Loop Nano Watchband for Apple iPod nano Review

There are a lot of watchbands for the iPod nano on the market, and a lot of them seem a bit big and sporty to me.  The Loop Nano watchband is sleek and looks more like a regular watchband.  It works with both the 6th and 7th generation of the Apple iPod nano. Let's give it a closer look.

Some of the photos in this review can be clicked for an enlarged view.

The Loop Nano watchband started out as a Kickstarter project. It was successfully funded, and the watchbands are now available for sale.  They are available singly in black, white, red, pink, green, and blue.  You can see I received the white band.  You can also buy them in discounted, themed sets with names like Newspaper with black, white, and red watchbands, get it?

The watchband is a single piece of silicone with a stainless steel clasp.  There's a cutout for the nano's clip to attach through.   You can see there's a ridge along the edges of the band to keep some air between your skin and the silicone band.  This helps keep your arm from getting so sweaty under the band.  When the nano is in place, the clip fits flush into the back of the band.  This keeps the metal clip from scratching your arm, but the clip is not protected from sweat.

The Loop Nano watchband is smaller than many of the other nano watchbands I've seen.  It's just over 9″ long, including the buckle, and it's about 1-3x8″ wide.  It's only about 3x8″ thick, so it will be as discreet as a watch this size can be.  It can be adjusted to fit a wrist about 5″ to 8″.

There are silicon “ramps” that slope up to cover the metal sides of the nano.  The power and volume buttons on the top and the headphone jack and docking connector are exposed for easy access.

My daughter Rachel modeled the watch for us.  She has a small wrist, but she found the watchband comfortable to wear.  You can see she ran the headphone cord up her sleeve so that the cord isn't flopping around or getting jerked from her ears whenever she moves her arm.  Because the nano's display can be rotated, it was easy to insert the iPod into the Loop band so the headphone jack is closest to her shoulder.

I think the Loop Nano watchband would be a good gift for the person who wants to use their iPod nano as their watch, even while they are at work.  It will keep your nano at the ready for listening to music, too, without looking like you rode your ATV to work – not that there's anything wrong with that.

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Gmail App For iPhone, iPod Touch & iPad Released, Bugs Force It Out Of App Store!

There are lot of notable differences in the iOS version of the app while looking back at its Android counterpart. But the bottom line is that the new Gmail app makes accessing gmail on iPhone even more easier. Head past the break to know more and to download Gmail app for iPhone, iPod Touch and iPad.

Not too long after the app went live on the App Store, users reported that the Gmail app for iOS would crash on notifications and caused an error. Google updated it's official blog after the app was pulled off the online store as quoting:

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GarageBand now available on iPhone and iPod touch

Apple announced recently that its popular GarageBand music creation software is now available on the iPhone and iPod touch. Prior to Tuesday, it was only available on Mac computers and on the iPad. “GarageBand on iPad has been a big hit and we think customers will love using it on their iPhone or iPod touch," Apple's senior vice president of worldwide product marketing Philip Schiller said. “The innovative Multi-Touch interface combined with Smart Instruments makes it easy to create great sounding music, even if you've never studied music or played an instrument before.” GarageBand is available for $4.99 to new users or for free to those who already own the app on an iPad. It is supported by the iPhone 3GS, iPhone 4, iPhone 4S and the third and fourth-generation iPod touch. Read on for the full press release from Apple.

GarageBand Now Available for iPhone and iPod touch Users

CUPERTINO, California - November 1, 2011 - Apple® today announced that GarageBand®, its breakthrough music creation app, is now available for iPhone® and iPod touch® users. Introduced earlier this year on iPad®, GarageBand uses Apple's revolutionary Multi-Touch™ interface to make it easy for anyone to create and record their own songs, even if they've never played an instrument before.

"GarageBand on iPad has been a big hit and we think customers will love using it on their iPhone or iPod touch," said Philip Schiller, Apple's senior vice president of Worldwide Product Marketing. "The innovative Multi-Touch interface combined with Smart Instruments makes it easy to create great sounding music, even if you've never studied music or played an instrument before."

GarageBand features a collection of fun Touch Instruments that sound great and make it easy for beginners or experienced musicians to play and record keyboards, guitars, drums and basses in a wide variety of styles. Smart Instruments now allow you to choose from an extensive new library of custom chords so you can play and strum along with your favorite songs.

You can plug your electric guitar into iPad, iPhone or iPod touch to play and record through classic amps and stompbox effects, or record your voice or any acoustic sound using the built-in microphone. GarageBand allows you to record and mix up to eight tracks and then share your finished song with friends or send it to your Mac® to keep working on it in GarageBand or Logic® Pro.

