Friday, July 28, 2006

New iPod Nano coming in August?

It’s a new day, which obviously means that there is a new Apple rumor. This time, the word is that a new iPod Nano is due by August.

The Nano has been incredibly popular, but it hasn’t had a new look or updated features since last September, which is an eternity in iPod time. The rumors that have been leaked this time indicate that the refreshed Nano will be introduced at the Worldwide Developer’s Conference (where, incidentally, the iTunes video rental service is also rumored to be appearing). It’s expected that the device will be increased to either 6GB or 8GB, and that they will be available in several colors, including an industrial looking metal alloy case.

Other iPod rumors are abound. Word is the video iPod has been delayed until at least January because of continuing technical glitches. Also, the 5G iPods could be getting a memory boost – perhaps to as much as 80GB. That’s not expected to happen as soon as August though.

iTunes Offers Friends

According to Variety, Warner Bros has finally begun to cave in to the iTunes revolution. Probably after watching the success of downloaded ABC shows such as LOST, Warner Bros has agreed to make the entire first season of Friends available for download. OK, OK, they have agreed to a lot more than that, but it is Friends that is the first item to appear beginning today.


The first season of Friends, which is being sold for the relatively bargain price of $27.99 for a full season of 24 episodes. Individual episodes can also be purchased for the usual $1.99 pricetag.

In what could be sign of things to come, WBTV is also letting consumers buy the busted pilot for Aquaman. Project had been considered a shoo-in for the WB's fall 2006 schedule, but didn't make the cut for the CW, the network that's replacing the WB and UPN in September. At this rate we may soon find some big-network shows on iTunes that never actually appear on the network.

WBTV joins Touchstone Television, 20th Century Fox TV, NBC U Television Studio, CBS Par Network Television on the list of studios feeding content to iTunes. This only leaves Sony Pictures Television, which has so far only allowed one show to appear on iTunes -- The Shield.

Power Support unveils Nano Splash Case

Power Support has unveiled the Splash Case for iPod nano, a protective shield of water resistant silicone built to guard the portable media player against water and sand. Designed as an outdoor case that won't compromise the Nano's style or function, the Splash Case encloses the iPod with specially formulated medical grade silicone offering screen visibility and access to all controls without removing the player from the case. Power Support warns buyers, however, that the iPod should never be fully submerged in water. The Splash Case is priced at $35, and is slated for shipment some time this month.

Metallica now available on Apple iTunes

iPod maker Apple Computers continue to make inroads into the digital music market. The company has just gained music from the Metallica band for their iTunes digital content store.

Metallica was incidentally one of the major music groups to not make their music available on Apple iTunes. Their songs are now available on sale on Apple iTunes in USA and Canada.

Interestingly, they have been selling their albums on the net through services like MSN Music but they avoided Apple iTunes considering they did not want to sell individual songs on the net.

Now, Apple iTunes is selling their first four albums named “Kill ‘Em All,” “Ride the Lightning,” “Master of Puppets” and “…And Justice for All”. This is further expanded to include previously unreleased live tracks recorded in Seattle in 1989.

Metallica said on this new development on their website: “We chose these four because, unlike the more recent releases, we were only capable of writing 8-9 songs for each of these albums.”

Microsoft Zune to take on Apple iPod and iTunes?

Software giants Microsoft might have had another dud on their hands with the recently launched Origami project but they sure seem to be working hard on developing a challenger to the Apple iPod and iTunes products.

The company has now confirmed that they are indeed working on a new music and entertainment player and accompanying software under the “Zune” brand this year.

This would just be another attempt by another major tech giant to take on Apple’s domination in the digital music industry.

The Apple iPod range of digital music and video players already holds more than half of the digital media player market and Apple iTunes accounts for 70 percent of U.S. digital music sales.

Sources in Microsoft said that the company has got Robbie Bach, president of Microsoft’s entertainment and devices division working with J. Allard, vice president of its Xbox team on this project. Xbox has been a smashing success for the company against the market leaders Sony Playstation and the company would be hoping to create a similar successful product against Apple iPod.

Rumors: Apple planning a talking range of iPods

Apple Computers has filed for some patents which points to a range of new speech capable Apple iPods. This can result in players, which would read artist names and album and song titles to listeners who are too busy to look at the player to use the controls.

This new development is exciting news for the company as they face possible competition from Microsoft, which is rumored to be developing their own range of players.

The new range of iPods might make it easier for people to pick a song by saying its name rather than fiddling with the controls on the player.

