February 2005 Archives
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February 28, 2005
Ashampoo software accessory thriving
A novel iPod software accessory is proving exceptionally popular with online shoppers allowing them to manage and extract audio files from CD onto their Apple iPods.
Ashampoo CD2iPod was officially released at the start of this month but is only now drawing in any real notable interest.
The software accessory is an online personal control centre and has been praised by various analysts for easing the process of transferring music without the need for additional plug-ins.
The program runs at a superior speed to its competitors due to the considerably smaller files used and offers a normalisation function to smooth playback.
The Ashampoo CD2iPod software accessory is priced at under ten pounds.
Posted by ipodworld at 05:20 PM
Colour screens expected for iPod minis
Apple is to release a new range of Apple iPod minis complete with colour screens, according to reports.
News broke last week that a larger five-gigabyte iPod mini was to be released but now the addition of colour screens to the new minis could help sway even more consumers towards purchasing Apple's successful MP3 player.
And according to rumour website ThinkSecret, the new colourful iPod minis could be showcased as early as next week.
The rumoured full-colour active-matrix TFT screens will allow Apple to distance itself from its monochrome image but will reportedly maintain its current size and offer a 176x132 resolution.
The colour LCD screens will improve the visibility brightly regardless of ambient lighting and will show clear even outdoors and in direct sunlight.
Prices have not been confirmed although the cost of a small active matrix TFT screen has considerably fallen in the past year and is likely therefore to not break the bank.
Posted by ipodworld at 04:19 PM
Bluetooth iPod rumours mount
Speculation that Apple is to release a Bluetooth-enabled iPod has been sent soaring after French web site Mac4Ever drew attention to claims made by a leading technology expert that trials were nearing completion.
Speaking in Cannes last week during the 3GSM trade show there, Bogdan Nedelcou, head of vehicle accessories at Motorola, made the claims on radio station France-Info.
The Motorola senior executive said to the show's host, Jerome Colombain, that an accessory enabling wireless in-car iPod listening was "coming soon" and would be the next major product to hit the consumer iPod accessory market.
Apple has so far refrained from confirming these reports.
Posted by ipodworld at 03:45 PM
Bose iPod speaker dock goes down a storm
High-end speaker manufacturer Bose has announced its loudspeaker/iPod dock combo is going down a storm amongst British consumers.
The Bose SoundDock has been designed so that the iPod slots into the front, at the base of the speaker whilst the bay can be swapped to accommodate the different sizes of iPod, ranging from the iPod Mini and the 40gb version.
The back of the SoundDock sports a connector to allow you to hook it up to a Mac or PC and is controlled by remote, and track details can be seen on the iPod's display.
Although official sales figures haven't been unveiled, Bose indicated that sales have exceeded initial expectations.
Posted by ipodworld at 10:01 AM
Checkups completed by iPod accessory makers
A host of iPod accessory designers have announced that faults with various products have either been addressed and fixed or have otherwise been withdrawn from the market.
One of the largest affected designers JBL has confirmed on its website that it is replacing its JBL On Stage accessory free of charge, excluding shipping, on account of a defective chip.
XtremeMac has said it has resolved sound problems with its AirPlay FM transmitter while Incase has released a modified version of its Incase Charger following similar audio problems.
Meanwhile, retailer iPodlounge has announced that Digital Lifestyle Outfitters has rectified its iBoom boombox battery leak problem and Macally has resolved problems with its PodWave accessory.
Gadget Accessories also confirmed that its 3-in-1 Charger has been temporarily withdrawn on account of consumers claiming the accessory had damaged their iPods.
Posted by ipodworld at 09:59 AM
February 18, 2005
Five GB iPod poised for release?
Apple could be set to introduce a five GB capacity iPod mini to the UK consumer market, reports suggest today.
And according to Engadget, AppleInsider has indicated that the new larger memory iPod mini could be released as early as next week.
