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May 2005 Archives

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May 31, 2005

Exclusive iPod mini case and boxing bag combo on sale now

If Sylvester Stallone’s excellent reality-TV show The Contender has inspired you to start boxing, why not kit yourself out properly with an exclusive Tanner Krolle boxing bag and iPod mini case?

Produced in collaboration with hip Japanese designers oki-ni, this special edition bag comes with a detachable iPod mini case on the shoulder strap, should you need to remove it and use it separately.

Made from the finest Italian leather, the bag comes in three colours, black, dark brown or cream and unsurprisingly for a high-end product it will set you back a pretty penny.

You can buy it online from oki-ni for a cool £694. iPod mini not included, unfortunately.

Posted by ipodworld at 03:38 PM

Celebrities and fashion designers to create iPod cases for charity

Hip-hop clothes designer Marc Ecko is launching a charity project that will partner celebrities with top-fashion designers to create their own iPod cases.

“Styles & Sound” is a fundraising initiative for Fashion Targets Breast Cancer (FTBC) and through it, Ecko hopes to raise money for the cause from the sale of iPod case created by such creative partnerships as Carolina Herrera with Renee Zellweger and Judith Leiber with Katie Holmes.

“Some designers have taken the extra step to personalise their products even more,” reports Fashion Week Daily.

“Donna Karan’s case, fashioned out of hammered brass, features a playlist with music from 20 years of her fashion shows, and Sean Combs will create his own playlist under his P Diddy name.

“In addition, Nanette Lepore’s design features a brightly beaded and belted case, while Vivienne Tam’s is brocade, trimmed in fur. Each case will contain a 40GB iPod, courtesy of Apple Computer, and a playlist created by each designer’s celebrity partner.”

The cases will go on sale on June 8th in an online charity auction, held in conjunction with eBay Live Auctions. All proceeds will go to FTBC.

Posted by ipodworld at 03:35 PM

May 27, 2005

Japanese foofpods join iPod accessory market

One of the smartest ranges of iPod accessories produced for some time has been introduced today by Australian designer foof.

The leading maker of iPod sleeves and other accessories has unveiled its latest selection of Japanese Kimono Fabric foofpods.

These stylish iPod accessoriesare made of high quality polyester and are only available in extremely limited supply, according to foof.

Made to fit 3G/4G iPod and iPod photo models, the handmade foofpods feature the same material as found in the celebrity-popular Japanese Kimono Obi belt.

The new iPod casesintroduced today include Namba ("shines golden colour in direct sunlight"), Chocolate ("rich and dark, almost good enough to eat"), and Deadly NightShade Returns ("subtle and elegant").

Each item retails individually for around £14.99.

Posted by ipodworld at 02:53 PM

The friendly iGuy

Leading iPod accessories designer Speck Products has today introduced its latest product.

The iGuy is the first "bendable, pose-able iPod friend", according to Speck.

The accessory is also a fully functional protective dock that securely holds your Apple iPod comfortably and elegantly.

The iPod accessory features rubberised protection and scratch-resistant screen cover for added peace of mind and comes in a white shade to match your iPod.

The iGuy is designed to fit all 4G models and has a suggested retail price of £19.99.

Posted by ipodworld at 02:50 PM

May 26, 2005

Wireless Bluetooth iMuffs unveiled

It was only a matter of time, but the world’s first Bluetooth-enabled iPod headphones have been launched by Wi-Gear.

The iMuffs allow for seamless and wireless integration for your iPod

When your phone rings, the iMuffs will pause your iPod and ring in the headphones, allowing you to talk into the integrated microphone.

The behind-the-neck style headphones feature controls for play/pause, volume and next/previous track.

The hands-free headset works within a ten metre range and has a battery life of 12 hours.

iMuffs are available online from Wi-Gear.

