@methodshop

"Sony President Kunitake Ando said this summer, at the launch of the new Walkman, that he was determined to take the spotlight in the market for portable music players away from iPod." [Via CNet]



Sony takes on iPod with new hard disk Walkman>





AMSTERDAM--Sony unveiled its first MP3-compatible, hard disk Walkman music player on Tuesday in an attempt to recover ground lost to Apple Computer's iPod.



Sony is trying to once again out do the undisputed champ of personal music players (the iPod). It realizes it's proprietary music format (ATRAC) is not catching on as they would like, therefore they have integrated support in the new player (which costs more than a 20gig iPod) for MP3 audio. In turn this will appeal to the much needed audience Sony desperately needs to tap into if they are serious about coming on top in the battle of personal music players.



The device comes in five colors, plays 2.5 times longer on one battery charge than iPod's 12 hours, and can contain 10,000 to 13,000 songs, at least twice as many as an iPod because of Atrac's better compression technology.

" How many gadgets do you commonly carry around with you? What if you could consolidate to one device?..well you can!"

[Via extremeiPod.com]



PDA your Pod



If you have ever wanted a utility to turn your iPod into a more functional PDA device for use with calendars, and even email (yes, email), then the PocketMac app is your friend.



Information Appliance Associates, the make of the application, has created this great little app to fill the void Apple has neglected for iPod'rs to seamlessly sync data from programs like Entourage and integrate these data figures into iPods notes features for your PDA pleasures.

"Kazaa is an "engine of copyright piracy to a degree of magnitude never before seen," Tony Bannon, an attorney for the music industry, said during Monday's start of the Australian trial against peer-to-peer software distributor Sharman Networks."

[Via CNet]



The Sh*%t has hit Kazaa



Major record labels Universal Music Australia, EMI, Sony/BMG, and others are suing Kazaa for what they claim is a breeding ground of illegal music swapping all thanks to the software produced by software distributor Sharman Networks.



Sharman Networks says that it is not liable for what its users do with the software and has no intentions of the software being used as a music copyright infringement aid. The company claims that it has developed the software for other means of p2p usage. However, within minutes of a Google search, first three results showed a search for 'Kazaa' listed as "free mp3 downloads". The trial is only scheduled for a three - week time frame, but in all honesty we know it will take much more time than that!

"People are dumping there PC's for a better machine!" [Via CNet]



...and the survey sez?



Financial analysis firm Piper Jaffray has concluded that users are switching to Macs from PCs and reflecting Apples success with higher numbers. Appartently the success of the iPod is the inspiration for this new wave of switchers.



These numbers, though small, reflect that people are realizing the quality and good product design of other Apple products like the iMac. Once exposed to Apple products and services like the iTunes Music Store and the iPod, consumers are now looking at other Apple products.



Pricing will remain the biggest factor as it always has with people debating to switch from the PC platform. Macs have, and will probably will always remain higher in up front costs compared to Windows and Linux boxes. However, consumers, such as these polled in the Piper Jaffray survey, are realizing the initial up-front costs of a Mac are well worth it, and that PC's are continuing to cost greater dollars in the long run with constant viruses, spyware and other daily headaches plaguing the average PC user.



More and more, little-by-little people are looking at Apple and there products much like BMW and other similar companies are perceived. That is, they contain only a portion of the overall market, but their products are known for style and quality above others more prominent in the business. That quality and style is what consumers have to consider in the purchasing decisions.

"If the Mac rumor sites are correct, there may be an asteroid headed straight for San Francisco."

[Via CNet]



What is likely to srping up at the soon-to-come MacWorld Expo?



Rumors and speculation are floating abuzz that Apple is planning a major add-on that will allow music creators/editors the ability to quickly and painlessly plug-in there analog equipment to the Mac.

This could not be a better time and ability for musicians to take advantage of. Overall, the simplicity and incorporation with software like Garageband will enable a larger music-making user group. This will also mean that integration with computer systems in sound engineering and audio recording will only better itself.