Whilst the one GB extra storage capacity is hardly a ground-breaking innovation, the move will bring Apple up to speed with rival company's MP3 players, many of which already offer consumers five GB of memory.
The Creative Zen Micro, the iRiver H10, and the Motorola M500, among others, all currently exceed the iPod's capacity.
The extra gigabyte will allow for approximately an extra 250 songs.
Posted by ipodworld at 09:56 AM
February 17, 2005
OtterBox accessory shipped for iPod mini
Otter Products, one of the market leaders in terms of technological gadgets and accessories, has presented its latest iPod accessory, the OtterBox.
Designed specifically for Apple's iPod mini, the OtterBox is a 
waterproof, 'exercise-friendly' case that looks set to reinforce Otter Products' excellent reputation forged by successful accessories for the iPod third and fourth generation models.
"With the expansion of the OtterBox Apple MP3 line, Otter Products offers a full range of products to consumers," commented the firm's CEO Curt Richardson.
"This distinct product line allows users to protect their Apple iPod Mini from harm and carry their music virtually anywhere."
The OtterBox boasts a number of improvements on previous iPod accessories in addition to its waterproof capabilities, being an easy to read through screen, wide compatibility with any style headphones and excess wire management clips.
The OtterBox iPod mini case is to retail from £26.99.
Posted by ipodworld at 11:21 AM
February 16, 2005
Thought Out stand accessory hits the market
Technology designer Thought Out has showcased its new-fangled iPod stand, the iPed.
Following in the wake of Apple's iMac G5, Thought Out's iPod offers consumers a stylish, professional looking iPod accessory that is compatible with all third and fourth generation iPod models.
The sturdy metal iPed comes complete with a hard powder coat finish and is available in either the iconic iPod white shade or a smart grey tinge.
The practical iPod accessory has been designed with an anti-pull through grommet meaning providing stability and ease of use for consumers' iPods FireWire or USB cable.
Thought Out's iPed stand is retailing from around £14.99 with a smaller version of the accessory, for the iPod mini, expected to be unveiled shortly.
Posted by ipodworld at 04:09 PM
Text-to-speech accessory proving iPod friendly
iPod owning commuters are by their masses taking to a new 'text-to-speech' accessory which allows users to listen to audio files created from text documents.
NextUp.com's product, TextAloud 2.0, has proven exceptionally popular since being released and now looks set to reap yet more profits from the UK market.
A recent survey conducted by NextUp.com revealed that three out of four iPod owners used devices for listening to text outside the home or office, with its own TextAloud accessory the favoured choice.
TextAloud uses voice synthesis to convert text documents, web pages and e-mails into coherent audio for easy playback on iPods or computers.
"Most people view their commute to work or school as wasted time, but with the growing use of portable audio devices, like the iPod for listening to audiobooks, commuters are turning that downtime into a productive part of their day," explained Rick Ellis, president of NextUp.com.
"Using TextAloud to create 'audio-to-go' has suddenly opened up a whole new world to many customers, allowing them to truly maximise their time away from the home or office, and to listen to everything from eBooks, to study material, work notes, websites, e-mails or articles -- wherever they may go, while they drive."
Praised by critics and consumers alike, TextAloud retails from just £15.99.
Posted by ipodworld at 03:49 PM
February 15, 2005
iPod fever infiltrates British teen psyche
Nearly 70 per cent of teenagers in the UK know exactly how much an Apple iPod or an iPod mini costs, according to research published today.
However, according to the survey by financial experts Sesame, over three quarters of teens confess to having no idea about the price of everyday items, such as a pint of milk.
The startling figure shows just how far reaching the iPod consumer wave has been in infiltrating the commercial awareness of teenagers.
The survey also reveals just how powerful a consumer force British teenagers are becoming although only for particular products such as in vogue MP3 players.
Consumer demand in the UK for Apple's iPod and compatible iPod accessories has continued to leave retailers in short supply and this survey clearly suggests that with more and more younger people discovering the iPod, its popularity is set to only increase further in the near future.
