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More Video iPod rumor/news!? Yep, here we go again...

Apple has sent invitations to press organizations for a "Special Event" on Wednesday, September 7 at the Moscone Center in San Francisco. The invitation reads: "1,000 songs in your pocket changed everything," alluding to the release of the first 5GB iPod nearly four years ago. "Here we go again."

As usual, the invitation and vague details on the announcement have birthed an onslaught of rumors throughout the internet.

Speculation that Apple might release a "Video iPod" has become a "boy who cried wolf" scenario. Every 3 or 4 months someone with "inside information" posts something on a blog or forum that gets everyone all amped up again. However, this time we might actually have a real news organization to back these rumors up. In an article posted on CNET.com yesterday, one of their reporters claims that "Record company executives have said recently that Apple has been seeking licenses to distribute a wide variety of music videos through the iTunes music store, and that the computer company has told them of plans to unveil an iPod that plays video."

Adding to the rumor excitement, in addition to announcing a Video iPod, Apple may also announce an iTunes cell phone. According to the Wall Street Journal, Apple and Cingular Wireless plan to market an iTunes phone in time for the holiday season.

Video iPods or iTunes Music Phones? No matter what Apple announces at the September 7th "Special Event", it's clear that they have our attention.

On August 30th, Roxio released a new version of Toast, their popular Macintosh CD and DVD burning software. After launching the application the first time, Toast 7 Titanium make not look much different from Toast 6. True, between versions, not much has changed from the interface. However, several major features have been added "under the hood."

Two of the most useful new features include support for the DivX video codec and the ability to browse your iLife libraries (iTunes, iPhoto, iMovie, iDVD).

Other notable features include:

• The ability to burn large files across multiple discs.
  
• Compress and copy DVD movies.
• Add over 50 hours of music to an audio DVD - with on-screen TV menus, shuffle play, and rich Dolby Digital sound.
• Turn DivX files into DVDs.
  
• Create stunning multi-image HD slideshows with collages, motion effects, titles and background soundtracks.
  

The new slogan for Toast 7 Titanium is "Easier, Better, Possible."

Roxio is taking a cue from Apple's playbook and trying to make difficult tasks easier for the user.

Most cell phone companies provide customers with online access to their accounts. You can access your account online to do things like modify your address book or even see pictures and videos from your digital camera phone.

The following is from someone who had their phone stolen. When he logged into the online account for his cell phone, this is what he found.

He may not know who stole his phone, but he sure knows...

• what the thief looks like... ... [see photo on right]
• what the thief's girlfriend looks like (naked)
  
• what their kid looks like
• and that they had sex with birthday balloons in the background
  

"My cell phone got stolen last week.... i just noticed it missing the other day and called up and had it turned off.... well im sitting around today tooling around on the computer and decided to go on my picture mail and see if pics have been sent.... whenever u send a pic to an email address it automatically saves a copy on my sprint website..... so guess what i find..... they used the camcorder on my phone to make a sex video.... HA!!!!! %!$#*& low life thieves...." ~svtperformance.com

So I guess the moral of the story is - never steal a camera phone.

We've gotten a few of these "Help! I dropped my iPod in the toilet!" emails so far. It's almost an epidemic.

Here's a sample: "Yes, it really happened, and I'd rather not go into it right now. It was submerged in water for 3-4 seconds, and now the screen is on and not responding. It's making a little sound like it's still running.

I tried opening it but couldn't get the case open except for a corner. SOMEONE HELP! 15GB new iPod. What a shame."

~ xboardr720

In fact, so many people have sent us emails about this toilet problem, we've created a special "iPod Toilet Trap" tech support page. If you have dropped your iPod in the toilet, this page might prove useful.

Free iPod Support: The iPod Toilet Trap

For those of you who haven't dropped your iPod in the toilet yet, try not to take your iPod in the bathroom.

methodshop

Labels: gadgets, ipod

"High quality 100% cotton Hanes onesies in three colors: white, pink and blue. Each is equipped with a touch sensitive scroll wheel; responsive to your every nudge, tickle and squeeze." [Via ipodmybaby.com]

Baby love iPod?

