iPod nano
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Apple giving next-gen iPod Touch the OS X, um, touch?
You know the drill: open wide for a healthy dose of NaCl before reading on. Swell, now that your skeptic sensors are functioning, here are the latest whispers surrounding the up and coming iPod(s). According to 9to5Mac -- you know, the same folks who brought us this gem -- the next "flagship iPod" will be dubbed the iPod Touch, and while we're sure HTC fanboys are already getting riled up, you should know by now that Apple ain't scared of stealin' someone's name. Regardless of the title, it's the details here that are intriguing, namely the suggestion that a scaled-down version of OS X could be running the show. Interestingly enough, a report on AppleInsider nearly mirrors the idea, and mentions that a flavor of OS X could indeed be injected in the next round of iPods and nanos. Of course, all of these tidbits should still be regarded as speculation for the time being, but considering that Apple has been taking its sweet time in delivering the next iPod, it's not beyond the realm of belief.[Thanks, Kiwi616]Read - iPod Touch - the New Flagship iPodRead - Apple to usher in era of Mac OS X-based iPods
Apple's 3rd generation iPod nano revealed in "spy shots"?
Sure, we know that the photo up over there just looks like someone took a regular iPod, squashed it down, duplicated it, colorized it, and then pasted the copies in a playful circle. But what -- just what -- if you're actually looking at the 3G nano? According to 9to5Mac (and at this point only according to 9to5Mac), Apple's next move on the iPod front will be short, squat, and muted-pastel colorful. The site previously reported that the new color scheme will come in a variety of shades not dissimilar to what their "spy shot" shows, so at least their own info lines up. Other than that? No corroborating evidence from Apple, and no leaks from other sources indicating this direction... let's just say we wouldn't make any bets on this particular piece of news.Update - We've gotten our hands on a nice, large version of the picture, and as many of our astute readers have already noted, you can clearly see a window heading which reads "nano-flower.psd" at the top of the shot, which should give further pause to anyone taking this at face value.Update 2 (August 23) - Our machinegunnin' lawyers advised we pull the original image, but we've replaced it with a mockup. Full story here.
Analyst expects new iPods next month
We've certainly had plenty of indications that some new iPods would be coming sooner rather than later, and an analyst at UBS Investment Research now seems to be saying much the same thing, albeit with a few more rumored details and a bit more certainty. According to AppleInsider, UBS's Ben Reitzes recently told his clients that he expects to see some refreshed iPods sometime next month, including higher capacity iPod nanos at "aggressive price points," and a flash-based widescreen video iPod "likely using multi-touch technology" priced under $300. Reasonable bets to be sure, although we'd still recommend taking them with the usual grain of salt pending word from the man himself.
iPod-controlling Nike Amp+ watch makes FCC appearance
Nike's iPod nano-controlling Amp+ watch has been making itself known since late last year, but it looks like it could finally be getting close to a release, with it recently making its debut on the FCC's website. That, of course, means that we can get a look at some less than flattering photos of it, along with the user manual and the usual test reports. One particularly interesting detail in that last item is that the watch apparently operates on the non-Bluetooth 2425MHz frequency, the very same frequency that the Nike+iPod Sport Kit uses. As further explained in the user manual, that means you'll be able to use the watch with your other Nike+ gear, with the watch giving you control over both your tunes and your workout. Click on through for a few more pics, including a look at the watch's innards.
Apple grabs a quarter of the world's flash memory
This is kind of amazing when you think about it. According to Macworld UK - reporting on information from DRAMeXchange - Apple has secured about 25% of the entire world's supply of flash memory. That's a lot of iPod nanos and iPhones! Apparently, production problems have reduced yields, leading to increased flash prices and even shortages for other vendors. When you consider all the memory cards for cameras, etc. out there, that Apple is using that much of the global supply is quite remarkable.
iPhone / iPod to consume 25% of global flash memory output?
C'mon, don't act so shocked -- you had to realize that these record sales of NAND-based iPhones and iPods were using up some serious flash memory, right? Turns out, Apple's two biggest hits are "expected to consume 25-percent of the global flash output," which could in turn drive up prices of said memory in the not too distant future. DRAMeXchange, a market research company out of Taiwan that tracks the memory industry, further suggested that it could take "about two to three quarters before manufacturers can raise their chip yield rates to a higher level," which doesn't bode well for anyone hoping to see a price cut on any of Apple's handhelds due to increased volume purchasing in the memory department.[Via CNET]
iPhone nano rumors heating up, destined for Q4?