Posted by ipodworld at 03:25 PM

May 25, 2005

PodFreq mini unveiled

Sonnet Technologies has announced the arrival of the PodFreq mini, an all-in-one device for the iPod mini that offers an integrated dock, case and FM transmitter.

The PodFreq mini lets users sync their iPod or listen to their music with any nearby FM radio whether in a car, at home or on the street.

With the included car charger, car cradle, USB 2.0 cable and soft carrying pouch, buying a PodFreq mini is, according to the company website, “the best way to get all the most popular iPod Mini accessories in one package”.

Like the original PodFreq, the new device also features a telescoping antenna and digital display.

The Sonnet PodFreq mini will be available online from July 2005 for around £55.

Posted by ipodworld at 02:29 PM

Pre-load iPods on sale in the US

CD-to-mp3 conversion company RipDigital, announced yesterday that iPods pre-loaded with customers’ CD collections are now available.

For approximately $1 per CD, the company will deliver customers a 20GB iPod
, earbud headphones and other iPod accessories, loaded with 200 songs from their favourite CDs.

Unfortunately this service is only available in the US at the present time but according to a company spokesperson, lucky Americans are being offered an “irresistible customer experience for anyone that wants join the world of digital music but would rather have someone else handle the legwork”.

The RipDigital pre-loaded 20GB iPod costs approximately $499, which includes shipping and insurance for the CDs.

Posted by ipodworld at 02:27 PM

May 24, 2005

Leather iPod shuffle cases on sale now

Leather accessory maker, Vaja, has introduced its new AP11 flip-top iPod shuffle case.

Made from the Argentine leather, the terracotta-coloured iPod case features “play-through” access to the control pad, and has an opening for the headphone port and slider switch.

As with Vaja’s other iPod cases, the AP11 case comes in other colours via the company’s customisation options. The Vaja AP11 leather iPod shuffle available from the company website for around £19.

Posted by ipodworld at 03:41 PM

iPod handbags will stop the “struggle and juggle”

Delarew Designs, an American company specialising in handbags, has launched the most female-friendly iPod accessory to date: the iPod handbag.

The DelaPod line comes in four different designs and features two headphone jacks and an integrated see-through window that holds the player and lets users control the device without taking it out.

According to the company, “female devotees of the Apple iPod experience both love and hate it: love the iPod, hate the fumbling that happens when purses or backpacks are along for the ride.”

Joallyn Catwright, president and founder of Delarew Designs said: “DelaPod bags remove the ‘struggle and juggle’ that female iPod users experience.

“DelaPod bags free women from juggling with cell phones, purses and iPods. Best of all, the bags are as stylish as they are convenient.”

The DelaPod bags are available in four different designs and sizes and are available from the company website from around £25.

Posted by ipodworld at 03:39 PM

May 23, 2005

Wooden iPod cases on sale

Peter Kinne Design is selling cases for the iPod mini online for around £25.

Desribed as the iPod Mini accessory “for someone who wants something different”, each light coloured wood case is handmade and can even be customised.

But most importantly, every case is made from at least 50 per cent recycled materials (sourced from old hot tubs and bicycles amongst other sources) allowing you to look good without the guilt.

Posted by ipodworld at 11:32 AM

Tesco to sell iPods

Britain’s bigger retailer Tesco is to start selling iPods as part of its expansion into the lucrative digital goods market, it announced today.

Other digital products by brands such as Apple and Sony will go on sale by the end of the week at around 200 stores across the country.

The move will put the supermarket in competition with electronics-only shops, as well as online retailers.

The UK’s lucrative MP3 market grew by 400 per cent last year and is expected to double in 2005, the retailer said.

Matthew Finch, electronics buyer for Tesco, said: “By stocking a wide range of the best known brands at their local Tesco store and providing easy-to-understand information and instructions, we expect new customers to be attracted to the digital trend, many for the first time.”

Shoppers will also be able to download music online at the store’s website.

