Archive for January, 2008

Itunes passes RealPlayer for active users

Thursday, January 31st, 2008

iTunes passed Realplayer in unique users near mid-2007. The higher
growth rate of iTunes propelled it past RealPlayer for the first time
in April of 2007. Among the four major streaming media players, only
iTunes had a positive growth rate over the past year. Among active
Internet users in the US, broadband increased to 86.8% in December 2007.

Apple’s iTunes player passed
RealPlayer in unique users in 2007 (see Figure 1). iTunes is the only
player to show a positive growth rate over the past year, growing by
26.8% from Dec. 2006 to Dec. 2007 (see Table 1). QuickTime usage fell
8.6%, RealPlayer fell 17.5%, and Windows Media Player was essentially
flat over the past year. Note that the growth trend lines show a more
accurate picture without the monthly fluctuations. Both QuickTime and
RealPlayer were essentially flat, while Windows Media Player grew
slightly. Only iTunes showed a significant positive growth rate.

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PumpOne iPod workout creator releases videos targeted for iPhone users

Tuesday, January 29th, 2008

PumpOne has created a extensive set of personal training programs for the iPod, has launched Pump10, a new exercise video site designed specifically for use on the iPhone or iPod touch. Pump10 now offers weekly 10-minute video workouts, fitness tips, and personal training advice. They have designed Pump10 workouts to help iPhone users get in shape 10 minutes at a time. “The iPhone’s fantastic portability and access to rich internet content anywhere and anytime means there are no excuses for not getting into better shape in the new year.” Pump10 is a free service and is accessible by visiting Pump10.com from any iPhone or iPod touch.

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GizMac releases iPod Nano Cases for 3rd Generation

Monday, January 28th, 2008

Aluminate is a hybrid Nano case made from aluminum and polycarbonate.
The front of the Aluminate is thin, colorful aluminum and the back is
made of tough, clear polycarbonate.

The combination of
the aluminum and polycarbonate provide superior iPod protection, while
the built in screen and click wheel protectors provide additional
security for the Nano.

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iPhone jailbreak software update released

Friday, January 25th, 2008

A software-based jailbreak update for iPhone has been released. Jailbreaking an iPhone makes it possible for unathorized, third-party applications to be installed on the iPhone. This new jailbreak requires that the user have a previously-jailbroken iPhone running software with Installer.app installed and a Windows computer. According to reports, unlocked phones appear to remain unlocked following the jailbreak/update; however, this new jailbreak method will not unlock an iPhone — it will only update a previously jailbroken unit.

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Pole Position iPod Game released by Namco

Tuesday, January 22nd, 2008

Apple library of iPod of games is expanding with a classic from Namco Pole Position. This is an updated version of the classic forced 3-D perspective car racing game. As with the original, you need to complete one lap within a time limit to qualify to race in a multi-lap race, and attempt to steer, shift, and avoid both trackside obstacles and other race cars to continue driving. The company has added new selectable tracks such as Wonder, Misaki Point, and mirror versions of each, as well as other exclusive, unlockable content such as “themes” based on other Namco games.

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Thai Cellphone in talks with Apple on iPhone launch

Monday, January 21st, 2008

“We are negotiating on details, including a revenue sharing standard. Apple needs a local operator to promote iPhone,” Prattana Leelapanang, assistant vice president for AIS’s wireless business marketing, told Reuters.

He gave no details of when the talks would be completed.

iPhone, which combines Apple’s iPod music player, a video player and a Web browser, is now sold in the United States and Europe, and Apple plans to launch it in Asia this year.

Last week, Apple and China Mobile, the world’s largest cellular operator, terminated talks to launch iPhone, one of the hottest gadgets to hit U.S. and European stores in 2007.

Apart from China, Apple had also initiated talks with NTT DoCoMo Inc and Softbank Corp to bring its multimedia device to Japan, although sources at both firms said revenue-sharing was a hotly contested issue.

AIS, 21.4 percent owned by Singapore Telecommunications Ltd, also signed a contract with state-owned fixed line operator TOT to develop their networks jointly in a bid to cut costs, AIS president Wichian Mektrakarn told reporters.

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ezGear announces XL90 Sound Bar speaker system for Apple iPod

Wednesday, January 16th, 2008

ezGear, a leading provider of iPod accessories announces today an extension to their award winning speaker systems with the introduction of the ezGear XL90 Sound Bar speaker system for iPod.  The ezGear XL90 Sound Bar incorporates seven (7) speakers to provide a rich sound and full range of audio.  The Main unit includes two (2) high range tweeters and  four (4) midrange speakers.  The separate vented sub-woofer offers strong bass.

The ezGear XL90 Sound Bar comes with an iPod dock that allows you to play your iPod through the system and also charges your iPod at the same time.  The Amplifier on the XL90 offers 35 watts of pure clean sound.  The front panel includes an LCD display.  The ezGear XL90 Sound Bar can be controlled from the front panel buttons or ezGear’s award winning remote control.  The remote controls everything in the system including Bass, Treble and allows you to completely navigate your iPod menus.  The ezGear XL90 Sound Bar also allows you to play audio from other sources such as your TV or CD player and has a built in AM/FM radio.  The ezGear XL90 Sound Bar comes in a classy piano black finish and will work with all iPods.

