A Japanese company called Solid Alliance is selling an Apple iPod cover that's designed to look like RAW MEAT. It comes in a cellophane-and-Styrofoam package just like meat does. We've reviewed plenty of iPod/iPhone cases before, but this one gets bonus points for originality. I wonder what my dog will think.

iPod... It's what's for dinner?



More info at rakuten.co.jp and therawfeed.com


methodshop

Labels: Ipod

Occasionally an iPod or iPhone may freeze or fail to respond to your commands. This can happen for a number of reasons and does not necessarily indicate a serious problem. Sometimes they just need a restart much like the way your computer needs a reset once in a while.

Tutorial: How to reset a Frozen iPod or iPhone

Restarting an iPod/iPhone is a simple procedure that will not erase any of your music, data files, or customized preferences.


methodshop

Labels: apple, iphone, Ipod

Here it is... video evidence of the new unreleased iPhone 1.1.3 software improvements. The embedded video below is a nice and thorough walk-through of the unreleased iPhone 1.1.3 feature updates hosted by Andru from GearLive.com. Watch it fast before Apple's lawyers take it down.

Anyone still think it's fake?





If the embedded video above doesn't load, then click here.

methodshop

Labels: apple, iphone, Ipod, video

If you weren't the first guy on your block to bring home an iPhone, it looks like you'll get another shot to impress when the iPhone Platinum Edition becomes available next month. Goldstriker International, the fine folks who brought us the 24k gold iPod, will release the Power of Platinum collection in January. But you better act quick, because they are only making 250 of these bad boys.

As you can imagine there is quite a premium to own the world's first Platinum iPhone. Expect to pay about $2230 after the conversion from English Pounds. If the 250 units sell out as quickly as we think they will it's quite possible the phones will fetch a small fortune on eBay or at other auction sites. Keep your eyes on the Goldstriker website ( http://www.goldstriker.co.uk/aboutus.html ) early next month for your chance to buy the Platinum iPhone.

Goldstriker also offers a full line of professionally plated products ranging from laptop computers to keychains. You can also send Goldstriker your current iPod or iPhone and they will adorn the item in the precious metal of your choice. Turnaround is usually a super speedy 48 hours. We'll be interested to see what the always innovative Goldstriker comes up with next. For now we'll just keep on refreshing their website until we can buy the iPhone Platinum.

A PimpWiz Exclusive By Scott Bernstein

Labels: iphone, Ipod, Scott Bernstein

Do you have an iPod that is unresponsive? Occasionally an iPod may freeze or fail to respond to your commands. There are a few things you can do to troubleshoot this.

Here's an email from a MethodShop.com reader about an unresponsive iPod:

"I'm using a 40GB click-wheel iPod in Windows 2k. It is unable to fully boot up. When I turn it on, the Apple symbol comes up and the hard drive sounds like it begins to spin, and then it stops. Occasionally it gets to the folder w/exclamation point screen and then the hard drives stops and then starts again, going back to the apple screen. The iPod update application either doesn't detect the iPod or it freezes my whole computer. I have tried resetting, and since Windows/iPod update don't detect it, I can't restore either (even in disk mode). I have been unable to get the disk scan working." ~ dan

You most likely dropped your iPod or hit it pretty hard. This happened to a friend of mine (Bill) when he threw his backpack on the floor. His iPod was inside the backpack and the jolt from hitting the floor physically damaged the iPod's hard drive.

Unfortunately, if your hard drive is physically damaged, there's only one way to fix it - get it replaced. If your iPod is still under warranty or you purchased extended AppleCare for your iPod, then have Apple replace or repair your iPod. If your iPod is out of warranty, there are several third-party companies that can fix your iPod like these guys.

But before going through the hassle and cost of sending your iPod off to be repaired, try these free iPod troubleshooting tips first. Good luck!

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Labels: Ipod

If you were watching any of the American football games this past Sunday, then you probably saw the new 3rd generation iPod Nano commercial. The ad features the upbeat and catchy song "1234" by Canadian singer/songwriter Leslie Feist.



