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.
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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

If the latest round of touchscreen iPod rumors are true, you may want to revise your holiday wishlist.

Touchscreen iPod rumors have been circulating around the Internet for awhile now. Even MethodShop.com posted some touchscreen iPod patent pictures back in February. The new twist to this story is that the touchscreen iPod might have a wide aspect ratio screen. This would make a lot of sense since Apple recently started selling movies on iTunes.

The new widescreen rumor originated from an anonymous executive at an iPod accessories company who spoke to someone at TrustedReviews. How reliable is this anonymous executive? Your guess is as good as ours. Anyway, here's what Mr. Anonymous had to say:

"In a very matter of fact tone I was told that the product was not designed for the current generation of device, but the official 6G iPod... which is to be released in December. His company's device only comes onto the market shortly before then and would benefit hugely because the new iPod would sport a screen that filled the full side of the device and consequently offer higher resolution video... This is why Jobs isn't afraid of the Zune,' he said, though he had no knowledge of whether wireless would make an appearance."

This might help explain Steve Jobs dismissive attitude last week:

"Jobs is unimpressed with Microsoft's Zune, which allows users to exchange songs. 'It takes forever,' said Jobs. 'By the time you've gone through all that, the girl's got up and left!'"

Adding more fuel to the fire, here's what Gizmodo had to say about the widescreen iPod rumors:

"One thing's for sure, if this widescreen iPod is released in the next two months, the Microsoft Zune with its old-fashioned 4x3 screen and crippled WiFi will be slam-dunked."

digg story | methodshop

Labels: computer, Ipod, mac

According to several police chiefs in the UK, the popularity of the iPod may be behind a 5% increase in robberies. Ian Johnston, chief constable of the British Transport Police had this to say last Friday about the iPod and other valuable gadgets, "The mobile phone explosion is continuing. The iPod explosion is continuing. All of these gadgets that people carry around with them are very attractive to robbers, so that puts the opportunities up. We've obviously got to respond to that..."


Apparently just wearing an iPod in the UK can make you a target for a mugging. If you are extremely worried about being attacked for your iPod, you should consider not using the white earbuds that come with every iPod. White headphones are a dead giveaway to everyone around you that you own an iPod.

Even though overall crime in the UK has dropped, robbery rose by about 5% compared to last year. Violent crime was also slightly up nationwide mostly due to street brawls and pub fights.

In case you are curious, here's the breakdown in recorded crime in the UK compared to last year:

• Drug offences up 16%
• Other offences against the person-with no injury up 6%
• Robbery up 5%
• Criminal damage 0%
• Theft of and from vehicles 0%
• Domestic burglary down 4%
• Other burglary down 5%
• Other thefts and handling down 6%
• More serious violence down 13%
• Other offences against the person-with injury down 4%
• Sexual offences down 6%
• Total recorded crime down 2%

digg story | methodshop

Labels: computer, Ipod, mac

Oops. According to a notice on Apple's technical support site, 1% of Video iPods shipped after September 12 had a little present on their hard drives. It wasn't something good, like free music or movies, but a computer virus called "RavMonE.exe" that spreads via removable media.

Apple's response was the following: "As you might imagine, we are upset at Windows for not being more hardy against such viruses, and even more upset with ourselves for not catching it... So far we have seen less than 25 reports concerning this problem.... and all Video iPods now shipping are virus free."

Mac users can breathe a sigh of relief, the "RavMonE.exe" virus only affects computers running Microsoft's Windows operating system. If you are a PC user who recently purchased a Video iPod, you can detect and remove the virus using an anti-virus software program like Norton AntiVirus. You should also scan any mass storage devices that you have recently attached to your PC such as external hard drives, digital cameras with removable media, and USB flash drives.

Good luck.

digg story | methodshop

Labels: computer, Ipod, mac

If you get a chance, head over to YouTube.com today. The number one video is something called "Internet Killed the Video Star" by the ClipBandits - the world's first YouTube only band.

