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Good news for Australians: Apple drops iPod prices
Apple often charges more for products sold outside of the US, but with the Australian dollar coming over parity with the value of the US dollar (currently less than a four cent differential), the company has reduced Australian prices of the entire iPod line. The 160 GB iPod classic was reduced A$30 from $329 to $299. The 8 GB iPod touch was cut $30 from $289 to $259, and the 32 GB version was lowered $29 bringing it from $378 to $349. The 64 GB model was slashed a full $50 taking it from $499 to $449, which is the largest price decrease in the line. The smallest price decrease was only $4, lowering the iPod shuffle from $69 to $65. The iPod nano 8 GB is down $20 from $199 to $179, and the 16 GB version was lowered only $10 from $229 to $219. Perhaps it's a slow seller in Australia. I really hope that Apple has taken to heart the ebbs and flows of the US dollar as compared to other currencies and will follow suit in other countries.
Seen at CES: iDevices through the years
We saw these displays over in the actual iLounge booth (they also have a deal to sponsor some of the iPhone-related displays here at CES), and thought you readers would enjoy a look. Basically iLounge went back and obtained a version of every single iDevice out there (with the exception of the two iPad models currently out), and mounted them all on the wall lined up from oldest to newest. It's a pretty cool look at Apple's most recent history. Above, you can see the iPod line from the original device in 2001 up through the iPod classic, as well as the iPod shuffle from introduction shrunk down into the current square form. And after the break, you can see the various iPod nanos, and all of the iPod touch and iPhone models so far. It was definitely a cool little look at Apple's history in between all of the other CES chaos going on this week.
New Apple patents for iPhone, wide trackpad, Final Cut Pro, and Apple Mail
Patently Apple's got a whole slew of new patent applications from Cupertino today. First up are the actual product designs of the original iPhone and the second-gen iPod shuffle. Apple's moved on from both of these designs to newer and better things, but they're putting the patents in anyway, just in case anyone wants to rip off the rounded iPhone edges or the little shuffle's clip design. There are also two MacBook patents: one for the latch holding the battery in, and another one for an extremely wide trackpad that creates a touchable surface all the way across the bottom of the notebook. I like that idea -- I guess Apple hasn't yet figured out a way to put a touchpad in there without getting in the way of the hard drive, the battery, or whatever else is already in that space, but that's an innovation we could see in a future revision. Finally, Final Cut Pro's scripting engine has gotten a patent application, and there are also two Apple Mail-related patents, for filtering and processing certain email messages. Nothing super groundbreaking, but Apple continues to leave its mark on as many types of computer innovation as it can.
H2O Audio's Amphibx Grip waterproof armband keeps your new iPod nano, shuffle dry
Yep -- the same folks that enabled your iPod nano 5G to become an underwater camera have just created yet another underwater armband for Apple's latest. H2O Audio's Amphibx Grip is specifically designed to keep the latest iPod nano and iPod shuffle shielded from the harmful, oftentimes fatal effects of liquid, promising a "100 percent watertight and secure seal that provides waterproofing up to 12 feet." We're told that the ClearTouch Window allows for full operation of touchscreen and button controls, and if you're wondering, the company would be more than happy to sell you a set of waterproof earbuds to go along with it. Check it right now for a penny under $60. Michael Phelps would.
Found Footage: Last week's SteveFest in three minutes
We're all busy people, and I'm sure that many of us missed the iPod/Apple TV SteveFest on the first. Once again, Neil Curtis, master of cutting to the chase, has created a three-minute version of the 75-minute presentation. Previously, Neil did a very short version of the adjective enhanced iPad rollout; he's very good at this sort of thing. This little video (making wonderful use of music) only mentions stores "with people" in them, the new iPods, the Game Center, Ping, and the underwhelming new Apple TV. I've been through the full video a number of times, and nowhere does Steve mention just what resolution he's talking about when he says HD. In my opinion, this is a bag of hurt...but maybe that's just me. There's also some Lady Gaga in the video. So, don't expect anything about iOS 4.2 or anything iOS related. It's worth a look and will probably give you a chuckle or two. Keep up the good work, Neil.
