Apple today introduced the iPod Touch. It looks remarkable similar to an iPhone, with a large touchscreen, single home button, and built in Wi-Fi. The built in Wi-Fi is what excites me. I have been wanting something like this for a long time, and now I have to find a way to justify the purchase when I already have an iPod nano.

The iPod touch is an unbelievable 8 mm thin, and is priced starting at just $299. It has a 3.5-inch widescreen display, built-in accelerometer that automatically senses when you rotate it into its landscape position, it automatically switches to Cover Flow so you can browse your music collection by album cover artwork with just a flick of a finger. iPod touch also has a built-in ambient light sensor that automatically adjusts the display�s brightness. iPod touch features up to 22 hours of audio playback and up to five hours of video playback.

The new iPod touch is scheduled to be available later this month. The 8GB iPod touch model is $299 (US) and the 16GB iPod model is $399 (US).

Source: Apple Press Release

Apple today discontinued the 4GB iPhone and lowered the price of the 8GB iPhone $200 to $400. This is very good news as it simplifies their iPhone line and makes it much more affordable.

Source: Apple Press Release

Tomorrow Apple is having a media event. Rumors are swirling that we may see some new iPods. Specifically an iPod that mirrors the iPhone with a wide touchscreen. Or an iPod Nano that plays video. And the iPods might even run Apple’s mobile version of OSX. So there are some exciting possibilities, and we will find out tomorrow whether any of them pan out. In the evening I will have a roundup of any announcements that come out of tomorrow’s Apple event.

I’m hoping for a wi-fi iPod, but that could just be wishful thinking. What are you hoping for?

Sources: Think Secret, AppleInsider

The Invisible Shield uses a abrasive-resistant film that can cover an entire gadget, or just the screen. I saw one at DigitalLife last year that was protecting an iPod from a bunch of rocks in a container. The shielded iPod worked fine and looked great even after being tossed around, though I wouldn’t recommend doing that with your iPod. I had been trying to get a demo shield, but I may just have to break down and buy one before my Second Generation iPod Nano gets scratched. So far I’ve handled it with kid gloves and it still looks great. Once I get a shield I will write a more personal review based on hands-on experience.

What are your experiences with an Invisible Shield? Good or bad.

Don’t have one? Love your gadgets? Protect them with the invisibleSHIELD!

Apple’s Back to School promotion is back. You get $199 back when you buy an iPod along with a new MacBook, MacBook Pro, iMac, or Mac Pro using your education discount. This means you can get an iPod nano for free, or put the money towards a higher-priced iPod.

If only I had waited a few weeks to buy my Macbook. I already have an iPod nano but I could have sold a second one or held a contest to give it away.

The Belkin TuneSync for iPod works as a 5-port USB hub and iPod dock. USB is Hi-speed and works like a charm. I have yet to be able to plug my iPod into the dock because I am waiting for a 2nd Gen iPod Nano adapter from Belkin. They say it’s free but I have no idea when it will ship. Below you can find a slideshow of photos and link to the album.

Belkin TuneSync photo album

Belkin F5U255q TuneSync for iPods on Amazon

Well it’s almost official. Steve Jobs is unveiling the iPhone in his Macworld keynote speech right this moment. A few details have emerged from the people live-blogging the keynote. AppleMatters and Engadget write that it is a wide screen iPod with touch control, a mobile phone, and an internet communication device. There is no need to have a plastic keyboard, buttons can be placed on the screen in software. The phone also runs OS X, and has no need for a stylus as everything is operated with a finger. They have even developed new technology called Multi-Touch that ignores accidental screen presses. iTunes is used to sync all your media to the iPhone, including contacts, calendars, notes, bookmarks, email and music.

The iPhone has a 3.5-inch 160ppi screen, and only one button. At 11.6mm it’s extremely thin. There is even a 2 megapixel camera built in, a 3.5mm headset jack, SIM tray, and sleep-wake switch. There is a proximity sensor to turn off the display when the phone is near your ear. A light sensor adjusts brightness. And an accelerometer can tell which way you are holding the phone, in landscape or portrait mode. The phone unlocks by sliding your finger across the screen.

The phone features visual voicemail that lets you choose which voicemails to listen to just like email. No longer will you need to listen to each voicemail in succession. The phone integrates GSM and WiFi. The phone is coming in June. They announced it today because it takes two months to get FCC approval. The 4GB version will cost $499 and the 8GB version will cost $599. Cingular will be the exclusive partner in the US.

Sources: AppleMatters, Engadget

For the past few weeks iPhone rumors have been coming fast and furiously. The most recent ones say that an announcement from Apple is coming Monday. We will know soon whether that’s true. The rumors are also saying that the iPhone will initially come in two versions: a 4GB and 8GB version with price points a bit higher than the corresponding iPod nano. Would you buy an iPhone?

