Chief Operating Officer Tim Cook on Tuesday reiterated that the company remains on track to release its iPhone mobile-phone product in June, and that Apple expects to sell 10 million of the devices in 2008. Speaking at the Goldman Sachs 2007 Technology Investment Symposium Conference, Cook said it is too early to tell if the iPhone, which also operates as an iPod music and video player, will take sales away from the iPod. “The iPod is being sold for a wide variety of uses. We’ll see what happens,” Cook said, adding that Apple has so far sold 90 million iPods since October 2001.
Archive for February, 2007
Apple COO says iPhone will be “revolutionary” product
Wednesday, February 28th, 2007Regulatory Snag Possible for Apple TV delay
Wednesday, February 28th, 2007One possibility is that Apple has yet to receive approval for the device from the Federal Communications Commission. The most recent Apple product to receive FCC approval was the latest version of the Airport wireless networking hub. It was approved on Jan. 9. The Apple TV device doesn’t readily appear among the many products for which Apple has sought approval since the beginning of 2006, based on a search of the FCC Web site. “A pushout of two to three weeks suggests to me more of an issue with the FCC than with anything else,” Carey says. Calls to the FCC weren’t immediately returned.
Ms Pac Man now available for iPod
Tuesday, February 27th, 2007Apple has released MS. Pac Man for iPod. The game, which is available at $4.99, features all 256 levels from the original arcade game. There are three different modes of play (one especially suited for the iPod), and you can either listen to your own music or the game’s music as you play. This game brings the total number of currently available iPod games to 12.
iPod Tours at the SFMOMA Museum
Tuesday, February 27th, 2007Starting today, patrons at the San Francisco Museum of Modern Art can borrow an iPod for $2 and listen to a tour of the museum’s two latest exhibits.
Apple donated 100 video iPods to the museum, which have been outfitted specifically with walking tours of its new Picasso and Modern Art and Brice Marden exhibits. The tours are broken into one to two minute snippets, appearing like song tracks on the iPod. And in lieu of album art, it has reproductions of the art.
The SFMOMA has already been producing free museum podcasts, but this is the first time it’s offering self-guided iPod tours. And less you are thinking about running off with an iPod, visitors must plunk down their driver’s license and credit card in exchange. The iPods have also been wrapped in a protective case in case they’re dropped. Link
Apple TV device launch delayed until mid-March
Tuesday, February 27th, 2007Computer and entertainment devices maker Apple Inc. (AAPL.O: Quote, Profile , Research) will delay until mid-March its Apple TV device for playing computer-based video on television sets, a spokeswoman said on Monday.
“Wrapping up Apple TV is taking a few weeks longer than we projected, and we now expect to begin shipments mid-March,” spokeswoman Lynn Fox said by e-mail.
Consumer electronics makers for years have promised to give consumers better access to movies, pictures, music and other media stored on their computers through wired and wireless links to other devices, but offerings so far largely have been complicated or limited in scope.
Apple, known for its easy-to-use iPod digital music players, in early January said it would launch in February the $299 Apple TV, which wirelessly links computers to televisions.
Apple shares fell in after-hours trading to $88.30 from a close of $88.65 on Nasdaq before the delay was announced.
Four Reasons To Be Bullish On Apple’s iPhone
Tuesday, February 27th, 2007Goldman Sachs is positive on Apple (NASDAQ:AAPL) after a recent handset branding survey conducted in the US, UK, China, and India. Even with the survey having taken place prior to the announcement of iPhone, there are four key positive takeaways for Apple:
1) The number of potential iPhone buyers is equivalent to 75% of the installed base of current iPod owners, with just under 1/2 of the potential buyers coming from respondents who have never owned an iPod.
2) Similarly, in the US, 71% of respondents indicated interest in a potential Apple mobile phone.
3) In the US, Apple ranked as the number 4 most desired multimedia handset brand – again, coming before iPhone was even announced.