Pricing & Availability

GarageBand 1.1 for iPad, iPhone and iPod touch is available on the App Store™ for $4.99 (US) to new users, or as a free update for existing GarageBand for iPad customers. GarageBand is a universal app that runs on iPad, iPad 2, iPhone 3GS, iPhone 4, iPhone 4S and iPod touch (3rd & 4th generation).

Apple designs Macs, the best personal computers in the world, along with OS X, iLife, iWork and professional software. Apple leads the digital music revolution with its iPods and iTunes online store. Apple has reinvented the mobile phone with its revolutionary iPhone and App Store, and has recently introduced iPad 2 which is defining the future of mobile media and computing devices.

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Google launches official Gmail app for iPhone, iPad and iPod touch

Google released an official Gmail application for the iPhone, iPad and iPod touch on Wednesday. According to Google, the application supports the following features:

• Get alerted to new messages with push notifications and sounds
• Find an email in seconds with search across your entire inbox
• Autocomplete email addresses from your Gmail contacts or select from your device's address book
• Upload photos with a click using the new attachment button in compose view
• On iPad, navigate your inbox and read your mail simultaneously with split view

Additionally, Gmail for iOS offers a priority inbox feature for finding your most important messages, threaded conversations, labeling, archiving and more. It also supports touch gestures so that users can swipe left or right to view labels and folders. Gmail requires an iPad, iPod touch or iPhone running iOS 4 or newer. It is available for free in the iTunes App Store now.

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Google launches faulty Gmail app for iPhone, iPad, iPod touch

Yesterday we've heard it's coming, and today it's here: Google has announced the launch of its official Gmail app for iOS devices (iPhone, iPad, and iPod touch).

The app features an interface optimized for iOS, push notifications, comprehensive search across the whole inbox, threaded conversations, one-click photo uploads, and split view (only on the iPad).

Unfortunately, mere hours after its launch via iTunes, the Gmail iOS app has been removed by Google because “it contained a bug which broke notifications and caused users to see an error message when first opening the app.” Google is currently working to fix the problem and re-release the app. Meanwhile, “everyone who's already installed the app can continue to use it.”

When the bug is fixed and the Gmail app is again available in the App Store here, it will be compatible only with devices running iOS 4+.

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Vibroy Portable Vibration Speaker For iPod And MP3 Player

The Vibroy is a unique pocket-sized gadget that is able to turn just about everyday objects into speakers. The portable vibration speaker comes equipped with a “magic sticker” that will easily stick onto just about any surface including an empty box, an empty food container, a chair, or a coffee cup. The Vibroy portable vibration speaker is compatible with any gadget that uses a 3.5mm headphone jack such as iPhone, iPad, iPod and MP3 players. $29.99 is all you need to bring home this fancy gadget. [Product Page]

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Ten Years of iPod

October 23, 2011, marks the tenth year since the iPod was introduced. The iconic portable media player has since become tiny and powerful, touch-capable and interactive throughout its different models and generations.

Then-CEO of Apple Steve Jobs introduced the first iPod 10 years ago at a special event. It has 4GB of storage, can hold up to a thousand songs, lasts for up to 10 hours, and can easily fit in one's pocket. Although it was not the first MP3 player introduced in the market, the iPod was the first to become immensely popular among consumers.

To date, over 300 million iPods have been sold, but it did not come easy. The first iPod had a hefty $399 price tag on its launch and since at that time it can only be connected to iTunes-installed Apple computers, the rest of the world (who mainly uses Windows-based PCs) did not care. Things only began to pick up in 2002 when Apple came up with a Windows-compatible version of iTunes. By 2003, Apple had sold one million iPods. A year later, sales had reached 10 million.

There was concern on the fate of the iPod when more and more people are beginning to carry their music on their smartphones. While iPhone sales are exploding, iPod sales cannot seem to catch up, accounting for just 8 percent of Apple's total revenue in the fourth quarter of 2010. The iPod Classic also did not get its update this year, as it usually does.

Whether new versions of iPods will be introduced or it will be shelved due to redundancy, the impact of the iPod in casual listening, as well as in the music industry itself, remains undeniable.

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10 years and 320 million units later, the iPod is slowing down

Ten years ago, Steve Jobs pulled a little white box out of his pocket and promised that it would revolutionize the music world. We were not so convinced back then that this little MP3 player would sell, but Apple managed to ship more than 320 million so far.

