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Mighty's iPod Shuffle for Spotify now works with Amazon Music
When Mighty arrived in 2017, the device offered the convenience of offline playback for Spotify. In other words, you could take your favorite tunes anywhere -- and you didn't need your phone to do it. Basically, it's an iPod Shuffle for any albums, songs, playlists or podcasts you've made available offline. The company (which goes by the same name) returned in 2018 with the updated Mighty Vibe, a device with much improved Bluetooth range and more consistent battery life. Of course, there was still a key issue: it only worked with Spotify. Well, that changes today. Mighty now works with Amazon Music.
iPod shuffle stocks are dwindling
Apple fans looking for the diminutive 2 GB iPod shuffle (US$49.00) may have to wait a while to get one, as stocks at both the online Apple Store and brick-and-mortar Apple retail outlets are running low. Currently the online store is showing a 7 to 10 day wait prior to shipment, and searching personal pickup availability -- usually a good indicator of stock on hand at local Apple Stores -- shows "ships to store" as the status for many of those stores. So what's the cause of the shortage? There are several possibilities. First, it could be that Apple has decided to drop the iPod shuffle entirely from its product line. That's not entirely out of the question; the company killed the iPod Classic last September with nary a word from Cupertino. Next, Apple might be in the process of transitioning to a new manufacturing partner in order to reduce the cost of what has to be a fairly low-margin product, in which case the shortage could be temporary. Or perhaps Apple is considering replacing the existing iPod shuffle with a newer model with more capacity and/or Bluetooth. The iPod shuffle has always been a popular model for running and working out, as the .44 ounce (12.5 gram) device is easy to clip onto a collar or waistband. But the current model seems a bit dated in an Apple world where more and more devices are going wireless. What are your thoughts on the fate of the iPod shuffle? Let us know in the comments.
AudioFlood's waterproof iPod is a swimmer's music dream come true
Swimming in an incredible form of exercises, especially as you age, but there's one problem for people like myself who use exercise time to work through podcasts and records you'd like to check out. Namely, it's really difficult to listen to music underwater. Thankfully for the sound obsessed swimming fans of the world, AudioFlood's waterproof iPod shuffle is a nearly perfect way to experience your tunes underwater. Utilizing the latest generation of iPod shuffle, the AudioFlood iPod has 15 hours of battery life, 2GB of storage (enough space for over 500 songs), and is depth rated to 200 ft. We tried it at a depth of 6 ft at an indoor pool because it's winter, but the device worked with no problems. Even when you're underwater, iPod shuffle features like the VoiceOver button that tells you song title, playlist name or battery status work like a charm. Included with the MP3 player are wonderful short cord headphones, six earpiece options to guarantee the perfect fit, an extension cable, a USB charger/sync cable, and a swim cap. I found attaching the device to the swimcap with the iPod's clip provided a secure swimming experience without ever coming loose. The short cord headphones allow you to swim without getting tangled in a mess of cords, and we commend AudioFlood for removing this possible drowning hazard. Getting used to the earbuds takes a little getting used to but if you think of them as normal swimmers earplugs you'll be enjoying your tunes in no time. Make sure you're using the proper size of earbud, as sound quality will suffer if you don't put them in just right. Sound quality for music will largely depend on the quality of your files, but listening to 320KB MP3s brought me my favorite tunes loud and clear. In my testing spoken word audio sounded better than recorded music, but the differences were mostly negligible. The only real downside of the AudioFlood iPod is the iPod Shuffle itself. Apple's VoiceOver feature makes navigating possible, but if you're looking for a specific song or podcast episode it's going to take awhile for you to find it. That's a minor complaint though. In the grand scheme of things, it's not much of a sacrifice to give up a little bit of speed when looking for content if means you can listen to music underwater. Should you somehow lose the device while you're swimming it will keep working, even after being sunk underwater by itself. Our test unit was stored in a sink of water for hours on end, only to still work when pulled out. Here's a photo of our testing rig: You can get the main AudioFlood bundle for around $140, which gives you a case, swimming cap, headphones, different sizes of earbuds, and the device itself. It's handy for keeping track of everything and only marginally more expensive than the $125 it costs for the device itself. Ultimately, it's a small price to pay for the ability to swim while "Under the Sea" or "Beyond the Sea" blasts through your ears... whether you choose the tune to be Disney or Bobby Darin is up to you. This is the perfect gift for the swimmers in your life, whether they're practicing for the Olympics, exercising, or just blowing off some steam in the pool. Couple its wonderful functionality with AudioFlood's two-year warranty and they'll be swimming in tunes for a long time to come.