The filed patent refers to devices having capabilities to read artist names and album and song titles to someone during “eyes busy situations”. The company also added that this technology might spread to other portable devices including mobile phones and PDAs.

YP-Z5: Samsung launches new Apple iPod challenger

South Korean tech company Samsung has launched a new range of digital music player named YP-Z5 and with this they renew the battle against the domination of Apple iPod.

They are not alone trying to challenge the Apple iPod player as many other companies including SanDisk and Creative have launched similar players in the recent months.

The new Samsung YP-Z5 range of players are similar in size and shape to Apple iPod nano but comes with features missing from the market leader.


It offers an impressive 35 hours of playback time and an FM tuner. It also comes with a large 1.8-inch screen and is only 11.4mm thick. This model is available in 1GB, 2GB and 4GB formats.


The company is aiming to double their market share in the digital music player market with these new products.

iFlip iPod video player unveiled

Memorex has unveiled the iFlip, its new portable video player for fifth-generation iPod owners that features an 8.4-inch LCD. The iFlip integrates speakers, a tilting iPod dock, and a lithium-ion battery to power the screen and speakers, according to iLounge. The device enables users to watch videos stored on their iPod with the larger color screen, and supports audio-only playback via the built-in speakers. iFlip ports include S-video out, line out, and dual headphone jacks. An on-screen menu allows users to adjust brightness, contrast, sharpness, color, and screen mode, according to the report. Video and music are still navigated via the iPod, and the screen boasts a resolution of 480 x 234, offering up to five hours of playback time. The iFlip is expected to ship in mid-September for $200 in black or white with an optional carrying case.

People prefer Wi-Fi connectivity to iPods

A new study by the Wi-Fi Alliance claims that wireless internet access is more popular and desired than even the hot selling Apple iPod digital music players.

Considering the source of the study, not many people might agree with their findings but it is indeed true that not many people would like to give away the capability to connect to internet wirelessly.
iPo
The Wi-Fi Alliance conducted this study along with Kelton Research and found that almost 80% of survey respondents said that they would rather give up their Ipods rather than their home wireless local area networks.

Similar number of users were even prepared to give up their home telephone connections for wireless internet connectivity at home! A lot of people said that they end up doing work from home 2-3 per week and they love the convenience of using the power of wireless connectivity.

Latest iPod video rumors: 4-inch display, Jobs scrambling for content


It was too good to be true. Just when we thought we might actually have a day free from Apple rumors (after all, doesn't Microsoft deserve to have the rumor mill to itself for at least a little while?), ThinkSecret has hit us with word that the "true" video iPod is still coming, and that it will have a 4-inch display, rather than the 3.5-inch one that was claimed in earlier rumors. ThinkSecret also reports that the video iPod is on target for a March or April release, pending content deals with studios (which we assume will come through, given that Steve Jobs basically owns Disney now). Of course, even if the video unit is delayed, we assume Stevie will still schedule another big press conference sometime in the next few weeks. After all, Apple has yet to announce the Intel-powered eMac and the pleather case for the shuffle Ipod.

iPod generation might face hearing problems in the future

We now have more reports coming out in the market saying that listening to digital music players loudly over the headphones over a long period can cause permanent damage to hearing.

Now a group named Deafness Research UK has warned that teenagers who are listening to iPod and other players today at relatively high volume risk going deaf 30 years earlier than their parents’ generation.

The group surveyed and found out that in Britain alone 14 percent of 16-34 year-olds use their personal music players for 28 hours a week. And a lot of these users accepted that they had ringing in the ear, a sign of damage to hearing, after listening to loud music.

Vivienne Michael, chief executive of Deafness Research UK added: “We are warning young people that they are putting themselves at risk of going deaf 30 years earlier than their parents’ generation.”

The more frustrating part of the survey was that as many as 40 percent of the people questioned in the poll said they did not know that listening to loud music on a personal music player could damage hearing permanently.

Michael added: “Hearing loss can make life unbearable. It cuts people off from their family and friends and makes everyday communication extremely difficult.”

Apple still at work on true video iPod?