Here are the lyrics to "1234" used in the iPod Nano ad:

One Two Three Four
Tell me that you love me more
Sleepless long nights
That is what my youth was for

Old teenage hopes are alive at your door
Left you with nothing but they want some more

Oh, you're changing your heart
Oh, You know who you are

You can watch Feist's full video for "1234" here [link] on YouTube or check out her new album "The Reminder" on iTunes. The commercial is no doubt doing wonders for Leslie Feist's name recognition. Everyone is talking about it online (like me).

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Labels: Ipod

Apple unveiled its new line of iPods yesterday including a model with an iPhone-like touchscreen interface and Zune-like WiFi access. The "iPod Touch" sports a 3.5-inch widescreen and a Safari browser, creating a mobile YouTube delivery device that essentially replicates the iPhone browsing experience for non-AT&T subscribers. It's going to run $299 for an 8 GB model and $399 for a 16 GB version, scheduled to ship later this month. You can pre-order the new iPods from Apple.com.

The former Video iPod has been renamed the "iPod Classic" with a slimmer design and a bigger hard drive.

Although the new iPod Touch is very impressive with its Wi-Fi and touch-screen, the fact that it only has a 16GBs sucks big time. I like to keep my current iPod Video full of movies and TV shows that I ripped from DVD for my morning commute. The new smaller hard drive is a major sticking point for me. The reason the new iPods have smaller hard drives is because they are Flash memory based (no moving parts) and are able to withstand an occasional bump or drop better than traditional hard drives.



Apple is also teaming with Starbucks to allow customers to browse a new WiFi iTunes store for free inside of its coffee shops. Go near a Starbucks and an icon pops up. Click on it and you can buy Starbucks' current music selections.

Steve Jobs also announced he was phasing out the entry level iPhone and cutting the price of the upper-end model from $599 to $399.

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Labels: apple, Ipod

UPDATE: YouTube has reworked their site in response to this article. If you get an error when trying to download a YouTube video, please try some of the plug-ins and scripts listed in step #3.

YouTube.com is a great resource. Not many sites allows users to freely upload, view, and share video clips like YouTube does. YouTube even lets users easily post videos on their blogs and personal web sites. But because anyone can upload a video clip on YouTube, copyright violations are rampant.

In an effort to prevent the widespread distribution of illegal copied video files, YouTube encodes its video files in the Macromedia Flash format, which prevents viewers from downloading files and making digital copies.

Here's a step-by-step MethodShop.com tutorial on how to rip video files off YouTube and convert them for an iPod Video, Apple TV, iTunes or iPhone. This trick will work on Mac or PC using Firefox, Safari or Internet Explorer.

BeSocial: digg story | methodshop.com

Labels: iphone, Ipod, video, Youtube

The iPod’s Alarm Clock is nestled among other features like Calendar and Notes under the iPod’s Extras menu. While you may already be familiar with many of the iPod Extras (especially Games), the Alarm Clock is largely an under appreciated feature.

Whether you prefer to be woken by the scream of a rock star or the French horn in a classical symphony, the iPod’s Alarm Clock can help you open your eyes every morning with style!

Tutorial: Waking Up to the iPod Alarm Clock


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Labels: Ipod, tutorial

Start downloading your FREE MP3s today and take two weeks to decide if you like eMusic. If you're not 100% satisfied simply cancel before your trial period ends and you'll never pay a dime. Keep the 75 FREE MP3s as a gift just for checking out eMusic.

eMusic offers a diverse catalog of over 2 million songs from over 13,000 record labels around the world. To help you navigate all this great music, our industry-leading columnists will guide you to musical gems in all of your favorite genres. Or, try our neighbors feature to see what other eMusic subscribers are downloading. eMusic is a discovery service that will change the way you think about music forever!


The Pointswizard.com Spin: HURRY sign up before offer is gone. If you don't like it quit before 2 week trial is up. Load up your iPOD for your next trip.

HURRY sign up before offer is gone. If you don't like it quit before 2 week trial is up. Load up your iPOD for your next trip.


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Labels: Ipod, Music

Thinking about upgrading to Microsoft's new operating system Vista? If you own an iPod, you might want to hold off on Vista... at least for now. Last week, Apple posted a warning on their website stating that customers using Windows Vista may experience compatibility issues with iTunes.