"ice>Link Plus is expected to ship on Dec 1, 2004!" [Via Denison USA]



Expandability, and firmware update set to come out next month to Ice > Link iPod accessory



Denison Technologies will shortly release an upgrade to it's Ice > Link stereo connector product. This product enables you to connect your iPod to your car stereo and operate it as if it's a CD changer. The upgrade (aka Ice > Link Plus) will include added support for earlier modeled car stereos like BMW, Audi, Volkswagen, Kenwood, Panasonic and Sony.

In addition, a firmware update will be applied to this new and improved product.



Ice>Link Plus comes with a docking cradle for either the 3G/4G iPod or the iPod mini. With prices not specified on Denison’s site at the time of this posting, it leads to believe that this may be an over-priced product competing in an already saturated market for the iPods expandability into the music lover’s car.

"The Solio is a portable charger and battery back-up for the iPod that charges its internal battery from its ergonomically designed solar panels " [Via WEBSITENAME]



Screw the charger...Use the sun!



Runners and travellers will love this item. No more stepping into a dingy diner just to give your pod an extra ten minutes of power for that last 2 miles of jogging. Now, you can charge while you are mobile! It's unknown how strong the solar receptors are as of yet, and I would wait until there are some reviews on the item before I took the solar plunge. The item is going to sell around $100. All iPod accessories, available here.

"A new video game is being released today in connection with the 41st anniversary of President John F. Kennedy's assassination, but not without controversy.



The objective is to fire three shots at Kennedy's motorcade in Dallas from assassin Lee Harvey Oswald's sixth-floor perch in the Texas School Book Depository, all of which has been digitally re-created." [Via worldnetdaily.com]



Q: Who really killed JFK?

A: You.



What better way to celebrate the assassination of JFK than killing him yourself? Maybe this game wasn't such a good idea after all. Releasing it on the anniversary of his assassination is even more twisted.

"As an unsigned band, the Shazam has never gotten the perks enjoyed by acts attached to major record labels."

[Via CNet]



SHAZAM!...there went the CD's.

When the internet can provide endless room for music services such as Apple's iTunes and record labels do not have the money or ability to produce hundreds of millions of CD's for a band that is little known, what do you do? You promote the band for very little risk and promotional costs via the web.



Many music labels and enterprises are simply finding that the web and music services offer not only a wide access gate to new and established artists, but to upcoming and rising bands/artists who really don't have the money in their budgets to distribute millions of CD's to a shrinking CD sales at music vendors shops. This is all tru for Nashville based rock band Shazam. Not only this, but the touring schedule simply used to get the band exposed is very taxing and un-reasonable for a band un-known or with a small following.Universal Music Group is using bands like Shazam for an experiment to test these digital waters and the potential which they may possess.



What labels are realizing is the power of distribution via music services (iTunes, Rhapsody etc..), and the low over-head that is associated with promotions this way.

Also, small and independent artists are flourishing more and more on these Internet based music stores, which opens huge and un-ending possibilities for the music labels that support them.



Fans and music enthusiasts eagerly always want that next album and are just not patient enough when it is available for purchase. Music lovers want the release intsantly, and that is where these music services and marketing campaigns directed for the bands via the web are effective.

Buy More, Save More on Apple iPod Accessories

• $50 - Spend $50 on these Apple iPod accessories and get $5 off your purchase using promotional code IPODACCSSAV5 at checkout.

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Apple iPod Remote and Earphones

The earbud-style headphones rely on Neodymium transducers, a rare earth magnet that significantly enhances frequency response and overall sound quality -- in fact, five times as powerful as other headphones that use aluminum, cobalt, or ceramic drivers. Price: $45.99



Apple iPod In-Ear Headphones

The iPod In-Ear Headphones have great sound quality and bass response, and come with three different sized caps to ensure the headphones fit comfortably and securely in your ear. Price: $49.84



Apple iPod (V Cable) Dock Connector to FW & USB

Use as an extra iPod Dock Connector to FireWire and USB 2.0 Cable for charging and syncing your iPod to your Mac or Windows PC. Price: $20.99



Apple iPod Dock Kit

Just plug, unplug, and go. The iPod Dock makes charging and syncing easier than ever. A convenient and elegant home base for iPod on a desk or connected to a home stereo system, the dock provides syncing via FireWire or USB 2.0, charging via FireWire and a stereo line out for simple connection to. Price: $44.99



Click here for more discounted items.