Posted by ipodworld at 04:59 PM
Creature II Speakers
img src="/images/jbl_logo.jpg" align="left"/>There are now a lot of speaker systems on the market aimed at attracting the iPod owner. Most are designed specifically for the iPod and are generally portable, such as the Logic3 i-Station and the Altec Lansing iM3s. JBL have however taken their existing technology and rendered it acceptably co-ordinated with the iPod to appeal to the ever-growing accessory market with the Creature II speakers.
JBL have been around for over 60 years providing quality home audio as well as professional equipment to music lovers all over the world. The Creature IIs are part of their ‘Multimedia’ range that also include the On Tour and the On Stage speakers, and are a plug-and-play solution for computers and portable music players alike.
At £69.99 they are not the most expensive speakers on the market, but are pricey enough to expect a good performance from. They fit into the home audio category rather than the portable speaker as there is no battery power option. Plus lugging around a hefty sub-woofer isn’t at the top of most travellers’ requirements.
First Impressions
The speakers come in 2 colours – white and pale blue-grey. The grey set has a definite old-fashioned appeal, and feel like a completely different set of speakers to the clean, white version. Both sets have exactly the same technical specs and dimensions.
The system consists of a powered sub-woofer and 2 mini satellite speakers. Their design is very retro-modern – curvaceous and simple with silver controls, dials and tweeter-fronts. The sub is bell-shaped and has a 9” by 9” footprint. The satellites cover a minuscule 9 inch square patch each. The sub connects to the mains while the satellites are powered through the subwoofer.
Connecting the speakers together was a breeze. The jacks to plug the satellites in are colour and shape co-ordinated to make sure even speaker Luddites can get the set-up right. The left speaker plugs into a brown triangular jack and the right into an orange square jack. The volume is controlled using satisfyingly-sensitive touch pads on the right satellite speaker. The bass and treble are controlled by knobs on the front of the sub. Green LEDs on the back of the sub and on the front of the tweeters show when the system is turned on and connected correctly.
The speaker cables are of adequate length to position the satellites at either corner of a desk whilst the sub can sit either on top or under. The speakers are magnetically shielded and so clustering them around a monitor or TV will not do it any harm. This was also great for where space is limited: not only are the speakers tiny but they don’t need to be spread out to protect other electrical equipment.
There can be no doubt that the speaker system looks interesting, but its unusual appearance could cause polarisation of opinions. In our opinion the sci-fi look is cool – it is distinctive, it matches the iPod, the Macintosh iBook and iMac and would fit equally well in an office or a lounge. The inconspicuous satellite speakers are perfect for low-profile sound and their ease of use and connection make them ideal for any user.
Performance
Naturally, the Creature II speakers were plugged into an iPod to test out their sound. This was through the lineout/headphone jack – the speakers have no docking port as the system isn’t specifically designed to accommodate the iPod. However seeing as the speakers are powered from the mains this didn’t affect the battery life any more than playing the iPod through headphones.
Thanks to the long cables, the distance between the speakers was suitably broad so as to allow a good stereo sound to be achieved. Various genres of music were played to see if the speakers could cope with the different levels and sounds that comprises them. We used hip hop to test the bass, heavy guitar-based rock for the clarity of sound, and jazz for more of the high levels.
We were satisfied to discover that the speakers sounded as good as they looked – the bass was deep (and adjustable which is unusual with iPod-ready speakers) and the top levels were clear and distinct with no tinniness. For speakers with a 1-inch diameter the satellites gave out ample volume – in fact for speakers twice the size the sound was impressive. They could adequately accommodate different genres of music through some knob-tweaking and the music that was produced filled a large room no problem. At higher volumes there was unsurprisingly a little distortion, but then again not everyone listens to hardcore hip hop so may not need to feel their brain shake before they can appreciate a good song playing. Or a good set of speakers for that matter.