According to Apple, the latest version of iTunes (7.0.2) may work with Windows Vista on many typical PCs, but don't be surprised if it doesn't work and messes up your iPod in the process. Apple advices Windows users to wait and not install Vista until after the next release of iTunes. A new version of iTunes should be released sometime this or next month. If you've already upgraded to Vista and are having problems with iTunes, you might want to check out a utility called iTunes Repair Tool for Vista.

Apple has already identified several Vista compatibility issues with iTunes 7.0.2 and earlier. Here are some of the most common problems:

• iTunes Store purchases may not play when upgrading to Windows Vista from Windows 2000 or XP
  
  
• Cover Flow animation may be slower than expected
  
  
• Contacts and calendars will not sync with iPod
  
  
• iPod models with the “Enable Disk Use” option turned off may be unable to update or restore iPod software, and make changes to iPod settings
  
  
• iPod models configured to Auto Sync and have the “Enable Disk Use” option turned off may require being ejected and reconnected to resync
  
  
• Ejecting an iPod from the Windows System Tray using the “Safely Remove Hardware” feature may corrupt your iPod. To always safely eject an iPod, choose Eject iPod from the Controls menu within iTunes

If you really can't wait to install Vista, Apple suggests you consider the following precautions:

• Users should deauthorize all iTunes Store accounts, enable Disk Use on all iPod models, uninstall iTunes and perform a clean install of Windows Vista (Highly recommended but not required).
  
  
• They should then proceed to reinstall the latest version of iTunes, open iTunes and choose Authorize Computer from the Store menu in iTunes.
  
  
• A customer who has upgraded to Windows Vista and is still experiencing issues playing iTunes Store purchases should download the iTunes Repair Tool from Apple.com

Adam Anderson, a spokesperson for Microsoft's Windows division, said the company did not believe iTunes users "should stop using Vista for these reasons." He also said that Microsoft has a dedicated team working with Apple on getting iTunes running smoothly on Vista, and it will keep at it "until they have the program running to the quality level they're shooting for... We are also committed to ensuring that all partners, including Apple, receive all the resources they need to ensure that their applications work with Windows Vista," he said.

Apple has sold more than 90 million iPods since the product was first announced in October 2001.

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Labels: apple, Ipod, Itunes

On last Thursday's episode of Mad Money, host Jim Cramer selected Apple Computer as his No. 2 growth stock of 2007.

Cramer picked Apple Computer over Microsoft and decided to vent his rage against Microsoft by smashing a new brown Zune with a baseball bat. In case you missed it, the Zune smashing video is now on YouTube.

Although Apple's up more than 175% the last two years and more than 50% since July, Cramer believes Apple Computer will move higher because "picking stocks is not like flipping a coin." There's no balancing out that occurs, he said. Instead, "winners keep winning and "losers keep losing."

Cramer considers Apple a winner that has changed the way people listen to music with the iPod and the iTunes Store. "Not only [Apple] a brand people trust and love, but it is cool... Microsoft's Zune MP3 player will not be able to push past Apple."



Cramer went on to say that there are always bears and short-sellers, but in Apple's case "they are wrong and should get buried... [Apple] has a winning formula, and nothing is going against it."

You can subscribe to the Mad Money "Lightning Round" video podcast in the iTunes Store here: Mad Money w/ Jim Cramer - The Lightning Round

digg story | methodshop

Labels: Ipod, zune

Did you get a lot of DVDs for Christmas? Want to watch them on your iPod? For years, the best DVD ripping program, Handbrake, was only available for Mac. But the unthinkable has happened. Handbrake has been ported for Windows. It's still in the experimental beta stages, but you can download a PC version of Handbrake now.

If you are unfamiliar with Handbrake, it's a GPL'd multiplatform, multithreaded DVD to MPEG-4 ripper/converter. Here's a MethodShop.com tutorial on how to use Handbrake.