There are currently only 3 members in ClipBandits - J-Pe$o, Girl Bass Player and ClipBandit. They don't even know each others real names, just their YouTube IDs, and have never met in person. They also live in 3 different states, California, New York and Texas. So how does an Internet only band practice or play gigs together? Easy. They do it all via YouTube. J-Pe$o and Girl Bass Player record their separate parts and upload their clips to YouTube. Then the ClipBandit syncs up their clips on several large video screens in his recording studio and plays his part live. He then uploads the final product to YouTube.



ClipBandits all got started when J-Pe$o uploaded a video to YouTube of a song he wrote during college. Then The ClipBandit saw the video and submitted a video response of himself playing along with J-Pe$o's clip. Several songs later they've added a bass player, are considered the front runner for the Cingular YouTube Underground Band Contest and are looking for a drummer. We wish them luck.

Honors for This Video as of 10/17/06


#1 - Recently Featured - Music - All
#13 - Most Discussed (This Week) - All
#3 - Most Discussed (This Week) - Music - All
#13 - Most Discussed (This Week) - English
#3 - Most Discussed (This Week) - Music - English
#48 - Most Discussed (This Month) - All
#4 - Recently Featured - All
#10 - Most Discussed (This Month) - Music - All
#9 - Most Discussed (This Month) - Music - English
#9 - Most Viewed (This Week) - All
#1 - Most Viewed (This Week) - Music - All
#9 - Most Viewed (This Week) - English
#1 - Most Viewed (This Week) - Music - English
#78 - Most Viewed (This Month) - All
#11 - Most Viewed (This Month) - Music - All
#9 - Most Viewed (This Month) - Music - English
#26 - Top Favorites (This Week) - All
#8 - Top Favorites (This Week) - Music - All
#7 - Top Favorites (This Week) - Music - English
#75 - Top Favorites (This Month) - Music - All

If you want to download any of the ClipBandits videos and convert them for your iPod then check out this tutorial: How to Copy Videos Off YouTube.

digg story | methodshop

Labels: Clipbandits, computer, Ipod, mac, Music

Looks like all the rumors were true. Say hello to the new special edition red iPod Nano.

Bono, Oprah Winfrey and other celebrities have partnered with Apple Computer on a special red-colored iPod Nano to help raise money for a new charity aimed at battling AIDS in Africa called PRODUCT RED.

To help promote the new red iPod, both Oprah and Bono bought 10 red iPods at Apple's retail store in Chicago. The video aired last Friday on "The Oprah Winfrey Show" (video).



Apple has agreed to donate $10 from the sale of each red iPod to the PRODUCT RED charity to help women and children affected by HIV/AIDS in Africa.

The PRODUCT RED charity was created by Bono and Bobby Shriver, Chairman of DATA. They hope to raise awareness and money for The Global Fund by teaming up with the world's most iconic brands to produce PRODUCT RED branded products. Other companies that plan on offering special PRODUCT RED items include the Gap, Converse, Armani, American Express and Motorola.

According to AppleInsider, rumors of a red-colored iPod first surfaced when Bono was overheard at Dublin's Patrick Guilbaud restaurant "discussing a new charity red AmEx card and red iPod."


digg story | methodshop

Labels: computer, Ipod, mac

Jason O'Grady from PowerPage.org found an interesting research report that says the 5th Ave Apple Store is offensive to some Muslims. Why? Apparently the glass cube shape of the Apple Store entrance resembles the Ka'ba in Mecca (see image). The report, which was translated by The Middle East Media Research Institute (MEMRI), also finds problems in people referring to the glass cube as the "Apple Mecca," the store being open 24 hours a day like the Ka'ba, and because "alcoholic beverages" are served inside at a bar.

Obviously the offended Muslims in question have never actually been to the 5th Ave Apple Store. The only bar in the Apple Store is the Genius Bar and although the advice of a Genius Bar employee may be intoxicating, it isn't alcoholic. For those of you unfamiliar with the Apple Genius Bar, it's a booth inside the Apple Store where you can bring your broken iPod or computer and have them take a look at it. There are no alcoholic drinks served at the Genius Bar, just knowledge. The purpose of the Genius Bar must have gotten lost in translation. For the record, Apple Stores do not serve alcohol. People getting drunk and playing with expensive computers and iPods probably isn't a good idea.

