Oh! Gizmo

By Chris Scott Barr

While yesterday’s support note didn’t specifically call out the Palm Pre by name, it was pretty obvious what they were talking about. Well Palm was listening, so now they have posted a rebuttal, which is below:

Palm’s media sync works with the current version of iTunes. If Apple chooses to disable media sync in a future version of iTunes, it will be a direct blow to their users who will be deprived of a seamless synchronization experience. However, people will have options. They can stay with the iTunes version that works to sync their music on their Pre, they can transfer the music via USB, and there are other third-party applications we could consider.

I really hope that Apple doesn’t go out of their way to specifically block the Pre. Honestly I think it’s in their best interest to leave it alone. After all, media players are dime a dozen, however, Apple only stands to make money off of Pre users if they are able to purchase music from the iTunes store.

[ Wall Street Journal ] VIA [ Cnet ]

By Chris Scott Barr

Remember not that long ago when we let you know that the Pre would be able to sync with iTunes straight out of the box? Well we knew it was only a matter of time before Apple tried to do something about it. While the likely have no legal grounds to take action directly against Palm, they’ve already warned users that the functionality isn’t going to last. They released a support note that stated the following:

Apple is aware that some third-parties claim that their digital media players are able to sync with Apple software. However, Apple does not provide support for, or test for compatibility with, non-Apple digital media players and, because software changes over time, newer versions of Apple’s iTunes software may no longer provide syncing functionality with non-Apple digital media players.

What this means is simply that they know of the Pre’s capabilities, and they’re going to make sure that it won’t work with a future version of iTunes. I love iTunes, and while I also am very happy with my iPhone, I don’t see any reason why those with a Pre shouldn’t be able to enjoy similar compatibility. So here’s my advice: Go to Apple’s site, download the latest version of iTunes. Now save the installation file somewhere safe. Now you’ll always have a version of iTunes that works with your Pre.

[ Apple ] VIA [ GearLog ]

By Chris Scott Barr

With Apple’s WWDC coming up quick, there are plenty of rumors swirling around the interwebs. I don’t think anyone really doubts that there will be a new iPhone announced, but my favorite rumor is of the Apple Tablet. This is one of those rumors that just won’t die, mostly because so many people are wishing that it would be real. As often as these rumors crop up, I’m actually surprised that Apple has yet to show any real interest in such a product. In case you weren’t sure where all of this was going, there’s a rumor about a new Apple tablet floating around.

This time someone has nailed down Wintek as the supplier for this seemingly imaginary product. Essentially they are supposed to be providing an “e-book form factor netbook product.” The main uses for the touchscreen tablet will be internet browsing, and VoIP, which strikes me as a bit odd. Sure, I’d browse the net on a 10-inch tablet, but don’t you think I’d look a bit silly with that thing up against my head? Yes, a headset would seem the more likely solution, but it still seems like a strange application for an oversized iPod Touch. The rumor pegs the device as launching sometime in 2010, which means that we may or may not hear about this at the WWDC next month (provided that it’s true in the first place).

[ Digitimes ] VIA [ SlashGear ]

By Evan Ackerman

If your iPod Nano is too small for you, you should ask yourself why on Earth you bought an iPod Nano. You do know what “nano” means, right? It means “tiny,” except about a million times smaller. The iPod Nano Converter TV won’t solve your problem, but it will help mitigate it by enlarging the Nano’s screen up to 2.8 inches (after you shove it up inside) and playing audio through built in stereo speakers. As retro sexy as the TV/VCR combo styling is, its bulkiness does have the side effect of de-nanoing your Nano, and without any obvious Apple branding on the outside, you’ll probably start to ask yourself why you’re bothering to use this thing at all. It’s about $23, with free shipping.

[ iPod Nano Converter TV ] VIA [ RFJ ]

By Chris Scott Barr

I love the power of press. If something gets enough coverage (positive or negative) then something usually comes out of it. Remember that Nine Inch Nails iPhone app that was denied earlier this week by Apple? Well we weren’t the only place to cover the story; in fact, it spread like wildfire throughout the internet. It was a perfect example of everything that’s wrong with the App Store approval process. Well it’s only been a few days, and change has come.

Apparently all of the negative press lead to Apple taking a second look at the app. For whatever reason, this time they decided that everything was peachy and gave it their stamp of approval. It’s just sad that it takes this much bad publicity for Apple to approve an app that had nothing wrong with it in the first place.

[ Twitter ] VIA [ Engadget ]

By Chris Scott Barr

There’s nothing quite like running out of juice on your laptop when you’re in the middle of something very important and far from an outlet. Many road warriors will pack a spare battery for just such times. However, what if you don’t want to remove your battery (making you shut down your laptop or plug it in) or want more than just two batteries worth of use? If you’re using a MacBook of any kind, you turn to the HyperMac.

The HyperMac line of external batteries are a useful tool for any frequent traveler with a MacBook. While they might be a little larger in size than your spare battery, it does much more than just give you double the running time. First, they come in varying sizes, allowing you to run your laptop for up to 6x as long as it would with a single battery charge. Each one also comes with a USB port that can be used to charge any USB device (including your iPhone) while simultaneously powering your laptop. The HyperMac comes in four different sizes ranging from $200-$500 each.

[ HyperMac ] VIA [ CrunchGear ]

By Chris Scott Barr

If you haven’t seen the new Mac vs PC ads yet, I recommend checking them out. I use both Macs and PCs, so I try not to take sides in the fanboy battles, but I do enjoy the ads from Apple. Well one of the recent ads had a lot of legal mumbo-jumbo on the screen whenever PC would make a statement. If you don’t know what I’m talking about, go watch it and come back, this will make more sense. Anyway, have you wondered just what all of that tiny text said? Well wonder no longer, as a few people have squinted at their screens long enough to transcribe the whole thing. Read on for the dirty details.

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By Chris Scott Barr

Not long ago I warned you that Apple might finally be caving in to the record labels by hiking the prices of some of their new tunes. Unfortunately it appears that I was correct, if you hit up some new tracks in iTunes, you’ll find the new $1.29 price tag staring back at you. But it isn’t actually all bad news.

Before the changes, there were two types of music available. You had your regular stuff, and iTunes Plus. The ‘Plus’ tracks used 256 kbps AAC encoding and were DRM-free. You paid an extra thirty cents for these bonus features, which added up to $1.29. Now all of your music, even the $0.99 stuff, is higher-quality and DRM-free. As for your old tunes that you previously purchased, you can go ahead and convert those to the better versions for free.

As we stated before, the price of your track is determined by how popular it is. There are three tiers; $0.69, $0.99 and $1.29. The more popular the track, the higher price bracket. To be honest, I’m really a lot less upset about this change than I thought I would be. People have been turning to Amazon because they offer 256 kbps DRM-free tracks at $0.99, but now Apple has leveled the playing field. And for those wondering, Apple isn’t the only one raising prices on new tracks. A quick look around the Amazon site showed some new tracks with a $1.29 price as well.

Update: Looks like you’re still going to have to pay that $0.30 charge to upgrade your old music to iTunes Plus.

VIA [ Apple ]

By Shane McGlaun

Apple fanatics around the world get all tingly inside when the Apple Store is offline, which it was this morning. They know that means new products are being added. Many were probably hoping for a new netbook or updated iPhone; those are more likely to be announced at the WWDC later this spring.

What Apple did unveil was a newly updated Xserve server. The updated machine uses the Intel quad-core Nehalem processor that allows a performance boost of up to two times. At the same time the machine also gets a greener and more efficient design.

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