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According to an article posted at AppleInsider, there are some juicy tidbits in the latest financial filings of PortalPlayer, maker of the chip that Apple uses in iPods.

PortalPlayer expects revenue to increase from flash-based memory chips, which is interesting because the iPod shuffle uses flash memory from SigmaTel. Does this mean that an additional iPod model will start to use flash memory?

PortalPlayer also stated that they've invested in "innovative" wireless technology that they expect will help fuel growth in 2006 and beyond. Nothing like a wireless iPod to put that USB vs. Firewire debate to rest.

The article then cites a research note released today by American Technology Research analyst Shaw Wu, "Based on Wu's checks throughout the industry as well as recent comments made by PortalPlayer of a late production ramp in September, the analyst believes new iPods including color iPod minis, higher capacity flash-based iPods, and a video capable iPod will not ship until the October time frame."

It just makes sense that Apple would be gearing up for the holiday shopping season to take advantage of the shopping mania, the question is what new goodies will we see from them? I think that the electronics industry as a whole will move towards utilizing flash memory as capacities increase and prices drop. This just makes sense, especially in a portable device like the iPod. A color iPod mini model seems like a great idea, and I think it would certainly appeal to the mini owner demographic. Video iPod? Whatever... you know how I feel about that.

BTW, I'd take a wireless iPod over a video iPod any day.

[Via David @ iPoditude.com]

"Internet sleuths have discovered that anyone using Microsoft's new "Virtual Earth" website for a bird's-eye view of Apple's corporate headquarters sees only a grainy overhead photograph of what appears to be a single, nondescript warehouse and a deserted parking lot — not Apple's sprawling campus, with 11 modern buildings surrounding a plush courtyard." [Via usatoday.com]

Grainy Apple.

All that's left of Apple's headquarters is a grainy black and white picture of either what used to be in Cupertino, or what Microsoft gurus are hoping WILL be in Cupertino someday...

The top picture is from Google Maps. The bottom one is from Microsoft's Virtual Earth

Microsoft claims that this photo is probably from the early 90s...that sucks compared to google's satellite maps that are both modern and in color...

"Henrico County Public Schools have announced that its used Apple iBooks it has been using in a four-year laptop program will be sold off in a one-day sale, Tuesday, August 9." [Via macobserver.com]

Get an iBook for the price of a video game.

Henrico County, in Virginia, has decided to go with Dell computers for a new computer contract for their high school students. Dell offered $4 million dollars less than Apple. Henrico County has a surplus of iBooks (none older than 4 years) which they plan on auctioning off on August 9th, 2005. If you are anywhere near the Virginia area, you can take advantage of this...From 9am - 3pm, the warehouse will be auctioning off iBooks for 50 dollars a piece...First come, first serve...

The address is:

361 Dabbs House Road
Richmond, VA

Sumajin makes a little silicone thingy, called a Smartwrap, that holds your earbud wires and sells for five bucks.

In this review of the product, David from iPoditude mentioned that you could probably make one out of a toilet paper tube.

I, Dr. Vector, have taken him at his word.

Introducing the dumbwrap.

Yesterday Sendstation Systems, creators of the PocketDock line of iPod adaptors, announced that it will donate $5 US for every PocketDock FireWire, Combo, Line Out FW or USB sold through the SendStation online store before August 21, 2005 to fight hunger in Niger.

The west African nation of Niger is suffering an acute humanitarian crisis: according to the United Nations 3.3 million people are in desperate need of food, including 800,000 malnourished children.

SendStation will also be offering free world-wide shipping on all orders throughout the fundraising campaign to support iPod users who may be eager to help contribute to the relief efforts. At the end of the fundraising effort, funds will be donated to the United Nations Children's Fund (www.unicef.org).

This is SendStation's second global fundraising activity. In January of this year, the iPod accessory maker donated $3,250 US to support Tsunami victims in South Asia.

With free shipping and the knowledge that you are helping to fight hunger, you really can't go wrong. A PocketDock makes a great accessory for any iPod user. Why spend $40 on an extra iPod Dock for the office when you can get a PocketDock for half that price?

For more information, check out our MethodShop.com PocketDock Review.

To commemorate the anniversary of the first lunar landing, Google has taken Google Maps and Google Earth offshore a few million miles. Google Moon lets you browse and zoom in on the 6 Apollo landing sites.

From the Google Moon FAQ: "July 20th, 2069, in honor of the 100th anniversary of mankind's first manned lunar landing, Google will fully integrate Google Local search capabilities into Google Moon, which will allow our users to quickly find lunar business addresses, numbers and hours of operation, among other valuable forms of Moon-oriented local information". So look forward to that.

Make sure you zoom in all the way for a special treat. Did you find the Apollo crew's footprints or something better?!