As far as building a cube shaped store entrance that's open 24 hours a day.... Apple's 100% guilty of doing that. But can a simple glass cube really be blasphemous? Please write a comment below and share your thoughts.

digg story | methodshop

Labels: computer, Ipod, mac

When music is compressed to fit your iPod, it can lose a bit of its soul. But connect your iPod to a Yamaha RX-V659 Receiver with a Yamaha YDS-10 Universal iPod Dock, and your music will spring back to life.

Features:

• Universal iPod docking station custom designed for select Yamaha home theater receivers
• Plays your iPod's music and video clips through home theater speakers and attached monitor
• Uses receiver's remote control to operate iPod; charges your iPod while in the base
• Works with Yamaha HTR-5960, HTR-5950, RX-V659, and RX-V559 A/V receivers
• Compatible with 4th and 5th generation iPods, iPod minis, and iPod nanos

Yamaha's proprietary Compressed Music Enhancer will bring your stored music close to its original sound quality. And now that XM HD Surround is available on XM Satellite Radio, broadcast music will bring new dimension to your listening. Yamaha's powerful multi-channel surround sound for movies and unique YPAO system calibration means your home theatre will perform like never before. Set your sound free.


Conclusion: YDS-10 Advantages

• Easy connection by one cable
• No need for an additional adaptor
• Looking good and matching for either white and black iPod

read more | digg story | treblemaker.com

Labels: computer, Ipod, mac

Got a broken iPod? If you can't fix it yourself or don't have the money to get it repaired by iPodMods, then you can always rip it apart and make an iPod dock like Andrew Monks. This photo montage on flickr shows how he teared apart his existing iPod dock and jammed it through the screen of his broken 3G iPod.


It's a very clever way to make something useful out of a busted iPod. The folks at Engadget think this might be the "start of a very wonderful, very cannibalistic trend in consumer electronics." It's always nice to breathe new life into an old gadget that you blew a couple hundred bucks on right?

digg story | methodshop

Labels: computer, Ipod, mac

Like to listen to music while you work but find your workplace a little too dangerous and dirty for your fragile little iPod? Bosch, a company more famous for their power tools than stereo equipment just might have the perfect solution for you.

The Bosch Power Box is a feature-rich stereo system that not only sounds great, but has a protective roll cage that keeps it safe in busy commercial and outdoor work environments. When used with the Bosch Power Box iPod Dock (sold separately) you can bring your job sites into the digital music age. The Bosch iPod Dock easily connects to the Power Box where it not only protects your iPod but recharges it too.

The Bosch Power Box and iPod Dock sound like a powerful combo, but let's take a look at all the features of each item and how well they perform together in a busy work environment.

Review: Bosch iPod Power Box

digg story | methodshop

Labels: computer, Ipod, mac

Klipsch's snazzy new iPod speaker, the Klipsch iGroove, has a couple of tricks yet to appear on other brands' compact power speaker systems. First off, it comes with a pair of two-way speakers (woofer and tweeter), whereas most iPod-inspired alternatives rely on a single, small woofer per channel. Within the Klipsch iGroove's compact dimensions, Klipsch engineers installed a stereo pair of 2.5-inch woofers and 1-inch horn-loaded tweeters that focus the treble sound up toward the listening position. A set of volume up/down buttons and an on/off switch are the unit's only controls. The Klipsch iGroove is available in both matte-silver finish and high-gloss black, called the Klipsch iGroove HG.

The Klipsch iGroove comes with a handy mini-remote that adjusts the volume and your iPod's play/pause functions, as well as changes tracks on your playlists. Like the Bose SoundDock, the Klipsch iGroove can accept any iPod with a dock connector. Full-size iPods, including the video-enabled fifth-generation iPod, fit snugly, thanks to an adjustable backrest. An adapter is included for older iPod Mini models, and Klipsch has begun bundling adapters for the iPod Nano as well. If you bought the early versions of the Klipsch iGroove that lack the Nano adapter, just call Klipsch's customer support, who'll ship one to you for free. Don't own an iPod?

No problem--other similar-size MP3 players can use the included J-Cup cradle and loop the provided cable into the headphone jack. In fact, you can plug anything with a headphone or line-out jack into the Klipsch iGroove, even if it doesn't fit the cradle. The speaker runs off the included AC power supply and charges docked iPods as well.