---

Offer Offer valid November 15 through November 27, 2004.

"Designed for extreme wear and tear, the new H2O Audio SV-iMini includes H2O Audio's durable waterproof housing featuring easy-to-use controls and a comfortable waterproof headset."[Via designtechnica.com]



Now you can surf through your songs...while you...uh, literally surf.



The first underwater housing unit for the iPod mini...This should attract a whole new subculture of iPodians to the audio player phenom. Take it to the pool to swim laps or to the beach to prevent sand...Bring it snowboarding or skiing and worry not about the snow ruining your display...The only down side, being that it is only available for the iPod Mini.

"As Apple puts the finishing touches to its new London store for Saturday's grand opening, it appears that punters eager to lay their hands on the firm's iconic iPod music player when the doors open could be disappointed."

[Via BBC News]



Can Europe be the Apple of Apple's eye?



Apple has once again expanded its retail division and this time on the other side of the Atlantic. It was said that Apple eagerly waited for only the most precise location to open this retail store. Owned by the Royal Crown, though it is not discussed, Apple is sure to be in it for the long haul and make serious profits to their investment in the location they choose. "We only open stores that we know are going to be profitable," said Mr. Johnson - Apple Senior vice President of Retail. "Here in London we're going to make money from day one."



However, on opening day, the store may be short of iPods as it suspects an overwhelming number of visitors for its debut. Also, and for whatever reason, Apple significantly marks up all merchandise (computers and accessories) more than in the US market. A typical iMac G5 is approximately $500 US dollars more in the UK than in the US market. Though asked, Apple avoids in depth discussion as to why this factor exists and appears to be so significantly steep.

Howard Stern fans who would like to receive a FREE SIRIUS system can:



1. Log on to: http://www.sirius.com/offer/sternrally/

2. Enter promotional code 263

3. Choose a home or car kit

4. Enter certificate number HS7436 (they are all the same)





A FREE Audiovox SIR-PNP2 is included with the purchase of an annual SIRIUS subscription for $142.45.

"Technologies, from e-mail, to net chatrooms, instant messaging and mobiles, have proved to be a big pull with those looking for love."



[Via BBC News]



The end to the "blind-date"



Technologies, specifically videophones with the 3G specs, are revolutionizing dating services as we may or may not know them. Mobile service providers and the manufacturers behind the phones, are realizing a huge potential for video based content and services, especially relating to dating services that currently flourish online.



However, what this means is that both the phone providers and services need to somehow securely assure users and the general public that only those old enough can access adult services such as a dating venture. The last thing you or any parent wants is their child accidentally calling a videophone of an unsuspected user of a dating match-up. Now, this technology comes as only another means to connect people who usually feel embarrassed or uncomfortable talking to people they just met (particularly in a date scenario). If someone is not comfortable with how there night and acquaintance is going, he or she can simply end their chat instantly. While at the same end of things, the other person on the line knows whom they are actually having a discussion/meeting with. Traditional online meet-ups pose the question of whether or not that person they’re talking to is really who they say they are.

"The National Basketball Association has notified the Toronto Raptors' shooting guard that using the iPod during pregame warm-ups violates the league's dress code.

"Everyone has to be the same," NBA spokesman Brian McIntyre told CNET News.com. "It's just the uniform guidelines."

Carter told The Globe and Mail, a Toronto newspaper, that the lack of tunes will hurt his pregame routine.