iFixit tears down a new iPod shuffle
Whenever Apple releases new hardware, I start to anticipate iFixit's inevitable teardown. This time they've gotten into the iPod shuffle to show us the very small number of tiny parts that keep users rocking. Much like the Magic Trackpad, there isn't much to see inside the new shuffle. The guys admit that getting the shuffle apart wasn't easy. "It took us a good half hour of prying and heat-gunning to open the little guy." The front and back cases were glued and press-fit together. It's a solid little device. Inside, the battery and logic board live side-by-side in cozy quarters. In fact, they're soldered together (so no user-serviceable battery in the shuffle). Once the connecting ribbon has been removed, you can pop the board's retaining clip and the lone screw holding it in place, removing it and the battery as a single unit. Finally, four little screws keep the click wheel in place. iFixit shares some other information on the battery, board, and probable dates of manufacture in their article, so go and read it. We suspect, as they do, that these teardowns will only get harder as Apple's hardware continues to shrink.
How Apple's newest iPods prove (and disprove) that it learns from design mistakes
When Apple released the third-generation iPod shuffle in 2009, I saw it as a perfect example of the design hubris that many Apple detractors point to. From a usability perspective, there really wasn't anything wrong with the second-generation iPod shuffle -- it had a minimal number of buttons, true, but their functions were fairly obvious. In a textbook example of the emphasis of form over function, Apple's third-generation iPod shuffle removed all of the controls from the device itself and moved them to the headphones' inline remote. Not only was the remote far more complex to use than the old shuffle's simple buttons, it also meant that, if you wanted to use third-party headphones, you'd either have to give up all control over the iPod or shell out more money for an inline remote adapter. The third-gen iPod shuffle got savaged in reviews, and it deserved it. Apple's fourth-generation iPod shuffle mercifully brought the buttons back. Apple even lists "buttons" as a feature on its page for the iPod shuffle. In a rare departure from typical Apple design, the fourth-generation iPod shuffle is much larger than the third-gen; it's not that Apple can't make a music player the size of your thumbnail, but it seems like Apple realized that it shouldn't. So, the return of buttons to the iPod shuffle proves that Apple doesn't always emphasize form over function. Right? Unfortunately, although the iPod shuffle proves that Apple is perfectly capable of learning from its design missteps, the new iPod nano and iPod touch both feature design compromises that are almost as boneheaded as the buttonless third-gen iPod shuffle. Click "Read More" to see the way these new iPods, nice as they are in some respects, are in other ways an example of a "one step forward, two steps back" design.
A roundup of today's Apple news
In case you're just getting off of work, just waking up, or your plane just landed after a 15-hour flight, here's all of today's Apple news condensed into one quick post: Steve Jobs looked good at today's event, which was attended by Steve Wozniak. Steve J. did a nice shout-out to his "partner in crime" at the beginning of the presentation. Jobs announced that there are now 300 Apple Retail Stores in 10 countries, with new stores opening in Spain soon. The Apple Stores get more than 1 million visitors combined on some days -- the primary reason why the company dropped their presence at Macworld Expo. Other stats -- 120,000,000 iOS devices, 230,000 new iOS activations per day (not including updates), 6.5 billion downloads from the App Store, 250,000 apps on the App Store. iOS 4.1 will be out next week, featuring fixes for the proximity sensor, Bluetooth, and iPhone 3G issues. There will also be support for HDR (High Dynamic Range) photos, the ability to upload HD video to other devices (Apple TV) over WiFi (this is known as AirPlay), 99¢ TV show rentals, and GameCenter. The latter will bring a new level of interactive gaming to the platform. In November, we'll see iOS 4.2 for iPad, iPhone and iPod touch. This adds printing support, AirPlay, multi-tasking, and folders (among other features) to the iPad.
iPod nano vs touch vs shuffle... fight!
Three new iPods under one roof -- how could we not throw them on a table and see how they size up against one another? Obviously, the iPod touch is the black sheep here in terms of sheer physical space, but the width / height difference between the nano and shuffle is as marginal as you probably guessed. More pics below! %Gallery-101004%
iPod shuffle (2010) first hands-on!