According to Charlie Bernstein, President of ezGear, LLC, “We are always working to bring something extra for iPod users with each new product we create.  Just as the ezView Leather cases have taken over the iPod touch market for protection, we believe the XL90 Sound Bar will be the new standard for iPod speaker systems.  The sound is so rich and so clear, and as always, ezGear includes all the extras in this great new product.  I have one in my office now and plan to put one in my home shortly.”

 

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New iPhone case from Marware released

Tuesday, January 15th, 2008

Marware has released a new C.E.O. style case for the Apple iPhone and iPod nano, also a Sidewinder case for iPod nano. The C.E.O. Flip Vue for iPhone is a flip style leather case that features a vertical and horizontal stand capability, a removable 360 degree rotating clip, included screen protector film and microfiber cleaning cloth. You have access to all ports and controls. The C.E.O. Cover Vue is also a flip-open leather case, featuring both a fold-back flap for screen protection, and a second, fold-under flap that offers protection for the iPhone’s Dock Connector. Other features include access to all controls and ports, vertical and horizontal stand capability, a removable 360-degree rotating ratchet clip, and included screen protector film and microfiber cleaning cloth. The C.E.O. Flip Vue and C.E.O. Cover Vue are available in brown or black leather, and sell for $30 each.

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Tunewear announces SideHook iPod touch case

Saturday, January 12th, 2008

PRIE Ambassador SideHook is as innovative as the iPod touch it was designed for. For starters, we moved the hook to the side into just the right place to double as a stand for watching video. The hook can also be used to attach iPod touch to a belt loop or bag, or can be removed entirely. Next, we added a convenient cardholder on the back, big enough for a driver’s license or commuter card.

The PRIE Ambassador SideHook is available in 5 colors. With 2 versions in black leather for a classic look, or sienna, gold or silver models.

All sensors and ports remain open and available on the iPod touch. To protect the screen, TUNEFILM is included free with PRIE Ambassador SideHook. TUNEFILM, a clear protective film for iPod touch, covers the Multi-touch display and mirrored back.

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Apple is reading a major update to Apple TV

Friday, January 11th, 2008

It’s a sign of the challenges ahead for Jobs & Co. While Apple’s
dramatic comeback thanks to digital music and the iPod reads like a
Hollywood screenplay, Jobs’ efforts in video-land won’t follow the same
script. Indeed, two years after Apple added video capability to its
iPod line and began selling a smattering of shows and movies on the
iTunes Music Store, its share in video remains minuscule.

Jobs is planning a major offensive to try to change all that, with
at least some of the details to be announced at Macworld on Jan. 15.
Most important, he plans to launch a movie rental service on iTunes for
the first time. Apple is in furious negotiations with top studios to
make their new releases available for the service, as well as for sale.
BusinessWeek has learned that Apple is nearing deals with Warner Bros. and Paramount, and has already secured deals with Disney and 20th Century Fox. Apple is also planning a major upgrade of the slow-selling Apple TV set-top box.

But Jobs is having his troubles in Hollywood. While Apple persuaded the
major record labels to sell every song on iTunes for 99 cents, the
movie studios won’t agree to such standardized terms. Disney and Fox
have agreed to support the new rental service, but have different terms
for when movies will be made available, Hollywood sources say. Lions
Gate  may agree to let Apple rent its stuff, but not sell its newer releases. And Sony and Universal, fierce Apple rivals, are unlikely to back Jobs at all.

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We have started a new blog about Webkinz called Webkinz Parents

Thursday, January 10th, 2008

We have a new blog started for Webkinz World. We have named it Webkinz
Parents and it covers the latest Webkinz News, Webkinz Cheats, Tips &
tricks, Game strategies, Webkinz recipes and tutorials.

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Hollywood insiders’ panel praises Apple, iTunes

Thursday, January 10th, 2008

At CES 2008 Monday afternoon, Variety Magazine hosted a panel discussion and Q&A session with representatives from some of today’s biggest content providers. Their discussion was the future of content delivery, and the big question was this: How will you make money from it?

Featured on the panel were Albert Cheng, executive vice president of digital media for Disney/ABC TV group; Dan Fawcett, President of Fox Entertainment Group’s Digital Media arm; newly-inaugurated president of Warner Bros. Digital Distribution Thomas Gewecke; and Tom Lesinski, president of Paramount Pictures Digital Entertainment. The panel was moderated by Variety’s president and publisher Charlie Koones.

The panelists in today’s discussion hold slightly differing opinions on how to monetize their content, yet they all agree upon one point: Apple and iTunes are a positive force in the digital marketplace.

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iFrogz announces iPod case with speakers built in

Tuesday, January 8th, 2008


iFrogz has announced a new iPod case with speakers called Thumpz, a silicone iPod nano (with video) case with a built-in speaker. Thumpz has a speaker technology to offer playback without extra batteries, simply connecting to the headphone jack inside the case. Other features include an earphone port at the bottom of the case, which disables the speakers when earphones are connected, and access to the iPod’s Click Wheel. Scott Huskinson, CEO and owner of iFrogz said, “This case stands out from the millions of iPod cases as it is the perfect iPod accessory you can see and hear. We feel this is the most exciting case we have ever introduced.” Thumpz for iPod nano is available in a variety of colors and is available now for $25; iFrogz has also said that Thumpz will also be available for the iPod classic and incorporated into the Tadpole case at a future date.

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