Source: AppleInsider

In a previous story, I wrote that Softbank was working with Apple to develop mobile phones with built-in iPod music players. The story was later discredited, but in the past few weeks more information has been leaked that suggest an iPhone may be closer than we think.

First, Think Secret reported that Apple and Cingular have signed an agreement that will make the cell phone service provider the exclusive carrier of Apple’s coming phone for the first six months of its release in early 2007. After that other providers would be able to sell the phone. They also reported that Apple’s phone will feature acandy-bar design with a 2.2-inch display and 3 megapixel camera. (Source: Think Secret)

Second, AppleInsider discovered that Apple filed for a trademark on the term iPhone. In the September 15th filing, Apple describes iPhone as “handheld and mobile digital electronic devices for the sending and receiving of telephone calls, faxes, electronic mail, and other digital data; MP3 and other digital format audio players.” It may also play games and a prototype may be near completion. (Source: AppleInsider)

And lastly, AppleInsider reported on a Prudential report that believes Apple plans to introduce two iPod-based cell phone models. One including an integrated keyboard, video and music capability. The other being a slimmer phone with only music functionality. (Source: >AppleInsider)

The reports should be taken with a grain of salt, especially that last one based on a Prudential analyst’s research. Many people have gotten it wrong when it comes to figuring out what Apple is up to, yet many have also been right. It makes sense for Apple to release an iPhone, and it makes even greater sense to have an integrated device that can go up against the likes of the Treos and Blackberrys of the world. Could this be the evolution of the Newton?

On October 23rd, 2001 Apple unveiled the iPod. It came at a time when their revenues were down 22 percent, profits were cut in half, and many wondered if Apple could compete. Fast forward five years and they are continually announcing record profits. In honor of this you can find details on each version of the ipod here. I would create something but the anniversary kind of crept up on me unexpectedly. There’s a nice image comparison of every version except the 5th one here at ilounge.

Apple today announced the second generation iPod nano. It is made of aluminum and looks like the iPod mini, except much smaller. It also has 24 hours of battery life and comes in five colors. The iPod nano now supports gapless playback, which seamlessly switches between songs.

“The new 2GB iPod nano model in silver is available for $149 (US), the new 4GB models in silver, pink, green and blue are available for $199 (US), and the new 8GB model in black is available for $249 (US). All iPod nano models include redesigned earbud headphones providing superior comfort, fit and sound quality, and a USB 2.0 cable.”

Source: Apple release

I’m guessing that the change comes partly due to all the horror stories about broken iPod nanos I hear on AppleWatch. And many people were distraught when the iPod mini was discontinued. Of course that is pure speculation on my part. And now I give you the new iPod nano commercial:

According to Wall Street analysts, Nvidia is designed into the next-generation video iPod. This may lead to better graphics and video features. The consumer wins in this situation, while Broadcom comes out as the loser.

Source: AppleInsider

Japanese Web and telecom conglomerate Softbank Corp. is working with Apple Computer Inc. to develop mobile telephones with built-in iPod music players, Nikkei reported Friday.

The music-playing phones can download songs from Apple’s iTunes Music Store, The Nihon Keizai Shimbun said in an article posted on its Web site.

The report said Apple and Softbank have agreed to co-develop the phone for sale as early as this year. The device is expected to carry both the Softbank and Apple brands, the report said, without citing the source of the information.

Source: CNNMoney

Looking for an iPod Nano? Need to replace one that is broken and Apple won’t fix?

You can get an iPod Nano for FREE here. All you need to do is complete an offer (such as signing up for a credit card or a free $20 gift card from Lowes) and then get 5 friends to do the same under you. You can find reviews of the various offers at RateTheOffers.com.

I am no longer paying anyone to signup under me. I have gotten my needed referrals. You can still signup for the program and get your friends to signup under you. And there are other sites offering free iPods. Some of them work, I already have a free 20GB iPod from Freepay and my free iPod Nano should come soon.

Since there are still lots of iPod Nano horror stories being posted to the blog, I figured I would write about what I have been hearing. I’ve heard that if your iPod Nano’s screen has a terrible break in it that looks like a burn ,or could not have been from normal wear and tear, then Apple will replace it. They will not replace it if your iPod just has scratches on it, only if the screen was torn or unusable.

Apparently a few early iPod Nanos had a problem with their screens, and that is probably what we kept hearing about in the news. I heard this from an Apple rep while in Texas, but this is by no means official. You should visit your local Apple Store, contact AppleCare, or visit Apple Support.

Have you already tried getting your iPod replaced by Apple? If so let everyone know in the comments. And what exactly is/was the problem with your iPod, and Apple’s response.