It's essentially what everyone's expected and speculated by this point (us included), but ThinkSecret's latest iPod rumor plays into everyone's hopes that Apple's got a proper video iPod in development. According to TS, they can confirm that Apple's next device will have a 3.5-inch display (the current 5G iPod has a 2.5-incher) and will shed the clickwheel entirely for a virtual UI with input via a touchscreen. We know they've got their Mac tablet patents together on this kind of tech and have presumably been doing the dev work to make it happen (their last patent specifically showed an iPod-like virtual clickwheel touch interface in spec). Will this strange new device support Portal Player's new all singing all dancing WiFi / Bluetooth A2DP chipset for the killer 6G video iPod everyone's been hoping for? We can't say, sonny, but the rumor mill's tilt is that we could find out in late March or early April, when Apple celebrates its 30th birthday.

Apple iPod continue to dominate the digital music player market

Apple Computers changed the way people looked at digital music players when they launched the first iPod a couple of years back.

A lot has changed since then but the legendary iPod continues to dominate the market in its new avatars.

And despite the launch of many more competing digital music players in the market, Apple iPod continues to remain the top selling player.

Market analysts however have said that the company is facing delays in launching the next generation iPod, which might hamper the growth in the coming months.

But, the company still managed to ship 8.11 million iPods worldwide in the quarter ended July 1. This was somewhat down from 8.53 million shipped by the company in the last quarter.

Apple is also going to face more competition as SanDisk is also entering the market with some really value for money products. However, with holiday season coming on, Apple should have something up their sleeves to cater to the whole lot of people who would be going to acquire the new generation of digital music and video players.

Thursday, July 27, 2006

GelaSkins Vinyl iPod Protection

A new company is about to bring forth a new solution to low-profile, stylish iPod protection. The GelaSkins vinyl iPod protectors employ a 3M bubble-free, adhesive technology that covers your iPod in an anti-scratch, UV-resistant coating in a variety of different styles. A bundled, custom-cut clickwheel cover completes the protection - all offering easy on / easy off convenience.

iPods have 4-year life, says Apple

Though some iPods do develop faults, Apple builds them to last at least four years, the company claims.

A Chicago Tribune report weighs up the cacophony of complaints regarding Apple's music players. With Apple selling millions of these devices each month, it's likely that any percentage of failure would be well reported. Apple believes there are more faultless iPods in circulation than broken models.

Apple spokeswoman Natalie Kerris assured the newspaper that iPods have a failure rate of less than 5 per cent, which she called "fairly low" compared with other consumer electronics.

"The vast majority of our customers are extremely happy with their iPods," she said, adding that an iPod is designed to last four years.

Bob O'Donnell, a vice president at technology research firm IDC, said: "Any time you have that many of anything, some will not function properly."

The report considers other evidence that points to a higher failure rate, but these are based on unscientific online polls and the word of famed Microsoft analyst, the Enderle Group's Rob Enderle. Enderle reckons iPods have a 15 per cent failure rate, according to the report.

The reporter interviewed some iPod users to elicit their opinions on the product, and found fanatical brand loyalty.

"Walkmans were everywhere in the 80s," one user remarked, "and now iPods have that exact same effect on this generation."

Apple hints at iPod phone

Apple's iPod, iTunes and other music products continue to expand its business - and the company hinted at exciting news ahead for the category.

While no new product announcements were disclosed during last night's financial results announcement, Apple CEO Steve Jobs said: "The iPod continued to earn a US market share of over 75 per cent and we are extremely excited about future iPod products in our pipeline."

Apple chief financial officer Peter Oppenheimer said: "Apple is investing heavily in iPod and iTunes engineering and is very enthusiastic about products in the pipeline."

Oppenheimer also dropped Apple's biggest suggestion yet that it has plans to deliver a hybrid mobile phone iPod, saying: "We don't think that the phones that are available today make the best music players. We think the iPod is. But over time, that is likely to change, and we are not sitting around doing nothing."

iPod sales climb 36 per cent

The company released statistics that showed iPod sales contributed $1.4 billion in revenue to the company's $4.37 billion revenue overall. That's a climb of 36 per cent when compared to the same quarter last year.

Apple's 'Other Music Products' category - a general gathering that includes iTunes sales, iPod accessories and other services (presumably including revenue under its 'Made for iPod' scheme) popped another $457 million into the company coffers. This statistic is one of the most impressive on the company's books, as it represents a 90 per cent rise, year on year.

Citing research data from NPD, GFK and BCN, Apple confirmed that the iPod accounts for 75 per cent of the US MP3 player market, and that it's the top-selling music player in the UK, Canada, Australia, France, Spain, Italy and Japan.

iTunes - which now offers a US catalogue of 3 million songs, 9,000 music videos and 150 TV shows - grabbed an impressive slice of 85 per cent of the pay-to-own digital music market, according to Nielsen SoundScan.