Posted by ipodworld at 11:29 AM

May 20, 2005

Link your iPod to your hi-fi

PsiberAudio have announced the launch of its PAS2 and PAS2+ hi-fidelity pre-amp cradle for iPods.

The devices feature an integrated cradle for all iPod models, allowing you to link the player into any existing hi-fi system.

Both models are available online from about £100.

Posted by ipodworld at 02:28 PM

Digital art competition announced

Do you think you could give Picasso a run for his money? Well, an online imaging competition has been launched giving entrants a chance to win an iPod

Walt Disney art director Mike Davidson is looking for images depicting the iPod shuffle within a “notable historical context”.

He is asking entrants to "modify famous photos, upload audio narratives, shoot video, or even design a mini-site," adding, "you are free to submit anything you like, as long as it’s yours and it was created specifically for this contest."

Davidson’s art competitions, which are hosted monthly on his website, are growing in popularity.

Last month the Seattle native asked for interpretations of the iPod shuffle as food. The winning entry featured a shuffle made entirely of goats butter, with the first runner-up depicting a music player made of banana, spaghetti and apple.

Posted by ipodworld at 02:25 PM

May 19, 2005

fabriX launch cheap and cheerful cases

If you don’t fancy paying more than the cost of your iPod but you do want to cover your player in style, why not buy a fabriX iPod case?

For around £8 you can buy one online.

Designed to fit your iPod perfectly, these stylish handmade cases come in 16 different designs and will protect your player from scratches and minor bumps.

And according to the manufacturers, the “high-grade” materials used to make these cases means the fabric will not stretch – even if you wash it.

(The case that is, not the iPod.)

Posted by ipodworld at 11:18 AM

Scottish kids to get an Apple for lunch

Scottish schoolchildren are to be offered iPods in a desperate bid to get them to eat healthy school dinners.

The groundbreaking scheme is being launched at 29 secondary schools across Glasgow after the number of kids eating chips almost halved during a successful pilot.

Like supermarket loyalty cards, the pupils will be given points on their swipe cards each time they choose something healthy in the school canteen.

At the end of the term these points can be traded in for prizes ranging from cinema tickets for the not-so-healthy, to iPods for the lactose-intolerant vegans, no doubt.

Speaking to the Herald, 13 year-old Katie Burns, a pupil at one of the pilot schools said the scheme was a good idea and gave pupils a real incentive to eat properly:

“In the past, people would have chips, pizza and stuff like that, but now more of them are eating all the healthy stuff. It’s very clever.”

Posted by ipodworld at 11:17 AM

May 18, 2005

iPod case is making waves

Watersports enthusiasts will be pleased to hear that America’s leading providers of waterproof MP3 accessories, H20 Audio, has began shipping its new waterproof case for 4G iPods.

The SV-iP4G is fully submersible – meaning surfers, water skiers and even swimmers can listen to their iPod underwater.

The iPod case also comes with a waterproof headset and features a “unique full-function dial and push button assemble design that gives users ready access to all of the iPod command controls, even when fully submerged in water,” said a company spokesperson.

The product is available online at H20 Audio and at selected international retailers from June 2005 for around £80 (£149).

Posted by ipodworld at 11:13 AM

iPod link for Xbox 360?

Following rumours that Sony might add an iPod connection to the forthcoming PlayStation 3, it has emerged that Microsoft's Xbox 360 gaming console may also do the same.

Analysts at Goldman Sachs have hinted that the next generation of the Xbox gaming console – due before Christmas this year - may be able to connect with competitor products.

Goldman Sachs told American money magazine, Forbes, that Microsoft intends that the "networking and multiplayer interactive capability of Xbox 360, offer a free base layer version of [online gaming] Xbox Live (Silver version) free of charge to all Xbox 360 users."

Posted by ipodworld at 11:11 AM

May 17, 2005

iPod to-do-list published

Just because you’ve downloaded a few thousand songs, do not be fooled into thinking you’re iPod fun stops there.

