convenient hole for your headphones cable, and a belt loop at the back.                      

~Who cares if you're paying almost as much for the case as you are for the iPod?  Your iPod needs to be dressed in style!  If you are interested in these lovely cases, head on over to eluxury.com.~

via|UberGizmo

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Tags: iPod, iPod accessories, Dior, Louis Vuitton, iPod cases

Apple iPod Shuffle getting bigger?

Digitimes, a Taiwanese website, has reported that Samsung and Toshiba will be supplying Apple with 8GB flash memory chips, which may potentially pave the way for 2GB and 4GB iPod Shuffles.

Tags: ipod, ipod shuffle, apple, mp3, samsung, toshiba

Apple iPod Shuffle getting bigger?

Digitimes, a Taiwanese website, has reported that Samsung and Toshiba will be supplying Apple with 8GB flash memory chips, which may potentially pave the way for 2GB and 4GB iPod Shuffles.

Tags: ipod, ipod shuffle, apple, mp3, samsung, toshiba

iGuy, a toy for your iPod

Speck Products has announced its latest iPod accessory, the iGuy.  It's a bendable, posable, iPod "toy".  This isn't just a gag...the iGuy offers rubberized protection, docking capability, and scratch resistance for your iPod.
The iGuy will fit 4G and Photo iPods and will retail for $34.95.  You can purchase it online at Speck Products' website.                                       

 

Tags: ipod, apple, iguy

iGuy, a toy for your iPod

Speck Products has announced its latest iPod accessory, the iGuy.  It's a bendable, posable, iPod "toy".  This isn't just a gag...the iGuy offers rubberized protection, docking capability, and scratch resistance for your iPod.
The iGuy will fit 4G and Photo iPods and will retail for $34.95.  You can purchase it online at Speck Products' website.                                       

 

Tags: ipod, apple, iguy

New Version of ml_iPod released.

Version 1.20 of ml_iPod has been released.  New features include:

• Autofill for iPod Shuffles
• Advanced naming of files copied to iPod
• Sync now updates modified songs
• Last played and playcount updated when playing songs via mlipod
• Reads play counts from the iPod Shuffle
• Optionally detect "Fake" iPods
• Switched to a better random number generator for playlist shuffling
• Fixed send-to from playlist (and associated length error)
• Fixed hitting Cancel during a transfer
• Fixed ratings sync
• Fixed ipod size statistics

If you're not familiar with ml_iPod, it is a plugin that allows users to manager their iPod collections in Winamp, synch various iPods with Winamp, create smart playlists, and copy songs from iTunes to your hard drive.  You can download it here.

Tags: iPod, iTunes, mliPod, mp3, winamp

New Version of ml_iPod released.

Version 1.20 of ml_iPod has been released.  New features include:

• Autofill for iPod Shuffles
• Advanced naming of files copied to iPod
• Sync now updates modified songs
• Last played and playcount updated when playing songs via mlipod
• Reads play counts from the iPod Shuffle
• Optionally detect "Fake" iPods
• Switched to a better random number generator for playlist shuffling
• Fixed send-to from playlist (and associated length error)
• Fixed hitting Cancel during a transfer
• Fixed ratings sync
• Fixed ipod size statistics

If you're not familiar with ml_iPod, it is a plugin that allows users to manager their iPod collections in Winamp, synch various iPods with Winamp, create smart playlists, and copy songs from iTunes to your hard drive.  You can download it here.

Tags: iPod, iTunes, mliPod, mp3, winamp

iTunes 4.9 will add support for Podcasts..

Engadget is reporting that iTunes 4.9 will add support for Podcasts,
eliminating the need for third-party programs to get Podcasts. With iTunes
4.9, you will be able to subscribe to different Podcasts, search through a
directory for different feeds, and have them automatically delivered.

Tags: apple, iTunes, podcasts, steve jobs

iTunes 4.9 will add support for Podcasts..

Engadget is reporting that iTunes 4.9 will add support for Podcasts,
eliminating the need for third-party programs to get Podcasts. With iTunes
4.9, you will be able to subscribe to different Podcasts, search through a
directory for different feeds, and have them automatically delivered.

Tags: apple, iTunes, podcasts, steve jobs