4) Some of the concerns about the unwillingness of consumers to switch carriers to get the handset they want seem misplaced, with 30% of UK respondents and 15% in the US suggesting that they would switch. Goldman
BitTorrent Inc. to Launch Legitimate Movie and TV Download Service
Monday, February 26th, 2007BitTorrent Inc., makers of a technology often used to trade pirated copies of Hollywood movies, is launching a Web site that will sell downloads of films and TV shows licensed from the studios.
he BitTorrent Entertainment Network was set to launch Monday with films from Warner Bros., Paramount Pictures, 20th Century Fox, Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer and Lionsgate and episodes of TV shows such as “24″ and “Punk’d.”
The service is squarely aimed at young men and boys who regularly use BitTorrent to trade pirated versions of the same films and who more often watch such files on their computer instead of on a big screen TV in the living room.
The San Francisco-based company is betting that at least one-third of the 135 million people who have downloaded the BitTorrent software will be willing to pay for high-quality legitimate content rather than take their chances with pirated fare.
Marriott, JW Marriott and Renaissance First Lodging Brands to Offer HDTV and Plug-In Panel That Works Seamlessly With Guests’ Digital Devices
Monday, February 26th, 2007Will become the first lodging brands to offer high-definition, LCD televisions with a digital connectivity panel in all its guest rooms in the U.S. and Canada. Using the new plug-in panel, guests can connect a host of digital devices to view on the flat panel, high-definition screen, including laptops, camcorders, digital cameras, video games and more. The standard 32 inch televisions are also equipped with a 25-watt stereo speaker system so guests can listen to the tunes on their MP3 players and iPods; no headphones required.
“Today’s hotel guests typically travel with many digital devices, not just a laptop, so providing more than high-speed Internet access and WiFi is a must,” said Bob McCarthy, president, North American lodging operations and global brand management, Marriott International. “When we test marketed the HDTV and connectivity panel among guests, the response was overwhelming. This type of in-room technology was critical to them.”
iPod displays a folder icon with an exclamation point
Monday, February 26th, 2007Find out what you can do if you see a folder icon with an exclamation point when you turn on your iPod.
If you use an iPod with a Click Wheel (including iPod mini, iPod nano, iPod with color display, iPod photo, and Fifth Generation iPod) on a Windows-compatible computer, click here before continuing. If you’re not sure what iPod model you have, click here.
Connect the iPod to your computer. If an alert message appears suggesting that your iPod needs to be either repaired or reformatted, you can click OK or Update to launch the iPod Updater application which you can use to restore the iPod. If this alert message does not appear when connecting the iPod to your computer, continue with the suggestions below.
Charge
The battery may be low. Charge the battery by connecting iPod to your computer using the cable that came with iPod, or by connecting to an Apple iPod Power Adapter. Verify that the iPod is receiving a charge by looking for a lighting bolt icon or charging animation. Click here for more charging information.
Reset
The iPod may have locked up. Reset iPod.
Restore
Some iPod models require a specific or later version of iPod software. The iPod may have been partitioned or reformatted using an incompatible format. Restore the iPod using the latest version of the iPod Updater application. Tip: If the iPod Updater doesn’t recognize the iPod, try forcing the iPod into disk mode and then try the restore again.
iPod displays a sad iPod icon
Sunday, February 25th, 2007iPod displays a sad iPod icon 
* iPod is not recognized in iTunes
* iPod is not recognized in My Computer (Windows) or iPod not recognized in Finder (Mac OS X)
Products affected
* Any iPod with an LCD display
Solution
In most cases, the sad iPod icon indicates a hardware issue. If you are able to force iPod into Disk Mode, then it may not be a hardware issue, and you should try to restore your iPod with the latest software.
If you cannot force your iPod into disk mode and restore it, then your iPod is in need of service. Set up an iPod Service Request or make a reservation at the Genius Bar before visiting your local Apple Retail Store.
Could Apple TV go on display in early March
Saturday, February 24th, 2007A TUAW operative deep in the bowels of Cupertino risked life and limb (well, mostly their job) to let us know this delicious little tidbit about the Apple TV. Look for your local Apple retail store to have a nice, shiny new Apple TV display in their window on March 5th. The display will showcase the Apple TV hooked up to a very nice Sony Bravia, and will no doubt cause Apple TV lust to develop in the hearts of passers by.
