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(PRODUCT) RED iPod shuffle coming on the 5th?
AppleInsider totally called it last time with the Oprah-launched (PRODUCT) RED iPod nano, so we're inclined to believe that they may have the inside line on Bono's latest attempt to cozy up with the Jobsian Empire, in the form of a signature-red shuffle refresh purportedly being announced at the upcoming "Beat Goes On" event. For those of you tracking these sort of things, this (PRODUCT) RED shuffle claim follows the nano Phatty, iPod Touch, Beatles on iTunes, and portable Coverflow rumors on the list of possible announcements to be made on September 5th at the Moscone Center -- among many others that we probably haven't picked up on. Okay, back to your regular programming, but don't get too comfy, because the next 'inside scoop' could be just minutes away...[Image courtesy of AppleInsider, thanks jungzandvliet]
Creative's latest iPod shuffle speaker, the TravelSound i50
Creative's done quite the about-face from the early days of calling the iPod Shuffle "worse than the worst Chinese player" -- the company's latest DAP speaker dock, the TravelSound i50, is designed to work exclusively with Apple's smallest player, and the clean lines complement the Shuffle's minimalist style in a pleasingly different way. Not much else to see here -- you plug in the Shuffle and it plays your tunes -- but you've got to wonder why Creative isn't lavishing the Zen line with such stylish accessories.[Via epiZENter]
Xexoo gilds a 2G iPod Shuffle, charges a bundle
iPods have long been the token of desire for customizers, and while we've certainly seen tamer flavors before, Xexoo's gilded 2G Shuffle is nothing short of overkill. The company -- which makes its ends by coating DAPs in precious metals and charging incomprehensibly high prices for them -- is now getting set to smother Apple's most diminutive player in 18-karat gold. Thankfully, the blinged-out Shuffle isn't the only thing you get for €14,000 ($19,320), as those imbecilic wealthy enough to shell out for this superfluous luxury will also receive a black wooden box and a certificate of authentication to sweeten the deal. Oh, and don't forget to add in the gold-finished dock while you're at it, cool?[Via CNET]
Genuine Apple headset adapter on the cheap
Need an adapter and don't want to shell out big bucks to pick one up? Apparently Apple's own iPod Shuffle Sport Case includes an adapter that fits the bill --and iPhone's slender port -- perfectly. Of course, the value add here is that these fellas are all but discontinued, so if you are speedy, you can likely gank one on eBay for under a dollar plus shipping. But hurry up, when the sellers catch word, there is no doubt that price will skyrocket.[Thanks to everyone who sent this in]
Keepin' it real fake, part LXVI: shifty shuffles
We've gotta say, we're having real trouble figuring out exactly which MP3 player the bright green "Mini Aluminum Pocket Clipper" is trying to copy: the lack of a symbol for the play button, coupled with a badly Photoshopped-out logo on the back has us really muddled! The second example -- the iQ Sound 2GB Clip-on Aluminum MP3 Player with FM -- at least tries to improve upon its "source of inspiration," whatever that device may be.[Thanks, Marcus V]
Creative Zen Stone Plus lobbed at consumers
It was barely a month ago that Creative pelted the market with its Zen Stone, and now they're rolling out a re-upped and revamped version known as the Zen Stone Plus. While pretty much keeping the form factor the same, Creative has added a blue OLED screen, FM tuner, karaoke mode, and a stopwatch. The capacity has been increased to 2GB, doubling the original Stone's, but the color choices remain the same. Price and release date haven't been mentioned, but you'll know as soon as we do.Update: For what it's worth, Impress tells us that the 2GB Stone Plus will hit Japan Saturday for ¥9,800 which translates to a tax-inclusive price of about $79.[Via epiZENter]
iFreePlay "cordless" Shuffle headphones
We recently mentioned a concept from Arriva for iPod Shuffle headphones that integrate the Shuffle into the 'phones themselves. Well Monster Cable (of way-too-expensive-cables fame) has apparently beaten them to the punch with these foldable iFreePlay headphones. As you can see the Shuffle fits into the top of the left can for a "cordless" experience, while still giving access to the controls, etc. While you're certainly not going to be a paragon of fashion walking down the street with these, I could imagine that they might be useful for the gym or a run.The iFreePlay headphones are available now for $49.95.[via MacMerc]
Monster's iFreePlay cordless headphones for 2G Shuffle
Monster Cable has been known to dabble in the world of iPod accessories before, and while it's easy to give the company notorious for over marketing its flashy cabling knocks on just about anything, the iFreePlay contraption doesn't look half bad. The cordless wraparound headphones don't deviate too far from similar alternatives, but rather than communicating with your DAP via Bluetooth or RF, you can snap your 2G Shuffle right into the left earpiece and run along. The collapsible headphones weigh just 1.6-ounces, and while you do sacrifice some style for utility here, we've most certainly seen worse. So for runners looking to ditch that awful iSoundCap and avoid getting tangled all the while, Monster's iFreePlay apparatus can be picked up now for $49.95. Click through for a few more angles.