If there would be a downside, there was a bit of sound missing in the middle – separation was quite noticeable where the bass and treble were so pleasing. This was only minor however and could generally be mostly overcome with a bit of level adjustment. There is also no provision of a remote control, but iPod users could invest in a Ten Navipod or a RemoteRemote for wireless control.
Summary
Overall the Creature IIs performed extremely well. Their great appearance was matched by their value for money – absolutely worth their £69.99 price tag. The speakers have a range of uses, from music to computer sound, and could easily cope with any type of music thrown at them. They are an ideal set of speakers for the casual listener or the more demanding music buff, and have a lot to offer in all departments.
Posted by ipodworld at 04:38 PM
Jewellery designer showcases iPod accessory
Jewellery designer Richard Forbes has confirmed the imminent availability of its new original iPod accessory, the SportRope.
Available from £9.99, the SportRope is a high quality, matte finished rubber cord that allows owners to personalise their iPod shuffle or iPod mini cases with a lanyard hole.
The accessory is made of three millimetre-thick rubber tubing and comes as standard 36 inches in length although alternatives of 40 inches and 30 inches can be ordered.
"The need and benefit of the SportRope is that it allows Shuffle owners to personalize their Shuffle with colour and flair," commented Forbes.
"In addition, SportRope also provides resistance to the grit and grime that the original nylon lanyard will show with time. SportRope is easily cleanable, where as the original lanyard may be susceptible to becoming unglued during repeated cleanings."
Richard Forbes' SportRope also has a translucent luster plus a Sterling Silver bayonet clasp and is available in royal blue, matte black, sky blue, soft pink, turquoise, cobalt, lime green and tangerine.
Posted by ipodworld at 02:32 PM
February 14, 2005
iPod accessory owners soar in number
The number of people in possession of an Apple iPod or similar MP3 player has soared above the 20 million mark according to a new survey.
And in keeping, the quantity of iPod accessories being purchased in the UK and US has similarly risen at a consistently accelerating rate.
Around 11 per cent of the combined UK and US population now owns one of Apple's successful iPod players or similar MP3 players, with this number expected to rise dramatically during the next 12 months.
The survey conducted by PewInternet.com revealed that 22 million adults owned at least one of the music players, figures that didn't even include the number of teenagers owning one.
The survey also revealed that men are far more likely to regularly purchase iPod accessories than women, with 14 per cent of men regularly buying accessories compared to nine per cent of women.
Posted by ipodworld at 05:56 PM
iVod 4G offers attractive accessory
iPod accessory designer, Vajacases, is celebrating widespread consumer appreciation of its most recent product, the Vajacases iVod 4G protective case.
Forum sites and retail reviews have unanimously praised Vajacases' new iPod accessory although many admit they were initially unimpressed by the iVod's unexciting outer appearance.
The accessory looks almost identical to a number of other iPod cases in that it is iPod white, chic and of snug design and also has a layer of leather finish.
However, the iVod case has a number of as differentiating qualities, the first of which is a well crafted hard shell fitted inside the case which provides greater security than many rival cases on the market.
Vajacases also uniquely personalises Apple's MP3 player for each individual customer, offering a broad range of colours and leather materials, front and back.
Various belt clip options are also included in the package as is a hard acrylic screen protector integrated into the iVod.
The result is an all-in-one unique and efficient iPod accessory that is selling rapidly from around £29.99.
Posted by ipodworld at 05:43 PM
February 11, 2005
White Incase accessory released
Incase Designs has today launched a new white version of its smart Leather Sleeve accessory for the Apple iPod.
The popular accessory designer had previously released similar styled sleeves in black, blue and pink shades but consumer demand for iPod style consistency has led to this latest release.
The accessory features a luxurious Nappa leather exterior with a soft suede inner lining that allows unrestricted access to the iPods control functions.
Designed for both third and fourth iPod generation models, Incase Designs' new leather sleeve also boasts a transparent protective screen and a secure belt or strap attachment.