"I like to listen to music when I'm working out--doing all that," Carter said. "That was my chance to really kind of relax yet focus in. I focus in when I have music on."

[Via C|NET.com]

"By March, TiVo viewers will see "billboards," or small logos, popping up over TV commercials as they fast-forward through them, offering contest entries, giveaways or links to other ads. If a viewer "opts in" to the ad, their contact information will be downloaded to that advertiser... so even more direct marketing can take place." [Via LA TIMES.com]





One of the main reasons people bought TiVo was to skip the commercials. After paying $300 or more for a TiVo box and $250 for the TiVo Lifetime Service, it's hard to believe that TiVo is going to betray their millions of customers like this. However, it appears that a greedy fever has over-taken TiVo CEO Martin Yudkovitz. His is shifting the company's focus away from the consumer and attempting to court advertisers.



This major policy shift for TiVo is just the latest example of the company turning its back on their customers. TiVo still hasn't enabled AAC audio support for their Home Media Option even though they promised to do so over a year ago.



Hopefully consumers will protest this pro-commercial policy shift at TiVo. Back in the late 1990s when TiVo first launched, many people sung the praises of the company for being the consumer's final savior against a neverending onslaught of advertising. Apparently those days are numbered.



Perhaps it's time for TiVo CEO Martin Yudkovitz to step down.

Napalm guitar. Tornado drums. Cement-truck bass. Top that with the searing vocals of Tyson Yen and you get the free iTunes Single of the Week from Drist, "Push Me Off."

You can download the free song "Push Me Off" from the iTunes Music Store all week.

"The history of Apple Computer can be told through its advertisements as well as its products. There was, of course, the commercial that introduced the Macintosh. It was broadcast exactly once, during the 1984 Super Bowl, and signaled the company's bid to reclaim leadership in personal computers from IBM and its tiny, little-known software partner, Microsoft."

[Via CNet]



When asked about each other’s presence and competition, both Microsoft’s' Bill Gates and Apples' Steve Jobs only display a mellow and confined response. Both Jobs and Gates go way back together and have been in constant battle for share of the market for quite some time now. Jobs more so than Gates, undeniably lost the fight years ago with regards to PC distribution and manufacturing. Gates won and continues to win this front by his partnership with an array of manufacturers producing computers able to run Microsoft Windows (their native OS). However, Apple has lately flipped the table in this brawl. Though Apple realizes the PC war was won, the home electronics unit, specifically digital mobile devices is whats currently being fought. A war Apple was first on the ground for and seems to be the last that shall remain among many fierce competitors to the Apple attack.



It comes as no surprise that Apple has dominated this personal electronics war with the hit of its' Apple iPod and Apple iTunes. A true and tried technology that marries everyone’s favorite hobby; management, purchasing, and portability of their music collection. A technology package doing more today than just playing your mp3's, its a calendar manager, contact manager, and now Photo manager.



Microsoft now knows that Apples' proprietary strategy that once initially separated the two from partnering in the PC market, has unquestionably rose Apples shares and placed the company on a track towards success in this and future century’s. Microsoft (Gates) is only left to argue and curse how Apple is able to do such domination of a market and only hope to outdo Apple who was believed to no longer exist anymore until the digital music revolution came about and the iPod was born.



Maybee Gates should evaluate his company’s software and replace the gaps in its security features with functional and efficient software like that of Apples'. Microsoft has come about the music scene to late in the game and will only end up ripping ideas and technologies from Apple as it once did for Windows. More and more manufacturers will recognize partnership opportunities with Apple much like HP has in the past year, and the domination of iTunes and iPod will strive forward continuously.



Microsoft (Gates), as well as other PC software and computer makers, need to realize the irony in Apples' success. Apple became Apple and parted differences years ago initially because of a belief in not allowing third party companies to manufacture the company' product(s). This didn’t prove positive for the cheap appeal in personal computing, but now that Apple has perfected and continues to do so to its loved iPod and iTunes, partnerships fuel ingenuity for product development and also for licensed distribution (HP). It would almost be a spit in there own face if Apple was to sell out now and support wma music files and other various technologies in its software or products. Apple has always taken the harder and more challenging route, what makes Apple any different now? Does Gates honestly believe that if he had gotten to the iPod or idea of the iPod and iTunes first, that he wouldn’t have done the same thing?