While analysts have been speculating that Apple may unleash a smaller (and cheaper) handset in the not too distant future in order to grab a sect of market share not interested in the relatively pricey iPhone, the rumors are seeming to gain traction. According to Kevin Chang, a JP Morgan analyst based in Taiwan, Apple is actually looking to "launch a cheaper version of the iPhone in the fourth quarter that could be based on its iPod nano music player." The report cited anonymous sources "in the supply channel" and also referenced the now-famed patent that suggests such a device could be materializing. Still, we'd highly recommend taking all of this in with a healthy heap of salt for the time being, but don't be incredibly shocked if your next iPod nano unexpectedly rings while you're stereotypically browsing through Gorillaz tracks.[Thanks, Matt, image courtesy of InformationArchitects]
WildCharger pricing details emerge
WildCharge has updated its website with more information about its pad-based wireless WildCharger solution. The company has revealed that adapters for the Motorola RAZR (which replaces the back cover) and the iPod nano (via a dock adapter) will set you back $34.99. The dock itself will be $59.99, meaning that it could cost you as much as $130 to wirelessly charge -- assuming you own both an iPod and a RAZR -- your phone and MP3 player. Still interested? If so, you should be able to pick up all three sometime this month.[Thanks, David; via Slippery Brick]
The 'iPhone nano' patent surfaces
Although the iPhone is really a wonderful piece of tech-beauty (in form, and partially in function), there are probably market needs for an Apple-esque handset that is not packed with so many features. The above concept image shows an intriguing possible solution to this market need, as it appears that the design is all-iPod (not iPhone). We like the iPod design with a phone thrown into the mix ala click wheel; we really do. We'd love to see this device from Apple as the iPhone nano, and with a patent recently on a "touch pad with symbols based mode," maybe the iPhone nano is on its way. For the legit needs of a cellphone simpleton, this may just fir the bill if it ever materializes.
Students get free iPod nano with every Mac
Who says there's no such thing as a free lunch? (Robert Heinlein says it, but that's not the point.) Check out this funky little button on the iTunes front page this morning. Granted, while the Apple Store is down it does nothing in particular, but soon, my precious, it will offer college students a free iPod Nano with every Mac purchase. Yummy.Thanks to everyone who sent this in
The Re-nano titanium iPod nano case: only $800
So you've given in and finally picked up an iPod nano, eh? So how do you go about differentiating yourself from the white-bud wearin' cattle around you? Easy, slip that skinny slab of flash into the massive FACTRON Re-nano case made of solid Titanium, boy. The ¥99,750 (about $818) case made by Kiwami Studios will be available for your $149 nano starting June 5th. Crazy huh? Then again, we never thought we'd feel the need for a $1,500 keyboard either. %Gallery-3648%[Via Impress]
Exploding iPod dies gruesome death
Oh dear, just when we thought we'd had our fill of exploding Apple devices, along comes an Australian forum member named eeno who saw his first generation iPod nano go up in flames, and has some snuff-esque pics of the aftermath. As is usually the case with these things, eeno's iPod was charging when it happened. He says the force of the battery's explosion sent the iPod off his PC onto the floor, where it continued to smoke and spark until he unplugged the USB charging cable from the back of his computer. Since his iPod is out of warranty, the local computer repair shop didn't do him much good, but they did take a few pics to send to Apple. Hopefully this iPod was just an anomaly, and we won't be seeing a whole wave of these explosions as 1G nanos exit their warranties and head towards retirement -- but somehow we fear the worst.[Thanks, Kip HT]%Gallery-2530%
Sony's NW-A800, Samsung's K3, and Apple's iPod nano stacked
With Sony's NW-A800 Video Walkman (pictured center) now globally released, we thought you might like to see how it stacks up -- literally -- against the Samsung K3 and the notoriously thin iPod nano. As you can see, Sony opted for chub and squat over slim and long by comparison. But just look at that relatively huge, 2-inch display for video playback -- something neither the K3 nor iPod nano can do. Now go check the rest of the pics over at French site Le Journal du Geek. Fortunately, the thousand words spoken by pictures don't need machine translation.[Thanks, Aniki]
Free iPod usage PDF available
NotePage has released a free PDF describing everything you want to know about the iPod. From tech specs to usage, everything is covered in thorough detail. It's a good reference for seasoned users like you and me, and certainly valuable for new users (like my mom) who may be a bit intimidated by the device.[Via MacMinute]
Elecom busts out bicycle-style locks for iPods
You can add Japan's prolific Elecom to the growing number of companies providing varying levels of protection for the countless theft-attracting iPods being toted about, with the company bringing some familiar security measures to bear on the problem. Available for both 5G iPods and 1st and 2nd gen iPod nanos, and in your choice of black or white, the locks will add a bit of heft to your otherwise portable device but should keep any would-be thieves from running off with it, not to mention yourself when you forget the combination. Those of you with better memories than us, however, can sang either model now for 5,040 Yen, or just over forty bucks. [Via Crave]
iPodWizard hacks iPod nano to use backgrounds
We really had no idea how many iPod-using Engadget readers would be so stoked to finally be able to add such a simple thing -- backgrounds -- to their portable audio player. A new hack that claims to add a background to your 1st or 2nd gen nano (at the expense of dropping it down to the 1.1.1 firmware) have added customizable backgrounds with modder software iPodWizard. As usual, we do not vouch for the use of this software and wish you the best of luck in not bricking your precious iPod.[Thanks to everyone who sent this in]
Upcoming Sony Walkman to butt heads with Apple's iPod nano?