Back on October 23, 2001, we were expecting something huge from Apple when we watched Steve Jobs discuss the digital media world in Apple's auditorium in Cupertino, which recently was also used to unveil the iPhone 4S. A 5 GB, HDD-based music player was hardly revolutionary and I was not the only one who felt that the device had no future with an MSRP of $399. Apple gave every person in the audience a beta-release iPod, with 25 free CDs to match most popular music tastes and transferred all songs via Firewire interface within a minute or so to the player.

Back at home – the iPod software was pretty buggy – the iPod failed to impress me, but I felt that Apple had invented something special. It was the first MP3 player I was willing to actually display in public and use with my regular stereo equipment in my living room. Ten years later, Apple has sold an estimated 320 million iPods with generated more than $60 billion in revenue. Since its original introduction in 2011, Apple launched 22 different models of iPods and the original version has survived in the form of the sixth- generation iPod Classic which is offered in a 160 GB version for $249. The current iPod line starts from $49 with the 2 GB Shuffle and ends with the 64 GB iPod touch for $399.

Current shipments are slowing down significantly as sales are shifting toward iPhones. Apple said that it sold 6.6 million iPods in Q3, down from 9.1 million one year ago. However, Apple claims that it still sells more than half of the world's MP3 players and still has 70 percent market share in the U.S. While Apple does not break out iPod model shipments from the total number, the high-end iPod touch is now the key model that secures profit margins for the iPod line and is aligned with Apple's iOS strategy. The company said in September that it has sold more than 250 million iOS devices (iPod touch, iPhone, iPad).

Over the years, the iPod has survived several high-profile lawsuits as well as Microsoft's Zune MP3 player, which was announced in 2006. Back then, Microsoft said that it was in the MP3 player game for the “long haul” and predicted that it could beat the iPod sometime in the future. Earlier this month, Microsoft announced that it will stop selling Zune players.

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iPod touch (white) hands-on

While Apple's white iPod touch is the same iPod touch that millions and millions of people own and are familiar with - just in another color - it's the first device from Apple to ship with iOS 5 pre-installed. The experience right out of the box with iOS 5 is now perfect, requiring no computer whatsoever to get going. And while this doesn't yet apply to the general public since the only people with iOS 5 back-ups are developers, you can also effortlessly restore all of your backed-up information right to the device from iCloud - no syncing, no cables. Apple's iPod touch is insanely popular for many reasons, but with a new lower price point starting at only $199, a white color option to freshen things up for the holiday season, and iOS 5, Apple has another hit on its hands.

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Google Planning To Launch MP3 Store In The Next Few Weeks?

Google launched their “Google Music” cloud service over 5 months ago and although its been been great for consumers — label executives weren't exactly too fond of the idea. Google Music, in it's current form, is definitely great for your current music library but if there's one area where it's sorely lacking it's being able to cough up some cash and actually buy new music.

Well, according to New York Times, Google is already making the necessary steps towards opening up their own MP3 store, allowing for quick and easy song purchases. Apparently, a few music execs let the cat out of the bag saying Google intends on opening their music store in the next few weeks. Not only does this fall in line with the Ice Cream Sandwich announcement but this could also be an attempt from Google to steal away some of the thunder from Apple's upcoming cloud music service (iTunes Match).

More than likely, this new MP3 store will be tied into Google Music Beta where you could make an MP3 purchase and instantly stream it to various devices from the cloud. This could completely do away with the painful process of uploading huge music libraries to Google Music where users had to spend days, even weeks to access their music from the cloud. Still, I think it would be pretty neat to browse the Android Market for books, movies, apps and music. Every type of media, all in one place.

Big moves, as always, from Google HQ. The only thing that could mess this deal now are those skittish label execs who have always been more than a little wary of Google's open reputation. Let's hope everything works out.

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Hex Icon Watch Band for iPod nano 6th and 7th Generation

We've reviewed silicone watch bands from Hex that convert your iPod nano into a watch, and now we're going to tell you about their newest style for the 6th and 7th generation nano.  The new Icon Watch Band has a polycarbonate case and band, and the style reminds me of those expensive ceramic watches that are so popular now.  You pop the nano in, and the case covers the sides and front, revealing the touchscreen.  The nano's controls are covered by integrated buttons, but the charging connector and headphone jack are open and useable.  The Icon is available in black, white, purple, blue, and green.  The Hex Icon sells for $39.99.