TUAW Spring Shuffle Giveaway Day Five: Pink
Well, this is the end folks. End of the (work) week and the end of our Spring Shuffle Giveaway. By the power of process of elimination we bring you the color pink. Pink isn't just a color, it's a cause. I think I once heard pink shot a man for snoring too loud, but that's just an ugly rumor. In any event, pink appears to be quite popular with some folks, which might be the reason why we left it for Friday. You love Friday, right? So do we. And pink. And iPods. And shuffles. And the moon.Aside from the chance to win another iPod shuffle, this is also the last time (this week) you'll be reading this:Contest is limited to the 50 US states. The contest period is from May 18, 12:01am EST to 11:59pm. Only one entry per person, you must leave a validated comment (one that appears on the page) to enter. Full rules after the jump. That's it, good luck, and have a great weekend TUAW readers!
TUAW Spring Shuffle Giveaway Day Four: Green
Welcome back to another round of TUAW's Spring Shuffle Giveaway. Today on the menu: green. Or as some of us call it, 008000. While Kermit may complain, these shuffles don't appear so unhappy with their hue. At least green is a spring color, right?Anyway, if you don't know the drill, you enter our little giveaway by leaving exactly one comment. That's one comment per person. So far they've been excellent. Really, the elves are having fun compiling the prose into a handy guide to the internet. The contest is limited to the 50 states, and the green shuffle entry period lasts all day today, May 17 (so from 12:01am to 11:59pm Eastern). So fire up your internets and leave us a message. As always, full rules after the jump. This contest is for a green iPod shuffle, in case you forgot.
TUAW Spring Shuffle Giveaway Day Three: Blue
Welcome back to day three of TUAW's Spring Shuffle Giveaway. For those who finally managed to find tuaw.com on their dial, we're giving away a fresh iPod shuffle every day this week. Today's magic color chosen at random (mostly) is blue. Not exactly a Bondi blue or motherboard blue, but a vibrant blue you only see with polarized sunglasses.Point is, you leave a comment (one per customer thanks) and you're entered in the contest. Same rules as before: limited to the 50 US states, this entry period ends tonight (May 16) at 11:59pm Eastern. Complete rules after the jump. Good luck everyone, and stay tuned for tomorrow's mystery color! Hint: it isn't gray or orange or blue.
Soylent iPod is People
If anthropomorphic iPod accessories are your thing, look no further. Today we have found the ultimate iPerson dock--well, almost the ultimate dock. Unfortunately this iKub kubrick dock is only designed for those old-style iPod shuffles. If you've got the right kind of shuffle, you're in business. Shove your iPod down this little guy's neck, connect him to your fave computer and your iKub will sync and charge your iPod and look really cute while doing so. From London-based Maharishi dpihmi.com, this toy will set you back £32.[Via Mobile Digest UK]
TUAW Spring Shuffle Giveaway Day Two: Orange
Day two of our fabulous iPod shuffle giveaway brings you the color orange. Orange, for those of you who didn't realize, is also a fruit. Apples are fruit too. But you won't go finding us comparing the two. That's why we don't give away Zunes around here. We can tell you that there are currently 6 listings in iTunes for the classic song "The Rain" by Oran "Juice" Jones, and that one of those is listed as explicit.Maybe that's enough orange trivia for the day. Same rules as yesterday, but timed for today. Only one comment per person, 50 US states are eligible, the orange entry period ends tonight at 11:59pm Eastern time, etc... Full rules after the jump. Good luck!