It was bound to happen. The iPod has a new market... babies. Emblazened on the chest, the scroll wheel to the iPod will now be some sort of bullseye for baby tickling. Although the baby on the home page looks totally freaked out to be wearing one of these, for $15.95 it's a pretty good price in my opinion, and they look alright.


My brother just had a baby last week, little Ryan, and I'd be remissed not to scoop up one of these. They are available in 3 sizes: 6 months; 12 months; 18 months.

Sony PSP users got something to cheer about this week. On Wednesday, Sony officially announced the next PSP firmware update, 2.0. The new firmware will let users surf the Internet from wireless "hotspots" using the device's built-in Wi-Fi functions.

Sony PSP owners have several ways to upgrade the firmware on their PSP:

• downloaded it with a wireless connection using the PSP's Network Update function
  
• downloaded it to a Mac/PC and then transfer the firmware to the PSP with a USB cable

Another great feature of the 2.0 firmware update is the ability to play more types of music files. The MP4 audio codec was added allowing the playback of MPEG-4 based AAC audio files as well as WAV (Linear PCM).

The 2.0 firmware update is only for customers who own the Sony PSP (PlayStation Portable) model number PSP-1001. If you don't know what model PSP you own, take a look at the serial number located at the bottom of your PSP. The last seven digits of the serial number should end with PSP1001.

You can download the PSP Firmware System Update 2.0 here.

For many, the moment you discover that you are "with child" is magic. In fact, some people spend a lifetime trying to conceive and would give anything for a positive result from a pregnancy test. Apparently this doesn't hold true for everyone.

Here's a video clip* from one of my favorite blogs, The Angry Hamster, that shows how a simple mix up can completely ruin that magic moment.

Husband. Wife. iPod Shuffle? Perhaps 3 is a crowd. Enjoy.

*Clip courtesy of Whitestkids.com. Sound required.

Let's face it, the traditional "office toy" needed an upgrade. Gone are the days of stress toys and metal balls on strings. The new rage is to add USB to anything. Just pick the first thing that pops into your head and add USB to it... Oops too late, it probably already exists.

What office would be complete without a USB fish tank? The USB Mini Desktop Aquarium is the home to two life-like tropical fish. A small motor generates a current in the water, allowing the fish to gently swim about the tank. The aquarium is equipped with a high-intensity blue LED that illuminates the tank in dark environment. Both motor and LED can be independently switched off.

The LED and the water-current motor can be powered by USB connection or batteries. The package comes complete with the tank, two fish, and USB cable. Operation is simple! Just add water to the tank, connect the cable to your computer, and enjoy the aquarium.

• Can also be powered by 4 AA batteries (not included) for non USB operation
• Both the motor and the light can be switched on and off independently
• Each fish has a hinged tail for a more life-like appearance
• Includes: tank, two fishies, & a USB cable
• Unit Dimensions - 3.75" (w) x 3.5" (h) x 2.5" (d)

What makes this gadget stand out is the little details. The tails of the fish constantly move, making them look alive. The blue light of the tank is soothing and adds to the realism. Even better, the aquarium doesn't have to be cleaned and the fish don't have to be fed. Plus it lists for under $15. Not a bad upgrade for your boring desk.

digg it | methodshop

You probably know what your zip code or area code is (at least I hope so) but what about the GPS of your house?

Global Positioning System (GPS) can be useful for everything from calling 911 on your cell phone to using a navigation system in your car. But what can you do with the GPS information of your house? Well, you can go GeoCaching and search for hidden treasure in your neighborhood. But a more practical use would be to add some HTML metadata code to your website/blog and see a list of your physical neighbors from cyberspace.

Sound like fun?

Here's step-by-step directions on how to add GPS metadata to your website/blog.

Our friends at iPodStudio.com are reporting that iPod accessory company, BELKIN, is about to release a new device known as the TuneFM.

TuneFM is a FM Transmitter that allows you to listen to music on your iPod via any FM stereo receiver.

Belkin explains: "Proximity switches give you total control at the touch of your fingertips, and the LED display indicates FM frequency and memory preset, eliminating the need to use the iPod interface for frequency selection; because the TuneFM is powered by the iPod no batteries are required."

