August 2008 Archives
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August 29, 2008
Sony intros car audio with direct iPod links
Sony today revamped its Xplod car stereo head-end units with its first truly iPod-aware models. The GT630UI, GT430IP, GT330 and GT130 all have a USB connection that allows iPods and (for the GT630UI) iPhones to be controlled and charged through the stereo's own interface rather than the player itself. The same support also allows other MP3 players to be recognized through the digital link.
All three also mark the introduction of a scan technology dubbed ZAPPIN that Sony says will do for digital content what auto-scanning does for radios; using the option plays samples of each track in a given piece of the listener's library to give them a taste of songs and allow playing it by ear rather than text descriptions.
Every iPod-ready Xplod has an aux-in jack to support most minijack-sporting audio devices and will be available sometime in September.
Posted by ipodworld at 09:30 AM
August 28, 2008
iPhone and iPod comic books on the way
iVerse Media says that digital comics from established comic book professionals and studios are coming soon to the iPhone and iPod Touch, all thanks to its iVerse Comic Reader software. The programme can be used to create comics for the two devices, and the company is asking for submissions from comic book hopefuls as well as established pros.
“Creators and studios will be able to set the final prices on their titles, but we're expecting most standard-length titles to be around $.99 (50p), and we're encouraging creators to give away the first issues of their titles to allow new readers who may not be familiar with comics, but are iPhone or iPod Touch owners, to give comics on the devices a try," said iVerse Media owner Michael Murphey.
"With Digital Comics on the iPhone/iPod Touch we have access to a world wide audience, no printing costs or print run minimums, and it doesn't take three months to get the title from the catalogue to on sale in a store.”
Posted by ipodworld at 10:05 AM
August 27, 2008
American Universities distribute free iPods
Every spring, universities across America attempt to attract students with enticing offers, but there may be one method that gets the job done quicker: free iPhones and iPod touches.
Abilene Christian University became the first university to give away the free Apple products to incoming freshmen, with the University of Maryland following suit and Stanford University exploring similar possibilities. Students have just had the iPods for a week, so data on the method's success are still being measured, said William Rankin, ACU associate English professor and co-director of Mobile Learning Research.
Rankin said the iPhone and iPod touch have the potential to be important teaching tools that will facilitate learning inside and outside of the classroom. Students can receive university updates, check class assignments and complete in-class quizzes with the devices.
Posted by ipodworld at 10:37 AM
August 26, 2008
Sony Unveils Wireless Multi-Room Audio System for iPod Players
Sony today took the wraps off its new wireless, multi-room audio system for listening to iPod players.
The new S-AIRPLAY system features Sony's S-Airtechnology, which provides a practical, wireless multi-room solution without complicated setup requirements. Wireless audio can be transmitted from the system's main docking station in one room to various rooms throughout the home -- up to nearly 164 feet -- simply by plugging a separate S-Air wireless speaker into a power outlet.
"This technology makes it easy to listen to music from a compatible iPod without carrying it from room to room," said Andrew Sivori, director of marketing in the personal audio group at Sony Electronics' Digital Imaging and Audio Division. "It's an easy, inexpensive way to get multi-room audio without professional installation."
Equipped with an AM/FM tuner, the S-AIRPLAY system's dual source feature lets users listen to music from the iPod player or from a radio station. Listeners in one room can hear their favourite radio station, while listeners in another room can enjoy music from the iPod at the same time.
Posted by ipodworld at 10:24 AM
August 21, 2008
Current iPod line seems to be on the way out
iPod retailers are indicating most of the current line of iPods are being discontinued in favor of a new lineup, according to a report by Apple Insider. All iPods at US Target stores have been switched to "discontinued" status in the inventory system. Similar things are happening in the UK; retailer Argos will be presenting new displays and wall graphics announcing price reductions, scheduled for late August or early September.
Some Wall Street analysts have anticipated a need for Apple to restructure its inventory to further strengthen its strong position in the PMP business. Apple's Q3 2008 financial report showed sales of over 11 million iPods, a 12 percent unit growth from the same quarter last year.
Despite the growth, analysts have seen the need for Apple to restructure the iPod line, including offering an iPod touch under $200 (£100), necessitated by the availability of the new iPhone at a lower price. Analysts also hinted that new inventory might consist of increased capacity iPod shuffles and iPod nanos, at the same price as the current lower capacity models.
