Filed under ‘Portable media players’
iPod Nano Video - it’s here!
Apple have released the new iPod Nano Video. The new Video Nano has a two-inch display that’s 65% brighter than before, and is available in 4GB and 8GB. It also features a new drop down menu interface, and the same Cover Flow album display used in iTunes.
Control iTunes from your iPhone (or PPC)
Smashcasi’s excellent RemoteAmp has changed it’s name to Signal, and now works with the iPhone as well as Pocket PC. Signal allows you control your desktop installation of iTunes from your iPhone or PPC, just like using a remote control. It works with iTunes on the Mac, and also with iTunes, Winamp, or Windows Media Player on a PC. I’ve installed the demo version of Signal on my iPAQ and it works really well, I’ve been using it all day and it looks like all the bugs from the older version of RemoteAmp seem to have been fixed - I’m going to buy it!
» Demo version and more info here.
Zen Stone Plus gets a screen
We loved the original Zen Stone from Creative - but now they’ve gone and made it better. The new Zen Stone Plus gets a cute little 64 x 64 pixel OLED display, an FM radio, voice recording using a built in microphone, and an increased 2GB storage capacity. Available in glossy red, blue, black, pink, white, and green.
GelaSkins iPod skins
These are some of the best looking iPod skins I’ve ever seen. GelaSkins are super thin (under 2mm) photo quality skins made from “premium grade 3M vinyl and adhesive technology” - and are available for most of the iPod and Mac laptop range. Prices start at $12.95 for the iPod Mini skins, and go up to $32.95 for the MacBook Pro & PowerBook skins.
iPod Nano 1.1.3 - what’s new?
Apple have just released the latest 1.1.3 firmware for the iPod Nano - the changes are simply listed as “bug fixes”. My Nano Gen 2 still crashes occasionally after syncing podcasts, which isn’t a huge problem, but it is annoying. If anyone can shed some light on the other bug fixes in the 1.1.3 firmware update, please let us know.
Creative Zen Stone
For all you non iTunes users, or for anyone who just wants to avoid being ‘another iPod owner’ - then Creative’s new Zen Stone MP3 player might be just what you’ve been waiting for. The 1GB Zen Stone has a battery life of up to 10 hours, and can play MP3, WMA, and Audible files, and comes in five colors. Best thing is the price - apx $39!
» $39.99 from Buy.com
iRiver S10 - more nano than a Nano
iRiver have released one of the smallest and cutest MP3 players ever made - the tiny iRiver S10 has 2GB of storage, 8 hours of playback, audio recording, a built in FM radio - and best of all, a gorgeous color screen. If you’re looking for a serious alternative to an iPod Shuffle or Nano, this could be it.
iPod remote control
If you use your iPod with your home hifi, you’ll know how annoying it is not having a remote control and having to get up and fiddle with the iPod to change tracks. The iJet iPod remote control lets you wirelessly control your iPod from up to 150ft away, and has a nice little LCD screen to let you know the track and artist name. This thing is small, and as long as you stay within range, is just like having an ultra micro iPod.
» Available from ThinkGeek.com
Shuga Buds
If you’re after something a little more extravagant than the standard iPod earphones, or gift shopping for the lady in your life - then Shuga Buds could be the answer. Shuga Buds earphones are studded with genuine Swarovski crystals, are available in blue, pink, iridescent, sage green and yellow/gold, and come with a wind-up storage case and gift box. Swarovski crystals don’t come cheap - but at only around $35 a set, Shuga Buds are a pretty good buy.
i-Platinum MP3 players
There’s a flood of cheap iPod clones floating around at the moment, and although the quality isn’t as good as the real deal - they’re very affordable, and they’re actually not too bad. The i-Platinum can do pretty much everything an iPod can do, with support for a wide selection of audio and video formats, built in audio recording, as well as an ebook reader, photo album, and telephone book function. These are good value for money if you can’t afford the real thing - or if you’re after a ‘basher’ to take travelling, hiking, bike riding etc. They’re cheap … but they’re cheap!