The chic iPod accessory will retail from £15.99.
Posted by ipodworld at 04:56 PM
Widget UK releases 6i Isolator Earphones
Leading British technological accessory supplier Widget UK has confirmed the general release of its 6i Isolator Earphones from Etymotic Research, designed specifically for Apple's iPod and iPod mini MP3 players.
The advanced earphones have been developed to create an airtight seal within the user's ear canal which, according to Widget, allows "highly-focused sound waves to reach the ear drums and the bass response does not dissipate".
The white, stylish limited edition iPod accessory provides greater sensitivity to sound than any earphone previously and more bass allowance than any of Widget's earlier models including the popular Etymotic ER-4P.
The earphones are compact and lightweight meaning they are ideal for use during exercise or whilst travelling and have received rave reviews from experts, iPod websites and countless other publications since its introduction.
"The 6i was developed for Apple iPod users with the goal of providing greater sensitivity and enhanced bass without compromising fidelity," said Mark Needham, managing director of Widget UK.
"They look great, and come in white to complement the design and image of Apple's iPod products - but they also work remarkably well with any digital music player."
Widget's 6i Isolator Earphones are available from £99.99 and are being supplied now.
Posted by ipodworld at 10:00 AM
February 10, 2005
Bruddy Designs introduces ShuffleMate
iPod accessory designer Bruddy Designs has today unveiled its versatile ShuffleMate protective case for Apple's iPod shuffle.
The plastic accessory encases either the 512mb or 1gb iPod shuffle snugly and securely and because of its minimalist design is neither weighty nor uncomfortably bulky.
Featuring an industry standard built in bulldog-clip, the ShuffleMate also allows owners to steadfastly attach their Apple MP3 players allowing its assured use during exercise.
Bruddy Designs' new accessory additionally offers a unique wire management tool in a wrap-around base, which allows owners to tidy up excess cables.
A series of clamps fasten any loose wires into position as well as entire ear bud cords when not in use.
Bruddy Designs has revealed its functional ShuffleMate accessory should be available by the end of next month at a price of around £9.99.
Posted by ipodworld at 05:22 PM
Rumours mount over iPod digital radio
Speculation that a new digital radio service could be introduced to Apple iPods has been sent soaring today despite an official statement denying that such a technological breakthrough was imminent.
Reports have suggested in recent months that satellite radio company Sirius was in talks with Apple chiefs about the possible new service but the firm's CEO has renounced these rumours.
"I have spoken to Steve Jobs," Mel Karmazin, Sirius Satellite Radio CEO, admitted on Wednesday, before adding that the "current thinking" at Apple is that "they don't need to put a satellite radio in their box."
Speaking to the Financial Times however, Mr Karmazin has since stated: "Whether you put satellite radio in a cell phone, video game or MP3 player this could be an enhancement."
A recent survey by JP Morgan highlighted the market for such an item does exist, predicting subscriber numbers could reach 35 million by 2010.
Posted by ipodworld at 04:13 PM
February 09, 2005
Casemandu - the "ultimate" iPod protective case?
A newly released iPod protective case has been hailed as the "ultimate" iPod accessory of its kind by reports.
Designers of the Casemandu case have said their protective shell is the first iPod accessory to offer genuine waterproof, scratchproof, dust-proof and shockproof capabilities.
Constructed from polycarbonate, the Casemandu case features an innovative precision-routed foam insert for both the iPod and iPod mini versions and is available in the traditional white shade as well as black, pink, blue and green alternatives.
"It's the same foam used by elite military units and NASA to protect the most sensitive equipment in their inventories," commented Ed Loughran, the co-designer of the Casemandu.
Business partner Tim Adams added: "Casemandu cases are specially designed to prevent 'bag rash', the damage you get when you store your iPod in backpacks and other gear bags.