Are Mac hardware releases coming for Q2, black iMac on the way
Friday, February 23rd, 2007
MacScoop is promising some sweeping changes to Apple’s Mac lineup, including a black iMac, 8-core Mac Pro, ultraportable MacBook Pro and a 15-inch MacBook. MacScoop even suggests the Cinema Displays could be updated. After all, the last time we spotted MacScoop making hardware predictions, their “sources believed to be very reliable”. MacScoop
Analyst expects set-top box to grab sizable slice of DVD market
Friday, February 23rd, 2007Apple’s set-top box device for consuming digital media, expected to hit stores next week, has at least one analyst optimistic that it will be a DVD killer.
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Apple TV could also haul in billions of dollars in sales within a few years, according to Deutsche Bank analyst Chris Whitmore.
“It’s conceivable†that Apple’s living room entertainment box—rival to Microsoft’s Xbox—could carve out 20 to 30 percent of a $26 billion market in a few years, Mr. Whitmore said Tuesday in a report. Story
Video download spending to soar
Friday, February 23rd, 2007Annual consumer spending on Internet downloads of movies and television shows will top $4 billion in 2011, up from just $111 million last year, according to a study released Wednesday by Adams Media Research.
“The Internet is going to revolutionize the distribution of video,” says Adams Media Research President Tom Adams.
Video More video
After Wal-Mart jumped into the movie-download business, it is getting a competitor. CNN’s Stephanie Elam reports.
The growth will be fueled by the introduction of hardware devices such as Apple TV, a $299 box that converts videos downloaded from the Internet into signals that can be played on high-definition television sets.
Apple Inc. (Charts) is selling those boxes on its Web site and says they will be shipped later this month.
Odeo’s lookin for a new home
Friday, February 23rd, 2007In the last few months, we here at Obvious have been increasingly focused on Twitter. As a result, our original product, Odeo, has not gotten the attention it deserves.
It does not cost us much to run—in fact, AdSense covers the hosting—but on the web you need to constantly improve, or fade away. We’ve put too much into Odeo to want to see it fade away. And it still has tons of potential. But we’re not improving it fast enough.
Speck offers full line of Zune cases
Thursday, February 22nd, 2007
Zuneâ„¢ Executive
Enhance your Zuneâ„¢ experience with a premium, hand-crafted Executive leather case. These beautiful, textured cases are adorned with fine stitching, a smart sewn-in belt clip and screen protector.
Zuneâ„¢ Active Sport Lite
Active Sport Armband Lite is the custom neoprene armband perfect for running on a treadmill or a trail. The light-weight, adjustable armband fits arms 8-inches to 23-inches around.
Zuneâ„¢ Canvas Sport
Accessorize and protect your Zuneâ„¢ digital media player with the stylish Canvas Sport case! Inspired by classic sneakers- this case boasts a cool, sporty look and gives great protection to your Zuneâ„¢.
Zuneâ„¢ Active Sport
Designed for athletes everywhere, the Active Sport Armband is made of breathable mesh material for ultimate comfort, with an adjustable Velcro strap making it easy to get a perfect fit. Speck
Apple iPod set to swap ‘white box’ for ‘black box’ as LoPresti launches data recorder version
Thursday, February 22nd, 2007Apple Computer’s popular iPod music player could become a flight data recorder (FDR) following an announcement by US light aircraft manufacturer LoPresti SpeedMerchants to introduce the device in the cockpit of its Fury piston aircraft.
The company says it plans the “full integration of the iPod into the Fury’s avionics systems”. The iconic ‘white box’ iPod will serve as a digital data recorder, nicknamed ‘black boxes’ by the general media. The iPod, with suitable software, acts as a hard disk with the ability to record over 500h of flight time data.
It was not immediately clear from the company’s statement which parameters would be recorded and for what purpose. Recorders are currently used to collect data for maintenance purposes through system monitoring, for post-flight analysis in training and safety-monitoring, and, when suitably protected, for crash investigation.
Vero Beach, Florida-based LoPresti. “The iPod becomes the first truly portable, personal flight recorder with a huge recording capacity.”