The word from "credible sources" is that Sony isn't just keeping itself busy making brash claims about PS3 availability, building iPod docks and churning out aesthetically-challenged home integration gear. Nope, Sony's got a biggie in the oven, a flash player of 2, 4 and 8GB capacities ostensibly designed to kick it with the iPod nano and SanDisk Sansa in mini flash DAP land. What's supposed to make this challenger any more formidable than Sony's previous attempts? The player will retain much of the stylings of Sony's NW-A3000 / NW-A1000 players (pictured), but will take some flat and rectangular cues from Apple, while managing to be smaller than Apple's player. This new Walkman's claim to fame is 8 to 10 hours of video playback, and with battery life being a historically strong point for Sony, and Apple's nano lacking video playback altogether, Sony could very well win some points with this one. The screen will be designed for landscape viewing and will be larger than the nano's. Buttons and interface should be similar to the A3000 series and Sony will have violet, black, blue and pink flavors at launch. Prices should be fairly competitive and the launch is expected to take place in March. That gives us about a month to figure out if this report is pure baloney, but along with ATRACLife's trust in the source, most of these specs are pretty much do-or-die for Sony in the cutthroat PMP space, so we're going to go with "cautiously optimistic" for the moment.
Keepin' it real fake, part XLIV: RAmos Q13 is not a nano
Apple's products certainly aren't strangers to our series of posts highlighting the tech industry's finest fakes, and although the RAmos Q13 isn't quite as absurd as previous examples -- see the Treo iPod -- the fact that the company had the cojones to release marketing shots of their device alongside the iPod it was very clearly intended to emulate assures the Q13 a place in the hall of tech infamy, and a Keepin' it real fake tag. Notably, the 1GB Q13 comes in five different colors, and is 0.1 millimeters thinner than the 2nd Generation nano: a fact that we feel RAmos is very unwise to trumpet.[Via The MP3 Players]
iPod owners report whining sound emanating from 2G nanos
In a thread over at the Apple Discussions forums, dozens of iPod owners are reporting high-pitching whining and / or buzzing sounds emanating from their 2nd Generation iPod nanos. Many of the owners cite that their units are fully functional despite the whining, although the volume of the unwanted sound varies between each report; for example, russgra states that the whining sound was the first thing he noticed after picking up his 8GB nano, although Energie claims that he wouldn't have noticed had he not seen the problem popping up in forums. There doesn't seem to be any correlation to any particular model within the range either, with 2, 4, and 8GB owners all reporting the annoyance -- notably, none of the reports notice any sound on their previous generation nanos, leading some to suggest that it's caused by a new or upgraded component such as the backlight or battery. In the interests of investigating the problem ourselves, we commandeered a nearby 2GB nano -- although we could hear a faint whining sound once pressed to our ear (which oddly changed tone after we shook it), we found the whine to be inaudible unless we practically lodged it in our ear. Could it be that this encounter is simply a reverberation of the post-Consumermas hangovers, or is this scenario a repeat of the whining problems with the MacBook? If the latter case is true, then it's worth noting that Apple was relatively quick to fix the problem and silence the buzz, along with the vocal minority of people who had brought the issue to the attention of everyone else.[Thanks, David B.]
Keepin' it real fake, part XXXIX: Apple teams with Palm for... wait, nm
Our iPhone-addled brains almost ran the wrong way with this one. Turns out it's just another one of those ubiquitous iPod nano ripoffs, with a very special branding twist. Friendly tipster Alberto sent this one in, after spotting it in Fortaleza Brazil for a whopping 579 reais ($270 US). But we suppose that's just the kind of reais you have to be willing to drop for a piece of the future.