"When you put something as valuable as an iPod inside a book bag, the movement within the bag and the damage from other items rubbing against it destroys the finish and the value of your iPod. The Casemandu design solves that problem."
The Casemandu iPod case offers itself as an all-in-one storage facility that will retail from £29.99 as from March 1st.
Posted by ipodworld at 01:06 PM
iPod related websites boosted by Pepsi-iTunes ad
The recent high profile Pepsi-iTunes commercials, first screened at the recent Super Bowl XXXIX, have had positive reverberations on all iPod-related websites, not just US-based sites, according to figures published yesterday.
Analysis from comScore Networks reveals that Apple saw a 172 per cent increase in consumer traffic to its website in a short period immediately following the airing of the iPod commercials.
And this boost has been similarly felt by the majority of other iPod websites including iTunes which recorded an almost 200 per cent visitor increase as a result of the television advertisements, helped largely by the second Pepsi promotion.
A spokesperson for iTunes commented: "Although iTunes turned in stronger growth than Napster for the full day, both sites increased visitor levels by almost 300 percent above the 30-minute average following their respective commercials.
"This year, traffic at iTunes peaked just after the advertisement featuring the Pepsi-iTunes promotion, unlike last year when more visitors waited until halftime to explore the iTunes site."
The online impact of Super Bowl XXXIX on retailers and consumers in the UK, not just the US, eclipses that seen previously as "we continue to see advertisers growing more sophisticated in developing integrated campaigns that span different media", according to Peter Daboll, president and CEO of comScore.
Posted by ipodworld at 09:57 AM
February 08, 2005
Tunewear divulges new iPod accessory
iPod accessory manufacturer Tunewear has announced its newest product for Apple's chic MP3 player, the Prie PodOrganiser.
This Tunewear carrying pouch has been designed for all Apple's iPod and iPod mini devices and permits owners to neatly stow away their iPod, cables, headphones and iPod accessories.
Owners of the versatile Prie PodOrganiser can also store their credit or business cards, cash, pens or other small objects in the useful accessory.
"So you love your iPod like me, and get stuck carrying your wallet plus your iPod peripherals along with the iPod and it's case. Your love for music just made you messier and unorganized. That's what happened to me. So I decided to design a simple and elegant solution for organizing my mess, and possibly your mess too," explained Tunewear founder and designer hfo.
"I am so happy to have one for myself and to announce the Prie PodOrganiser to the rest of the world. It's an all-in-one solution for carrying your iPod, cables, headphones, iPod peripherals, and wallet contents such as name cards, credit cards, bills, coins, and document IDs."
The Prie PodOrganiser will go on general sale from February 25th. Prices have not yet been publicised.
Posted by ipodworld at 04:07 PM
FINDipod search engine launched
A new search engine has been launched intended to help consumers with "anything iPod".
FINDipod.com is an easy to use program allowing iPod owners to quickly search for specific accessories or products related to Apple's popular MP3 player or simply to find out more information about the services offered by the iPod.
Sigridur Kristjansdottir, the founder of FINDipod, said: "When searching for iPod information I noticed that I could not find a good starting point for my search. Because of the popularity of the iPod we felt it was time to make a search engine just for iPod lovers."
Mr Kristjansdottir continued: "FINDipod.com is for all the iPod lovers surfing the internet, those thinking about buying one and anyone looking for the latest iPod news, iPod blog or iPod product.
"We want FINDipod users to find what they are looking for and help them by targeting their search with channels and search word suggestions."
Posted by ipodworld at 03:56 PM
Jobs praises iPod software and accessories
The chief executive of Apple, Steve Jobs, has spoken of his delight over the manner in which consumers around the world are receiving the iPod and its software.
Speaking to Fortune Magazine, Jobs claims that the iPod has had an enormous impact and has resulted in wholesale changes to mass-market consumer electronics.
But the success of the iPod has had a far wider, social impact than simply just on the electronics market according to Jobs.
