Quick, what's the best way to dress up an otherwise dry piece on how companies can register non-traditional trademarks? If you answered "mention Apple and the iPod," you're the big winner -- and you've gotten yourself published in the Wall Street Journal. We'll be the first to admit that Apple's January registration of the three-dimensional design of the iPod strains credulity, but the simple fact is that non-traditional trademarks have been around for a while now -- we seem to remember a little kerfuffle regarding magenta recently, but we can't quite recall the exact details. Similarly, Nokia trademarked the 12 notes of its default ringtone back in September (even though they're part of a larger piece written in 1902 called "Gran Vals"), NBC has a mark on its ding-ding-ding station ID, and Coca-Cola has registrations for basically every bottle design it sells. Still, you can bet Apple legal threw quite a pizza party when this mark was approved -- and we can only imagine the kind of buttoned-down corporate lawyer jam that'll go down if the company succeeds in getting a mark on the design of the iPhone, which it's currently applied for. Hope you're ready for some more funktastic control layouts.

Read - WSJ article
Read - Apple iPod design trademark

Owners of yesteryear Apple products (and consumer advocates) had a pretty solid week. Friday it came to light that more than two million 2001-era PowerBook owners could be eligible for refunds between $25 and $75 in a class-action settlement (which is set for final approval on September 8th) over faulty, sometimes even sparking power adapters. But that's not all: Apple is also offering up $45 credits to any Canadian iPod owner that bought before June 24th, 2004 as part of a class-action suit claiming Apple misrepresented the advertised battery life of the players.

Read - Power adapters
Read - Canadian iPods [sub req'd]

Sure, there are already a handful of options out there for extending the life of your iPhone / iPod battery, but since when have we been ones to gripe about a little competition? Kensington has just introduced a standard and miniature version of its Battery Pack and Charger for iPhone / iPod, which unsurprisingly provides juice to your device's internal battery and can be recharged simultaneously. As you could likely guess, the only differences between the two contraptions are the size, price and battery life; the 0.22-pound standard model extends play time to up to 100 hours (music) / 6 hours (talk), while the even tinier mini version livens things up for another 30 hours (music) / 3 hours (talk). Each is available now for $69.99 / $49.99.

What's better than having a nice leather or cloth iPod sleeve to show off to your friends? If you're thinking one made of imitation meat -- you're dead right! Apparently, a company in Japan is under the impression that you want to wrap your music player in a grade A lookalike, undoubtedly to the thrill of your vegetarian friends and family. Of course, don't just get one for the shock value -- this thing oozes pure, sophisticated style. If you've got ¥6,800 (or about $66) and dignity to spare, it can be all yours.

[Via DVICE]

Oh sure, the iHome iP99 is certainly a welcome addition to the fray, but the first iPhone-compatible clock radio it isn't. Nevertheless, this device claims to be able to play back tunes on your handset without that sanity-killing interference that's so common on most iPod stereo systems. While blasting out tunes, users can still expect to receive calls while it's charging, and if you're currently rolling sans an iPhone, it'll also play nice with all docking iPod models. Per usual, there's an AM / FM tuner, auxiliary input, a variety of wake modes, dual alarm settings, backlit buttons and a remote control for switching tracks / controlling volume from afar. Of course, by the time this thing lands in June for $149.99, we could be testing to see if it works with an all new iPhone.

Update: We've been informed that what was really supposed to be said here was that it's "is the first clock radio available for purchase that is designed specifically for the iPhone," and it's been awarded the coveted "Works with iPhone" sticker from Apple itself. Needless to say, this bad boy has all the shielding you'll need.

Nah, it's not April 10th just yet (in most of the world, at least), but one particular bloke managed to score one of Nike's new SportBands at a London marathon exhibition today. The going rate on that side of the pond was £40 ($78), but we wouldn't mind that dreadful exchange rate too much if you're curious about eventual US pricing. Nevertheless, feel free to tap the read link to peep the unit fresh out of its packaging, but be forewarned, there aren't any surprises.

[Thanks, Terry]

That video we saw the other day of two iPod touches running a networked Quake 3 deathmatch sent ripples through the iPod / iPhone community. Those of you doubting the authenticity of the clip can probably put some fears to bed, as GameCyte has gotten a hold of the programmers, and they make it fairly clear it wasn't some elaborate hoax. According to developers Cameron and Marcia Tofer of Hermitworks, they managed to get the game up and running on the touches in, "Between eight and twelve hours," using jail-broken units, no official SDK, and modified code that added basic accelerometer support. The game in the video is being hosted on one of the devices and played over a local network -- and the Tofers claim that running a full 64-player match wouldn't be out of the question. Unfortunately, there aren't any plans to make this demo public, as the team is working on original content for the platform. So... email petition anyone?