We started our evaluations in earnest with some Simon and Garfunkel's tunes, and the Klipsch iGroove sounded pleasantly natural. Their soaring vocals, the guitars, and the band on the Bridge over Troubled Water album sounded great. The Klipsch iGroove is just 15 inches wide, so stereo separation isn't its strong suit. In small bedrooms or kitchens, the Klipsch iGroove will play reasonably loud, but it's not exactly a party animal. That said, considering its modest dimensions, the Klipsch iGroove generates surprisingly satisfying bass without exaggerated boominess or thickening.

We noted that some tunes elicited a mild buzzing sound between our iPod and the Klipsch iGroove. Most of the time, we were unaware of the noise--it happened on only a limited range of bass notes. After adjusting the Klipsch iGroove's backrest, the buzz disappeared, and the bass noticeably improved. In other words, make sure the iPod has a solid connection with the Klipsch iGroove's dock.

We liked the Klipsch iGroove, but it's nowhere as impressive as the company's three-piece iPod speaker system, the Klipsch iFi Speaker System for iPod . That set features a hunky 8-inch, 200-watt, powered subwoofer and a set of Klipsch's superb two-way, RSX-3 satellite speakers. It takes up a lot more space than the Klipsch iGroove, but it's far and away the best iPod speaker on the market.

Source: CNET

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Labels: computer, Ipod, mac

Planning on attending Apple Expo Paris? Looks like it might be a hot ticket this year. According to ThinkSecret, Apple will use a September 12 media event for Apple Expo Paris to introduce the 2G (second-generation) iPod nano, an updated 5G iPod, movies in the iTunes Store and an upgraded wall-mountable iMac.

Although the "media event" will be held in California near Apple's Cupterino headquarters, it will be fed via satellite to a London location for members of the European press. Apple Expo Paris kicks off September 12, the same day as the media event, and these new products will supposedly be on display at the show.

iPod Nano
What does Apple have in store for the 2G iPod Nano? If ThinkSecrets sources are correct, an increased storage capacity and multiple colors. When Steve Jobs first announced the iPod Nano, he said it would replace the iPod Mini. Now that the Nano comes in multiple colors, the transformation appears complete.


iPod Video
Don't get your hopes up too high for the new 5G iPod. The upgraded iPod will just have bigger hard drive capacities at the same price points. More storage for less money is always nice but this new iPod will probably not be the long-awaited touch-screen iPod. Most people believe that Apple will strategically release a 6G iPod at the same time as Microsoft's new Zune player. Reports of Apple filing for a touch sensitive media player patent first surfaced back in February. If the touch-screen iPod lives up to the rumors, the Zune won't pose much of a threat. The Zune is more of a "catch up" product than a leap forward in advanced consumer technology.


iTunes Movies
Apple is also expected to formally announce their movie store initiative at the September 12 event. Several major studios have reportedly partnered with Apple to sell movies in the iTunes Store. Both iPod and movie announcements were originally suppose to happen in August but were postponed for unknown reasons. Perhaps Wal-Mart's recent efforts to muscle out Apple from the downloadable movie business caused the delay.


New iMac
Details surrounding the new iMac are still a little fuzzy. The new upgraded iMac will probably receive Intel's faster Core 2 Duo processor and a 23-inch screen already used in Apple's line of Cinema Displays. Also rumored, but not confirmed, is the introduction of an iMac mounting kit. You wanted to wall mount your new iMac above your fireplace mantle right?

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Labels: computer, Ipod, mac

Here's a few patent pictures Apple submitted to the US trademark website.

Is the touch sensitive iPod going to be a reality? You be the judge. After seeing these images, I must say it looks like an iPod to me. And with the increasing popularity of tablet PCs, a touch sensitive iPod would be something that would be very plausible. Most people believe that Apple will strategically release a touch-screen 6G iPod at the same time as Microsoft's new Zune player.

However, it is still unclear if we are going to see an Apple tablet, full screen iPod or a combination of both. Nonetheless the multi point touch screen is a major revolution.

Check out the following video to see the possibilities:
http://mrl.nyu.edu/~jhan/ftirtouch/multitouchreel.mpg

Also here's a link to Apple's Patent Appli