Apple's iPod sales fuel robust income report, shares surge

Apple Computer Inc easily topped Wall Street's income forecast for the spring quarter with a nearly 48 per cent profit increase driven largely by the continued popularity of its industry-leading iPod music player.

Company shares rose more than eight per cent in late-session trading.

For its fiscal third quarter ended July 1, Apple's profit rose to USD 472 million, or 54 cents a share, up from $ 320 million, or 37 cents per share in the same period of 2005. That was 10 cents per share better than the mean forecast of analysts surveyed by Thomson Financial.

Sales grew to $ 4.37 billion from $ 3.52 billion last year. That number was within the range of Apple's April forecast for quarterly sales of $ 4.2 billion to $ 4.4 billion, but fell shy of the mean estimate of $ 4.4 billion among analysts polled by Thomson Financial.

The Cupertino, California-based company shipped 1.3 million Macintosh computers and 8.1 million iPods -- the overwhelming leader among digital music players -- during the quarter. The numbers represent a 12 per cent increase in Mac sales and more than a 32 per cent jump for iPods from the third quarter in 2005.

The "iPod continued to earn a US market share of over 75 per cent and we are extremely excited about future iPod products in our pipeline," said CEO Steve Jobs.

New Apple iPod Details Surface

The new iPod's from Apple Inc. will feature a host of advanced features, but may be stymied by delays, acording to one industry analyst.

Shaw Wu of American Technology Research revealed a number of features in Apple's upcoming iPod-nano and video iPods, but feels technical hurdles could set back their releases.

"We previously believed that new nanos and the widescreen video iPod could ship in Q3 and Q4, respectively," he tells clients in a research note, "however, we now believe that both could be delayed by a quarter or two."

The video where is the Ipod's, Wu believes, will be moved to the first half of 2007 as it faces problems around its battery and screen combination.

"Apple is aiming to increase both the screen size and improve the battery life - two conflicting attributes that are difficult to improve simultaneously and require significant engineering," he writes.

It may be worth the wait, however. The new video-iPod will feature a host of new features and advancements over its predecessor, including an advanced graphics processor supplied by Nvidia adding "3D graphics functionality", and possibly wireless capabilities.

"Depending on how much progress is made, we are picking up that wireless Bluetooth headphones may or may not be included with this next-generation vPod (video-ipod)."

The video-iPods smaller sibling, the iPod-nano, faces its own problems as it transitions from its current 3-chip solution to a single "system-on-chip", or SOC, he explains.

Apple is addressing some of the issues of the previous iPod-nano, namely, its scratch-prone plastic shell will be replaced by
"a new magnesium-based casing," which is more "durable" and "scratch-resistant."

Despite these advancements, Wu believes "the price points will remain the same at $199 and $249, but that storage capacities will be doubled to 4GB and 8GB, up from 2GB and 4GB."

Synaptics may regain Apple iPod deal

Analysts at Cowen and Co are advising investors to buy Synaptics shares on claims Apple may soon use solutions from the company in its products.

The company makes touch-sensitive components for notebooks (including trackpads) and MP3 players.

Analyst Robert Stone believes Apple plans to use a touch-sensitive controller from the company within future iPods. He expects Synaptics could see its revenues climb 30 per cent, should that prediction emerge as fact.

However, Bear Sterns analyst Andrew Neff isn't so sure when any iPod-related impact will be felt. "Timing remains uncertain," he warns, on strength of some reports claiming Apple's future iPod upgrade has been delayed.

iGadget Grips For All iPod Models

HandStands has announced the availability of iGadget Grips, small grippy pads that attach to an iPod and hold it securely to a car dashboard. Based on HandStand's patented "Sticky Technology," iGadget Grips are washable, reusable, use no adhesives, and leave no residue.

The package includes nine different cut-outs, allowing the pads to fit iPods of all sizes.

Nyko FM Trans Kit For iPod Nano

Nyko has released their FM Trans Kit for iPod nano, combining a high powered, four frequency, FM transmitter, a car charger and three different mounting options. Powered by the Ipod nano's battery or the included car charger and styled to match the ipod nano's sharp looks, the FM Trans Kit broadcasts music through your car's stereo system for easy listening with one-touch tuning on the go. When plugged into car power outlet or lighter, the iPod recharges while you listen.

Three mounting options are included: the FM Trans Kit’s adhesive backed clip, horizontal/vertical air vent clip and sun visor clip.