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Sony Meb Keflezighi NWZ-W262 Walkman MP3 Player

Sony today announced a new special edition Meb Keflezighi NWZ-W262 Walkman MP3 player. This wearable gadget comes pre-loaded with 24 minutes of audio running tips from Meb Keflezighi. There is also a running booklet with information on getting started, nutrition, stretching, race strategy and Meb's favorite runners' playlist. Additionally, Sony will also make a donation to the MEB Foundation in support of youth fitness, health and education. The Sony Meb Keflezighi NWZ-W262 comes with the Content Transfer software that allows users to easily drag and drop music files from iTunes for Windows, Windows Media Player or Windows Explorer (DRM free content only). With a 2GB of storage capacity, the player can hold approximately 470 songs. Its integrated battery provides enough juice for up to 8-hour of operation time. The Sony Meb Keflezighi NWZ-W262 Walkman MP3 player will be available in October 2011 for around $59 a pop. [Press Release]

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V-MODA True Blood MAKER headphones are limited edition

We've previously covered the V-MODA True Blood headphones awhile ago, and I guess it's been doing pretty well since V-MODA has just announced the launch of the limited edition version of the HBO series-inspired audio accessory. Called the True Blood MAKER, the limited edition Zinc Metal in-ear headphones will feature a slightly different styling compared to the original headphones. The sound quality will remain the same though, featuring V-MODA's trademark V-MASQUE drivers and BLISS 3.0 fittings to bring you “vibrant bass, vivid mid-range and vivacious highs.”

The V-MODA True Blood MAKER will come with a black Zinc Metal coffin pendant, a blood red transparent jewel and of course - a serial number to signify its exclusivity. There will only be 4,000 V-MODA True Blood MAKER headphones manufactured, and each one will cost $150. They will be available online at V-MODA's website, the HBO online store and at the HBO Shop in NYC.

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Chuwi T7 HD PMP

A new HD PMP from Chuwi has just entered the Chinese market. Called the T7, the player packs a 7.0-inch 800 x 480 touchscreen display, an 8GB of storage, a microSD card slot, an e-book reader, a USB 2.0 port, a TV out and supports up to 720p HD video playback. The T7 retails for 299 Yuan (about $46). [Chuwi]

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Bose Chihuahua is an ultraportable MP3 speaker dock?

Bose and Apple seem to go hand in hand, with Apple retail stores and its online store displaying many of Bose's products that range from earphones to headphones and computer speakers. As harmonious as their relationship may seem, it looks like Bose may have plans to take on Apple's AirPlay and Sonos in terms of wireless streaming of music to speakers.

A recent event invite sent to ThisIsMyNext and a recent Best Buy roadmap leaked they uncovered seems to suggest a possible AirPlay and Sonos competitor. Come October 16th, according to the roadmap leak, Best Buy will be receiving a new in-store display for a Bose product which is called the Chihuahua, which we're guessing is more than likely to be a codename for something small. Based on Best Buy's description of the product as being "a new technology (wireless) MP3 speaker docking station that is ultra small," the codename Chihuahua does seem to fit pretty well.

It even goes on to describe how the Chihuahua will showcase the Bose SoundLink wireless Mobile Speaker System. According to ThisIsMyNext, it seems that the Chihuahua will also feature technology that has been designed to create deeper bass and louder volumes when the sound is reflected off walls and furnitures, which we have to admit sounds rather impressive.

However all of this remains to be proven, so until the Bose event begins on the 15th of September or the Best Buy display has been put up on the 16th of October, I guess we will have to take this information at face value and see for ourselves if and when the Bose Chihuahua hits the shelves.

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Coby MP828-4G 4GB MP3 Player With Camera

Here's another affordable MP3 player from Coby, the MP828-4G. This compact device packs a 2.8-inch touchscreen display, a 4GB of storage, a built-in camera, an FM tuner, a picture viewer, a video player, a USB interface and an integrated rechargeable lithium-polymer battery that can last up to 7 hours of music playback. The Coby MP828-4G sells for just $39.99. [Product Page]

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RCA M6104 4GB Video MP3 Player

Enjoy your favorite tunes with RCA's latest video MP3 player ‘M6104′. Priced at only $34.99, this budget-friendly device packs a 1.8-inch color touchscreen display, a 4GB of storage, an FM radio and comes with a rechargeable lithium-ion battery. [Product Page]

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Ecko Zip earbuds pump tunes through a functioning zipper, let you drop your fly in public

We already knew that New Jersey was a hotbed for personal audio innovation, so it certainly came as no surprise when the Garden State's ECKOUNLTD (Ecko Unlimited, with a hint of Jersey Shore) hit us up with a slew of new stylz. We're most curious about the new Zip 'buds, which replace the traditional cord with a functioning zipper, presumably to keep that ever-so-prevalent tangling issue from crampin' your style. These in-ear beauts will set you back just 30 beans - or about a half-dozen servings of Ron Ron Juice. Other offerings include the $13 Zone earbuds, $15 Chaos II (that Chaos I was offthe hook), the $20 Stomp, $25 Lace (which include a shoelace-inspired cord), and the $40 Chain, which, as you probably guessed, features a beaded dog-tag chain cord. At those prices we wouldn't expect stellar acoustics, but if you're rockin' out to any of these budz, you're probably most concerned with lookin' good. And nothing says six-pack like zippers and chains.

