Veering away from tradition of having the events on Tuesdays, Apple’s September music event is scheduled for Wednesday, Sept 9, 2009. The venue is yet to be announced but according to the Digital Daily it’s sure to push through.

Apple’s September event is usually a music centered event. Last year saw the launch of iTunes 8 with the Genius feature, the 4th Gen iPod Nano a.k.a Nanochromatic, the 2nd gen iPod Touch. What will Apple pull out of it’s proverbial magic hat this year and will it’s number 1 magician be the one to perform its tricks?

Rumors are circulating that this year will bring us a new for of “Digital Album” dubbed Cocktail. This is apparently a collaboration between Apple and the music labels to entice more people to buy the whole album rather than just individual songs. This will help music labels make more money with bulk sales rather than just individual songs. The album will include lyrics, notes and photos plus other interactive goodies.

Of course we can’t have a new format without new hardware. Next generation iPod Nanos and iPod Touch are reportedly set to make their debut. With both of them reported to get cameras. There have been leaked photos (true or not) of the iPod Touch with the cameras.

A camera for the iPod Touch would be sweet. I’ve played around with the iPhone 3GS’ photo app and the tap to focus is niiicceee.

While most of us are awaiting the launch or the Apple Tablet/NetBook or whatever you want to call it, don’t hold your breath. The reports say it won’t be coming out this month. It’s more of a 2010 product.

Products are good but what excites me the most is the chance that Steve might actually do the keynote. It’s a good time for him to do this since, one, he’s back at work full time and this will be a good way to show people that he’s back on top. Two, this is a much shorter keynote and should be less stressful than a regular keynote should it should make for a good comeback.

Well, with a little over a couple of weeks till September 9th, Apple hopefuls are now giddy once again. Will it be an early Christmas for us? We’ll see.

Post from: EveryJoe

September Apple Event A Go

Uxsight’s website indicates that the Nano 5G is not expected to include any other major design changes from the 4th generation model, with a 1.5:1 screen on the front and the familiar click wheel for navigation. Keep in mind that all of this is based on an early mockup of the new iPod Nano, and Apple’s final model is still subject to change.

Image: Uxsight.

Post from: EveryJoe

iPod Nano 5G to include camera?

Image: Total Assault PR

The contest is for an iPod Nano from the band 16 Frames who is releasing their rock album Where It Ends today,  March 24th. In celebration of the release they are giving away a decked out Nano with the album already on it and the band’s logo engraved on the back of it. All you have to do is follow the link at the bottom and sign up. Even if you don’t like the band, it’s a free iPod and it doesn’t get much better than that.

I like the Nano for it’s size but not the amount of memory it has. I need something a bit beefier, but I hear it has some improvements over it’s square predecessor, and it looks so much cooler and is available in more colors this time around.

Enter For  A Chance To Win An iPod Nano From 16 Frames.

Post from: EveryJoe

16 Frames iPod Nano Give Away

Maybe I was not really feeling it anymore or maybe I was just expecting too much but the event really didn’t excite me as much as previous Apple events. However it wasn’t bad. It was ok, just not kickass.

Steve talked about several things during the event. First was iTunes 8. The next major version of iTunes. It’s available for download here. What new things does iTunes offer? Here are some of them, Genius playlists, availability of HD content and a new visualizer are just some of the new things that iTunes 8 brings. Browsing has also been significantly altered. Offering an experience similar to iPhoto, complete with scrubbing. You can view album art to access your music.

Updated iPod Nano’s were also introduced. Apple said that it’s the thinnest iPod ever built. It is damn thin. I definitely like this shape better than the fat nano. The inclusion of the accelerometer makes it easier to watch videos while retaining this form factor. The addition of the ability to create genius playlists is also great. A great thing is also the fact that Apple has made Nano’s more environmentally friendly. Seeing that Apple sells a ton of iPods, it’s just right that they do whatever they can to save the environment.