[Syndicated post Via GadgetMadness.com]

Is a Video iPod coming soon? People have been speculating about a Video iPod for years. And that speculation reached new levels this week amid reports that Apple has been negotiating for the rights to sell downloadable music videos through its iTunes Music Store.

Could these talks be a precursor to the release of a multimedia version of the iPod? Does Apple have a secret Video iPod project in the works even though Apple Chief Executive Steve Jobs has repeatedly denied such rumors?

An article in Monday's Wall Street Journal cites "unnamed entertainment industry executives" and claims that a Video iPod could be announced as soon as this September.

Apple already has the portable music player market locked up pretty tight. A move into online video distribution would broaden Apple's digital entertainment reach and could potentially unlock a new source of revenue for the company.

When Apple first released the iPod, the portable mp3 player market ripe for the picking. It was tiny, fragmented and lacked a central management software companion like iTunes. The portable video player market is currently in a similar state. Handheld video players from iRiver, Creative Technology, Archos, and Sony sell in such small quantities, market researchers don't aggressively track their sales yet. Portable video players tend to get lumped in with mp3 and/or DVD players.

If Apple does release a Video iPod, the bigger question is whether or not people will pay $1 (or more) for music videos that are already available for free from the iTunes Music Store. Also, is the small 1.5-inch square iPod screen ideally suited for video? Probably not. A Video iPod will require a larger screen similar to the Sony PSP. Also, video requires much larger storage capacities. Apple will have a difficult time of both providing adequate storage and keeping the price point below $500.

After music videos, what's next for the "small screen"? Maybe short films, SNL and Conan skits, TV shows and even original content? Guess we'll just have to wait and see.

Howard Stern fans got an unexpected surprise this morning. At first it might have been difficult to pinpoint the new voice (the incoherent babbling didn't make it easy) but the new host mentions his own name every 10 seconds. Instead of Howard and Robin waking us up this morning, we all got a jagged dose of "Diamond" David Lee Roth and a Russian Stripper named Irene.

It was official, Howard was off the air... or was he? Was the new Infinity Broadcasting "morning man" former Van Halen singer David Lee Roth? Last week Infinity Broadcasting wasn't commenting on rumors that David Lee Roth would be replacing Stern on the air. Were the rumors were true? Stern wasn't suppose to start at Sirius satellite radio until January 2006. Were Stern's 20 million daily listeners stuck with Diamond Dave and Irene until then?

Luckily it was all just an hour-long joke. At least for now, Howard is still on the air. David Lee Roth may end up being the new Infinity Broadcasting morning man in New York, but for now, Howard Stern is still on old FM radio.

On April 1st 2003 (April Fools Day), Howard did a similar experiment on his fans. Two sterilized hosts with a show called "Fun Without the Filth" replaced Howard and endured angry phone calls from listeners until Howard broke into the fake show and ended the joke.

Even though both times the plug was pulled on Howard were jokes, it's a wake up call for many who aren't prepared for his move to Sirius satellite radio in January.

An abrupt end to the Howard Stern Show may not sit well with Stern fans across the country. Howard plans to do a farewell tour to all the major cities that currently airs his show. There's no question that a farewell tour will help Stern hype his move to Sirius satellite radio and hurt Infinity in their attempts to hold on to his massive audience.

Roth is among the many entertainers that Infinity has auditioned to replace Stern. Infinity execs have repeatedly made it clear that they are not looking for a singular personality to succeed Stern. Infinity is going to try out different hosts in different cities. David Lee Roth is rumored to be taking over in New York while Adam Corolla from The Man Show will take on Los Angeles. If Infinity plans on finding a successful replacement for Stern, they will need all the help they can get.

It's amazing how fast Podcasting went mainstream. 8 months ago there were only a few hundred Podcasters, now there's hundreds of new Podcasters every day. And as Podcasting continues to go more mainstream, the "voice" of Podcasting is starting to change.

The original Podcaster was typically someone just talking into a microphone in their basement. The Podcasting movement kind of had an underground purity to it. But now bigger names are starting to get involved.

Everyone from ABC News to Queer Eye For the Straight Guy are using Podcasts as promotional tools for their shows. And as of today, you can add Pauly Shore, aka "The Weasel" to that list.

Pauly Shore and the folks at TBS have posted ads around the Internet (including MethodShop) promoting a Weaselcast.

"Want to know more about the man formerly known as "the Weasel?" Download Pauly's Minding the Store podcast to hear him talk about his loves, his life... and, oh yeah, his new show."

The ad links to a Podcast where Pauly talks about his lack of Podcasting knowledge and about his new show Minding the Store. The Podcast is basically a loose conversation with a guy named Marlon from El Salvador who has a little trouble with the English language.