Nokia's answer to the iPod Shuffle might look a lot like an iPod Shuffle
Serial party spoiler @evleaks has already shown us Nokia's forthcoming Lumia 1520 and 2520, but now he claims to have a leaked image of something much, much smaller. The picture shows a basic audio device that, he says, is similar to Apple's entry-level music player, except that it has NFC to allow easy pairing to either a smartphone or to other speakers and headphones. There's also a microUSB charging and/or sync port, as well as some very simple controls, although we can't see if there are any buttons on the far side. As to whether this thing -- which may be called the "Guru" -- is just another Bluetooth receiver and DAC for headsets (like Nokia's existing BH-221), or whether it has local storage and other features of its own, we'll probably find out tomorrow.
Apple adds new 'Space Gray' color option for iPod Touch, nano and shuffle
Apple has added a "space gray" color option to the iPod touch, iPod nano and iPod shuffle. The new color option for the iPods was first noticed by MacRumors. The fact that Apple quietly did this probably means that no iPod refresh is set to come this year, as Apple would have likely held off on introducing the new color if iPods were to be refreshed before the holidays. The space gray option replaces black on the current iPod lineup. All prices on iPods remain the same.
Apple's new iPods available for pre-order from Amazon
If you're wanting to get your new iPod through Amazon, the online seller has the full slate of new iPod nanos, iPod shuffles and iPod touches. You won't be getting a discount by buying through Amazon, but if you prefer not to wade through the Apple Store on release day, here's another option for you. [via Engadget]
Apple's new iPod touch, nano and shuffle now up for pre-order on Amazon
Sure, all the talk of late is about Apple's shiny new iPhone 5, but let's not forget the company also unveiled a slew of fresh iPods back at the Yerba Buena Center this past week. And while the Cupertino outfit's had the music-friendly lineup for pre-order on its website from day one, folks can now start placing orders through Amazon as well. The only bad news is the revamped iPod touch shows an estimated shipping time of 3-5 weeks, while the "renanoed" nano and the tiny, colorful shuffle are both expected to be shipped in 2-5 weeks. As far as pricing goes, the MSRP tags are the same as Apple's -- though there is a better chance you could get them a bit quicker thanks to one of Amazon's renowned shipping options. Either way, you'll find 'em all at the source link below.
iPod shuffle updated with much-needed new hues
It's been quite a while since the Shuffle has been updated, but we're happy to say that Apple has shown the tiniest of its music players some much needed love. There's only one change here, but it's by far the most important -- colors! Now the tiny PMPs will match their revamped "iTouch" brothers. Just, you know, with much less functionality. There's even a soft and subtle pink model for all those ladies out there that love being pandered to and a Project (RED) version for the socially conscious. The latest generation of the shuffle should start shipping today. Check out all the coverage at our iPhone 2012 event hub!
iPod shuffle debuted on this day in 2005
On January 11, 2005, Apple introduced the iPod shuffle to the world. Designed as a way to enjoy music while exercising, the shuffle brought random play of music to the iPod. The first edition of this device looked remarkably like a white stick of gum, featuring no display or scroll wheel, and plugging right into a USB port for syncing. It was also the first Apple iPod to do away with an internal hard drive, using only flash memory to store music. Since that time, the iPod shuffle has been transformed several times. The first change in September, 2006 turned the device into a small clip-like device similar to the iPod shuffle we know and love today. The third-generation shuffle, which was introduced in March of 2009, took small size to a ridiculous extreme. This model did away with on-device controls, using volume and track buttons on the white earbuds instead. It was also the first iPod to provide VoiceOver to announce track names and other information to listeners. The latest incarnation of the iPod shuffle returned to the larger size of the second generation device, bringing back the buttons and retaining VoiceOver. Announced on September 1, 2010, the current iPod shuffle costs only US$49 for 2 GB of storage and comes in five colors. Happy anniversary to the popular and low-priced iPod shuffle!
