Filed under: iPod Family

The iPod is elegant and small, glossy and slick. Why not cram it into a log? The big, hollowed-out tree trunk you see at right is an iPod speaker system. Created by Austrian design studio KMKG, the piece begs for an adolescent wood joke that I’m going to resist.

When I state it is a speaker system, that’s the truth. There are no electronic speakers inside. Instead, the piece is created in a way that enhances the wood’s own resonance. Customers can chose their own type of wood and length of the completed piece. Note that the one above weighs 130 lbs, so select wisely. There’s no word on pricing or availability, but we assume it’s one of those “if you have to ask, you can’t afford it” arrangements.

A tree used as an iPod speaker. Now we’ve seen everything.

iPod speaker dock carved from tree trunk originally appeared on The Unofficial Apple Weblog (TUAW) on Thu, 15 Jul 2010 11:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

iPod speaker dock carved from tree trunk originally appeared on The Unofficial Apple Weblog (TUAW) on Thu, 15 Jul 2010 11:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Filed under: Accessories, iPod Family, iPhone

iPod vehicle stereo integration is great. You can control your music library with your car stereo’s controls. In some cases, you can see track info like artist, song and album information. Ideal of all, your iPhone’s charging via a dock connector while all of this is happening — that is, if you have a fairly recent integration kit.

While many older vehicle stereo integration kits can play and control music through their iPods and iPhones, they’ve lost the capability to charge newer models. The reason for this is that Apple re-engineered the dock connector for the iPhone 3G, second generation iPod touch and fourth generation iPod nano onward.

However, you can empower yourself against this annoyance with Scosche’s passPORT. The passPORT is a dongle that serves as an intermediary between your car’s dock connector cable and your iPhone, charging it while you’re enjoying your music.

Scosche has a list on its site with automobile compatibility information. While my car’s kit — the original iPodYourBMW factory kit — isn’t on the list, it worked flawlessly with the passPORT.

The Scosche passPORT is available at the Apple online store, and at some Apple retail stores for US$19.95.

Empowering your iPhone with Scosche’s passPORT originally appeared on The Unofficial Apple Weblog (TUAW) on Wed, 14 Jul 2010 15:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Empowering your iPhone with Scosche’s passPORT originally appeared on The Unofficial Apple Weblog (TUAW) on Wed, 14 Jul 2010 15:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Filed under: iPod Family

Way back two or three years ago, we first heard about some HD radios coming out that would allow for iTunes tagging of songs for later purchase. I guess Apple thought that was a mighty nifty idea, as they later gave similar capability to the latest iPod nano, and the company has recently filed for a patent that integrates HD radio right into future iPhones and iPods.

Unlike with traditional FM radio, HD radio transmits with it information on the song, artist and album you’re listening to. The most recent iPod nano has a song tagging feature for its built-in, traditional FM receiver, though it relies on later syncing the device with iTunes to make sense of what song you tagged.

With HD radio capabilities built into an iPhone or iPod, theoretically you could set your device to search for a particular song title via HD radio information. You’d also be able to quickly tag the song for purchase and be brought immediately to the iTunes app.

With iOS 4’s multi-tasking capabilities, most likely one would be able to listen to HD radio stations while performing other tasks, much like you can do now while listening to iTunes. While streaming apps like Pandora are popular and will have backgrounding capability, HD radio does one thing Pandora doesn’t: it won’t use up your data plan.

Of course, as with any number of the slew of patents Apple files for, there’s no telling whether we’ll actually see HD radio built into future devices.

[via AppleInsider]

Rumor: Apple considering HD radio in future devices originally appeared on The Unofficial Apple Weblog (TUAW) on Thu, 17 Jun 2010 18:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Rumor: Apple considering HD radio in future devices originally appeared on The Unofficial Apple Weblog (TUAW) on Thu, 17 Jun 2010 18:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Filed under: iPod Family

Way back two or three years ago, we first heard about some HD radios coming out that would allow for iTunes tagging of songs for later purchase. I guess Apple thought that was a mighty nifty idea, as they later gave similar capability to the latest iPod nano, and the company has recently filed for a patent that integrates HD radio right into future iPhones and iPods.

Unlike with traditional FM radio, HD radio transmits with it information on the song, artist and album you’re listening to. The most recent iPod nano has a song tagging feature for its built-in, traditional FM receiver, though it relies on later syncing the device with iTunes to make sense of what song you tagged.