Professional blogger Jason Kottke has come up with a list of nearly “50 fun things you can do with your iPod.”

Suggestions include the obvious (play movies and get mugged) to the slightly more eccentric (create your own pirate station or turn it into a laser beam).

See how many you’ve done at www.kottke.com .

Posted by ipodworld at 03:14 PM

Pod belts on sale now!

With iPod accessories becoming funkier by the day, US company Hip Tunes have stepped to the plate with a range of iPod mini belts.

Available in six different colours including lime green and metallic gold, these faux-leather fancies are set to be another hot iFashion accessory.

The one-size fits all (up to a UK women’s size 16) belts have a buckled holster for your iPod mini, as well as a back pocket for any bits and pieces like your earbuds.

The Hip Tunes mini belt is available online for $29.95 (£16.30).

Posted by ipodworld at 03:03 PM

May 16, 2005

iPod radio hits the airwaves!

The world’s first all-“podcast” radio station goes live today in San Francisco.

KYCY 1550 AM, which has changed it’s name to, 1550 KYOURADIO, will be programmed exclusively with content created by people on their iPod
– podcasters.

Anyone who puts together a radio-show a can upload it on the station where it will be broadcasted both online and locally in San Francisco on AM.

Joel Hollander, Chairman and CEO of 1550 KYOURADIO’s parent company, Infinity Broadcasting, said the experimental broadcasting format will be "an outlet with which to foster the creativity of undiscovered talent from all walks of life."

The move to “open-source radio” comes in the wake of a recent announcement that the number of people over the age of 13 listening to the radio in America had dropped from 203 million in March 2004 to 194 million in March 2005 – a fall of 4 per cent. In the same period, the number listening to music on new “me-media” devices such as iPods, rose by 22 per cent from 63 million to 77 million.

Infinity Broadcasting is the radio arm of Viacom, the world renowned media conglomerate whose subsidiaries include MTV, Nickelodeon and Paramount.

They are asking podcasters to register and begin submitting content for potent ional broadcast on the station to the KYOURADIO.com website starting today.

Infinity, one of America’s largest radio operators with over 183 stations, says that programming on the station will be evaluated on a daily basis and "determined by listener interests and feedback."

Posted by ipodworld at 02:47 PM

UK downloaders may start paying ‘iPod tax’

Things may get even more expensive for ripped-off Brits, if a proposal to introduce an "iPod tax" becomes law.

The levy, which would be charged on every digital music player sold, has already been approved in Holland.

Dutch consumers will soon pay a copyright levy every time they purchase an MP3 player. Reports suggest the surcharge will be as much as €3.28 per gigabyte, adding as much as €180 to the price of a top-end Apple iPod.

Now, some senior figures in the UK music industry are now calling for a similar system to be introduced in here.

"The illegal digital download market is in danger of crippling the British music industry," said Doug D'Arcy, former head of Chrysalis and BMG.

"We had an opportunity to introduce a levy on audio cassettes back in the 1970s and passed it up. That decision cost the business tens of millions, and to make the same mistake again could be fatal."

Consumer groups argue that as the bulk of iPod are used to store legitimate iTunes files which are Digital Rights Management (DRM) protected, users would effectively be paying for copyright twice.

Not surprisingly, many artists and smaller record labels are in support of the levy, though it has thus far failed to find favour with the industry's major players.

Sony and EMI have refused to support the proposals and the International Federation of Phonographic Industries (IFPI) says the it is "not an appropriate response to the problem." Though piracy is an expensive problem, costing the global music industry an estimated $2.1 billion a year.

Posted by ipodworld at 02:43 PM

May 13, 2005

iPod warning: do not wash!

A word of warning for absent-minded iPod users: do not put it in the washing machine. And if you do, certainly don’t stick a screwdriver in it.

That's the advice of fire investigators probing a small explosion that burned a hole in the bed of a Melbourne teenager who tried to perform digital resusitation on his freshly laundered iPod.

