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Hello Kitty gets its own iPod docking station / stereo clock
We all know by now that Hello Kitty goes everywhere and gets everything she pleases, and when that sassy feline demands an iPod speaker dock that doubles as an alarm clock, well, she gets it. The KT4560 Hello Kitty Stereo Clock Radio handles more multitasking than most non-cute devices of its stature, and aside from eliciting countless grins from the pink and sparkly paint job, it also acts as an iPod docking station for dock-connecting units, channels video / pictures from video iPods onto your TV, sports the ability to wake you with tunes from your 'Pod, and there's even an aux input for those "other DAPs." As expected, the LCD-faced clock also features an AM/FM radio, alarm functions, rotatable volume control, oh-so-loveable snooze button, and an iPod-totin' cat atop the device. While we're not sure how much you'll end up laying down for this multifaceted gizmo, we can't help but give props to the practicality.[Via Chip Chick]
Intempo's colorful IDS-01b iPod speaker dock
Now that the nanos have gone rainbow, it's only fitting that we see some color-matched accessories to show off your DAP. Intempo's IDS-01b iPod Speakers & Dock comes in metallic silver, green, blue, and pink (sorry, RED owners), and touts all the typical niceties (and drawbacks) you'd expect in a ho hum iPod speaker dock. The unit boasts dual six-watt drivers, functionality with "all" dock connecting iPods, an aux input for your other DAPs / PMPs, and a USB cable to sync up your 'Pod with the nearby Mac or PC. Unfortunately, the device doesn't sport any sort of battery powered option, so you're stuck sans sound if you deviate too far from an extension cord, and we don't imagine those shiny Neodymium drivers delivering any sort of award-winning audio quality either. Regardless, Intempo's latest can be picked up now across the pond for £34.99 ($69).[Via ShinyShiny]
Microsoft copied the only iPod they could
John Gruber has penned an interesting observation of how Microsoft might very well have missed the mark from the get-go when they made the strange decision to take on the iPod and iTunes. Since the player's initial wiz-bang sales period is essentially over (as in: it more or less set a decent sales barometer, at least for now), John wrangles some interesting statistics from Amazon's charts on exactly where the Zune stands in comparison to Apple's players (including year-old models), as well as its ranking in the overall electronics category. To spoil the surprise: the Zune isn't doing so well. We've looked at Amazon's charts before, but as of this writing, a record player is beating out the best selling Zune on the electronics list, while iPods - specifically the small, flash-based nano and shuffle - dominate most of the top 10 spots.John then uses this data and good ol' fashioned people watching to conclude that Microsoft shouldn't have taken what could be their only swing at the plate in producing a hard drive-based iPod; they should have cranked out a flash memory model to go head-on with the nano - inarguably the home run slugger in Apple's lineup. While I tend to agree with John, I also see a problem with going down this road: Microsoft would likely have had even less room to maneuver, and even fewer things to market ('Beam your tunes') and invent lame, dead-end lingo for - they actually refer to sharing your music wirelessly as 'squirting'. Who wants to bet how excited Steve Ballmer's kids are to 'squirt' at school?Sure, when you look at what you're up against in the DAP market, Apple's iPod nano and SanDisk's respectable 2GB Sansa player (expandable via an SD slot, and at #11 on Amazon as of this writing) are the top dogs to beat - but what could they have offered? I highly doubt they could have fit their DRM-crippled and arguably worthless (though admittedly buzz-worthy) Wi-Fi sharing feature into a nano-sized player, even if they made it slightly larger and uglier like the Zune is to its 30GB iPod rival. A 'Zune nano' with nothing unique to offer would dry up on its own in a market already dominated by Apple, SanDisk and Creative, and Microsoft's exclusive, 3rd party bitch-slap of a music store would have even less of a leg to stand on.In summary: I think John's right - Microsoft made a bad move in copying the 30GB hard drive-based iPod, but it was the only move they had. In this light, it kinda makes you wonder why they bothered in the first place.
Christmas Bargains
The Kansas City Star points out that prices have dropped on many consumer electronics this shopping season. Case in point? The updated and redesigned iPod Nano is selling for far under Christmas 2005 prices. Take the 4G model. In 2005, you'd spend $249. This year? $199. That's a 20% price drop right there. Willing to buy a refurb? $149 and free shipping--at least for now. Refurb iPods are flying out of the Apple store as fast as they're being posted. If you're looking for a refurb, be vigilant. Keep checking the inventory on a daily (or even hourly) basis. The Star article states that American consumers may spend as much as $21 billion on gadgets during the end-of-the-year shopping season.