With HD radio capabilities built into an iPhone or iPod, theoretically you could set your device to search for a particular song title via HD radio information. You’d also be able to quickly tag the song for purchase and be brought immediately to the iTunes app.

With iOS 4’s multi-tasking capabilities, most likely one would be able to listen to HD radio stations while performing other tasks, much like you can do now while listening to iTunes. While streaming apps like Pandora are popular and will have backgrounding capability, HD radio does one thing Pandora doesn’t: it won’t use up your data plan.

Of course, as with any number of the slew of patents Apple files for, there’s no telling whether we’ll actually see HD radio built into future devices.

[via AppleInsider]

Rumor: Apple considering HD radio in future devices originally appeared on The Unofficial Apple Weblog (TUAW) on Thu, 17 Jun 2010 18:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Rumor: Apple considering HD radio in future devices originally appeared on The Unofficial Apple Weblog (TUAW) on Thu, 17 Jun 2010 18:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Filed under: iPod Family

According to a post by user “Clover” on the Nike+ support forums, Nike will be releasing a Nike+ heart rate monitor to the U.S. market on June 1, 2010. Canada will also see see a June launch date, while other international customers will see the device hitting shelves some time during the summer.

While the fifth generation iPod nano and Apple’s own Nike+ iPod user guide makes reference to a Nike+ heart rate monitor, such a device has yet to surface.

Exact features, specifications, and pricing of the Nike+ heart rate monitor were not revealed. However, a good number of heart rate monitors out in the market today are priced in the $50 and higher ballpark, and many require you to use a strap across your chest in order to transmit your heart rate to an accompanying watch.

[via AppleInsider]

Continue reading Rumor: Nike+ heart rate monitor coming June 1

Rumor: Nike+ heart rate monitor coming June 1 originally appeared on The Unofficial Apple Weblog (TUAW) on Tue, 18 May 2010 20:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Rumor: Nike+ heart rate monitor coming June 1 originally appeared on The Unofficial Apple Weblog (TUAW) on Tue, 18 May 2010 20:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Filed under: iPod Family

According to a post by user “Clover” on the Nike+ support forums, Nike will be releasing a Nike+ heart rate monitor to the U.S. market on June 1, 2010. Canada will also see see a June launch date, while other international customers will see the device hitting shelves some time during the summer.

While the fifth generation iPod nano and Apple’s own Nike+ iPod user guide makes reference to a Nike+ heart rate monitor, such a device has yet to surface.

Exact features, specifications, and pricing of the Nike+ heart rate monitor were not revealed. However, a good number of heart rate monitors out in the market today are priced in the $50 and higher ballpark, and many require you to use a strap across your chest in order to transmit your heart rate to an accompanying watch.

[via AppleInsider]

Continue reading Rumor: Nike+ heart rate monitor coming June 1

Rumor: Nike+ heart rate monitor coming June 1 originally appeared on The Unofficial Apple Weblog (TUAW) on Tue, 18 May 2010 20:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Rumor: Nike+ heart rate monitor coming June 1 originally appeared on The Unofficial Apple Weblog (TUAW) on Tue, 18 May 2010 20:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Filed under: iPod Family

Apple has launched a replacement program for third-generation iPod shuffle headphones with remote controls that exhibit performance problems. The symptoms of the issues, which have led to some lengthy discussions in Apple’s Support Forum, include controls that are non-responsive or work intermittently, unexpected volume increase or decrease, and unexpected playing of voice feedback.

The serial number ranges of the iPod shuffle with the affected headphones are xx909xxxxxx to xx952xxxxxx and xx001xxxxxx to xx004xxxxxx. A very small percentage of iPod shuffle owners have experienced the problems, according to Apple. The issue is apparently limited to headphones that were included with the 3rd gen iPod shuffle made between approximately February 2009 and February 2010. Apple also notes that any Apple earphones with built-in remote, like the ones that ship with the iPhone, are covered under this replacement program as well.

Full details on the replacement program, including how to locate your serial number and the steps to go through to obtain your new headphones, are on the Apple Headphones with Remote Replacement Program page.

Thanks to reader Michael B. for the tip.

Apple launches Headphones with Remote Replacement Program originally appeared on The Unofficial Apple Weblog (TUAW) on Mon, 19 Apr 2010 12:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Apple launches Headphones with Remote Replacement Program originally appeared on The Unofficial Apple Weblog (TUAW) on Mon, 19 Apr 2010 12:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Filed under: iPod Family

Apple has launched a replacement program for third-generation iPod shuffle headphones with remote controls that exhibit performance problems. The symptoms of the issues, which have led to some lengthy discussions in Apple’s Support Forum, include controls that are non-responsive or work intermittently, unexpected volume increase or decrease, and unexpected playing of voice feedback.