Features:

• Can encode directly from DVDs (even encrypted ones) or from VIDEO_TS folders
• Supports AC3, LPCM and MPEG audio tracks
• Outputs MP4, AVI or OGM files
• Outputs AAC, MP3 or Vorbis audio
• Supports 2-pass encoding
• Supports encoding of two audio tracks
• Includes a bitrate calculator
• Supports picture deinterlacing, cropping and scaling

Links:

• Handbrake for Mac
• Handbrake for Windows
• Handbrake tutorial
  

PC users looking for a super DVD-to-iPod easy solution should use DVD Copy by InterVideo.

digg story | methodshop

Labels: dvd, Ipod

The Most Expensive Phones of 2006

Eos Speakers Put a Virtual iPod in Every Room

YouTube allowing direct capture and upload from webcams

DuckSauce Hats officially launched

Gibson's new HD.6X-Pro digital guitar is finally out!

Labels: Clothing, Ipod, Phones, TheDrop, Youtube

Need a reason to switch? Last week there was an article in the Washington Post that highlighted some of the advantages of the Macintosh over the PC.

1. Macs just work. How much time have you spent troubleshooting your PC? Imagine a computer designed by people who hate to waste time as much as you do. Where all the hardware and software just works, and works well together. Plus, Macs don't crash (that often). The Mac is designed to let you spend more time doing the things you love, and less time doing the things you hate. Like restarting. Get a Mac and get your life back.

2. You can make amazing stuff.
Every Mac comes with iLife ’06, a suite of software that transforms your photos, music, and video into all kinds of projects. Make high-quality websites, photo books, DVDs, songs, slideshows, music CDs, calendars, cards, prints, podcasts, music videos, documentaries, and more.

3. Design that turns heads.
You won’t want to hide your Mac in a corner of the den. You’ll want it front and center in your life. The Apple style shows in every detail, from its sculpted surfaces to its gorgeous Mac OS X graphics.

4. 114,000 Viruses? Not on a Mac.
Mac OS X was designed with security in mind. Windows just wasn’t built to bear the onslaught of attacks it suffers every day. A Mac offers a built-in firewall, doesn’t advertise its existence on the Net, and isn’t compromised within an hour of being turned on.

5. Next year’s OS today.
Since Mac OS X engineers aren’t busy damming a flood of viruses, they have the time to think up amazing new technology. Like Dashboard widgets, mini-applications offering a world of capabilities just a keystroke away. Or a built-in RSS news reader.

6. The latest Intel chips.
Intel Core Duo processors put you on the cutting edge. In fact, a Mac with an Intel chip is so fast it surprises even longtime Windows pundits, who keep running benchmarks again and again. Results? Fast. Fast. Yup, still fast.

7. Instant video chats.
Setting up a video chat with the people next door — or across the globe — should be as simple as picking up the phone. On a Mac, you just click an icon to have a four-way video chat in a full-screen window with amazing clarity and special effects.

8. More fun with photos.
On a Mac, you don’t need any extra software to make a photo book. You don’t have to leave your photo software to visit a separate website and wait for forms to load. All you need is a camera and a Mac.

9. One-click websites.
How long does it take to post a photo or video to your blog on a PC? On a Mac, you can shoot a picture or a movie with the built-in camera, then post it on the web in a few clicks. Pontificate, preachify, and publish. The hardest part is coming up with something to say.

10. Amazing podcasts.
Want to get your message out to the world? Podcast it. A Mac makes it simple to create professional podcasts, complete with artwork. Add sound effects and jingles, even use the built-in radio engineer to make it perfect. So you can be a talk star in seconds.

11. Rock star tunemaking.
Musicians get all the girls (or guys). And a Mac has the software to turn you into the musician of your dreams. Choose from hundreds of cool riffs and instruments to create your own songs. Get good enough and you could be on iTunes.

12. Hollywood-style movies.
Connect your DV camera and turn your movies into spectaculars. Add graphics, titles, and sound effects in minutes. Then use your Mac to burn a DVD or post to your website.

13. No hunting for drivers.
Just plug in your stuff. A Mac includes USB drivers for mass storage, digital cameras, input devices, iPod, and more. It can see Bluetooth cell phones and headsets, as well as FireWire cameras. No rebooting.