Posted by ipodworld at 09:44 AM
August 20, 2008
iPod to iPod transfer device launched
The iPod may be one of the most revolutionary gadgets of our times, but the good folks at Apple haven't made it easy for people to share music. In fact, without the use of third-party software (like iPod Access) adding songs to your iPod is a bit like putting money into a bank and not being able to access it ever again.
A new device looks set to change that, however. Unsurprisingly, the gadget is called the iPod to iPod Transfer Device and allows you to link to iPod classics together and move music effortlessly – like you should be allowed to anyway!
Unfortunately, the iPod to iPod Transfer Device is strictly for old-school iPod users. The device will not work for those trendy flash-based machines, the iPod touch or iPhone but it will work on the newer Nanos and the iPod Video. It works by connecting between the two iPods via their docking ports.
Posted by ipodworld at 09:53 AM
August 19, 2008
Edibles ‘food journal’ released for iPhone
Random Ideas has announced the release of Edibles, a “food journal” for the iPhone and iPod touch and is available through the App Store. Edibles helps users trying to limit or monitor their calorie intake by tracking the food types and quantity they eat. It’s useful for tracking calories, for WeightWatchers users tracking points, for people trying to limit carbohydrate intake and others.
You can enter a budget of whatever value you’re tracking, then use Edibles to track your daily and weekly allowances, giving yourself bonus Exercise credits too. Edibles let you enter your foods into its database; if you eat the same thing over again, it’s kept on-hand so you can reuse the information.
Edibles requires an iPhone or iPod touch with 2.0 software installed.
Posted by ipodworld at 10:44 AM
August 18, 2008
Beijing Olympics 2008: iPod Helps Michael Phelps Win Big
The 23-year-old American phenomenon, Michael Phelps, won his eighth gold medal of the Beijing Olympic Games today. His exciting win came in the National Aquatics Centre. Phelps turned potential defeat into victory with the help of Apple iPod.
Pre-competition routines give athletes a sense of control and readiness when entering competition. In Sport Psychology, visualisation is the most commonly used tool by sportsmen and women the world over to mentally prepare themselves for the event. Some athletes may only need to do something as simple as listen to music prior to every competition or warm up in the same manner.
And that’s exactly what Michael Phelps did yesterday. As he was going through his regular pre-competition visualization routines, his distinctive Apple iPod ear buds caught the attention of more than 100 million TV viewers all over the world. Now, he is a million dollars richer, courtesy of a bonus put up by sponsor Speedo if he could match Mark Spitz’s record with seven gold medals in one Olympics.
Posted by ipodworld at 09:27 AM
August 15, 2008
IPod Controlling Uniforms Come to British Schools
The kids today have it made. Mobile phones, Nintendo DS, even the internet. And not one of those wonderful toys carries a social stigma. Hell, even using a d20 probably wouldn't get your head flushed down the toilet these days. And the venerably square UK clothing retailer Marks and Spencer is selling school blazers with iPod controls built in. How's that for progress?
The jackets, made from recycled bottles (plastic, we assume) even have great names: "Stain Defence" and "Stormwear". The controls are inside the lapel, and there is a pocket to keep the iPod snug. Channels in the collar and lapels route the earbuds out of sight, so if you grow your hair a little, you'll be able to listen in class. Best of all, the blazers are fully washable (remove iPod first).
Posted by ipodworld at 10:01 AM
August 14, 2008
Xbox Live Friends Application now on iPhone and iPod Touch
The new App store has been flooded with a number of games and application for the iPhone and iPod Touch. An addition to this is the Xbox Live Friends Application. Users can now keep a track of their Xbox Live friends on the iPhone and iPod Touch. The application has been introduced by developer Nicholas Pike.
The web-based application is more than just a static gamer card. Keeping a check on your fellow Xbox gamers is really easy as the application can display gamer scores and online status for your entire friend list.
The most fun way to see what your friends are up to in XBOX live is the 360 voice site. The feature allows your XBOX blog about what you have been playing lately. The application is purpose built for mobile Safari web browsers. The Xbox Live for iPhone and iPod Touch is up for grabs from the App store at a price of £0.59.
Posted by ipodworld at 09:25 AM
August 13, 2008
Reaching out ... the iPhone kill switch
Apple Inc CEO Steve Jobs has admitted the existence of a remote 'kill switch' that Apple can use to reach out and wipe applications from your iPhone or iPod touch.
The admission came in an interview with the Wall Street Journal, with Jobs arguing that Apple needs the function in case the company inadvertently allows a malicious program to be sold then installed into iPhones and iPod touches.
There is a concern? imagine if you bought a little App and it was discovered it stole your personal data? You'd want it dealt with, forthwith.