In my opinion the star of the event was the iPod Touch or in Apple’s words, “the funnest iPod ever”. I love the new form factor. The iPod Touch is what the iPhone 3G should have looked like. I know that there’s a reason for the plastic back of the iPhone 3G but I really wish the iPhone 3G looked more like the iPod Touch.

The 2G Touch features a built-in speaker, physical volume controls and the Nike+ receiver plus all the other great stuff the previous iPod Touch had.

The iPod Classic got a mention as well. Apple ditched the “fatter” version and it keeping the Classic in one size. The iPod Shuffle will also get a color refresh to follow the iPod Nano’s new color scheme.

All in all it was an ok event. Even their musician was just ok. I like Jack Johnson, don’t get me wrong but he didn’t blow me out of my seat. He’s like the dependable car that you own. Good, reliable but not terribly exciting.

So “Let’s Rock” was rockin’ but only a little bit.

Check out the links below.

Apple Let’s Rock Keynote
Download iTunes 8
Apple Introduces the new iPod Nano
Apple Introduces the new iPod Touch
Apple Announces iTunes 8

Post from: EveryJoe

Let’s Rock.. Sorta

If money is no object, you love music and you have an iPod then the B&W Zeppelin is the speakers for you. It looks good, sounds good and costs a bundle.

This $600 (Amazon price) iPod speaker system, while pricey delivers sound that very few iPod docks can match.

B&W (Bowers & Wilkins) have been renowned speaker makers for leading audio production houses/studios all over the world. Some of it’s notable long time clients include Abbey Road Studios. They carried over their expertise in producing studio quality sound into speakers for use with the iPod at home.

The Zeppelin delivers HiFi quality sound in a relatively small package. It’s not that compact but it’s small enough that you won’t have trouble carrying it around.

The design will fit well in any modern home. While it does remind me of a football (American Football), there’s something about it that’s elegant. It’s almost a conversation piece by itself. Even when it’s not emitting sound. The arm that holds the iPod is design in such a way that it still gives you access to the iPod as if you were still holding it in your hand.

If I had a ton of money to spare, I wouldn’t think twice of getting this for our place. It’s a great speaker system for your iPod.

[image courtesy of B&W web site]

Post from: EveryJoe

iPod Speakers For People With Loads of Money

If you were to buy an iPod there are things you need to ask yourself. First is, what do I want to do with my iPod or how will I use it? How much storage to I really need? Which iPod will fit my budget?

Anyone asking me for advice as to what iPod to get, I always answer back, what do you want the iPod for? Will it be primarily for listening to music? Watching videos? Or some other things.

Get the iPod Touch if you’re into listening to music, watching videos. I don’t agree with Lia when she said that the iPod Touch is a wannabe iPhone. It has similar features but it’s really for people who want the features of the iPhone sans the phone. Why? because they like separating their communication device and their entertainment device. You don’t want to find yourself suddenly out of juice when you need to make that important call. Also, the iPod Touch is for the rest of the people in the world where the iPhone is not available yet. Sure, there’s unlocking for the iPhone but there are still people (me included) that would rather wait till the iPhone is officially supported in our country before getting one.

So the iPod Touch does really serve a need. Buy it if you watch a lot of videos. The screen is amazing and it’s perfectly suited for watching movies, tv shows, video podcasts on the go.

The iPod Touch also has Wifi so you can browse, email and chat wherever there’s a connection. The software platform is similar to the iPhone so it’s really extensible, you can add apps to it and add to its features.

The downside is that it’s limited to 32GB at the moment. Not bad really, the original iPod started with 5GB and it was fine back then. The 32GB should be fine just as long as you don’t carry your entire library with you. But really, why would you need the entire library anyway? It’s like bringing all the books in your library when all you’ll really read today is a single novel.

The iPod Classic is for people who looooveee music. They have to carry all their music with them at all times simply because they want to be able to play whatever, whenever. With this much space you can listen to music for days, weeks even without repeating. It can also play videos but really, it’s not at par with the iPod Touch.

