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Latest Gear Live Videos
Apple Drops iPod shuffle Price to $49
Posted by Sheila Franklin Categories: Apple, Corporate News, Hot Deals, Music, Portable Audio / Video,
Apple has lowered the price of its 1GB iPod shuffle. The musical mini-player has been reduced to $49.00 to make way for its soon to be released 2GB brother. At a size of about half a cubic inch in volume and a weight of about half an oz., the shuffle will come in silver, blue, green, purple, and a (Product) Red Special Edition, and will carry a price of $69.99. We like the idea that as more products are released, Apple has the sense to lower the old shuffle’s price, rather than charge more for the new one. Maybe they will do the same with their next iPhone.
Read More 
| Apple
Gallery: Apple Drops iPod shuffle Price to $49
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With iTunes 7.6, we got movie rentals, among other things. We also got nice, tight integration between iTunes and Apple TV Take 2. Today, Apple released a small point upgrade in iTunes 7.6.1, which focuses on “several” bug fixes as well as an improving compatibility between iTunes and Apple TV 2.0 software. Here is the full scoop from Apple themselves:
Rent and download your favorite movies with iTunes on your computer or directly to your living room on Apple TV. Enjoy rented movies in sizes up to 720p HD with surround sound on your Apple TV and sizes up to DVD-quality on your computer. Transfer your rented movies from iTunes to your iPod or iPhone and enjoy them on the go.
Also, purchase and download your favorite TV shows, music, and more directly on your Apple TV. Effortlessly transfer purchases made on Apple TV back to your computer with iTunes.
iTunes 7.6.1 includes several bug fixes and improves compatibility with Apple TV software version 2.0.
Anything that eliminates bugs sounds good to us. Fire up Software Update to pull in the new version.
Gallery: iTunes 7.6.1 released
iPod Case Recycles 45s
Posted by Sheila Franklin Categories: Accessories, Apple, Music, Portable Audio / Video,
What better way to keep your 5th or 6th generation iPod safe and support all things green than with a 45 iPod Case. The Limited Editions are created by taking old 7-inch vinyls and recycling them into covers that will let your buds know just who is on your playlist. Although Pink Floyd, Janet Jackson, Billy Idol, and Donny Osmond have already been sold, don’t fret, for Tiffany is still available. The company also creates cases for 1st and 2nd generation iPod nanos out of cassette shells. Available for £45.00 (~$88.00) with a free TEC1 Modem Extension cable, get someone else to buy one and you get a $5.00 rebate.
Read More | 45
Gallery: iPod Case Recycles 45s
Audiowrapz Gives Sound and Color to iPods
Posted by Sheila Franklin Categories: Accessories, Apple, Design, Portable Audio / Video,
We didn’t want you to think we had forgotten you on this illustrious holiday for lovers, so we came up with one more gift idea for Valentines Day. iFrogz has a new iPod 2G nano case that comes with speakers. The Audiowrapz Case is made of silicone with passive speaker technology so you don’t need batteries. Choose your wrap from 8 colors for $24.99 and add your choice of screen for $6.00, or get both for $27.99.
(Happy Heart Day, Gear Livers!)
Read More | ifrogz
Gallery: Audiowrapz Gives Sound and Color to iPods
MacBook Air SSD review
Posted by Andru Edwards Categories: Apple, Features, PC / Laptop, Product Reviews, Wireless / WiFi,
First things first - the MacBook Air took no one by surprise. We all knew, based on the reports churning out of the rumor mill, that Apple had a subnotebook up their sleeve, and all signs were pointing at MacWorld 2008 for it’s introduction to the world. Heck, even the name of the product got out there before Steve got a chance to announce it at the event. Of course, that wasn’t the only thing that leaked before MacWorld 2008, as we got our hands on the iPhone 1.1.3 firmware weeks before it was officially announced.
What we didn’t know was how the Air would look. When Steve pulled the computer out of manila envelope, everyone was wowed. The MacBook Air is thin. T-H-I-N. At it’s smallest point, the Air is just 0.16 inches thin. That is thinner than both the iPhone and iPod touch. The larger side is just 0.76 inches. Again, tiny. See for yourself in our MacBook Air unboxing gallery.
As for the rest of the specs, the Air is the same brushed aluminum color that you will find on the MacBook Pro line, and is available in 1.6GHz and 1.8GHz Core 2 Duo speeds. Both models come with 2GB of non-upgradable RAM, 802.11a/b/g/n Wi-Fi, a 13.3-inch widescreen LED-backlit display, and Bluetooth 2.1. As far as ports go, you will only find one micro-DVI, one USB, and one audio out jack. That’s it. As for storage, this is where the major choice comes in. You can choose between an 80 GB 4200 RPM ATA hard drive, or a 64 GB SSD (solid-state flash drive). We got our hands on the SSD version of the MacBook Air.
We give you our thoughts on the SSD-based MacBook Air in our full review.