“This is a watershed technology for aviation,” says LoPresti vice president of operations, RJ Siegel, “and we are delighted to be the first to bring it to market.” The Fury (pictured below) will prove the concept, but once certificated, the iPod FDR could be deployed on other light aircraft.
IFC Entertainment Launches Independent Films on the iTunes Store
Thursday, February 22nd, 2007IFC Entertainment today announced that its independent theatrical catalog will now be available on the iTunes Store ( www.itunes.com). Included in the announcement are all IFC’s 2007 Independent Spirit Award nominees. This is the premier award for the independent film community and for the 2007 Spirit Award competition IFC Entertainment received the most Spirit Awards nominations of any one film company.
“By making IFC films available on the world’s most popular online movie store we’re giving independent filmmakers the exciting opportunity to reach a wider audience of movie enthusiasts,” said Lisa Schwartz, IFC’s senior vice president of sales and business development. “For over ten years, IFC has strived to provide independent filmmakers with a strong voice so we’re excited our first foray into the digital downloads will deliver the best of independent films to movie fans.”
“We’re delighted to be adding full length independent films to the world’s most popular online movie store,” said Eddy Cue, Apple’s vice president of iTunes. “The passion and creativity of independent cinema means a great deal to film fans and to iTunes so we’re thrilled to be adding IFC’s remarkable catalog.”
Available immediately for purchase and download on iTunes are 13 films, 6 of which are nominated for the upcoming Independent Spirit Awards which will be held on Saturday, February 24th. This year Independent Spirit Award nominations include Best Male Lead for Forest Whitaker in American Gun, Best Female Lead for Michelle Williams in Land of Plenty and Best Female Lead for Robin Wright Penn in Sorry, Haters. The first IFC films available on iTunes will also include previous nominees to highlight the best independent films from IFC’s extensive catalog. All IFC films on iTunes will be priced at just $9.99.
Ion Portable PA System with iPod Attachment
Thursday, February 22nd, 2007
Whether it’s an outdoor party, gig, business meeting or sporting event, the iPA03 portable speaker system is the perfect mobile solution for traveling musicians, entertainers and event coordinators. With a long-lasting rechargeable battery, sturdy aluminum construction and portable design, the iPA03 can be taken anywhere and everywhere. Featuring a high-efficiency amplifier with four inputs for connecting microphones, instruments, CD/MP3 players, and a docking station for iPods, the iPA03 is sure to make your next mobile event a success.
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Cisco and Apple Reach Agreement on iPhone Trademark
Thursday, February 22nd, 2007Cisco and Apple® today announced that they have resolved their dispute involving the “iPhone†trademark. Under the agreement, both companies are free to use the “iPhone†trademark on their products throughout the world. Both companies acknowledge the trademark ownership rights that have been granted, and each side will dismiss any pending actions regarding the trademark. In addition, Cisco and Apple will explore opportunities for interoperability in the areas of security, and consumer and enterprise communications. Other terms of the agreement are confidential. Apple
Speck releases Tech Syle iPod Shuffle case
Wednesday, February 21st, 2007
This unique iPod shuffle carrier is the perfect case to keep your shuffle safe and tangle-free! The durable hard shell exterior provides protection, while inside, the ingenious cable management system keeps your headphones wrapped up and ready to go. Simply snap the shuffle in, zip it up and toss it into your purse, briefcase or luggage for easy travel.
Griffin Introduces Spring Case Collection
Wednesday, February 21st, 2007Griffin’s Spring Case Collection includes:
Reflect for iPod with video & nano (MSRP – $24.99) – Find out why Griffin’s Reflect cases were the buzz of MacWorld and CES this year. Reflect’s tinted reflective polycarbonate shell protects the iPod and hides the screen from prying eyes. But whenever backlighting is activated, the screen becomes visible through the tinted case. Think of it as privacy glass for your iPod. Two Reflect models are available: one for iPod nano, and the other for 30GB, 60GB and 80GB iPod with video.