Nyko's FM Trans Kit will be available this summer for a retail price of $39.99 USD.

High-res photos of Apple's Nike+iPod Sport Kit

Apple Computer on Thursday began selling its new Nike+iPod wireless Sport Kit that allows Nike+ footwear to talk with an iPod nano, and we've got some photos of the $30 device.
The Nike+iPod Sport Kit packaging is very similar to that of Apple's iPod nano lanyard headphones. In fact, the dimensions of the two retail boxes are identical.

Upon picking up our kits, our attention was almost immediately drawn to the weight of the boxes. They are much heavier than expected, primarily because Apple splurged for semi-glossy color instruction manuals (which include instructions in five languages).

In addition to the manual, each kit includes an Apple warranty pamphlet, software license booklet, an in-shoe sensor and a wireless transmitter. Both the sensor and transmitter are incredibly small. In fact, the devices are so tiny that we're betting it'll only be a matter of time before someone offers up a blog posting explaining how a small dog ate their iPod sensor and ran a 5-minute mile.

We'll have much more on the Nike+iPod kit in the coming weeks. However, if you're looking to pick one up today, you can swing by most Apple, NikeWomen or Niketown retail store locations.
The kit

Meet The Mu-Bot, Your New iPod Friend

It has a large, white, bulbous head. Its "hands" are earphones with cords that can be reeled into "the body". It can be worn around the neck. It plugs into your iPod. It wants to be your special friend. What are we talking about? Why, the Mu-Bot from Sega Toys, that's what!

Mu-Bot's main purpose in life is...to be cute. This curious around-the-neck friend is one of the more unique ways that we've seen to set yourself apart from the ubiquity of the regular old iPod user.

Watch High Definition Video On Your iPod

Interested in watching high definition (HD) video on your iPod - even if it isn't a 5G model? Get ready for ATO's upcoming HD video player due for release at year's end.

A followup to the company's popular iSee 360 unit, the upcoming HD player is a sleeve whichs slips over an iPod and features a color LCD display. Once in place, the device sets aside a storage area within the iPod, dedicated to video content, from which the high definition video will be played.

The upcoming unit will retail for beetween $199 and $250 USD and will support at least the 4G and 5G iPods as well as the nano. The first release of the unit will be capable of playing back MPEG4, Divx, and H.264 video formats.

We will bring further details as the product finalizes.

EyeTV 2.3 adds Front Row integration

Elgato has released an update to its EyeTV 2.3 software. EyeTV is the software used to power Elgato's EyeTV product line of analog and digital TV input devices. The update features new Front Row integration boasting access to live TV, recordings, EyeTV settings, schedules and a program guide -- all usable in Front Row's EyeTV menu. While watching through Front Row, video is full-screen and supports the Apple remote fully including the ability to get show details and control the channel and playback. Also added this version is support for Windows Media export and better export speed to all previously supported formats. Version 2.3 is a free upgrade to all EyeTV 2.0 or later license holders as well as owners of cards that shipped with EyeTV 1.8 software. Users of older EyeTV products may upgrade for $80. Mac OS X 10.4 or later running on a G4, G5, or Core Duo system runnign at 500MHz or faster.

EyeTV 2 also features support for Intel-based Macs as a Universal Binary, single-click or automatic iPod export, short cuts built into the player window, playlists, and HDTV on all Intel Core Duo-based Macs. With built-in program guides in the United States and Europe, EyeTV can easily schedule recordings by program names and view a complete channel schedule. Also support on EyeTV products is the ability to pause and rewind live TV or record it with a single button click in the control window. EyeTV TV hardware costs between $150 and $200, depending on features.

The Omni Group releases OmniPlan beta

The Omni Group has announced the public beta release of its new project management application, OmniPlan. OmniPlan, now in beta, is designed to help users create logical, manageable project planning documents. With OmniPlan you can break down tasks, optimize the resources needed for your project (people, materials, or equipment), control various costs, and monitor the entire project at a glance. Every project is made up of a collection of different activities; OmniPlan provides features like Gantt charts, schedules, summaries, milestones, and critical path highlighting to help you manage basic planning options along with offering more in-depth functionality. OmniPlan features include easy task entry, in-depth resource management, a scheduling system for tasks and resources, visual timelines (Gantt charts), violation notification, critical path highlighting, and a number of import and export options, including the ability to round-trip with Microsoft Project. The beta expires August 26th; The final release of OmniPlan will retail for $150 (educational and family pricing will be announced at that time).