'Hopefully we never have to pull that lever, but we would be irresponsible not to have a lever like that to pull,' Jobs said.
Posted by ipodworld at 09:44 AM
August 12, 2008
iPod touch and iPhone take on tour guide duties
Visitors to the Tate Liverpool are in for a high tech surprise this summer, as long as they’re carrying an iPhone or iPod touch. Apple’s touchscreen handhelds will get free tour guides downloaded automatically.
Visitors to the Gustav Klimt exhibition, which runs until 31 August, will get a multimedia tour guide sent wirelessly to their iPhone or iPod, featuring music, archived video clips, and behind the scenes footage of the exhibition’s creation.
Those who like to be more prepared can download the tour guide from the Tate’s website or iTunes too, and for anyone without an iPhone or iPod touch, the gallery will loan you one for just £3, as long as you hand over your ID as a deposit.
Posted by ipodworld at 09:20 AM
August 11, 2008
Bose SoundDock Portable - a rockstar for iPod dudes
Here is a rockstar! If you plug your iPod into the Bose SoundDock Portable and play, what you have is a complete party. The speaker delivers what can only be described as Bose sound! And what makes this gizmo even more cool is its complete portability.
To maximise space, the speaker exit also serves as the handle for the system and it can easily be carried around anywhere at home or even at the workplace. Technically speaking, the integrated system design brings together amplifiers, equalisers and speakers for acoustic performance, providing consistent acoustic quality without the inconvenience or worry of complex component adjustments.
The design is typically Bose — underplayed and sleek — and touts the patented waveguide speaker technology and powerful neodymium speakers. A rotating dock folds neatly inside the main enclosure for easy storage and protection during transit.
Posted by ipodworld at 09:48 AM
August 08, 2008
iPhone and iPod Touch App Helps Kids Learn New Language
ABC Sign application for iPhone and iPod touch is designed to help kids learn the American Sign Language (ASL) alphabet. Learning to sign opens the door to new cultures, new opportunities, and even new friendships! This educational app features colorful pictures and funny sounds help to keep learning interesting - as it should be.
Hearing families with deaf children often employ ad-hoc home sign for simple communications. Today though, ASL classes are offered in many secondary and postsecondary schools.
Posted by ipodworld at 09:46 AM
August 05, 2008
Apple iPhone Nano Coming This Christmas
The hype over the iPhone 3G has just barely started to ebb, and people are already clamoring over reports that Apple will be releasing an iPhone Nano just in time for the Christmas shopping season.
Traditionally, Apple holds an annual iPod news conference every September to let the media and its consumers know what is in the pipes for its popular iPod MP3 players. This September, some people are predicting an updated version of the iPod Touch with more features and prices that reflect the overall iPod line, which is hinted at in Apple's financial sales report comments.
However, even that news is eclipsed by news of the iPhone Nano. The Daily Mail was the first to break the news over the weekend, with the Daily Mail's source saying that the iPhone is too expensive for many consumers, but that a cheaper iPhone with the "candy bar shape of iPod nano music players" will be released by Apple just in time for the Christmas season.
Posted by ipodworld at 11:38 AM
August 04, 2008
Lab behind iPod shuts after 28yrs
A pioneering lab that helped develop the iPod shuts today after 28 years at the forefront of science.
The Synchrotron Radiation Source has used its intense beam of electrons to explore everything from the taste of chocolate to aircraft safety since it opened in 1980.
Researchers at the plant in Daresbur y, Cheshire, developed huge magnetic memory capabilities that paved the way for the iPod. It has also helped solve the structure of an enzyme, giving insights into metabolic and regenerative diseases.
Posted by ipodworld at 09:29 AM
August 01, 2008
Apple iPod Touch with GPS
Back in February Apple introduced the 32GB iPod Touch to the collection of 8GB and 16GB models. We know there will be another iPod Touch at some point and today we have a few clues.
The new beta iPhone and iPod 2.1 firmware hints at a new iPod Touch. It’s being reported that there are references to an unreleased iPod Touch known as iPod2,1.
The current iPod models are known as “iPod1,1″, and the first generation iPhone was known as “iPhone1,1″. These numbers are not changed when new storage sizes are introduced; it takes a few more features to introduce a new model like this. The latest iPhone 3G is known as “iPhone1,2″.
The shows that the new iPod Touch will carry more features, but what might these be? Its unlikely that Apple would want the new iPod Touch to overshadow the iPhone, so expect additions like GPS.
Posted by ipodworld at 09:43 AM