Insert Coin: A look back at ten top projects from 2011
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Insert Coin: ODDIO1 straps an iPod shuffle to your head, makes you inexplicably cooler
In Insert Coin, we look at an exciting new tech project that requires funding before it can hit production. If you'd like to pitch a project, please send us a tip with "Insert Coin" as the subject line. Micro music players like the iPod shuffle are great when you're shredding the powder, but long cords can be a health hazard, even in the office -- if one wraps itself 'round your coffee mug, you risk having twelve ounces of hot liquid landing in your lap. Designers Jeremy Saxton & Jacob Hall have developed the ODDIO1, a pair of headphones that do away with all that unnecessary cabling -- holstering the shuffle on the right earpiece. If you're interested in getting your hands on a pair of these infuriatingly simple yet elegant cans, ride on past the break to find out more.
The iPod turns 10, celebrates a decade of destroying physical media
It's hard to believe, but it's been exactly ten years since the iPod was first unveiled, ultimately changing the music industry forever. The iPod wasn't the first, it wasn't the smallest, it didn't have the largest hard drive, but it did have an iconic style and simple to use interface that led march away from CDs. When the history of Apple is written the iPod (perhaps more than the iMac, OS X or the iPhone) will be credited with helping spearhead the company's second coming. Over the years the music player has seen countless iterations and redesigns, and an expansion of the product line to include smaller devices and touch screens -- but for most it's the scroll wheel and white earbuds that define the iPod. Sure, what is now called the iPod classic hasn't seen a serious update since about 2007, but it still holds a special place in our hearts, especially for those of us who don't measure their music collection in a few dozen iTunes downloads.
10 years ago today, the original iPod changed music
Happy 10th anniversary to the iPod! It was introduced at a low-key Steve Jobs presentation on October 23, 2001, when the country and the consumer electronics market were still reeling from the events of six weeks earlier. The 5 GB device designed to put "1,000 songs in your pocket" wound up not only being a smashing hit, but paving the way to a revolution in how music and movies are purchased today, not to mention preparing the ground for the iPhone and the iPad. The iPod was a game-changer on a number of levels, and we at TUAW decided to share with you our memories of our first iPods. We'll also be talking iPod history live tonight on the Talkcast. Megan Lavey-Heaton I was living in Bristol, Tenn., in 2004, working for the Bristol Herald Courier just over the state line in Virginia for a meager wage. That June, I began dating another journalist who worked for the Knoxville newspaper. After my laptop literally fell apart, my boyfriend offered to help me purchase a new computer. After getting the computer and a new modem, we hauled the stuff out to the parking lot at Best Buy, and I asked my boyfriend to open the trunk so I could put our gear inside. He hesitated, saying I had a lot of junk in the trunk. Because I was holding some expensive items, I urged him to open it again. He opened the trunk, and sitting before me was a 15 GB 3rd generation iPod I'd been wanting for months. He'd been planning to surprise me with it at his house. My relationship with that first iPod lasted much, much longer than the relationship with the boyfriend. We broke up after nearly seven months of dating. I kept the iPod until December 2006, when I got a 5th generation iPod so I could watch video. That first iPod saw me through two cross-country moves (Tennessee to Maine, then Maine to Arizona) and more. I passed the 3rd generation iPod down to my eldest niece, who used it another year before the battery and hard drive gave up the ghost. Now, in addition to an iPhone, I have a 5th-generation iPod nano that I keep in the car and a 1st-generation iPod shuffle that I won at work that I use as an emergency USB stick. I've also sort of had my eye on the 6th-generation iPod nano. "I was thinking I could use it as a watch," I told my husband. My husband, who wouldn't be caught dead buying an iPod, but I still love him anyhow, just groaned. Mike Rose I had owned a RIO piece-o-junk MP3 player and had been studiously converting my CDs using SoundJam MP, so I was already familiar with the concept when the iPod came along, but it still seemed so remarkable -- five gigabytes of music on a hard drive? Who could even listen to that many songs? I had to buy one, and I did, telling myself I would use it as an external FireWire drive for troubleshooting and data transfer if the whole music thing didn't work out. I used that 5G original iPod for quite a while, but