What do you think? Is this Weaselcast funny, entertaining, awful, boring, brilliant, etc... ? Post a comment below and join the conversation.

If you bought a new cell phone recently, it probably came equipped with wireless Bluetooth connectivity. But does your not-so-new computer have Bluetooth yet? Probably not.

Most people upgrade their cell phones faster than their computers. The average lifespan of a cell phone is about 18 months. However, the average lifespan of a computer is around 4 years.

So what's the upgrade path? How do you add Bluetooth to an aging computer? The easiest way is to purchase a USB Bluetooth adapter.

But not all Bluetooth adapters are created equal.

Even though it will look nice with your iBook, Mac users should stay away from the Bluetake BT007Si Bluetooth USB adapter because of two major issues:

• It will not reconnect after putting your Mac to sleep
  
• They cannot be automatically updated with Apple's Bluetooth firmware
  

A better alternative is the D-Link DBT-120. It is compatible with USB 1.1, supports Windows XP, 2000, Me, 98SE, and Macintosh OS X 10.2+ and installs quickly and easily to a desktop or notebook computer with an available USB port.

The D-Link DBT-120 meets Bluetooth 1.1 specification, making it compatible with other Bluetooth enabled devices and features standard 128-bit encryption that provides you with a higher level of security for your data and communication.

Bluetooth is an industrial specification for wireless personal area networks (PANs). Bluetooth provides a way to connect and exchange information between devices like personal digital assistants (PDAs), mobile phones, laptops, PCs, printers and digital cameras via a secure, low-cost, globally available short range radio frequency. (Source: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bluetooth)

Need help understanding the new Podcasting features in iTunes 4.9? You are not alone.

Apple has posted several new Knowledge Base articles on Apple.com to help users download, listen and sync Podcasts using iTunes and your iPod.

The new Podcasting knowledge base articles are:

• iPod: Doesn't display a Podcasts menu or has two Podcasts menus


• iPod: About screen may include podcasts in the total number of songs.


• iPod: Previous and Next buttons now go to chapters in an audiobook or podcast


• iPod shuffle: Playing audio books and podcasts


• Podcasting Frequently Asked Questions

[Source: iPoditude.com]

TunesTracker is a free tool for iTunes Music Store addicts. It will search the iTunes Music Store daily for your favorite artists, composers, and songs, and send you an e-mail when iTMS adds songs that match. TunesTracker has received a major upgrade. Here's what's new:


Composer and Song Title searches. In addition to searching by artist name, you can now receive alerts when the iTunes Music Store adds songs written by favorite composers, or even when a song with a particular title is added. (This might be useful if you want to know whenever any band releases a cover of your favorite song.)

RSS feeds. You can now receive news about new tunes from an RSS feed instead of (or in addition to) e-mail. Or, you can bookmark a web page that shows the latest songs that match your search.

If you want to see what’s new from a particular artist but don’t want to subscribe to updates, you can get a list of all searches (http://www.tunestracker.com/tunesindex.php) then click an artist name to see what’s new from that artist.

The new iTunes News Roundup page (http://www.tunestracker.com/news/) gathers headlines from several iTunes-related blogs, news sources, and software sites.

Watching the news these past few weeks, you would think that hackers have taken over our cellphones. From the Paris Hilton phone hack (which was not Bluetooth-based), to the unintentional release of Fred Durst's (from the band Limp Bizkit) sex video - Wireless security has been thrust into the limelight.

The proliferation of Bluetooth devices has made wireless communications easy and the Bluetooth group wants you to believe that this technology is safe from hackers. However, the guys from Flexilis, a wireless think-tank based in Los Angeles, beg to differ and they have a big freakin gun to "voice" their opinions.

[Via tomsnetworking.com]

In just two days iTunes customers have subscribed to more than one million Podcasts from the new iTunes Podcast Directory. iTunes 4.9 allows users to easily subscribe, manage and listen to Podcasts automatically delivered over the Internet to their computer and iPod.

"With the release of iTunes 4.9, listeners are voting with their ears,"said Adam Curry, co-founder of the PodShow Podcast Network.
"Subscriptions have dramatically increased across our entire PodShow Podcast Network, and I predict over the coming months that iTunes will introduce tens of millions of new listeners to the world of Podcasting."

"Podcasting is like cappuccino," said August Trometer, developer of iPodderX. "Gourmet coffee was around for a long time, but it took Starbucks to put it on the map. Apple is like the Starbucks of Podcasting and advertisers will take us more seriously now."

"iTunes has done what possibly no one else could have accomplished, propelled Podcasting into the mainstream," said Will Lewis, management consultant for KCRW. "Our servers have been swamped with a stratospheric increase in traffic. In fact, downloads have increased tenfold as a result of the iTunes 4.9 launch."