TUAW Moneywatch: Apple Shares hit high
Macworld UK reports that Apple shares reached a new 52-week high. Between holiday iPod sales predictions and iPhone rumors, Apple stocks are performing strongly. Some analysts expect Apple to sell up to 15 million iPods during the Christmas sales season. That's (quickly doing math) a lot of iPods to shift out the door. Share prices were up $1.56 yesterday to $85.61. Apple's market capital stands at over $73 billion. Eagle-eye reader Steve points out that both Yahoo and Google say the APPL high is actually 86.40.
Integrated Mobile Electronics launches universal iMe Dock for your car
If you're genuinely frustrated with fuzzy (and "dangerous") FM transmitter results, and aren't exactly keen on wiring up a separate connection for each DAP you own, Integrated Mobile Electronics has your solution. In a presumed attempt to alleviate the frustration of priopritary DAP-to-automobile liaisons (and grab the entire market's attention), the startup has unveiled the iMe in-car docking station. The device, like most other hardwired options, will require a good bit of DIY handiwork (and Excedrin Migraine pills), but will apparently channel audio to your sound system and even video to your LCD-equipped whip. The package will reportedly support the Apple iPod / nano, Microsoft Zune (including the unannounced "80GB" version), Creative Zen Vision:M, SanDisk Sansa, and iRiver Clix right out-of-the-box, and even touts the ability to charge your device while docked. While it's being marketed as an end-all solution to your in-car docking station needs, these all-in-one contraptions should certainly be approached with caution -- and while there's no info on pricing or availability, you can see its potential for yourself at the SEMA expo this month.
iHome's iHM1B iPod nano portable speaker system
Still jamming out with your original iPod nano? If you haven't already picked up PodGear's PocketParty, and still need a portable speaker solution for times when tossing that boombox over your left shoulder isn't exact suitable, iHome's iMH1B has you covered. The portable speaker completely encloses your first-generation iPod nano, and adds a set of stereo speakers as well as a questionably elegant stand-up case to your DAP. Touting "SRS TruBass" technology, "easy access" to controls, and a water-resistant carry case, the only thing that's missing is support for Apple's latest selection of nanos. Nevertheless, the iHM1B is available now for $29.99. [Via Crave]
iSoundCap intros exercise-centric Running Cap
Some products are simply doomed to fail before they even hit the market, and the iSoundCap was surely one of those items. Unfortunately Amazingly, the start-up centered around a less-than-fashionable ballcap with an apparently appealing ability to tote your iPod is still alive and well, and is now kicking out yet another flavor with trainers (and higher revenue) in mind. The aptly-named Running Cap is "made with a breathable, lightweight mesh fabric, and places the iPod in protective neoprene" to keep any stray wires from flailing around your face. The new exercise-friendly version will supposedly be offered in pink, silver, green, black, red, and blue, which coincidentally matches the colors of the new rainbow nanos. Marketed as the "ultimate way" to carry your iPod while utilizing the Nike+iPod kit, the sweat-proof cap could indeed siphon a few extra dollars from the running crowd, but as of press time we aren't exactly certain how much coinage these outlandish dome adornments will demand.
Platinum-coated virus to be used for speedy memory
All the hip-cool scientists these days are enslaving living organisms to do their bidding. Luckily, they're sticking with the micro end of the size spectrum, or "nano" end in this case. Apparently they've managed to create some supa' fast memory chips by coating 30-nanometer-long bits of tobacco mosaic virus (pictured above in its natural habitat) with itsy-bitsy platinum nanoparticles. Millions of these virus transistors could eventually end up in MP3 players or digital cameras, speeding up image capture or file transfer. We're not exactly sure what makes these virus transistors so special, but apparently the transistors they've built out of the nano-coated strands, and sandwiched between two electrodes, are easy to switch between ON and OFF states, since they don't need to build up a charge at a lame-o capacitor before they can be switched. We suppose we'll just have to trust the methods of these "well meaning scientists who might just instigate the end of civilization through their attempts to advance humanity through science." If it means faster memory chips, that's a risk we're willing to take.