"You or I move into a new house, and the first thing we do is call the phone company to get our land line turned on. Kids, they just move in with their mobile phones. Stereos are the same: Kids aren't getting stereos; they're getting speakers for their iPods," he commented.
"That's become the audio market. People are buying iPods and Bose speakers instead of a JVC or Sony stereo system."
Apple's chief explained that the reason for this impact lies in the fact that consumer society is becoming ever more driven by the latest technology and the iPod and its accessories are at the forefront of this wave.
"Apple's core strength is to bring very high technology to mere mortals in a way that surprises and delights them and that they can figure out how to use," Jobs said. "Software is the key to that. In fact, software is the user experience."
Posted by ipodworld at 11:40 AM
PodBuddy shows off new accessory
Accessory designer PodBuddy has unveiled its new mounting product for the iPod shuffle titled The Clips.
The new iPod accessory from PodBuddy, a division of DVForge, comprises three alternative carrying gadgets including a belt clip, a gripper clip and a push pin clip.
The three parts comes in keeping with the iPod's iconic white shade and are made from acrylonitrile butadiene styrene plastic, stainless steel and galvanized steel.
The clips all connect onto the USB plug end of the shuffle and enable an owner to secure their iPod shuffle onto "their clothing, a bag, belt, jacket, backpack, or in pretty much any other manner", according to PodBuddy.
PodBuddy's The Clips will retail from around £15.99 and should be available from March this year.
Posted by ipodworld at 11:28 AM
Scosche shows off Bluetooth accessory
Leading electronics accessory designer, Scosche Industries, has announced plans to release a Bluetooth interface for Apple's hugely successful iPod.
The innovative product connects directly to the iPod's headphone connector and then transmits to a Bluetooth receiver linked to the aux input of ear phones.
"We are proud to offer aftermarket solutions for today's hot products," commented Kas Alves, vice president marketing and sales, Scosche Industries.
"Some of the top innovators in the aftermarket industry are part of the Scosche Industry family and continue to research and design cutting-edge products, our new Bluetooth interface is no exception."
Prices for the Bluetooth interface iPod accessory have not as yet been disclosed.
Posted by ipodworld at 11:22 AM
New iPod shuffle accessory goes on limited sale
Apple has announced that its brand new iPod shuffle dock has now gone on general sale.
However, reports are already suggesting that supply will more than likely prove to be insufficient again due to high consumer demand for this latest revamped accessory.
The iPod shuffle dock has been described by Apple as "an elegant and convenient home base for syncing and charging" but is also a useful item for iPod owners who do not have access to a USB port.
This is because the white glossy dock removes the need for iPod owners to plug their shuffles directly into a computer's USB port as a result of a tidy integrated white USB cord within the dock itself.
This original USB extension feature is a smart and useful accessory which can be used not only with the iPod shuffle but with eMac, iMac G3, notebook and by other computer users who do not have easy access to USB ports.
First introduced at Macworld Expo last month, the new dock accessory will reportedly ship in five to seven weeks at a retail price of around £15.50.
Posted by ipodworld at 11:16 AM
Discounted 70-hour iPod battery goes on sale
Battery Technology Incorporated (BTI) has offered iPod owners the opportunity to snap up its 70-hour iPod battery for half the normal retail price.
The power accessory is compatible with all third generation iPods and the iPod mini and easily provides enough battery life for between 40 and 70 hours of continuous playtime.
The iPod accessory is perfect for travel use or during long commutes and also enables the iPod to connect to the majority of iPod speakers.
The new iPod battery is a rechargeable lithium ion battery pack and can be charged over 400 times and at 40 hours per charge, according to the product's manufacturer.
The package comes complete with dock connectors and a one year limited warranty.
Available at just £27 for a limited time only, BTI's 70-hour iPod battery seems sure to be in high demand with UK consumers.