TUAW Spring Shuffle Giveaway Day One: Gray
It's the time of year when blooming flowers have already frozen off their branches and turned to mud-- Spring! OK, it's almost summer, but we're going with a flowery outlook on life anyway. Point is, TUAW is giving away 5 iPod shuffles, one of each color, all this week.Today's color? The vibrant color gray. The color of dust, neutrality, and Borg skin. Hard to imagine a color that better sums up the rebirth of nature, isn't it? Yeah, there are plenty of better colors. Stay tuned tomorrow as we open up the contest to our next (mystery) color... Be sure to read the rules for all the details, but always keep in mind: Open to the the 50 US states only (our apologies to Guam) Only one entry per person per day (but you can enter every day this week) Contest for the gray iPod shuffle is open until the end of the day today (11:59PM EST), and so on every day until just before midnight, May 18 (what part of ONE shuffle EACH day didn't you understand?) To enter, just leave a comment (make sure to verify the comment so it appears below) on this post. We'll have another post tomorrow for your commenting pleasure, so y'all come back now, ya hear?[Rules after the jump]
Illuminator's first product: the Bevy iPod Shuffle case
Sure, we've seen an iPod Shuffle go mano a mano with a knife-wielding owner, but the first product from Morphie's Illuminator project takes on bumps, drops, and bottle tops with the best of 'em. The aptly-titled Bevy wears a number of hats, the most obvious of which is a dashing 2G Shuffle protective case, but other built-in functions include acting as a key ring, earbud wrap, and bottle opener for when times are desperate. The Illuminator project was unveiled at this year's Macworld, and while hundreds of entries found their way in, this is the first of three winning designs chosen to be produced and sold to the public. The Bevy is currently available for pre-ordering in green, pink, blue, orange, and silver for $15.
Creative shuffles out tiny Zen Stone
We know that it's a bit tired to compare every single new DAP that hits the market to one of Apple's babies, but one look at the screenless, postage-stamp-sized Zen Stone is all it takes to discover where Creative got the design inspiration for its latest player. At 18.3 grams, the Stone is slightly heavier than the 2G shuffle -- it seems Creative was more concerned with keeping prices low than weight down, as the 1GB, clip-equipped player will retail for just $40 when it hits shelves on the 14th. Different colors and skins allow for some degree of personalization, and the claimed 10-hour battery life should help you get through most of the 250 or so songs you'll be able to store on the non-expandable memory. Doesn't look like we've got an iPod-killer here, but with accessories such as the TravelSound Zen Stone dock going for only 40 bucks as well, Creative's latest "me-too" will likely fall into a comfortable niche.%Gallery-2935%
Apple's iPod Shuffle: the next great appetizer?
Although this won't go down as the first restaurant to mix in a little iPod action with the meal, it's fairly safe to say that Fat Duck chef Heston Blumenthal has melded portable audio with dining like no other. Apparently, the culinary guru "wanted to experiment with using sound to enhance a dining experience," which landed a person with a plate full of silver electronics and tangled white cord to compliment the rest of the Sound of the Sea dish. Aside from the food itself, the iPod was pre-loaded with "soothing sounds of the sea breeze and waves gently caressing the seashore," presumably to further enhance the eating experience. Still, we can't really envision how listening to sounds related to our meal would make things more appetizing -- you know, unless deafening moos just jazz up your taste buds when rolling by a burger joint.[Via Kottke]
Griffin Technology's Dock Adapter for your 2G iPod Shuffle
Whether or not those first-generation Shuffle docks were fruitless or not isn't exactly up for debate, but at least Griffin Technology's 2G Dock Adapter serves some purpose beyond that of a grossly overpriced extension apparatus. The long-winded Dock Adapter for iPod Shuffle is compatible with all 2G Shuffles, and as predicted, connects your diminutive DAP to any other dock-connecting device. The thin unit allows 2G Shuffles to take part in the iPod speaker system mayhem, and additionally, it touts a flip switch to take it from charging mode to playback mode. Unfortunately, there's no word just yet on a price or future release date, but rest assured it'll be entirely more expensive than it should be whenever it lands.[Via OhGizmo]
iPods. In. Space.
Kate Milon posted about another possible iPod in Space on her personal weblog. According to an email she received from a NASA engineer, astronauts may take small personal items with them on shuttle flights. Pilot Lee Archambault has chosen his 0.55 ounce iPod shuffle, says the letter, and it may require a high-altitude modified case for the player to work. This wouldn't be the first SpacePod that we have covered here (here, and here). And if you are more interested in Space on your iPod than iPods in Space, check out these NASA podcasts. [via Digg]
iPod Reset Utility now supports 2nd gen Shuffles
It was only a few days ago that I had occasion to use the original iPod Shuffle Reset utility, rescuing a colleague's first-gen "Wrigley's" model Shuffle from a fugue state. Now the second-gen "tieclip" Shuffles can also be brought back from the brink: on Thursday, Apple released iPod Reset Utility 1.0 for both OS X and Windows XP/2000. This tool will force-initialize a Shuffle that doesn't respond to the usual 5 R's diagnostic. If you've got a stalled Shuffle, try this out and let us know how it goes.