then in a strange series of coincidences, I found myself in an upgrade cycle I didn't have to pay for. Between raffle drawings and tradeshow giveaways (an iPod mini, a nano, and eventually a first-gen iPod touch) and right-time/right-place happenstance (a boss who must have been feeling kindly toward me when he upgraded his iPod video, since he let me keep the old one) I don't believe I put my credit card down to buy a new iPod more than once or twice in the ten years after that first purchase. My original iPod has long since been hand-me-up'ed to my mother; she was subsequently the recipient of the mini and now has her own iPhone 4. The nano and the touch have made their way to my two daughters. One clickwheel iPod is tucked away in my wife's kit bag, where she used it extensively with an external mic to record grad school lectures; the other one is embedded in a V55 5" video playback system that's been quite thoroughly obsoleted by recent developments. I don't think any of us seeing the original iPod announcement back in October 2001 could have imagined what was to come... truthfully, we were all a little bit distracted at the time. What's remarkable now is the utter dominance that the iPod held over the portable player market, and eventually over the entire music ecosystem. To take such control of the category, only finding a shrinking sway when the entire product concept is being replaced by touchable devices -- it's been a wild ride. TJ Luoma I bought my first iPod in 2003, a 30GB model which only recently stopped working. It was my gateway to the Mac. My PC laptop didn't have FireWire so I bought a PC card adapter. That let me sync but didn't charge the iPod while it was syncing, which was a drag. I had tried at least a dozen other MP3 players and always ended returning them. The iPod "just worked" and was so much better than everything else I'd tried. Sure, it cost more, but it actually made me want to use it, and it lasted about 6 years before the battery wouldn't hold a charge. It lived out its last years in my car, always plugged into a power adapter and working fine until one day it simply would not spin up. A small memorial was held for family and friends. Chris Rawson I didn't get my first iPod until 2005. I'd wanted something like it since before the iPod even existed -- carrying CDs around in the car or in a portable player was always more trouble than it was worth -- but I felt the first several generations of iPod were simply far too expensive for what they offered. The low capacities, monochromatic screens, and high prices were all huge turn-offs. The 60 GB iPod Photo finally offered the right mix of functionality and price, so I bought one ... exactly two weeks before Apple unveiled the much more capable fifth-generation iPod with video. Fortunately my local Apple Store was kind enough to let me exchange for the new one (after paying a restocking fee, naturally), and the iPod with video became my primary means of listening to music for nearly four years. I must have spent tens of thousands of hours listening to that thing, whether it was on cross-country car trips, commutes to university, riding the train to work, working out, or the 13-hour plane ride to New Zealand. I bought some games for it (Tetris was absolutely awesome on the iPod), kept notes and a handful of funny videos on it, and even used it for dictation a couple times with an external mic attachment. Through all of that, it kept trucking on like a champ. One day at Target I saw a returned second-gen iPod shuffle sitting in the electronics department, marked down significantly from its normal price -- I think it was $39. I snagged it, but I've hardly used it at all since then, except in situations where I was afraid of damaging one of my more capable devices. Though my wife loved her first-gen nano and her newer sixth-gen model, I've never found anything particularly enticing about the nano lineup, which once again fell into a features/price situation that never convinced me I needed one. Immediately after buying my first iPod, I wished for something that combined a device with the functionality of an iPod with basic phone functions. I would've been happy if Apple had just put out something that held a few gigabytes of songs, made phone calls, and let me sync my contacts, photos, and ringtones via iTunes -- even something like the ROKR would've been good enough if it had been able to hold 1000 songs instead of only 100. The iPhone turned out to do all that and much more, and it pretty much killed any enthusiasm I had for the entire iPod line. My iPhone 3G had far lower capacity than my iPod, but in every other way it was a far more capable device, so I sold my trusty old iPod and haven't looked back. It's not a big stretch to say that the iPod is the product that saved Apple from the brink. It was also the first brand-new Apple product I ever bought, and