Do you remember Audion? Way back in 1999 and before the days of iTunes, Audion was (I dare say) the best Macintosh MP3 player/encoder on the market. Napster and Audion were the Mac MP3 power-houses of their day. Ahh, the late-nineties. Back when the record companies were ready to crap their pants because of digital music.



But it's a different world now. Everyone from MusicMatch to Wal-Mart sell digital music legally and iTunes is the savior of the music industry. So where does that leave Audion? How can Panic compete with iTunes... a free program pre-installed on every Mac and packaged as a companion to the iPod? Basically, they can't. So Panic has decided to pull out the digital adult diapers and retire Audion.



So please pause your iPod for a moment and join us in a brief moment of silence for Audion.



Thanks Panic!

"When Gilles Babinet looks at a cell phone, he sees a music store, an iPod and even a nascent platform for a tiny-screened MTV."

[Via CNet]



Vodafone is charging the iPod and other Internet based PC to consumer markets. How so you ask? Well, they have tackled a huge portion of the European market for cell phone/mobile based multimedia services. Services such as their music store which sadly only hosts a few thousand songs but promises to be more than 50,000 strong in coming months.



While US markets dominate with iPod and iTunes music store, European initiatives and targets are different. The European version of this music service (iTMS) is vastly under-developed compared to its US model. More Europeans carry many more cell phones than personal mp3 players such as the iPod. Therefore, companies such as Vodafone are focusing on a complete and accessible music store from users cell phones in hopes to attract a larger impulse buying trend. Vodafone believes that if its service is done right, sales will escalate and the market for mobile multimedia services such as cell phone music retailers will dominate the compared PC based services found widely today in both US and European markets.



With Increased broadband and 3G communication services, phones are taking new challenges and able to deliver a more robust array of features for users to enjoy than simply talking and storing contacts in a central HD and on the phones RAM. Will this counter-wit Apple and their success with iTMS and the iPod? Probably not, at least in the US market, but if the deal is done with attention to quality and simplicity like the iTMS Europe and maybe even the US will experience a whole new competitor in the digital music revolution.

Rumors are abound that Apple is working on a flash RAM-based iPod to round out its product offering in the sub $200 category. Apple seems encouraged by falling prices of flash RAM and the need to expand into Asia, a market rife with flash RAM-based digital music players.



The move would, however, contradict statements from Apple's CEO, Steve Jobs, that flash RAM-based music players are a thing of the past.

This recent product from Micromat provides iPod users with many of the similar features found in parent app TechTool Pro. Features for the iPod user that uses their device for more than just listening to their audio tracks. For users transferring files and storing data other than audio or in addition to, PodLock enables partitioning of your iPod's Hard drive and also secures private viewing on a secret partition of the drive ( a feature great for those transferring classified files should your iPod ever be stolen or lost). Also, users can find the PodLock to optimize speed performance in general and access all data on their iPod much quicker and efficiently.



[Via Micromat.com]

DOWNLOAD THIS!

by Craig Murray



ARTIST:BRAD BYRD

ALBUM: The Ever Changing Picture

iTunes: Get it Here

CD Baby: Get it Here



This dude strait up sounds like Pete Yorn..only he produces better sounding rock. Twisting between pop and rock genres, Brad Byrd will hit the many personal notes in life with songs like "the ever changing picture" and his lyrics describing life and things we all struggle with. His rock puts listeners in promising comfort and plentiful melody with tracks like " better days”, which reek of true musical talent. The production is top notch and it shows in songs like this one. The entire album is an overall chart topper in the indie scene. If this album finds itself in the right hands, I wouldn’t be surprised to hear it on the more mainstream station in your town.