It can be used as an external hard drive but I really wouldn’t make it my primary external drive. You bring it around with you all the time and it would be a shame to lose all your data if your iPod gets stolen. Not to mention a security risk. So use it for transporting files to and from but not really as a primary external drive. Plus the iPod hard drives aren’t as durable as laptop or desktop based external hard drives.

The iPod Nano is for people who love sports and who want to exercise to the beat of their favorite tunes. It’s flashed based so the jarring won’t affect it’s memory. It’s small and light. It’s really perfect for the active person. It can play videos but really forget it lest you want to develop eye problems.

It has enough storage so you can store a lot of music or podcasts and it should be fine for most people really.

The iPod Shuffle on the other hand is really meant for people who don’t really listen to a lot of music, don’t need video, don’t need photos. All they really want is a music player. That’s it. Plain and simple. It’s also cheap, sturdy and stylish. You won’t cry if you lose it. The downside sometimes it takes a bit of guesswork to find the right song you want.

This is also perfect for people who just want to try portable music players before taking the plunge to bigger and better things.

Each iPod really has its market. There’s no one iPod for all. That’s why they made the entire line. It’s really up to you to assess your needs and choose the right one that fits you.

As for me? Well I think I’m an iPod Touch user. I just lost my old 5th Gen iPod and so, I’m in the market for a new one. That’s if I can get through all my other expenses first.

Post from: EveryJoe

If You Were To Buy An iPod Then Buy The…

“Pretty In Pink” that’s what appears on some of the ads of the newly released Pink iPod Nano. Apple added a new color to its third generation iPod Nano line. They say it’s just in time for Valentine’s Day.

The 8GB line-up of the iPod Nano gains a new color. It’s still the same spec’d iPod just a little bit girly.

iPod Nano page here.

Post from: EveryJoe

Pink iPod Nano

Apple has posted the iPod 5Rs troubleshooting page. If you’re having trouble with your iPods, don’t panic just yet try the 5Rs. Reset, Retry, Restart, Reinstall and Restore.

Follow the simple steps outlined in the section and stop when the problem is fixed. Apple has 5Rs for the recent generations of the iPods starting with the 4th gen. Simply choose the model of your iPod and follow the steps.

View the 5Rs here.

Post from: EveryJoe

iPod’s 5Rs of Troubleshooting

GelaSkins are thin protective covers for your Mac laptops, iPods, iPhones, etc. I’ve heard about them before but saw them again on Dave Cross’ blog.

I’ve been wary of actually using protective cases for my MacBook Pro, except for sleeves and bags but to put something that will be more or less on it for the duration of it’s life is something that I wasn’t sure I’d like to do. The main reason being that it actually destroys the aesthetics of the MacBook Pro. I like the design very much and as much as possible to not want to add to it.

However GelaSkins caught my eye. It’s not as obtrusive as other cases and has the element of art. So if you want your Mac to stand out this is a good way of doing so. One of the problems I see with this is that it will protect against scratches but nothing more drastic than that. Then again, that’s where the sleeve and padded bag come in.

I love the designs of GelaSkins, they’re very artsy. It’s a good way of being unique. If you’re tired with it, you can simply peel it off and they say it won’t leave any residue.

Check out GelaSkins on their web site. They also have a blog here.

Post from: EveryJoe

GelaSkins: Protect Your Macs With Art

I wrote a blog entry asking if the iPod has affected your hearing and in my case I think it has to a certain extent. By coincidence I was reading the article of David Pogue and he mentioned iHearSafe. This is a set of earphones that will automatically regulate the volume of the music you’re listening to. No matter how high you crank up the volume.

iHearSafe can be used on any audio device. This device is especially beneficial to kids. Since they still have relatively healthy hearing, they will benefit the most from this.

At $20 a pop, this is a good investment. I’m pretty sure it won’t give you studio quality audio but for regular use I think these will sound ok. Besides, what good is a great studio quality earphones if you can’t hear right?

Check iHearSafe out here.

Post from: EveryJoe

Prevent Hearing Loss With iHearSafe