Gadgets

"iTunes is really good, but they don't have everything I want to put on my machine. I'm frustrated because I'm kind of locked in." Those are the words of a 24-year-old CompUSA worker who has reached the end of his rope with the restrictions Apple ... has placed on the iPod and its iTunes music store. As it stands right now, music downloaded from iTunes will only play on the iPod. And if you grab your music from another online source other than iTunes, it won't work on the iPod, either. It's limiting, frustrating, and just a plain headache. But an avenging angel may have arrived in the unlikely ... (view more)

Recent reports suggest that Apple has ordered 12 million mobile phones from Hon Hai Precision (better known as Foxconn), a Taiwanese manufacturing company. (Source: dailytech.com ) While Apple has not yet commented on the order, many critics are not ... surprised about the news. Analysts have been predicting that Apple would release a mobile phone in early 2007. In a research note, UBS Analyst Benjamin Reitzes wrote that the order aligns with expectations that "a cell phone could be discussed in January at Macworld with limited sales by February and broader distribution in spring 2007." (Source: ... (view more)

Many iPod users and airline passengers will no longer have to worry about re-charging their iPod before they board the plane, or worry about having enough battery power to last the duration of their trip. Earlier this week, Apple announced a deal ... with six major carriers that would outfit airlines with iPod seat connections. The iPod seat connections will be available to passengers by mid-2007 on Air France, Continental Airlines, Delta Air Lines, Emirates, KLM, and United Airlines planes. (Source: news.com ) The seat connections will enable passengers to power and charge their iPods while in ... (view more)

Apple may be in the works to develop a touch-screen iPod. Recently, the company filed a patent that has put the future of the iconic "click wheel" in question; the patent specifically describes "a multiple-function multimedia device activated by ... touch-screen 'bezel' technology." While the application of such technology is unknown, many are speculating it will be used on a new version of the iPod or on an iPod-like device. Others suggest an integrated device that doubles as a digital camera. (Source: theinquirer.net ) The possible demise of the click-wheel may not come as a total surprise. ... (view more)

Microsoft recently announced a big change to the MSN Music website: as of November 14th (the launch date of the much-hyped Zune), the website will no longer be offering music downloads. While the MSN Music website will still remain, its focus will ... change toward offering information such as interviews with musicians and industry news, as well as hosting live concerts. The biggest change is that the "Buy Song" buttons will be taken off and replaced by links to the Zune and Real Rhapsody websites. In addition, the MSN Radio service will be free. (Source: news.com ) MSN Music was launched in ... (view more)

With Microsoft's entry into the digital music industry scheduled to launch before the holidays, many are wondering how Apple's iPod will fare against the new threat. In a recent interview with Newsweek, Apple CEO Steve Jobs left nothing unclear when ... expressing his lack of concern. Mircosoft's Zune, he says, does not measure up to his company's widely popular iPod. When asked point blank if he was worried about Zune, Jobs simply replied "In a word, no." (Source: news.com ) Jobs went on to dismiss Zune's capability for sharing music wirelessly, a feature that Microsoft has touted as a key ... (view more)

In the versatile world of digital equipment, it's always out with the old and in with the new. And of course, this is especially true with cell phone technology. Recently, mobile communications giant Sony Ericsson teamed up with Fossil, Inc. to ... develop the MBW-100: a specialized wrist watch that interacts with Bluetooth-friendly cell phones. For those who are not familiar with Bluetooth technology, it is simply a way to exchange information between devices, wirelessly. For example: the most commonly used Bluetooth device today is the Bluetooth headphone set, used by many people with their ... (view more)

Apple announced last Friday that it would be teaming up with U2 front man, Bono, in offering a special RED edition of the iPod nano to benefit the singer's charity. RED, the name of Bono's charity, supports fighting diseases in Africa, especially ... AIDS. (Source: betanews.com) The special-edition bright red iPod nano acts as a part of a large corporation-rock star campaign to raise funds and awareness for the fight against AIDS in Africa. In some Southern African countries, the national adult HIV prevalence rate has risen higher than initially thought possible. In Botswana, Lesotho, Swaziland, ... (view more)

Intel has finally released the details of a new low-budget notebook designed especially for students in developing countries. The notebook, dubbed the Classmate PC, will be offered to emerging markets as part of the company's "Intel World Ahead ... Program" which was announced in May. Although a price has not yet been determined, Intel expects to charge about $250 US, with the price expected to drop to $200 US when the order volume increases. Intel has reported that orders have already been placed from governments in Mexico, Brazil, Nigeria and India. Production is planned for the first quarter ... (view more)

If you're the owner of a fifth generation video iPod, you can now turn your music machine into a bona fide pocket arcade, as Apple has officially added video games to the iTunes store. Leading the charge is the ultimate gaming classic: the ... dot-chomping, ghost-busting Pac-Man. The world famous Tetris and Internet favorites Bejeweled and Zuma are also on the lineup, along with several original titles. Each game can be downloaded for a very reasonable $4.99. However, they're only playable on an iPod -- not on a PC or Mac like regular iTunes video downloads. (Source: gamespot.com ) These are the ... (view more)