No price info is available at this point.

For the low price of only $40, a company called Itzkitz has assembled a nice collection of both functional and fashionable iPod accessories into a handy little tin case.

Not only is it a great deal, but an iPodKitz makes a nice gift for anyone with an iPod.

Here's the full review.

JUST A REMINDER... Starting September 2005, cell phone numbers are being released to telemarketing companies. So basically you will start to receive lots of unwanted calls (during peak hours) and get charged for them.

To prevent this, call the following number from your cell phone: 888-382-1222. It is the National DO NOT CALL list. It will take about a minute of your time and block your number for five (5) years.

You can also register online at: http://donotcall.gov

Generally, Apple releases reliable software that's been properly tested and is bug free. Rival companies like Microsoft can't exactly make that same claim. But everyone once in awhile, a major bug makes its way into one of Apple's programs and leaves many people scratching their heads and calling tech support.

Users of Final Cut Pro and DVD Studio Pro may have encountered the "Unable to Connect to Background Process" error when trying to submit video files to the Compressor utility. This is a common problem caused by older versions on the Compressor application being accidentally installed over a newer version. The only way to prevent this issue is to run custom installs of all of Apple's Pro Applications and related updates and de-select Compressor. However, for many of us, it's too late for that.

Apple is aware of the issue and has a support article on their website called Compressor - Cannot submit job from Batch Window. In the article they make some suggestions on how to fix this "Unable to Connect to Background Process" problem. Apple's solutions are to trash preference files and reinstall everything.

Apple's suggestions suck for several reasons:

• they are very time consuming
• don't always work for every situation
• don't address the real issue
  

The real issue has to do with the Compressor running as a background process. That's why the error window says "Unable to Connect to Background Process."

The best solution is to install a newer version of Compressor and overwrite any older software components. Compressor comes with Final Cut Studio. Upgrading to a newer version of Compressor is your BEST solution to this problem.

However, if you don't feel like shelling out lots of money for the upgrade, here's a solution that could fix several of the "Unable to Connect to Background Process" problems you might encounter.

WARNING: Only advanced users should attempt this. If you attempt this hack, you must be prepared to undo it!!! (see below for undo options). Don't do this if you are on a tight deadline or in the middle of a major project.

1. Click on the Finder icon in your Dock
2. Select "Go to folder" from the Go menu. (Go > Go to Folder)
3. Type "/etc/" (without the quotes) and press return
4. Find the "hostconfig" file and COMMAND drag a copy to your desktop.
   
5. Rename the file to "hostconfig.old"
6. Drag the "hostconfig.old" file back into the etc folder. You may be prompted for an admin username and password.
7. Restart your computer
8. Open Compressor and submit a batch.
   

Hopefully Compressor should work fine now.

If your computer restarts in Command Line Mode, you can rename the "hostconfig.old" file back to "hostconfig" from the Command Line if you don't have a Journaled hard drive.

Just do the following:

1. type "mount -u -w root_device" at the prompt (without the quotes)
2. press enter
3. type "cd /etc"
4. press enter
5. then type "sudo mv hostconfig.old hostconfig"
6. press enter
7. provide your admin password if asked
8. type "reboot" and your done

The other undo option is to connect a second computer to the problem machine with a Firewire cable. Restart the problem machine and hold down the "T" key to boot it in Target Mode. The problem machine will mount as an external hard drive. Go into the computer and rename the "hostconfig" file and restart.

Good luck! Maybe someday Apple will fix this problem.

Apple Computer Inc. said Monday its new iTunes online music store in Japan sold over 1 million songs in its first four days, a strong start for the download service in the world's second-largest music market.

[Via cnn.com]

Will the upcoming PlayStation 3 be a gaming system or a computer? Perhaps, it will be a little of both. Sony Executives say that common digital lifestyle applications for photo and video editing will be included with the new PlayStation 3.

Although Sony has yet to decide on an operating system for the PS3, it's likely to be based on Unix/Linux and not Windows to avoid paying royalties to Microsoft, makers of rival product the Xbox. Sony even mentions Linux and Mac OS X Tiger as potential supported operating systems.