Recommended Downloads:

Track 1 – Better Days

Track 1 – Black & Blue





Links:

Interview with Brad Byrd

"Online retailer, Amazon, is preparing to debut a new store focusing on sales of Apple's iPod and related products."



Amazon.com, a major online retailer and Apple Authorized Reseller, is reportedly in the process or launching an iPod Store that will be accessible in time for the holidays, sources tell AppleInsider.



The store, which will exist as a subdivision of the Amazon.com Web site, is expected to market all flavors of the iPods, in addition to dozens of accessories for both the iPod and iPod mini.



[Via AppleInsider.com]



Not only will this be a huge leap in iPod and third-party sales, but allowing iPod shoppers to navigate through a store dedicated to our beloved iPod and its gadgets will provide place for consumers to collectively capture wanted items that can be stored in there amazon.com "gold box" with other items and then distributed as a whole for family and friends to view next time its needed for holiday gift-giving, birthday's etc..

"The Keyspan Express Remote is an infrared remote that enables users to control iTunes or ANY application on a PC or Mac just as they control their TV or VCR. The new infrared remote control includes support for Apple’s groundbreaking AirPort Express. It retails at $59 and ships in mid-November"[Via emediawire.com]



If your computer is often times in a different room for where you're listening to the tunes it's playing, this is a super convenient device to navigate through your iTunes library.

DOWNLOAD THIS!



Over the past few months, Triniti has been creating a buzz on the underground scene, having just returned from a video shoot with Beenie Man in Jamaica, as well as opening for D12 at The House of Blues. With a team of Multi-Platinum producers, including Troyton Rami (Sean Paul, Beenie Man), Steven"Lenky" Marsden (Wayne Wonder, Lumidee), Salaam Remi (Fugees, Nas), Steve Moralis (Mya, Christina Aguilera) she has created a totally unique sound which she calls, "Ragga Hop".

Triniti writes hits you'd expect from Beyonce, but with a twist-a Caribbean flow to the likes of Sean Paul. Her unique Vocal ability to switch from sultry to operatic to straight up "Yardie" raps, puts her in a category all of her own. Creating a new genre, somewhere between Reggae and Pop, she may well be the first of many acts to follow.

Download the free song "Based On a True Story (Mamma Told Me)" from the iTunes Music Store.

What if you could talk into a cup, close the lid, shake it up and hear the result? Masters Students Tom Jenkins and Mark Hauenstein, from The Royal College of Art, took this concept and made it a reality.



"How do we imagine sound to be physically? What if it could be captured, shaken up and poured out again?"

~Tom Jenkins



The Audio Shaker project captures any sound directed into the device and modifies the pitch, order and rate of sound depending on how fast you shake it. Depending on how forcefully it is shaken, the Audio Shaker will produce several different noises come out of the Audio Shaker, using the initial sound as a base to create new sounds . You can even add additional sounds after the first, then shake them up to mix them again. When you are done mixing your sound cocktail, open the lid and pour it out. The result is like something you would see in a futuristic cartoon. For example, the phrase "Shaken, not stirred" might come out as "stirred shaken not".



You can see video of the Audio Shaker in action and how Jenkins and Hauenstein planned the project using an Apple iBook.

"Band's partnership with Apple has deep roots. "



For two weeks before MTV debuted U2's video for the new single "Vertigo," fans had a chance to see the band perform the song on TV -- in an iPod commercial. The members of U2 are passionate proponents of Apple's iPod -- "It's the most interesting art object since the electric guitar in terms of music," says Bono -- but the band's new partnership with Apple Computer still qualifies as a surprise. In their twenty-five-year history, U2 have never licensed their music for commercial use or even accepted tour sponsorship



[Via rollingstone.com]



I can't believe U2 isn't excepting royalties from the ad, seems to me that they missed huge amount of dollars with that decision seeing that the ad is on television and Online everywhere you look. Also, It's thrilling and inspiring to see a band of such caliber such as U2 working with and progressing with iTunes and digital music distribution. In my opinion, U2 is the poster child of how it needs to be with other bands and especially having the RIAA see that Digital music distribution is NOT the enemy, but more or less the future.