14. Awesome out of the box.
Other computers include software, it’s true. But once you start using that software, you find that you’re hobbled in some way or another. Software included with the Mac, on the other hand, is critically acclaimed as best in class.

digg story | methodshop

Labels: computer, Ipod, mac

Looking for a creative way to wind up and manage your headphone cables? The Tetran is a cable wrap for iPods and other portable media players that allows users to wind an earphone cable around Tetran's body and use her mouth as an earbud holder. Spikes prevent Tetran from rolling away, and a removable ball-bearing style chain is included for attaching Tetran to a belt loop, cell phone strap, or key ring.

According to Tunewear, the product's manufacturer, Tetran's 23 rubber spikes can also massage neck, hands, and feet. Really? Sounds like fun but I think I might pass on that idea. Call me crazy but I don't really want people massaging their feet with the thing that's used for holding my earphones.

The Tetran Headphone Cable Winder is a cute and colorful way to manage your earbud cables and accent your lifestyle. It's available for $9 from Amazon.com. If the Tetran is a little too cute for you, there's always the cheaper and simpler SmartWrap ($5). The SmartWrap works just like the Tetran, just without the cute spikes. Snap your earphone cord through the top fastener and wrap the length of your cord around the midsection, until you have the desired length.

digg story | methodshop

Labels: computer, Ipod, mac

Still wondering if all the iPhone rumors are true? There has been a trail of clues about the iPhone's existence all over the Internet for over a year now. But many people still remain skeptical. Perhaps the discovery of the iPhone patent application and a recent quote from Kevin Rose will make the skeptics iPhone believers.

First things first... the iPhone patent pictures. If you go to this page on the US Patent & Trademark Office website, you will find a patent filed by Apple Computer for a "portable computing device capable of wireless communications." The mystery device is also defined as a "cell phone" and "media player." Apple filed for the patent on August 7th of this year.

Although the patent page doesn't include any photos of the "iPhone," I was able to find several credible looking patent pictures on MYiPhone.com.

Now let's talk about Kevin Rose. Apparently Mr. Rose, the mastermind behind the mega-popular website Digg.com, has his own "deep throat" informer at Apple HQ. This is what Rose had to say after a couple beers in his Diggnation video podcast.

"I don't know if I should talk about this or not... I have a little bit of inside information on the Apple phone."

Despite his initial reluctance, he did go on to talk about the iPhone. According to Rose, the iPhone will come in 4GB and 8GB versions and will feature a touch screen and a slide-out keyboard. This seems to support the credibility of the patent images from MYiPhone.com. Rose also said the iPhone will be 'carrier independent' and support both GSM and CDMA phone standards. This means just about anyone can use an iPhone. To quote Borat, "Very nice.."

As you can probably tell, Rose was very forthcoming with iPhone details. But in my opinion, the coolest thing Rose said in his video podcast was about the iPhone battery. According to Rose, the iPhone will have two batteries - one for the MP3 player and one for the phone. Personally I've left my iPod on before and killed the battery. I absolutely wouldn't want that to happen to my cell phone. The two battery system should prevent such an occurrence. Excellent idea and kudos to Apple for such a smart and useful feature.

The phone is to (supposedly) be released in January.


digg story | methodshop

Labels: computer, Ipod, mac

The Gentleman's Gift Guide from Luxist

All-chrome BMW outshines rivals

Tutorial: How to Copy Files Off YouTube and Convert them for your Video iPod - Saving Videos from YouTube.com

Headlines & Heroes just dropped a new shirt.

Need more screen real estate? Siemens has this large computer monitor (made from 8 LCDs)

Free Blackberry Pearl(Tmobile) at Amazon.
List Price: $399.99
Price: $49.99 (when purchased with new service plan)
Rebates: $50.00
Price After Rebates: FREE.

Labels: computer, Ipod, mac, TheDrop

The demand for everything iPod is so high that even an iPod accessory was outselling Microsoft's new MP3 media player on Amazon.com. Microsoft's new Zune media player, despite heavy marketing, came in only at No. 75 on Amazon's list of 100 best-selling electronics this week. The Zune was trailing many iPod accessories such as Apple's $29.99 iPod USB power adapter, at No. 65.

But in the time since CBS Marketwatch first reported this story on Monday, the Zune has managed to gain some ground on the iPod charger. Amazon updates their sales ranks hourly but when I last checked this morning the score was 59 to 73 with the Zune in the lead. Apple fanboys will probably be disapointed to hear that the Zune is now outselling iPod chargers but some things just take time, effort, and money. Microsoft has at least one of those.