though it's unlikely I'll ever buy another iPod, I've been hooked on Apple's other, more powerful mobile devices ever since. Steve Sande My first experience with the iPod was in 2002. I was fascinated by the idea of the iPod, but thought they were way too expensive so I went and bought a Creative NOMAD Jukebox MP3 player. I hated it. The user interface made no sense to me at all, and it took just a few days for me to pack it back in the box and send it back to Amazon. The next week, I headed over to a nearby CompUSA store (remember them?) to look at the pricey, but oh-so-cool iPod. I ended up buying the 10 GB model, although at the time I had barely begun to rip my CD collection. I remember being totally enchanted by the 1st-Generation iPod, complete with that mechanical click wheel. It was so easy to use compared to that crappy NOMAD that it wasn't too long before I had ripped my CDs and created a pretty huge music library. My experiences with the iPod resulted in me writing a book that was later published by Take Control Books as Take Control of Your iPod: Beyond the Music. In that book, I talked about using the iPod as a PDA, running Linux on an iPod, and a number of other fascinating things that really went beyond just listening to music. I've owned several iPods since then, although I haven't used one for listening to music since getting my first iPhone in 2007. I still have a 4th-generation iPod classic that I use as a troubleshooting tool, and I'm not sure that I'll ever get rid of it. It reminds me of that 1st-generation device that hooked me on the design, and it will make a good "museum piece" along with my QuickTake 100 camera and Newton MessagePad 2100. What was your first iPod experience? Please share it with us in the comments!
Very little changed for this year's iPod lineup
Apple's announcement for its recent event said "Let's talk iPhone," and that's what the main focus of its event turned out to be. The iPod lineup did receive some (very) modest updates at the same time, but they were "blink and you'll miss it" moments. So what's new for the iPod line in 2011? iPod touch: Now available in white. Otherwise, it's 100 percent identical to the 2010 model. Seriously, after comparing the tech specs page from this year versus 2010, not one thing has changed. The 8 GB model got a US$30 price drop, but that's the only other change from last year. The iPod touch has not been updated with an A5 processor, and that's the first time the lineup hasn't been updated with a CPU on par with that in the iPhone. The camera hasn't been changed either; it's still the same incredibly poor camera from last year. Multiple rumors that the iPod touch would receive a 3G antenna upgrade also turned out to be untrue; no one was less surprised about that one than us. Ars Technica has questioned why the iPod touch hasn't been updated with the A5 processor when Apple went out of its way to laud iOS devices' potential as handheld gaming units during the latest event. Their analysis suggests that trends both in the overall handheld gaming market and among Apple's own sales figures are falling behind the iPhone and iPad, but I suspect there's a simpler motivator. The A5 is reportedly very complex to build, and it's my suspicion that Apple withheld the A5 processor from the iPod touch simply because its production channels couldn't crank the chip out fast enough to support sales for the iPad 2, iPhone 4S, and an upgraded iPod touch simultaneously. A5 production has been keeping pace with demand for the iPad 2, but throwing the iPhone 4S into the mix will likely strain chip production to its limits. Trying to satisfy demand for an A5-powered iPod touch may well have proven impossible, and it might have simultaneously dragged down production numbers for the more profitable iPad 2 and iPhone 4S. Production of the A6 processor for 2012's iPads and iPhones has reportedly already begun at TSMC, and the foundry's ability to produce that processor in bulk will likely determine the iPod touch's fate. If TSMC can produce the A6 fast enough to satisfy demand for all iOS devices, the iPod touch may see a substantial upgrade next year. Otherwise, it may only move to the A5 processor once the iPad 3 comes out featuring an A6 chip, thereby alleviating strain on A5 production. Either way, unless suppliers can step up their game production-wise, it seems clear the iPod touch will lag behind its more profitable brethren for some time to come. iPod nano: Only one change -- the "new" iPod nano has a Nike+ sensor built-in, so you no longer need to plug in a dongle receiver to sync it with a shoe sensor. Other than that small change and a price drop, the iPod nano is identical to the 2010 model, spec for spec. The other new features Apple described at its event, like a slightly revamped UI and additional clock faces, are not exclusive to this year's iPod nano, and they can