The serial number ranges of the iPod shuffle with the affected headphones are xx909xxxxxx to xx952xxxxxx and xx001xxxxxx to xx004xxxxxx. A very small percentage of iPod shuffle owners have experienced the problems, according to Apple. The issue is apparently limited to headphones that were included with the 3rd gen iPod shuffle made between approximately February 2009 and February 2010. Apple also notes that any Apple earphones with built-in remote, like the ones that ship with the iPhone, are covered under this replacement program as well.

Full details on the replacement program, including how to locate your serial number and the steps to go through to obtain your new headphones, are on the Apple Headphones with Remote Replacement Program page.

Thanks to reader Michael B. for the tip.

Apple launches Headphones with Remote Replacement Program originally appeared on The Unofficial Apple Weblog (TUAW) on Mon, 19 Apr 2010 12:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Apple launches Headphones with Remote Replacement Program originally appeared on The Unofficial Apple Weblog (TUAW) on Mon, 19 Apr 2010 12:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Filed under: iPod Family, iPhone, SDK

An TUAW informant has slipped us some video showcasing a new application built into iPhone OS 4.0. Apparently bundled with iPods and iPhones, the new application transforms the iPhone screen into a simple remote control which is used to manipulate a menu system that’s fed out via a video lead. That menu system was captured in the recording shown at the top of this post.

Our source says that information bundled into the application shows that Apple intends this new “iPod out” functionality to be used in automobiles using the iPod Accessory Protocol (IAP). Hints as to this use are found in strings within the application itself. These strings include IAPSimpleRemoteCarButtonNotification and IAPSimpleRemoteCarButtonTypeKey.

He suggests that the application might be used in an Apple-branded car kit, where the user docks his iPhone or iPod touch and gains full access to the onboard audio libraries (no video at this time). The car kit could include both a video screen to show the menus and custom physical buttons that would produce the notifications to allow the user to move through those menus, and select from them.

Other hints in the application point to hands-free phone integration as well (kCTCallStatusChangeNotification). Incoming phone calls would be routed into the same system, allowing users to answer calls without having to pick up their device.

The idea of an Apple-branded iPhone Car Kit sounds pretty exciting to us. What do you think? Let us know in the comments.

iPhone OS 4.0 Secrets: Hidden iPod application hints at automobile integration originally appeared on The Unofficial Apple Weblog (TUAW) on Mon, 12 Apr 2010 13:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

iPhone OS 4.0 Secrets: Hidden iPod application hints at automobile integration originally appeared on The Unofficial Apple Weblog (TUAW) on Mon, 12 Apr 2010 13:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Filed under: iPod Family, iPhone, SDK

An TUAW informant has slipped us some video showcasing a new application built into iPhone OS 4.0. Apparently bundled with iPods and iPhones, the new application transforms the iPhone screen into a simple remote control which is used to manipulate a menu system that’s fed out via a video lead. That menu system was captured in the recording shown at the top of this post.

Our source says that information bundled into the application shows that Apple intends this new “iPod out” functionality to be used in automobiles using the iPod Accessory Protocol (IAP). Hints as to this use are found in strings within the application itself. These strings include IAPSimpleRemoteCarButtonNotification and IAPSimpleRemoteCarButtonTypeKey.

He suggests that the application might be used in an Apple-branded car kit, where the user docks his iPhone or iPod touch and gains full access to the onboard audio libraries (no video at this time). The car kit could include both a video screen to show the menus and custom physical buttons that would produce the notifications to allow the user to move through those menus, and select from them.

Other hints in the application point to hands-free phone integration as well (kCTCallStatusChangeNotification). Incoming phone calls would be routed into the same system, allowing users to answer calls without having to pick up their device.

The idea of an Apple-branded iPhone Car Kit sounds pretty exciting to us. What do you think? Let us know in the comments.

iPhone OS 4.0 Secrets: Hidden iPod application hints at automobile integration originally appeared on The Unofficial Apple Weblog (TUAW) on Mon, 12 Apr 2010 13:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

iPhone OS 4.0 Secrets: Hidden iPod application hints at automobile integration originally appeared on The Unofficial Apple Weblog (TUAW) on Mon, 12 Apr 2010 13:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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