Pete Mortensen from Wired.com has this to say in his blog about these super selling iPod chargers:

"Apple is dominating digital music in a way that they've never owned a category. And what's funny is that I can't really understand why the Mac never had the same kind of runaway success. The limitations of the iPod are similar to those of the Mac, its closed architecture, cheap clone knock-offs, everything. But for some reason, Windows bowled over Apple, while the iPod continues to get more popular by the day. It's a little wonder."

I wonder if Bill Gates knows that a power cord was beating the latest "iPod Killer" from Microsoft.

digg story | methodshop

Labels: computer, Ipod, mac

Is the arrival of the iPhone, a hybrid mobile phone and iPod music player from Apple Computer, right around the corner?

According to analysts, Apple is rumored to be ready to release the "iPhone" at the January 2007 Macworld conference. "From a technical standpoint, the phone is pretty much done," said American Technology Research analyst Shaw Wu. "It's a big endeavor and we believe it's beyond speculation." Apparently the rumored existence of the iPhone has morphed from a question of "If" to "When."

A trail of clues about the iPhone's existence have been popping up all over the Internet for over a year now:

• In June 2005, the source code of an iTunes update contained multiple references to an Autofill phone playlist function.
  
  
• In March 2006, a source at BenQ, a Taiwanese phone manufacturer confirmed that an Apple product called the iPhone was in the works. Why would BenQ leak info about the iPhone to the media? Sour grapes. Hon Hai Precision, a competitor to BenQ, allegedly won the iPhone contract with Apple.
  
  
• Apple's CFO, Peter Oppenheimer, might have let the 'cat out of the bag' on an Apple analyst 2006 Q3 conference call when he said the following: "As regards cell phones, we don't think that the phones that are available today make the best music players. We think the iPod is. But over time, that is likely to change. And [Apple is] not sitting around doing nothing."

Since Apple's introduction of the iPod five years ago, the company has sold more than 67 million of the devices and more than 1.5 billion songs from its iTunes online music store. We can only speculate what the iPhone will mean for Apple's bottom line. But as a result of all this iPhone hype and rumors, American Technology Research has upgraded Apple stock (AAPL) to a 'buy' and raised the target price to $92 (US).

digg story | methodshop

Click Here For the most up to date Cell Phone Deals!

Labels: computer, Ipod, mac

Do you suspect that your iPod has a hardware problem? The iPod's built-in diagnostic mode is a quick and easy way to determine if you have a "bad" iPod.

How to Turn on iPod Diagnostic Mode

The following procedure will activate the iPod Diagnostic Mode with the following iPods (Photo, Nano, Video, and Mini).

• Turn off the "hold switch"
• Press and hold "Menu" and "Select" buttons simultaneously for 10 seconds to reset the iPod.
• The Apple logo will appear and you should feel the hard drive spinning up. Press and hold both the "Back" and "Select" buttons at the same time.
  
• You will hear an audible chirp sound and the logo should appear backwards. Let go of the "Back" and "Select" buttons. You are now in Diagnostic Mode.

Once your iPod is in Diagnostic Mode, you will be able to run a series of tests. For more info on the types of tests and what they exactly do, check out this MethodShop.com iPod Diagnostic Mode Tutorial.


digg story | methodshop

Labels: computer, Ipod, mac

I guess the Internet video battle between QuickTime, RealPlayer and Windows Media is over. Who won... none of the above. Sites like MySpace and YouTube have made Flash the standard flavor of video on the Internet. Even Microsoft has thrown in the towel. Their news website, MSNBC.com switched over to Flash in October.

It was probably a painful decision for Redmond to admit defeat, but they were losing eyeballs and ad revenue on a daily basis. If you wanted to watch video on MSNBC.com's site, you had to be using Internet Explorer on a PC. But as the Macintosh user base grew (thanks to the iPod) and more and more people started using the FireFox web browser, Microsoft saw their audience start to shrink. Microsoft had to finally face the fact that they needed a cross-platform video player that worked with other web browsers.