Not much to say here, it's got a click wheel in as few molecules as possible. Pics below! %Gallery-100977%
Apple announces redesigned iPod shuffle, brings the buttons back
Apple's just announced a brand new, re-designed iPod shuffle. The button is back, and this model's got up to a 15 hour battery life, is available in five colors, and will run you $49. If you're in the mood, you can pre-order today, and it'll ship next week. Full press release is below. %Gallery-100933% %Gallery-100968% Check out our full coverage here!
Supposed next-gen iPod touch, nano / shuffle cases surface online
Stop us if you've heard this one before -- an Apple event is looming, and suddenly some cases turn up online that seem to nicely line up with the devices rumored to be announced. These latest examples come courtesy of Chinese case retailer X-Doria, and include a case for what appears to be a 4th-gen iPod touch with a camera, and one that's described as a case for a "nano 6G," but could seemingly also be for a new iPod shuffle with a touchscreen. Of particular note, the apparent iPod touch case seems to reveal a curved back more similar to the current model than the iPhone 4, while the nano / shuffle case looks to be a near perfect match for that 1.7-inch Apple touchscreen that mysteriously turned up in Taiwan last month. What does it all mean? There's less than a week until we know for sure.
Apple launches Headphones with Remote Replacement Program
Apple has launched a replacement program for third-generation iPod shuffle headphones with remote controls that exhibit performance problems. The symptoms of the issues, which have led to some lengthy discussions in Apple's Support Forum, include controls that are non-responsive or work intermittently, unexpected volume increase or decrease, and unexpected playing of voice feedback. The serial number ranges of the iPod shuffle with the affected headphones are xx909xxxxxx to xx952xxxxxx and xx001xxxxxx to xx004xxxxxx. A very small percentage of iPod shuffle owners have experienced the problems, according to Apple. The issue is apparently limited to headphones that were included with the 3rd gen iPod shuffle made between approximately February 2009 and February 2010. Apple also notes that any Apple earphones with built-in remote, like the ones that ship with the iPhone, are covered under this replacement program as well. Full details on the replacement program, including how to locate your serial number and the steps to go through to obtain your new headphones, are on the Apple Headphones with Remote Replacement Program page. Thanks to reader Michael B. for the tip.
iPod accessory turns up in fine art museum
I'm in Chicago right now visiting some of my friends. Yesterday we decided to go to my old workplace, the Art Institute of Chicago, which has one of the best collections of Impressionist and Post-Impressionist art in the world. Imagine my surprise when I found myself staring at a first-generation iPod shuffle accessory. Some of you may remember this accessory from back in the day when Apple made the first shuffle that looked like a white stick of Wrigley's gum. The accessory/piece of art is called iBelieve and is basically a T-shaped cap that turns your first-gen iPod shuffle into a Cross you can wear around you neck. The plaque next to the artwork reads: Scott Wilson American, born 1969 iBelieve, 2006 iPod shuffle, plastic, and fabric (including replacement cap) Before relocating to Chicago in 2006 to set up his own studio, industrial designer Scott Wilson was a lead designer at Nike and IDEO. His innovative projects run the gamut from furniture to household products to high-performance sports equipment. iBelieve is part of a series of self-produced works and was inspired by the current popularity of the iPod. The conceptual design consists of a replacement cap, or what Wilson refers to as a "divine accessory," for the iPod shuffle. When snapped onto a shuffle, the attachment creates a cruciform shape, which enables consumers to profess their devotion to this omnipresent electronic device. Conceived as a tongue-in-cheek commentary on consumer culture, Wilson took advantage of viral marketing techniques and posted the design to a blog, which received 250,000 hits in one day as a result. I've always known about the various online Apple museums, but who could have imagined that a cap for one of Apple's worst-designed iPods would some day be hanging in the same museum with the likes of Van Gogh's Bedroom in Arles and Edward Hopper's Nighthawks?
