Image: Applestore.com

Recently I came across a report on iLounge.com that said that there was a discussion in the Apple Forums that said that some iPod Shuffle 3g users were having issues with the new earphones that come with the new shuffle. The new earphones for the new Shuffle feature a volume control on the right earbud cord.

the issue appears to be linked to moisture and sweat, which seems to interfere with the in-line controls. Users have repeatedly reported that the volume randomly increases to maximum when working out or running during use, while a subset of users said that the unit unexpectedly turned itself off shortly after the volume increase.

If you’re sweating excessively chances are some sweat is going to run down the wire and possibly interfere with the controls. I’m not saying that this is right and that Apple is not at fault here, but they know that these products are used for various reasons to include working out. I think they need to take measures to insure that this doesn;t become a problem by at least making them water resistant.

Post from: EveryJoe

Monday Music: iPod Shuffle 3G Issues

Apple unloads the new iPod Shuffle with nary a clue. There was very little inkling that it would come out. So imagine my surprise when I saw the Apple announcement in my inbox.

Add to that there’s iPhone 3.0 which is scheduled to be previewed on March 17. I just hope I’ll be well enough to check that out as it happens.

As we can see, Apple seems to be doing fine in the absence of Steve. There’s just a little less fan fare but the slew of new products in recent weeks assure as that Apple continues ensuring it provides us with the products we’ve grown accustomed to.

It would still be better to see Steve back but as it is with everyone, including myself, life goes on even if we’re on sick leave.

Post from: EveryJoe

Sick As A Dog

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 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…

As the Apple Store went down for an update, Mac fans all over the world waited in great anticipation. Will it be something new? Will it be updated MacBook Pros? What will it be?!? Turns out it’s just an update to the iPod Shuffle. Still any updates is still good.

The iPod Shuffle will soon come in two sizes. 1GB and 2GB. The 1GB is receiving a price reduction, it will now sell for $49. Not bad! The 2GB will be sold for $69. Both iPod models come in the 5 colors.

Check it out here.

Post from: EveryJoe

1GB Shuffle $49, 2GB Shuffle To Follow For $69

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

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

The article is saying that Apple has a patent on technology that will automatically lower the volume depending on how long you’ve been listening to loud music. It will then allow you to put the volume back up after a short rest.

That seems to be a cool solution to a very real problem. Like what was written, just because you can crank up the volume doesn’t mean you should right?

Has listening to too much music on your iPod affected your hearing? Do you like the proposed solution that Apple reportedly has for it? Or is it too intrusive? Let me know what you think..

Post from: EveryJoe

Has Listening To Too Much Music From Your iPod Affected Your Hearing?

Tis’ the season to be generous… For those people generous enough and are looking for gifts for their favorite iPod loving loved one, the Griffin Evolve is a perfect stocking stuffer.

I’m a wireless lover. I love wireless gadgets. I wish all gadgets are wireless. That’s how much I love it. So when I saw the Evolve wireless speakers I knew I’d like it too. I’m not so much of an audiophile in the sense that my ears aren’t that discerning. However I know that a lot of wireless speakers aren’t up to par. However from what I’ve read it seems that the Evolve works well enough that someone like me won’t be able to distinguish the quality of this from a decent pair of wired speakers.

The Evolve’s system is composed of two wireless cube speakers and a charging dock. Each cube speaker can be placed up to a maximum of 150 feet, depending on walls and barriers of course. Lithium-ion batteries inside of the cube speakers allow for up to 10 hours of playback in between charging. When the juice runs out just place the speakers on the dock and it charges. No cables to attach. The dock will also tell the speaker if it’s the left or right when you place it on the dock. No need to remember which goes where. Nifty!

The Evolve is made for the iPod and is compatible with most docking iPods. It can also accommodate most other music sources.

This is one set of speakers I would have gotten myself this Christmas. There’s only one problem… I lost my iPod.

But for those of you who have iPods or have loved ones that do, this is a great set of speakers. Check out the specs on Evolve’s web site.

Post from: EveryJoe

Evolve The Perfect Wireless Stocking Stuffer

By looking at the HK Go + Play speakers, it seems like it would be more at home as a cute robot’s head rather than sitting on your desk. The funky design will probably not appeal to all but that’s not what speakers are primarily about. Looking good is just a plus.

For a friend of mine, the HK edged out Altec Lansing’s IM7 as his choice of portable iPod speakers. I listen to him for stuff like this because he’s in the audio business and he knows more about this than I do.

The HK is the best sounding portable speaker in his opinion. It delivers good sound detail throughout the spectrum. From the highs to lows.

The HK has the ability to be both AC and DC powered. The arching stainless steel handle gives a good grip area for transporting. The design is simple, understated in fact but it doesn’t look boring.

It features the iPod universal dock thus allowing most docking iPods to work with the speaker. Apart from that it also has a stereo mini-jack connection that will allow it to play music from the iPod shuffle and a variety of other portable music devices.

Another good thing is that there’s a connection at the back of the speakers that connect to your computer. This allows you to sync your iPod to your computer when docked in the speakers.

While the HK is a good speaker, this might not be for everyone. For one the price is on the high side compared to its competitors. At $350 it’s pricey for a portable iPod speaker. Another thing is the design. It will not be for everyone. The design also hinders the viewing of the iPod’s screen.

For audio buffs who want excellent audio quality that can be transported, this is a good choice.

Read some of the reviews at iLounge and Cnet.

Post from: EveryJoe

Harman/Kardon Go + Play: Playfully Good