I am not saying I want all my favorite bands to come out with there own signature model iPods, but simply acknowledge the potentials (which many finally are) in digital music distribution, marketing, and especially the iPod and iTunes. Most certainly, U2's digital box set has increased ideas for similar releases from an array of artists which are sure to increase record sales by billions so long digital music services such as iTunes, can acquire the artists or copyrights for other wanted rock novelties.

A new twist on file sharing is holding out the promise of allowing millions of people to share their song collections online, at no cost--and without legal risk.



The trick involves marrying peer-to-peer technology with Internet radio. Using that combination, some companies are creating powerful tools that automatically broadcast people's private playlists onto the Web. The output is then pulled together into a searchable database that lets listeners find the music they want, when they want it.



Safeguards are in place to prevent unauthorized downloads, ensuring copyrights are honored. But if the technology behind the networks keeps improving and the number of people using them keeps growing, the services could one day turn into something akin to free, on-demand request radio.



Few companies have staked out this territory yet. A handful of pioneers--including Apple Computer, Virgin Digital and upstarts Mercora and Live 365--are just beginning to see demand.



[Via CNet]



The MethodShop Spin: Like so many of the freeware apps, this I believe will become a huge way for music lovers to enjoy and share their collections. It is undoubtedly also going to further corner the RIAA as well as push the technology used to restrict illegal sharing of audio among connected users.

BiblePlayer for iPod catches on



Take me to the river, but don't get my iPod wet.



For those seeking spiritual guidance via a handheld device, a California start-up called BiblePlayer is offering free downloads of the world's best-selling book for use with Apple Computer's iPod media player.



The brainchild of Los Angeles-based programmer Pablo Mendigochea, BiblePlayer offers three different text versions of the Bible that can be read on the iPod's screen using the device's "Notes" function. The company also markets a deluxe version of the product, which features MP3 audio readings of the Bible on CD-ROM for $29. Either product can be used with any third- or fourth-generation iPod.



[Via CNet]



The MethodShop Spin: With multiple versions of the Bible available for download to your iPod, this is a great use of technology and at it's finest to bring savior to a lot of folks who simply are so busy today that God and faith have not taken priority in there lives. Also, with multiple languages for the audio books released in the near future, the global reach will be phenomenal to over seas audiences and their ipods.

Enjoy your room sir...and your iPod?



"Dream, a new Manhattan four-star, is one of the latest boutique hotels to offer guests the use of Apple's popular music gadget during their stay. The iPods come preloaded with as many as 2,000 songs and are available for each of the Dream's 200 rooms, said Dream spokesman Andy Patrizia."[Via asia.cnet.com]



The MethodShop Spin: Free HBO, Jacuzzi, Continental Breakfast, Coutresy iPod - I think this is a great idea and would be great if they had a playlist on the iPods dedicated to local artists in the area the hotel is in.

"The RetroPod was a handmade iPod case created from a vintage Sony Sports Walkman shell. Sony has since taken action to have the production of it shut down."[Via retropod.com]



The MethodShop Spin: I can see where Sony would take offense to their name being used - and how hurtful it must be for them that not only have they failed to make a comparable product to the iPod, but now people are taking cases with the Sony name on them, to STORE an iPod. Ouch!

"Monster and SoundGate have announced the iCruze, a car stereo interface for the iPod that doesn't require a particular head unit, cassette adapter, line-in, FM transceiver, or witchcraft. Utilizing existing CD-changer or satellite radio connections on your current stereo (assuming you have said connections), the iCruze allows you to control and play your iPod with a direct-line connection for what we imagine will be some great sound quality. It will list for $200, and they're also selling an optional display device to show song and artist info. While the price isn't great, this solution allows you to keep your current stereo head unit and forego all those crappy-sounding FM transceiver options." [Via Engadget]



The MethodShop Spin: The demand to use your iPod in your car must be immense. How soon will it be before car manufactures start offering an iPod dock car stereo option? Until then the iCruze fills a much needed void. The fact that the iCruze will work with virtually hundreds of different vehicles is a major plus. See an online demo of the iCruze here.