Mini MP3 DV Cam shoves a camcorder into old iPod shuffle enclosure
Okay, so we know this version of the shuffle hasn't been on Apple's pages for a few weeks now, but there's still something curiously awesome about a shuffle with a camcorder. You know -- considering that the Cupertino-based company won't even add a video camera to the iPod touch. The Mini MP3 DV Cam, which is meticulously crafted by one Xiangyun Industry Co., Limited, seems to be a camcorder / camera alone, with no music playback functionality to speak of. Packing a 1.3 megapixel sensor capable of logging VGA-quality (640 x 480 resolution) clips, the device can also snag stills and store 'em on the user-provided memory card. The good news is that this gem costs just $15 to $30 depending on the amount you order; the bad news is the 100 item order minimum. Anyone down for a group buy? Bueller?[Via Red Ferret]
Apple introduces new iPod shuffle colors, adds a new $59 2GB model
Along with the new iPod nano, iPod touch and iPod classic updates, Apple today also introduced 3 new colors of the iPod shuffle, a special stainless steel edition, and a 2GB model for $59. The new colors are green, pink and blue, and are available for both the 2GB and 4GB models. Also, there's a new $99 4GB stainless steel model, available for $99, $20 more than the regular 4GB colors. Finally, there's a new 2GB model of the 3rd generation shuffle, available for $59, and also comes in black, sliver, green, pink and blue.
Apple releases video podcast of Rock and Roll event, we've got you covered with the highlights
Need to catch up on today's Apple news? Well, you can either fire up iTunes and download Apple's video podcast of the event, or you can skip the endless game demos and marketing chit-chat and just peruse the links below. The executive summary? iTunes 9's new app management, Home Sharing, and iTunes LP features are really nice, but it's almost impossible to understand why Apple added a camera to the iPod nano and not the iPod touch, no matter what Steve says. Oh -- and don't forget the Palm Pixi! The event Live from Apple's 'It's only rock and roll' event Video: Steve Jobs returns to the Apple stage iPodsiPod nano unboxed, camera gets tested against the mean streets of Manhattan iPod touch 3rd gen hands-on and video iPod nano 5G with camera first hands-on! Apple announces cheaper, more colorful iPod shuffle, new Special Edition Apple updates iPod touch line, drops prices, adds top-end 64GB model Apple adds video camera, larger screen to new 5G iPod nano iPod classic bumped to 160GB, price stays the same at $249 iPhone OS 3.1 is official, available today iPhone / iPod touch OS 3.1.1 is live!iPod shuffle 2g is no more iTunes iTunes 9 bringing iTunes LP functionality, 'beautiful new look' iTunes 9 breaks Pre media sync... what did you expect?Video: iTunes 9 Home Sharing and iPhone app management
iPod shuffle 2G is no more
Every highly-polished stainless steel lining has a cloud, it seems, and today's music player overhaul by Apple has been no different. Amidst all the excitement about moderate improvements and video cameras, we've also had to say goodbye to an old friend. Having been kept around for six months after the release of its successor, the second gen shuffle has finally succumbed, leaving the newly colorful 3G option all on its lonesome in the minimalist music lover space. Ah well, if you really have your heart set on the old rocker, refurb models are still available at Apple's online store, though probably not for long. [Via iLounge]
Apple announces cheaper, more colorful iPod shuffle, new Special Edition
Well, it wasn't high on the rumor list, but it looks like Apple didn't forget about the humble iPod shuffle amidst all its other iPod news, with it taking the opportunity to both lower the price and add a much needed dash of color to the lineup. Now starting at just $59 for a 2GB model and $79 for a 4GB, the shuffle is also available in your choice of pink, green, or blue in addition the usual silver or black, as well as in a new, all stainless steel 4GB Special Edition for a premium price of $99 (which also just so happens to be an Apple Store exclusive). Not much else new, as you might expect, but Apple is also promising that more iPod shuffle-friendly headphones will soon be available, in case that's the one thing that's been keeping you and the voice apart all this time.
Wiipod modder shoves an MP3 player in his Wiimote, calls it a day
Readers, don't act like you're appalled that this mod consists entirely of an old iPod shuffle shoved into the battery compartment of a Wiimote game controller. If anything, you should be amused that this mod consists entirely of an old iPod shuffle KIRF shoved into the battery compartment of a Wiimote game controller. See for yourself after the break. [Via Technabob]
