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Latest Gear Live Videos
iCube II Docks Your Tunes
Posted by Sheila Franklin Categories: Apple, Home Entertainment, Music, Portable Audio / Video,
boynq has some created pretty nifty playthings, including their latest iCube II, an integrated docking station with stereo speakers. Connectible by AC adapter, the device supports MP3 players and iPods with included inserts. The gadget features a frequency range of 20 Hz to 20 KHz, 2 x 5W RMS (4 ohm) drivers, treble and bass control, and an audio cable is included for line-out to your home stereo system. Choose from a black or pink version for about $40.00. Contact boynq for availability in your area.
Read More 
| Gadgets Weblog
Gallery: iCube II Docks Your Tunes
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Apple posts new Leopard Guided Tour video
Posted by Andru Edwards Categories: Apple, Software, Videos,
Following on the heels of their highly successful iPhone Guided Tour videos, Apple has just posted a new Leopard Guided Tour. This one has a nice white background, a welcome change from the black background/black iPhone/guy in black shirt videos we’ve been seeing recently. The Guided Tour goes through and demos all the major features that we will all be able to enjoy in just one week when Leopard launches on October 26. The video is about 28 minutes long, and is available in small, medium, and large streaming formats as well as download format for both iPod and Apple TV.
Read More | Mac OS X Leopard Guided Tour
Gallery: Apple posts new Leopard Guided Tour video
Napster to Dispense With Software Download
Posted by Sheila Franklin Categories: Apple, Corporate News, Music, Software,
Napster has decided to change their service to a web-based platform so users will no longer be required to download its software. Napster’s current subscription service is offered for $10.00 to $20.00 per month for unlimited usage, but they don’t seem to be able to keep up with the iTunes store which has a flat fee of 99 cents per tune. Christopher Allen of Napster feels that the move will be easier to integrate than their present method and foresees the end of DRM with major music companies by the end of 2008. If this idea becomes reality and other companies follow suit, we may soon see the end of small music shops the way that neighborhood video stores have gone now that downloading is easily and readily available.
Read More | Reuters
Gallery: Napster to Dispense With Software Download
iPhone to get official 3rd party developer support in February
Posted by Sparky Categories: Apple, Smartphones, Handhelds, Portable Audio / Video, Software,
Apple announced today that starting in February they will be offering an SDK to allow developers to create applications for the iPhone and the iPod touch. The announcement comments that Apple is being conscious of the need to protect the iPhone from viruses as well as to keep the platform stable, however opening up the multi-touch platform to developers will result in a new wave of revolutionary mobile applications. Although many in the hacking community have grumbled about the recent lockouts with the 1.1.1 version of the iPhone/iPod touch software this should appease them, as well as provide richly documented API’s to allow for easier development that will hopefully utilize the full potential of the platform. Why do we need to wait until February?
It will take until February to release an SDK because we’re trying to do two diametrically opposed things at once—provide an advanced and open platform to developers while at the same time protect iPhone users from viruses, malware, privacy attacks, etc. This is no easy task.
It would have been nice to have the SDK available from launch, but better late than never. Expect to see a flood of highly polished and engaging applications appearing on an iPhone near you sometime early next year.
Read More | Apple Hot News
Gallery: iPhone to get official 3rd party developer support in February
It’s Official: Mac OS X Leopard arrives Oct. 26
Posted by Andru Edwards Categories: Apple, Corporate News, Software,
That’s right peeps, after a huge delay five months ago, we are happy to share that Apple has finally stamped a date on the release of Mac OS X Leopard. The launch is happening in just ten days, on October 26, 2007. Leopard will be available in two flavors - the single-user version, which sells for $129 USD, or the Family Pack, which can be installed on up to five computer in one home for $199. Apple is currently taking pre-orders on their online store, guaranteeing delivery on October 26th, so if you want to avoid the lines at your local Apple Store, we recommend the online purchase. Just be sure you can hang with the required specs - you’ll need, at the minimum, an Intel, PowerPC G5, or PowerPC G4 processor that’s at least 867MHz, and 512MB RAM. And please note, we said minumum.