Charlie Tillinghast, president and publisher of MSNBC.com, had this to say in a company email "We have been pushing for a player that works on Mac and Firefox for a long time and are eager to see it launch... Some people assume that Microsoft, and by extension MSNBC, are anti-Mac, but it should be noted that Microsoft makes an outstanding version of Office for the Mac, including the Entourage email system. I purchased a new iMac in anticipation of this release and we have several in use at MSNBC itself."

Is it me or did hell just freeze over at Redmond?

digg story | methodshop

Labels: computer, Ipod, mac

The "Popsicle Twins" was an act from "The Gong Show" that caused NBC to cancel the program in 1978. Immediately after the "Popsicle Twins" aired, NBC switchboards were flooded with complaints from irate viewers.

Clip courtesy of and copyright Sony Pictures Television.



If you want to download this clip for your video iPod, check out this tutorial.

youtube | methodshop

Labels: computer, Ipod, mac

I was on Jason D. O'Grady's PowerPage when I saw this article and started cracking up. We've all heard of the iPod's vaunted "clean design," but this is ridiculous.

Apparently someone named Sean bought what he thought was an iPod from Smalldog.com. However after removing the shrink-wrap and opening the box, he instead found inside two bars of soap and a package of cheap batteries.

As you can imagine, Sean was pretty pissed off. I found a write up of how his conversation with a Smalldog customer service rep went on Consumerist.com.

"I picked up the phone and gave Smalldog a call... I was ready to really tear into someone when a supremely polite and nice customer service rep answered the phone. When I told her about my situation (and not too nicely, I might add), she started laughing. For a second I was shocked! I mean, first you screw up, and then you laugh at me!? But the next thing I knew, I started laughing too. She used just the right amount of humor and seriousness in helping me figure out what had happened... She also wanted to know if I took any pictures, saying that she'd love to have a few to show the other people in the office... It was good to see that someone could have a sense of humor and still be incredibly accommodating at the same time."

The big mystery to this story is how was the iPod box shrink-wrapped if it had already been opened? There are two theories.

1. Someone in the iPod factory swapped out the iPod with the soap and batteries before the box got shrink-wrapped.
   
   
2. Someone at UPS or Smalldog might have done a homemade shrink-wrap job. All you need is a roll of plastic and a heated cutting device.

We will probably know exactly what happened, but this tale does have a happy ending. Sean got a replacement iPod. The moral of the story: just because something is shrink-wrapped, doesn't mean it's actually in the box.

digg story | methodshop

Labels: computer, Ipod, mac

Want to be a rebel and break the law in the United Kingdom? It's easy. All you need is an iPod and a CD.

Here's how:

Step 1: Pop a CD into you computer.
Step 2: Import the songs into iTunes.
Step 3: Sync the songs onto your iPod.

Millions of people in the United Kingdom break the law everyday just by using their iPods. Why? The music industry in the UK claims that the illegal practice of coping music onto your iPod costs them hundreds of millions of pounds a year. Anyone else getting a 1998 Napster flashback here?

Apparently the UK music industry is about a decade out of sync with reality. In an effort to help the UK music industry get with the times, ministers in the UK are being urged to relax copyright laws to prevent music fans from facing prosecution for using their iPods. A UK think-tank called the Institute for Public Policy Research (IPPR) has recommended an overhaul of the legislation to allow a "private right to copy" music, and thus stop home users being treated the same as large-scale pirates.

Ian Kearns, deputy director of the IPPR, had this to say on the subject:

"Millions of Britons copy CDs on to their home computers, breaking copyright laws every day. British copyright law is out of date. When it comes to protecting the interests of copyright holders, the emphasis the music industry has put on tackling illegal distribution, and not prosecuting for personal copying, is right. But it is not the industry's job to decide what rights consumers have. That is the job of Government."

The dawn of the digital age of music was initially damaging to the music industry... but only because the industry failed to embrace the change consumers desired. As a result, people turned to illegal file-sharing sites such as Napster to find digital music. However, since the launch of the iTunes Music Store, digital music has proven to be a successful business model and the laws in the UK should be changed to better reflect current times.

Duh!?

digg story | methodshop.com

Labels: computer, Ipod, mac