"Sony is expected to offer optional hard drives for the PS3 with potential memory capacity of 80 or 120 GB. It remains to be decided whether the standard version of the PS3 will come complete with a hard drive. The operating system has also yet to be clarified. The integrated Cell processor will be able to support a variety of operating systems (such as Linux or Apple's Tiger)." [Via Sony.co.uk]

The PlayStation 3 hits stores sometime during the Spring of 2006.

Wow! Talk about your human space cadets. This clip is amazing even for The Price is Right... and this veteran game show has seen its fair share of wackos through the years.

In this clip, a guy named "Daniel" is so cracked out he can't stop jumping around. He correctly guesses the price of a basketball hoop and just takes off like a claustrophobic crackhead buried in an arcade ball pit.

The best part is when they break out the dinette set, and Daniel loses it. The dinette set just fuels his spastic dance moves and he goes even more nuts.

I cringed when he almost hopped on top of Bob Barker. Poor old Bob might have broken in half. New unofficial game show rule - don't shoot an eight-ball of heroin directly into your temple before going on The Price is Right.

"At $49, Mighty Mouse features the revolutionary Scroll Ball that lets you move anywhere inside a document, without lifting a finger.

And with touch-sensitive technology concealed under the seamless top shell, you get the programmability of a four-button mouse in a single-button design." [Via Apple.com]

A touch-sensitive 2-button mouse?! I'll have to use it to believe it. Without a clearly defined right and left click button, you might end up with something like MacMice's awful product called "The Mouse." I thought this mouse had terrible performance. The right click was stiff and often resulted in a single click. Apple is known for making superior products when it comes to usability however, so I would imagine they worked out the kinks.

The Mighty Mouse is special in several ways. Beyond the technical marvel of creating a multi-button touch-sensitive mouse, this multi-button mouse is a major departure from Apple tradition. A

When Apple first started making computers in the late 1970s, people barely knew what a computer was, let alone how to use a "mouse." Apple Chief Executive, Steve Jobs, wanted to create a mouse that was as non-threatening as a kitchen toaster. As a result, Apple decided to only produce a one-button mouse - thus eliminating any confusion about which button to push. Although the Mighty Mouse has no visible buttons, just touch-sensitive buttons, it's still a major departure for the company.

What's next? The ability to install the Macintosh operating system on a PC?

Lately, you may have noticed there is a new trend of idiots who like to go to public places, do something silly and have their friend(s) film them and people's reactions to their silliness. The hilarious thing is that most of the time people don't react. They see some dancing fool and then say to the person they are with "maybe crank* is a widespread epidemic," and then continue shopping.

We are a prank saturated culture at this point. Blame it on Johnny Knoxville, MTV's Viva La Bam and just reality TV in general. Apparently this moron didn't realize this and decided to dress up in a black body costume (meant to look like the silhouette ads for iPods) and brought his unenergetic dance moves to his nearest Apple Store Genius Bar.

You can view the clip here: lame iPod silhouette dancer

Was it a lame idea? Yes. Was it funny? Yes, but for the wrong reasons. This guy sucks so bad at being an "iPod silhouette" that literally no one pays attention. Employees move around him like he's a regular customer and customers move around him like he's a misplaced copy of Windows 95 on a shelf full of copies of OS X Tiger. Frankly it's a wonder this dork wasn't booed out of the Apple Store.

At one point the stupid silhouette drops his iPod on the floor and has to stop dancing to pick it up. If he wanted to be funny, he should have taken off his mask and walked his broken iPod over to the Genius Bar and tried to get them to fix it. But instead he goes back to the lame gag he and his pals probably put a month into plotting. The lame dancing goes on for about 4 or 5 minutes.

According to Andy Warhol, supposedly everyone gets a few minutes of fame in their life. I guess they do, but there's a fine line between fame and shame. Someone needs to explain that to the iPod silhouette dork boy.

~ by Spider Goodlegs



*crank - Crank is a street name for methamphetamine. Methamphetamine is an artificial chemical substance.