Gallery: It’s Official: Mac OS X Leopard arrives Oct. 26
Sharing a 3G internet connection with the iPhone
Posted by Sparky Categories: Apple, Broadband, Smartphones, Handhelds, Internet, Mods / Hacks, Portable Audio / Video, Wireless / WiFi,
Pyrofers has posted a how-to on turning a Windows Mobile 5 or Windows Mobile 6 phone with 3G access into a high-speed modem for the iPhone. The whole process seems a little extreme given that you would have to pay for, carry, and keep active a 2nd device at all times, but might be useful if you have a spare Windows Mobile device hanging around and if you can convince your work to pay for an unlimited data account for it. Fair warning - the hack involves registry editing on your Windows Mobile device so proceed at your own risk. As for us, we will likely just wait it out for the iPhone 2.0 (iPhone Extreme?) to come out with 3G internet access built in.
Read More | Pyrofers Projects
Gallery: Sharing a 3G internet connection with the iPhone
Colorware now painting iMac, iPod classic, iPod nano, and iPod touch
Posted by Andru Edwards Categories: Apple, Design, PC / Laptop,
We recently clued you in to the fact that Colorware was offering custom iPhone paint jobs, but Lars just let us know that they are now offering customization on the new iPod classic, iPod nano, and iPod touch lines. If that wasn’t enough, they are even taking order for paint jobs on the new aluminum iMac as well. Colorware already does the Mac mini, so it would seem the only thing left out would be the Mac Pro. It’s probably for the best. In any event, you can head over to Colorware now if you want to get your paint on. They’ll allow you to send in your device to be painted, or you can purchase a brand new one directly from them. Of course, this all comes at a premium.
Read More | Colorware
Gallery: Colorware now painting iMac, iPod classic, iPod nano, and iPod touch
Will the iStone Rock Your World?
Posted by Lolita Beckwith Categories: Accessories, Apple, Misc. Tech, Portable Audio / Video,
If you’re looking for a unique iPod dock but the bed, grill or toilet paper holder didn’t strike your fancy, how about the iStone? Available in two versions – the Wabi and the Sabi – each weighs approximately 5.5 pounds, supports USB 2.0 and is even equipped with audio and video outputs. A definite conversation-starter, and it’s perfect for that geologist-who-has-everything. And yes, they’re real stones. Pricing information is currently unavailable, so stay tuned…
Read More | Brand Incubator
Gallery: Will the iStone Rock Your World?
Zune 2: What Microsoft got right
Posted by Sparky Categories: Apple, Handhelds, Microsoft, Music, Portable Audio / Video,
While Microsoft’s first generation Zune hardly put up a fight against Apple’s iPod juggernaut the soon to be released Zune 2 seems to have a much better chance of gaining a foothold in the market. Last 100 has posted their take on the top 5 things the new Zune got right - we agree with them for the most part, although they do seem to underscore the challenge Microsoft faces with the iPod Touch, iPhone, and the rest of the iPhone line.
The new flash based Zunes do help widen their appeal, but Apple has anDAP available in $50 price increments from $79 all the way up to $400 - something to fit everyone’s budget and needs. Apple has also beat Microsoft to the punch on mobile song purchase, but the new improvements to the Zune store shows that Microsoft is gaining momentum to catch them on features.
All in all, the Zune 2 has a chance with it’s bevy of new features. With the goal of helping the brand Microsoft is also smartly planning to release a firmware update for the 1st generation Zune that will include all of the new features. Now might be a good time to pick up a Zune on the cheap if you don’t mind slightly older hardware but are interested in the new store or social networking features.
Read More | Last 100
Gallery: Zune 2: What Microsoft got right
We’ve been hearing rumors of Apple doing away with the Mac mini for quite a while now, and we were even surprised when the line received a refresh a couple of months ago. Now rumors are churning again that Apple might finally kill off the Mac mini, in favor of a new, slim Mac nano. As you can see in the image above, the Mac looks similar to an Apple TV, and includes an IR receiver. The question is - is this the Mac nano? As we all know, Leopard launches at the end of this month. We are expecting a few Apple announcements surrounding that - possibly an updated Apple TV, HD movies in iTunes, and some changes in the Mac line.
[Thanks, Jake!]
Read More | XYHD