DIY dock from new iPod nano packaging
Oh it's on now: one-upping the DIY iPod Dock is Flickr user MulletMan13 with a dock for a new 2G iPod nano made out of its own clever packaging. It looks as though MulletMan13 more or less used the same technique, cutting a hole through the plastic package with mere scissors and a pocket knife, then taping the dock adapter in place. The final product certainly earns some style points for the use of Apple's eye-catching packaging, but we still have to tip our hat to Flickr user flickrflick151 for the home-grown use of the AirPort Express card box and the extra touch of a sharpie marker label. Cheers to the both of you inventive dock creators, and thanks in advance for sparking a DIY dock movement. With any luck, your names will be etched in stone to forever highlight your sparks of innovation - or maybe they'll just be written down and sculpted somewhere with a sharpie and some packaging tape.
iPod nano box becomes DIY nano dock
Making a DIY dock out of a cardboard box or even the packaging your iPod came in is all well and good, but making a DIY iPod dock out of the old not-good-enough-for-Steve-anymore iPod you're replacing -- now why can't someone do that?[Thanks, Ken]
Apple trying to keep iPod nano chip manufacturers a secret?
I should have noted this when we found iLounge's 2G iPod nano dissection gallery, but it seems that Apple has (strangely) opted to take a step towards keeping their new iPod chip manufacturer's identity under wraps (strange because we already knew Samsung won PortalPlayer's old contract). As iLounge notes about their gallery, you can see three chips stamped with Apple's logo, and absolutely none from PortalPlayer (which we were expecting). It is believed that Wolfson and Philips are the other two namelessly Apple-branded chips, though I have to admit I'm a bit perplexed as to why Apple went to all this trouble in the first place. I mean, their attention to detail is admirable, and their logo is cool and all - but how many nano owners do they expect will ever check under the hood?
On iPod pricing, competition and the value of a full package
I've noticed a couple reports from analyst firm Gartner Research that claim Apple's pricing on the new iPods betrays an increased interest in profit margins at the expense of market share. These reports focus on the iPod nano's pricing of $199/4GB and $249/8GB as being a bit high, given their estimated materials cost of $90 and $130, respectively. Admittedly, similar players from competitors such as Creative do beat out Apple in pricing; the ZEN V 4GB player is only $159.99 - but what rulebook dictates that a higher price on one particular member of a product family (by and far the most popular member) definitively means the company doesn't care about market share?These reports don't seem to mention anything about the nano's big brother (unless MacNN and Playlist used some sneaky cut and pasting techniques), where Apple is competing quite well: they dropped their 30GB iPod price to match that of Creative's 30GB ZEN Vision:M ($249), and the 60GB ZEN Vision:M (if you can find it on their site), is reportedly $399 - a full $50 more expensive for 20GB of less storage.Gartner's claim that competitors like Creative and Microsoft's new Zune could start chomping at the iPod's market share, based solely on the profit margins of one member of the family, also doesn't seem to take into account the value of the full package that Apple's iPod offers, such as seamless, 'it just works' integration with a leading digital media store (maybe Gatner simply forgot that the existence of Apple's margin-thin digital store leans fairly heavily on the popularity of the iPod). While there are plenty of consumers out there to whom a $40 difference between an iPod nano and a ZEN V can (understandably) make or break a purchase, the are still other important factors consumers can evaluate for a DAP purchase. Unfortunately, some of these elements aren't capable of being factored into an analyst's equations, but Apple is clearly still banking on their weight with a consumer's dollar.
First Impressions: iPod nano 2G
I broke down in the name of TUAW and picked up a new 8GB iPod nano. Of course, running out of space for workout jams on my 1GB nano might have had something to do with the purchase as well. I've put this second generation iPod nano through the trials enough (including some Nike+ runs) to warrant a first impressions post. Like others who have already weighed in, I'm pretty satisfied, but there certainly are some (mostly iTunes 7-related) quirks.I'd post unboxing pictures and all the typical stuff, but others have already been there, done that. I'd rather touch on the other little things that make product evolutions like this so (well, mostly) sweet.