Video Game Connects To Apple iTunes

A startup will integrate links from its game to Apple's iTunes Music Store, allowing gamers to purchase the music they hear as they play.

A startup video-game developer will integrate links from the game to Apple Computer Inc.'s iTunes Music Store allowing gamers to purchase the music they hear as they play.
Left Behind Games Inc. said Wednesday the Eternal Forces video game scheduled to ship in October will have active links to Apple's music store.

"After each game level you win, a reward screen pops up with the name of the song and artist," said Jeff Frichner, Left Behind Games president and cofounder. "The link takes the person to the album track on the iTunes site."

Clicking the links pauses the game and launches the iTunes Music Store page that features the song. After downloading the music, the game resumes where it left off.

Gamers can customize music lists and listen to songs they download while playing the video game. The game is being initially released for the PC, with possible later version planned for the Macintosh operating system.

Many games now come with special soundtracks. Music soundtracks incorporated into game are becoming increasingly more important, according to analysts. "Sony has been running trials to converge music with games," said Colin Sebastian, senior research analyst with Lazard Capital Markets LLC. "Sony's PSP acts like an iPod, a place where you can store music you've download from its online music site."

BMO Capital Markets research analyst Edward Williams said the Microsoft's Xbox lets gamers personalize soundtracks, and video game publisher Electronic Arts Inc. has developed a music production group within the company.

EA announced in November a partnership with privately owned record label Nettwerk Music Group to release music from three dozen of EA's games as digital downloads. Williams said in the last couple of years publishers have released box sets and music scores to go along with the game. San Francisco-based American Technology Research analyst Shaw Wu, who has a buy rating on Apple Computer stock, said nascent partnerships between the gaming industry and iTunes will "drive incremental traffic that feeds on itself." He said the deals are more about increasing the "stickiness" and traffic to the music site.

"If you're a video game developer and want to sell music from the game it makes sense to partner with a company whose product, the iPod, people actually use," Wu said. "Now you're also beginning to see more deals between companies like Warner and iTunes."

MS Zune may have limited battery life

Wall Street analyst Shaw Wu is skeptical of the battery life on Microsoft's "Zune" digital media player, reports AppleInsider. The first business day after Microsoft confirmed plans to rival the iPod + iTunes offering with its own hardware and software solution, some are already skeptical of the Zune system. In a note to clients today, Shaw Wu wrote that Wi-Fi power requirements of the Zune may weaken the battery life the new player. As a reference point, the PSP reportedly has a battery life of 45 minutes when Wi-Fi is active. Wu also believes that the effect of Zune's entry may be minimal on the iPod, but he stated that, "While the focus is on Apple, we believe this move will likely have a much larger competitive impact on Creative, SanDisk, Sony, Samsung, iRiver, Archos, and others." Shawn Wu also pointed out that many see the Xbox as a success in terms of user experience and sales, but he states that it has been a financial failure for Microsoft.

"If it were any company other than Microsoft -- who can afford to lose billions and price below cost -- we believe the Xbox would have been shuttered due to its high unprofitability," concluded Wu, "We believe Microsoft's effort in portable media will likely result in similar economics."

DMC unveils iPod nano competitor

Digital Mind today unveiled its new line of portable media players featuring complete podcast capabilities and software, which stand to compete with Apple's iPod. DMC is offering its credit card-sized iPod nano -like player with 4GB of storage, a color display, photo viewing capability, recordable FM radio, and voice recording capability in either black or white. The device is priced at $130, and is "half the price of the inferior iPod nano," according to Jim Collier, DMC's president and CEO. "Our other podcast-enabled portable media players start at less than $50. [...] All of our products are podcast-enabled and are bundled with Applian Technologies Replay Radio software so that our customers can experience the rapidly evolving world of podcasting seamlessly."

Custom iPod, iBook, PowerBook skins

Skinit has released Skinit Skins, a series of vinyl covers designed for more than 1,000 different mobile devices which include Apple's iPod, iBook, and PowerBook. Skinit categories include art, collegiate, comics, entertainment, fashion, flags of the world, military, models, music, sports, skin it stock images, and rides. The skins leave no sticky residue when removed, and the company offers a service to turn personal photos into custom skins. Visitors can upload personal photos for approval, after which the company produces a tailored skin for the device of choice. Skinit iPod skins -- both custom and pre-made -- are priced at $15 and fit all iPod models. Skinit iBook and PowerBook skins are priced at $30.