be added to 2010 models via a software update. Apple has lowered the price of the iPod nano into the range where it's almost disposable, and with no compelling updates to the nano's hardware this year it appears the company's main focus has switched to full-powered iOS devices. iPod shuffle: No changes. It's the same shuffle from 2010; even the price is the same. Other than the price and relative indestructibility of its construction, there's really nothing the shuffle offers that the nano doesn't do better. Our source suggested the shuffle would be discontinued (he was quite wrong, so he's "fired" as our source for future info), and we suspect Apple will only keep it in the lineup until it's no longer profitable or until it can drive prices on the nano downward enough to replace it. iPod classic: No changes. Just as in 2010, the iPod classic wasn't even mentioned at the recent event, and quite frankly we're surprised this model is still being sold. The iPod classic has seen no significant external changes since 2007, and no internal changes at all since 2009. The $249 price also remains unchanged from the debut of the 160 GB model over two years ago. Other than the ability to haul around absurd amounts of music and other media, the iPod classic brings very little to the table, and the fact that it still sells for the same price it did two years ago makes it hard to recommend buying one today. Apple's iPod events used to be the company's yearly "wow" moment. The iPod nano was awe-inspiring in 2005, but the current touchscreen model seems somewhat bland, even disposable, only six years later. The iPod touch has always been an also-ran to the iPhone; it shows now more than ever, with internal components that are now more than a year behind what the iPhone 4S will offer. The iPod shuffle and iPod classic remain outliers in the iPod line, apparently profitable enough for Apple to keep them around, but nowhere near to being on Apple's list of high-priority products. Although it was the product that all but defined Apple during the early- to mid-2000s, the iPod is obviously no longer a priority for the company. iPod sales have been in decline for years, and it's almost certain that decline will continue. Apple's focus has shifted to the iPhone and iPad, and we can expect that to be the case for the next few years at least. The iPod will likely stick around for years to come, but its days of driving yearly innovation in the portable music player market are pretty much over. That mantle has fallen to its more capable and more expensive brethren.
Apple axes iPod click wheel games in iTunes, is the 'classic' model next?
We're all well aware that a new iPhone will see daylight next week. What's still a bit unclear is whether or not Apple plans on discontinuing the ol' faithful iPod classic. However, we may be getting a clue as to what fate the PMP may soon meet. The folks over at AppleInsider discovered that the link to iPod Click Wheel Games no longer appears on the App Store drop-down menu in iTunes. Since 2006, the folks in in Cupertino have been offering added entertainment for the popular mobile jukebox for $7.49 each, but only about 50 titles were available for purchase -- it's kind of hard to develop software when a third-party kit wasn't publicly released. So if you're planning on hanging onto your iPod classic for a little while, we hope you're content to keep playing Vortex, Klondike or whatever else you've already downloaded.
Daily Update for September 28, 2011
It's the TUAW Daily Update, your source for Apple news in a convenient audio format. You'll get all the top Apple stories of the day in three to five minutes, which is perfect for a quick review of what's happening in the Apple world. You can listen to today's Apple stories by clicking the inline player (requires Flash) or the non-Flash link below. To subscribe to the podcast for listening through iTunes, click here. No Flash? Click here to listen.
SanDisk launches $50 Sansa Clip Zip MP3 player, makes for a cheap workout date
If you've been working out with help from tunes on your Sansa Clip MP3 player or Sansa Clip+, chances are you've gotten a bit trimmer -- and you're not the only one. SanDisk's launched a thinner and upgraded version of its song slinger, the Sansa Clip Zip MP3 player. The newest incarnation plays all standard major music formats, comes in red, blue, black, orange, white, grey and purple, and has 4GB or 8GB worth of storage with room for more via microSD. It's launching in Europe next month, but is currently available in both the US and Canada for $50 and $70 depending upon how many jams you want it to hold. Thanks to its massive 1.1-inch display, the Clip claims 15 hours of battery life, which should be just enough time to keep up with your daily workouts, right? Jog on over to the full PR after the break.
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.