The boy was treated by paramedics at his home for breathing difficulties after ingesting fumes emitted by the device as he pulled it apart in his suburban bedroom at about 19:30 local time on Wednesday.

An Australian fire service spokesperson said: "His mother did the washing and the iPod was in the clothing so it went through the washing machine. It wasn't working, the young fella tried to undo it or fix it with a screwdriver and at that stage there was an explosion, or more of a pop.”

The hapless victim was treated on the scene for minor breathing difficulties but he was not admitted to hospital.

The leaky iPod was taken away by firefighters for testing.

Posted by ipodworld at 01:21 PM

London club night for iPod DJs announced

Wannabe DJs and iPod fans are being invited to a digital club night on May 21st 2005.

London’s Playlist Club allows iDJs to turn up with a 15-minute set of their best tunes on an iPod (or any other digital music player) to play their songs through the club’s PA system. The iDJs will battle it out with their digital mix and blends to win the crown of best iDJ on the night.

The Times recently described it as a “newly democratic way to decide what a dancefloor will be listening to.”

Playlist says that the beauty of the club night is that anyone can come down and play whatever music they think will get the crowd dancing: "Critics say anyone can string some tunes together, but can they connect with the crowd? With or without vinyl, the skill remains the same, and that's the Playlist challenge - to get a crowd moving, to touch what they need, and to show an original flair."

The event is being held at the Progress Bar, 162 Tufnell Park Road, London. The night runs from 9pm-2am and entry is free all night.

Posted by ipodworld at 01:08 PM

May 12, 2005

Any colour iPods coming soon!

Attention all fashionistas!

A London fashion house may soon be selling iPods in any colour of your choice.

According to techno website pocket-lint.co.uk, Bamford and Sons may soon be producing iPods in "any colour to order to suit your mood".

The Notting-Hill based designers have not yet confirmed the availability of this service, but if you are tired of rocking your plain white player then their new six gb black mini iPod should keep happy.

It hasn't been signed by U2, and at £275 it is more expensive than your bog standard iPod, but it costs to floss.

Posted by ipodworld at 11:44 AM

iPod hits The Simpsons

The iPod's status as a popular cultural icon was cemented this week with an appearance on The Simpsons.

"Thank God, it's Doomsday" premiered in the US on Sunday.

In it, Homer walks past an 'iGod' poster which features the unmistakable image of an iPod.

The 'iGod' poster refers to the guerrilla ads that parodied Apple's distinctive silhouette campaign.

A date for the UK airing of this episode is yet to be confirmed.

Posted by ipodworld at 11:43 AM

May 11, 2005

iTunes welcomes video wonder from Stevie

Motown legend Stevie Wonder has made history today by releasing the first music video for the blind.

Wonder has produced two videos for his forthcoming single "So What the Fuss", one of which will contain a secondary descriptive audio track of storyline for the blind and visually impaired.

The track is the 54 year-old's first new release in almost ten years and has been made available at the iTunes music site.

"Until now music videos have been very one-dimensional for those who are blind or with low vision," Wonder said in a statement released on his website.

"For me, the entire concept is indicative of what happens when you go beyond the status quo and open yourself up to what's possible."

Posted by ipodworld at 04:03 PM

Novere brings bling to iPods

Add a bit of bling to your iPod and purchase Novere's limited-edition diamond iPod Love case.

For a mere £942.00, you can purchase one of only 20 elegant leather cases to go on sale.

All cases are made to order with the possibility of personalised embossing and are adorned with a diamond-encrusted white gold heart.

It may be almost five times the cost of a mini iPod, but it does come in a delightful range of colours including pink, ocean blue and red and besides, where else can you get your Apple mp3 player protected by velvet lining?

Luxury goods for gadgets have never looked so good.