Click to continue reading MacBook Air SSD review
Gallery: MacBook Air SSD review
Apple TV Take 2 finally released!
Posted by Andru Edwards Categories: Apple, Broadband, HDTV, Home Entertainment, Movies, Software,
If you are like me, you’ve been waiting for Apple TV Take 2 to hit for just about a month now. When it was delayed two weeks ago, I stared at my Apple TV in disgust. In it’s current form, it was nothing more than a YouTube viewer, and sometimes, a nice picture screensaver. However, the wait is no more. As part of today’s Tuesday updates, Apple has finally released the Apple TV Take 2 software, and it is available now for download. Aside from a freatly enhanced UI, here are some of the features:
- Movie rentals in both high definition and standard definition
- Flickr photo browsing and slideshows
- .Mac photo gallery browsing and slideshows
- Purchasing of items from iTunes Store from Apple TV
- Browse and view podcasts in iTunes Podcast directory on Apple TV
If you have an Apple TV, fire up Software Update on the device to get the new hotness, and let us know what you think.
Read More | Apple TV Take 2 Guided Tour
Gallery: Apple TV Take 2 finally released!
Leopard 10.5.2 update now available
Posted by Andru Edwards Categories: Apple, PC / Laptop, Software,
Time to fire up Software Update yet again, as the Leopard 10.5.2 update has just been released. We knew this one was meant to fix a ton of stuff under the hood of the OS, and the file size we are seeing is pretty much in line with that. A whopping 341 MB download. 10.5.2 includes fixes for Active Directory, Airport, Back to my Mac, Dashboard, Dock, Desktop, iCal, iChat, iSync, Finder, Mail, Networking, Parental Controls, Preview, Printing, RAW Image support, Safari, Login and Setup Assistant, System, Time Machine, as well as a few other areas. We told you it was big. Hit the Read link to get the full scoop, as this download might take you a few minutes…
Read More | Mac OS X 10.5.2 Update Notes
Gallery: Leopard 10.5.2 update now available
Flash on iPhone is just around the corner
Posted by Andru Edwards Categories: Apple, Smartphones, Handhelds, Rumors,
EDIT: The Skyfire browser for iPhone allows you to view Flash video directly on your iPhone.
EDIT: Here are the details on Apple and Adobe collaborating on an iPhone Flash player.
EDIT: Here is an update on the whole Flash on iPhone situation.
We’ve been waiting for Flash support to hit the iPhone ever since…well…it launched. We’ve had to make do without Flash for almost eight months, and YouTube even had to convert a bunch of their catalog to H.264 in order for the service to be enjoyed on the iPhone. Well, we’ve just got word from a reliable source that Flash support is on its way to the iPhone, and it should be coming very, very soon. Speculating a bit further on our own, we are guessing that it would be pretty convenient for Flash support to be introduced alongside the iPhone SDK, wouldn’t you say? Now, we know that there isn’t much information here, but you also know how strong our sources are too - Flash on the iPhone is coming, just take our word for it, okay?
EDIT: We already have had a couple people ask about the supposed battery and CPU issues that were holding Flash back from being included on the iPhone in the first place. From what I am hearing, it was a complete fabrication. Flash has not yet made it to the iPhone solely due to business negotiations. As we said, it is now on its way!
Gallery: Flash on iPhone is just around the corner
iPods and Pacemakers Get Along After All
Posted by Sheila Franklin Categories: Apple, Music, Portable Audio / Video, Science,
After the FDA did their homework, they came to the conclusion that iPods probably won’t interfere with pacemakers. After a scare when a high school student said he detected electrical interference, the agency may not have thought much of it, but just to be sure…
Several models’ magnetic fields were used in the test with a saline bag substituting for a human body along with the voltage delivered inside of the pacemaker by iPods. While the results of the testing is great news for music fans, if you have a pacemaker, remember to keep away from those microwave ovens.
Read More | Far East Gizmos
Gallery: iPods and Pacemakers Get Along After All
Early access into FlyTunes iPhone music service
Posted by Andru Edwards Categories: Apple, Smartphones, Internet, Music, Portable Audio / Video, Videos, Wireless / WiFi,
If you want to get in to the new FlyTunes iPhone and iPod touch music service, we’ve got the good for you. While FlyTunes is currently a closed service, you can get in using our special invite URL. Be sure you click on the following link while using an iPhone or iPod touch, otherwise it won’t work:
For more details on what FlyTunes actually is, here you go:
FlyTunes offers you a music experience that’s better than satellite radio, offering access to thousands of high quality music channels that you can personalize and enjoy on your iPhone any time, anywhere you go, without limitations, and without fees.
FlyTunes for iPhone/Touch is available now. As we scale up our systems to meet the tremendous demand, we will be sending your invitation to rock on with Flytunes.
Be sure to check out the FlyTunes demo we’ve embedded, after the break.
Click to continue reading Early access into FlyTunes iPhone music service