Posted by ipodworld at 11:04 AM
Accessorise your Valentine's iPod
With Valentine's Day rapidly approaching, technology firm Riptopia has today launched a specialised campaign offering consumers discounted iPods pre-loaded with that special someone's favourite tracks.
The unique offer, marketed at both halves in relationships, promises to load an entire selection of music tracks as chosen by you onto an MP3 player and mail it back within 48 hours.
The offer potentially could save iPod owners time and considerable sums of money in attaining the music collections they want.
"The advantages of the rapidly evolving technological age are mind-boggling," commented a company spokesperson. "A 40 GB iPod or MP3 player, no larger than a thick credit card, can hold 700 CDs. That's roughly 10,000 love songs for your honey."
The firm is currently offering pink and blue iPod minis complete with 50 favourite selected songs from £160 and is also offering free CD uploads between now and March 31 if the iPod is still within its original casing.
Riptopia has developed into one of the industry's premier CD to digital transition services.
Posted by ipodworld at 10:42 AM
Shuffle demand exceeds supply
Apple is failing once again to meet consumer demand for one of its products, this time being its latest digital music player, the iPod shuffle.
The finding was published earlier today by Piper Jaffray analyst Gene Munster, who having conducted a survey of all Apple's retail stores discovered that not one Apple store had any iPod shuffles in stock.
What Mr Munster did discover was widespread waiting lists, averaging 120 customers on each, for both the 512MB and 1GB iPod shuffle models.
The Piper Jaffray analyst wrote in a research note to clients: "The majority of stores have no idea when they will receive product. Those stores that do have an indication of when they will receive product suggested that limited quantities of the Mac mini and iPod shuffle will be in stock within two weeks.
"We believe initial demand for the Mac mini and the iPod shuffle has exceeded what Apple had been expecting," Mr Munster added.
The research note concluded that Apple is hoping to supply ample demand by the end of February, with retail outlets in the UK likely to be able to stock their shelves with the iPod shuffle in late March.
Posted by ipodworld at 10:35 AM
February 01, 2005
A1 amplifier accessory receiving loud praise
Simpl Acoustics' A1 iPod clip-on headphone amplifier is the latest iPod accessory to be the subject of exceptional press from technology analysts and consumers alike.
The sound enhancing iPod accessory aims to address one of the few complaints emanating from Apple's thriving iPods, that being a slight dissolution of sound quality when playing at loud volume levels.
The iPod has been criticised for sounding 'tinny', for cracking and for losing its trademark digital clear sound after volume increases but Simpl Acoustics' A1 amp compensates for this change by allowing for a louder, deeper sound response.
Critical response has been outstanding for this device, a factor reflected by its high demand and consumer purchase figures.
The accessory is available in traditional iPod colour and attaches firmly and safely but not inconveniently onto the back of the iPod and is retailing from a reasonable £80.
Posted by ipodworld at 03:07 PM
Apple encourages iPod accessory makers
Computer giant Apple has backed the vast array of digital music player accessory designers establishing and profiting off the booming iPod.
A report in the Financial Times revealed yesterday that despite fears that Apple's reluctance to license iPod technology could lead to its eventual downfall, quite the reverse appears to be occurring.
Apple said that the growing number of firms developing iPod accessories is actually helping its case rather than hindering it and is providing the iPod with a huge advantage over rival MP3 makers.
Piper Jaffray estimates that iPod owners are spending on average up to £10 on accessories, which has helped push the accessory market's value to £65 million last year, a figure expected to more than double to £143 million this year and up to £200 million in 2006.
And this flurry of activity will only help Apple, according to sources.
Gene Munster, analyst at Piper Jaffray, commented: "Apple wants to create a universe of products around the iPod so that the iPod is the easy choice for consumers. They don't want to stymie growth at this point."
Leading iPod accessory developer, Belkin, revealed even more optimistic prediction figures for the iPod accessory market, suggesting that it currently stands at £133 million and could rise to £400 million by the end of 2005.
Posted by ipodworld at 02:17 PM