Posted by ipodworld at 04:01 PM

May 10, 2005

Watch movies on iTunes

iTunes can now play movie trailers and music videos thanks to new software just launched by Apple.

iTunes software version 4.8 also allows users to manage contact and calendar information by transferring data from your Mac to your iPod.

The software was released yesterday and is available as a free download from the website.

Fans buying the new Dave Matthews Band album Stand Up, for example, can download a digital booklet containing the album artwork and a five minute 28-second video (a 55mb download) of the making of the album, with interview clips and so on.

Downloadable music videos are also available with the purchase of tracks from artists such as Gorillaz and Morcheeba.

Posted by ipodworld at 11:18 AM

iTunes success story set for European expansion

iTunes has opened four new stores in Denmark, Norway, Sweden and Switzerland today.

The stores will sell music from all four major music companies and over 1,000 independent record labels, including exclusives from Stereophonics and the Cardigans.

Since its launch just two years ago, the iTunes music store has extended its reach to more than 70 per cent of the global music market with stores in 19 countries and more than 400 million songs purchased and downloaded worldwide.

In the UK alone, iTunes is said to command around 35 per cent of the UK singles market and bears massive influence in the music industry.

"The iTunes music store has revolutionized the way we discover and enjoy music, and is now selling more than half a billion songs per year," said Eddy Cue, Apple's vice president of applications.

"With iTunes music stores now in 19 countries, music fans around the world can enjoy the number one online music service in the world."

The launch of the Australian store, also due for this week, has been postponed because of a contract dispute with at least one of the record labels.

Posted by ipodworld at 11:17 AM

May 09, 2005

New batch of PodBuddies marched out

A new limited-edition line in iPod accessories goes on sale today.

PodBuddies has announced 100 new figurine shuffle holders that are being sold at £9.99 each.

"Both of the pieces are a take on the popular commercial and also serve as iPod shuffle holders," said PodBuddies.

"Each piece is individually numbered and signed by Ivy and will be a limited run of only 100 pieces. The piece comes on a base that will allow your shuffle to fit on nicely and not slip off."

The novel accessories should ship in the UK later this month.

Posted by ipodworld at 04:17 PM

Shuffle dominance on the way

Only four months after its launch, the iPod shuffle has cornered 58 per cent of the US market, Apple announced today.

The shuffle, a flash-based mp3 player which plays songs in a different order every time, has been a huge success despite widely publicised shortages.

Apple group CFO, Phillip Oppenheimer, is confident the company can now continue dominating the music download market, despite the "threat" posed by mobile phones.

He cited the superior interface and long battery life as the iPod's main strengths

Posted by ipodworld at 04:16 PM

May 06, 2005

Shuffle Station takes off

UK-based technology group PodGear has today launched its eagerly anticipated Shuffle Station.

Shuffle Station signifies the High Wycombe company's most advanced portable speaker system and charging dock for the iPod shuffle to date.

The ipod accesssory can be powered by just four AAA batteries or from an included AC adapter and is ideal as a travel companion thanks to its compactness and line-in and line-out port features.

"With a MSRP of just £34.99, the Shuffle Station has every feature a shuffle owner might need while away from their computer and is only £15 more expensive than the Apple AC USB charger, making it an extremely attractive package," suggests PodGear.

Posted by ipodworld at 08:54 AM

Otter releases redesigned waterproof iPod case

Otter Products has today released a re-fangled waterproof case for the Apple iPod that, unlike many previous cases claiming to be waterproof, does actually protect the iPod from water and moisture.

Available for all fourth generation iPods and photo versions, the OtterBox protective case has been designed with an advanced waterproof membrane.

The case also comes complete with integrated impact protection and earphone cable management capabilities.

The result is an iPod accessory that is "safe at the beach, pool, river, lake, gym or just walking in the rain", Otter has said.

Available in two sizes, one for the 20gb iPod and one for 30/40/60gb iPods, the OtterBox waterproof case is priced at just £26.99.

Posted by ipodworld at 08:51 AM

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