Centerstage for iPod with video with mirror finish (MSRP – $24.99) – Griffin’s Centerstage case with the integrated flip stand receives an update, adding a tinted, reflective finish. A tinted, reflective, polycarbonate shell protects the iPod and hides the screen from prying eyes, but the screen shows through whenever backlighting is active. Centerstage’s unique flip stand design uses an anodized aluminum stand to prop the case at the ideal viewing angle.
iClear Photo for iPod with video & nano (MSRP – $24.99, 19.99) – The iClear Photo case for iPod (first announced as iClear Custom) is a totally customizable clear polycarbonate case that allows you to insert your own artwork … photos of dogs in cowboy hats, drawings, tiny watercolors that reveal the depths of your innermost soul… it’s your call. The case protects both artwork and iPod in a thin, lightweight durable shell that allows access to all ports and controls. Two models are available to fit iPod nano and 30GB, 60GB and 80GB iPod with video.
Trio Plus for iPod nano (MSRP – $29.99) This update bundles interchangeable covers in assorted colors along with Griffin’s popular 3-way leather case: 1. Trio Plus’ slim inner sleeve protects the iPod, screen and all, while you use it. 2. Snap on one of the five included wraparound covers for added protection while while carrying. 3. Snap on a cover with a secure steel clip for belt, bag, or armband use on the run. Two color configurations are available: a black sleeve with red, blue and silver covers, and a white sleeve with pink, sky blue and yellow covers.
California Roll (MSRP – $19.99) – Griffin’s soft-sided roll-up case is great for stashing your iPod, earphones and other accessories in a single wrap-and-go design. California Roll uses three mesh pockets to hold your iPod snug in a no-scratch sleeve. Two additional pockets hold earphones, cords, whatever. Roll the case up and secure it with the wide elasticized fabric band. It’s free-form and efficient — perfect for riding in a computer bag, purse or backpack.
Pricing & Availability
Griffin’s new cases for iPod, priced between $19.99 and $29.99, are available now. Find them on Griffin’s website, and at major retailers throughout the globe. For more information, please visit www.griffintechnology.com.
Life Fitness to Deliver Seamless iPod Integration with Exercise Equipment
Tuesday, February 20th, 2007Life Fitness today announced that it would deliver commercial exercise equipment to feature seamless iPod integration. This connectivity makes it possible for iPod users to plug in and charge their iPods, watch video on the equipment’s large LCD screen and control the playing of their iPod music libraries from the console. The first Life Fitness product featuring iPod integration will be demonstrated at the upcoming IHRSA Convention in San Francisco and will be available in March with the rest of the line to follow later in the year.
“We are excited to introduce products that take the integrated entertainment experience to the next level,” said John Stransky, president of Life Fitness. “In the last decade Life Fitness has led the revolution in merging entertainment with exercise equipment, so it’s only fitting for us to offer integration with the iPod, which many of our customers use while they exercise.”
“We’re delighted that Life Fitness offers seamless iPod integration to their customers,” said Ron Okamoto, Apple’s vice president of Worldwide Developer Relations. “We think iPod owners are going to enjoy this innovative way to use their iPods while working out.”
The iPod-integration will allow exercisers to sync their iPods with the equipment’s LCD screen to conveniently view their playlists and enjoy video content while working out. The connection also powers and charges the iPod. Users can plug headphones directly into the equipment console or their iPod for audio while safely storing the music player in the iPod holding tray.
Helio to Get Another Sexy Samsung Slider This Spring
Tuesday, February 20th, 2007
If you’re a Helio subscriber in the market for a new phone, you might want to wait just a little bit longer. According to the fine snoopery of Phone Arena, Helio will soon launch a second Samsung slider, the A303. It’s a simple but stylish phone, looking much like the LG Chocolate, right down to hidden touch-sensitive keys on the front.
Dell preparing to luanch a Mobile Phone?
Tuesday, February 20th, 2007
It seems every electronics company worth its salt is rumoured to be working on a new mobile phone these days. Hot on the heels from Apple’s iPhone announcement, and Google and Microsoft’s rumoured phones (the Switch and Zune phone, respectively), comes a rumour that Dell might be next to move into the mobile market.
The rumour comes from the fact that Dell have just head-hunted Ron Garriques, who’s resigned as Motorola’s Executive Vice President and President of the Company’s Mobile Devices business, and started work at Dell to run a newly formed unit focusing on consumer products. Link