2G iPod nano gets splayed
Gutted, splayed, dissected, nekkid -- whatever you call it -- the disassembly of gadget hotness is a tradition of incalculable weight and precedence. It's also dang fun, and today we have the second generation iPod nano's internals all spread out for your viewing pleasure. iLounge did the honors here, so head on over for the full collection.[Thanks, Ben]
8GB black 2G iPod nano gets unboxed
When Apple says "available now," they mean it. Just one day after the revamped nanos were announced at the "It's Showtime" event, some drool-worthy shots of the green and blue 2G nanos managed to surface, and now we're graced with a photoset containing the esteemed 8GB black-only model. Apparently following in the footsteps of the BlackBook, Apple is only offering the 8GB unit in a single color, so if black's your thing, be prepared to go high-end or bust in order to get one -- be sure to hit the read link for a luscious gallery of Tony Chang's presumably coveted 'Pod. Oh yeah, and PC Mag reviewed the 8GB unit, too, giving it a 4.5 / 5, and calling it the "finest flash player out there in terms of look and feel," and had only the usual nits with it: nonremovable battery, no FM tuner (oh, and something about buggy playback on longer tracks -- no way!). Still, looks for many to be a pretty solid investment; we'd suggest you wait until later today, however, to make any buying decisions on portable audio players, yeah?
iTunes 7 turning out to have major glitches
When we were deep inside Maestro Jobs' reality distortion field on Tuesday, all these new additions to iTunes 7 seemed like significant improvements over its previous version. But not quite 48 hours later, all is not quiet on the iTunes front. Specifically, users on Apple's web forums and our own tipsters are reporting that some new nanos aren't being recognized in Windows iTunes 7, music being played through iTunes 7 sounds "scratchy" at times, CoverFlow doesn't always entirely download properly, and there are allegations that iTunes 7 has become, slow, bloated, and a resource hog. Some of us here at Engadget who have installed iTunes 7 haven't noticed any bad playback or other slowdowns, but have been dissappointed that very few of the albums on our machines have successfully downloaded album art. Furthermore, The Sydney Morning Herald called iTunes 7 a "lemon" yesterday and went on to report that: "Both Mac and PC users appear to be affected by the glitches being reported, and numerous different threads on the Apple discussion forum have described a range of technical issues." Oh, and did we mention that many professionally produced podcasts -- including CNET's Buzz Oud Loud, Popular Mechanics, and our own -- are reportedly not working. If Apple doesn't do something about this pretty soon, people might start calling it iCan't -- as in: "I can't play my music anymore."[Thanks to everyone who sent this in]Read - The Sydney Morning HeraldRead - Apple iTunes ForumsRead - Possible solution for nano issue in WindowsRead - Podcasts are brokenRead - Roku SoundBridge iTunes support broken (workaround here)
iLounge dissects 2G iPod nano, posts gory details
Why, iLounge, why? The 2G iPod nano was announced barely two days ago. It still had its entire product cycle ahead of it! So young, so innocent.. and apparently so ripe for the dismantling. The gurus of all things iPod have dissected what looks like a silver 2G iPod nano (though I'm not sure whether it's 2GB or 4GB) for all the world to see.While the majority of us probably won't get much out of looking at this internal iPod guts pr0n, I can think of one basic lesson we can pass on to the iPod owning luddites of our lives: if they ever, during their experience of owning an iPod, see any of these parts from it - that's a bad thing.
Unboxing the 2G iPod nano
It's been just over 24 hours since Apple unveiled the 2nd Generation iPod nano, and the first unboxing shots are starting to trickle in. AppleInsider captured some super close-up images of a green model -- they even exposed some tiny flaws in the metal -- and sat it down for a powwow next to a 1G nano and a podgy 4G iPod. A Flickr user named Justin Williams also photographed the unboxing of his latest splurge, this time in the shadow of his monolithic Cinema Display -- and we thought Apple-heads were subtle types. Click on for a shot of Justin's blue box, or take your pick of the Read links for more second-gen nano pr0n.Read - AppleInsiderRead - Justin Williams
Hands-on with the 2G iPod nano rainbow
Guess what, we also caught a glimpse of the 2G iPod nanomini, er, nano, which is their very "retro" 2004 version of their ultraslim flash device, It's hot alright, but is its 8GB of capacity enough to take out their number one competitor in the US, SanDisk? Hard to tell, but it's not like we don't have enough images after the break to support the case.