The iTunes Music Store has released a FREE 25 minute "mix tape" track. The folks at iTunes have declared November to be "Hip/Hop History Month" and are offering this track to help celebrate. This will be the first completely legal mixtape. Apple is also offering the individual tracks that inspired the mixtape for sale.



For now on, each month DJ Big Young will release a new STREET OFFICIAL MIXTAPE comprised of Hip/Hop music sold in the iTunes Music Store. You can download the free November 2004 Mixtape Volume #1 here.

Download the free song (for the week of Nov 2, 2004) "Freedom Fighters" from the iTunes Music Store.

"Apple Computer Inc. shares rose to a four-year high as demand for the iPod digital music player surges before the year-end shopping season, reversing the slump triggered in September 2000 by a disappointing profit forecast."



[Via bloomberg.com]

DOWNLOAD THIS!

by Craig Murray



ARTIST: mutemath

ALBUM: Reset EP

LABEL:Teleprompt



If you love the sounds and epic landscapes that bands like U2 and Coldplay rock...then you will be sure to absolutely love the music mutemath puts out! I can easily say that this band is among my favorite new artists. Tranquil soundscapes, with electroalternative beats and hopeful lyrics make this album a MUST BUY! You will thank yourself for buying this album the minute you play songs such as "Control". The emotional, as well as, physical is exemplified in the sound that mutemath pushes.

myPower™ combines the power of a rechargeable battery with the convenience of a portable dock. Now you can use just one device to power and sync your iPod on the go.



The myPower provides users with a built in and rechargeable lithium polymer battery and provides for users a whopping extra 32 hours battery life. However, this figure remains only for 4g iPod and iPod photo users. 3rd generation iPod users will only experience an extra 20 hours of extended battery life. iPod mini users can expect an extra 28 bonus hours for there favorite devices.



This baby also has multiple ports for charging, syncing, and connecting to a stereo via firewire and usb 2, and line out.



[Via tekkeon.com]

"Google plans to release a version of its desktop search tool for computers that run Apple Computer's Mac operating system, Google's chief executive, Eric Schmidt, said Friday."



Schmidt did not set a timetable for a Mac version of Google Desktop, saying it had to be rebuilt from the ground up because of the fundamental differences between the Mac OS and Windows.



"We intend to do it," Schmidt said at a University of California-Los Angeles conference commemorating the 35th anniversary of the Internet.



Google released the desktop tool earlier this month, staking out early ground in a battle for personal-information retrieval that is expected to eventually include players like Microsoft and even Apple.



[Via CNet]



The MethodShop Spin: I'm actually surprised by this news release, with Apple including a similar feature already built in its to-be-released and upcoming OS. I will be interested to see the usage stats of Google users and those that use Apples included feature to the Mac OS.

"Consumers want music rather then movies while on the move, says a report."



Produced by Jupiter Research the analysis of the portable media player market found only 13% of Europeans want to watch video while out and about.



By contrast, almost a third are interested in listening to music on a portable player such as an iPod.



The firm said gadget makers should avoid hybrid devices and instead make sure music reproduction was as good as possible.



[Via BBC News]



The MethodShop Spin: I'm not surprised at this articles findings. Personally, I think it’s just to much work and attention a person on the move has to tend to if video is in the picture. What I mean is that you can't do as many other tasks or focus on work during a commute with video like you can audio, its' generally just more distracting. Audio in itself has the power to isolate the listener more and help in relaxation/enjoyment with quality output, not to mention the thought of people watching a flick via there mobile media players while trying to drive or walk down the street just doesn’t seem safe :-)