We don't really know what to call it as the name convulses between the iBig Box, the iBoombox, and "Inflatalbe" Boombox on the product page. Regardless, somebody out there has single-handedly put the "ass" back into plastic. The only features listed besides inflatable are a pair of speakers and what we presume to be a line-in connection for the "Ipod" and any other portable media player. Oh, and a weight of exactly 12.00. $60 if you dare.

[Via NewLaunches]

Despite Becks' prior troubles with über-geeky car thieves, we're fairly certain the LA Galaxy midfielder still has a soft spot in his heart for technology. And even if he doesn't, we're confident there's a nook in there for precious metals. Reportedly, Mr. Beckham has been gifted with a gilded iPod touch (the top-end 32GB model, no less) by his English teammates after participating in his 100th appearance for the national club. Word on the street has it that the golden touch only set the squad back £600 ($1,188), which isn't too shabby considering the £329 ($651) sticker on the vanilla version.

Right on cue, Nike's making things official with its oft-rumored (and still unpriced) Nike+ SportBand and even had the time to toss in details about Nike+ Coach, too. The band, which opens up features at the NikePlus website along with enabling runners to check out distance, pace, time and calories burned, is indeed marketed as a standalone device for those who'd prefer not to have a DAP flanking their arm when exercising. Moreover, the outfit's online Nike+ Coach system will allow runners to have the information they need to appropriately train for long distance events or achieve customized goals. Get those kicks cleaned up prior to April 10th -- after all, that's the day you'll be sprinting out to pick this thing up, right?

We've seen a number of iPod speakers with pass-through dock connectors, but we've never really understood the point -- why would we listen to music on our iPod when we're already sitting at the computer, which has better speakers? iHome's latest rig, the iH69, tries to bring it all together, though, with an iPod dock integrated directly into a set of upright computer speakers. We're not sold on the idea until we actually hear 'em -- or we get a sub in the deal -- but those of you looking to save on some cable clutter should look for these bad boys to drop sometime in June.

Update: iHome pinged to let us know that this thing is still in concept / prototype phase, and isn't a final design or even assured to be produced (so you can bet that the iH69 name isn't solid either).

iPod cases with built-in speakers have amazingly been around the block a time or two before. We're guessing the reason shelves aren't flooded with 'em today has quite a bit to do with the presumably lackluster sound quality / output potential. Nevertheless, those hoping to find just a case for their precious new iPod classic need look no further, as the rotating speakers case for iPod is here to make your dreams come true. Reportedly, the $60.72 enclosure works just fine with 80/160GB iPod classic models as well as 30/60/80GB 5G iPods, but considering that each of the stereo drivers pumps out under 1-watt per, you should probably plan on tossing this bad boy over your right shoulder like we did back in 1985 in order to hear anything.

[Via popgadget]

Perhaps this is some sort of elaborate hoax, maybe it's an epidemic of iPod touch coffee stains, or perhaps this player really just is this hard to photograph. Still, our second set of blurry "my iPod touch caught on fire" pictures certainly has us reaching for our Flaming Goblet of Skepticism (+3 WIS). Similar to Max's experience a couple days ago, tipster Ryan F. says his iPod caught on fire from the inside. Ryan says he plugged it in to charge and it showed a dead battery, then the screen went white and the device started to get super hot, so he unplugged it but it continued to burn. The fire ended up leaving a blackish orangish circle in the screen, along with a brown dent in the metal on the back (pictured after the break). Ryan's going to try and track down a better camera to take some better pictures of the damage.

Oh sure, iPods have found their way outside of our atmosphere before, but there's just something magical about spotting one front and (off) center on the Space Shuttle Endeavour. Dollars to donuts it's perpetually repeating the discography of Air.

Make of it what you will, but Germany's own Mac Life has apparently grabbed hold of a few more details concerning that SportBand we saw sashay into the FCC's database late last month. Reportedly, the unit isn't meant to replace the Nike+iPod system; rather, it's an alternative for runners who'd prefer not to have earbuds in and a DAP on their person when logging their treks. As expected, time, speed, distance and calories will all be tracked, and each run can be captured and stored on the outfit's website after you thumb a ride back home. We're told to expect said device in April for €59.95 ($93), but only time will tell if that's an accurate assertion (and true worldwide).

[Thanks, Susanne]