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Hip Street HS-HD200-8GB MP3 Video Player

Check out this MP3 video player from Hip Street, the HS-HD200-8GB. Featuring a 3.6-inch high-definition widescreen TFT-LCD display, this compact player comes with an 8GB of internal flash memory, an SD card slot, an FM radio, a voice recorder, a built-in speaker, a USB 2.0 interface and a built-in rechargeable lithium battery that can last up to 6 hours of audio playback. The HS-HD200-8GB retails for $69.99. [Product Page]

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Cowon iAudio 10 Features Color Therapy UI

Cowon has unveiled its latest media player, the iAudio 10. It features a 3-inch TFT display with 240 x 400 resolution, mic in, TV out, FM radio, support for multiple file formats, a document viewer, and storage capacities ranging from 4GB to 32GB. While the specs are already impressive enough, being a successor to Cowon's i9, the iAudio 10 has one feature that has got many people very curious: its Color Therapy UI.

The media player's user interface can be customized in a number of background and text colors. Supporters of color therapy, also known as chromotherapy, claim that exposure to a particular color can “balance the energy” of wherever a person's body be lacking, whether it is physical, emotional, spiritual, or mental. You do not have to believe in this type of alternative therapy to purchase the Cowon i10, but it sure makes a good way of tweaking the main interface according to your liking.

Other features in the Cowon iAudio 10 includes BBE sound enhancements, support for several audio codecs, voice recorder, and a T-DMB viewer for the Korean version.

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Eco Pod Rugged Case Offers Dust, Water & Sand Protection To Your Phones & iPods!

Grace Digital Audio understands this, and has therefore released a rugged carrying case called Eco Pod that can just perfect for securing your favorite portable gizmos from environmental and handling hazards. In short, the Eco Pod is a rugged "all terrain speaker case".

It is made up of polycarbonate shell and has a transparent glass that enables access to your device even when locked in the shell. It has been tested and certified to be water, dust and shock proof, and it's a perfect case for iPhone, Android phone or your favorite mp3 players.

The rugged iPod case can withstand water exposure even under 3 feet of water for 30 minutes ensuring that your device on its inside remains protected from water, even when you are enjoying a bath in the pool.

Interestingly, you can listen to music from your device under water using its waterproof headsets which are IPX7 certified. So whether you are partying at the beachside or camping in the woods, the Eco Pod rugged case will keep your device safe, and protected.

How does that work? Well, the product's official page explains it as follows:

The Eco Pod is simple to setup and works with virtually any cell phone and mp3 player including the iPhone and iPods.

Open up your waterproof case, insert the batteries, plug in the 1x8″ connection, close the case, turn on the volume and there you go! Really simple to setup and use. Take it to the beach, on a fishing trip or to the top of Mount Everest, it'll follow you anywhere.

It comes with a carabiner clip which allows the device to be attached to the back pack, camping tent, boat, etc. You can also store your cash cards or such vital identity cards, cash, etc inside its internal storage compartment.
source: Technology Nerd

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Newsmy M43 Android PMP

Here comes a new Android PMP from Newsmy, the M43. The device sports a 4.3-inch touchscreen display, a dual-core ARM processor, a microSD card slot, a built-in network TV client, 720p HD video playback support, WiFi, a TV-out and runs on Android 2.2 OS. Pricing and availability are still unknown at the moment. [Newsmy]
source: TechFresh

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Apple iPod Touch 5G Parts Leak In The Wild (Again), Launch Probably In September!

Just days ago, we reported about a white iPod Touch to be allegedly up Apple's sleeve and awaiting launch, now more pictures adding weight to its launch-related rumour have surfaced.

The latest rumour is a spin-off by a 9to5mac report which claims that the parts of white iPod Touch 5G have allegedly leaked in the wild.

According to the report, one of its readers have managed to get his hands on the front case of the as-yet-unannounced iPod Touch 5G. Although, the parts were originally reported to be manufactured in Asia, they have somehow made their way into the land of the Apple.

There have been many rumours relating to the design and speculated set of iPod Touch 5G features. However, nothing can be ascertained or endorsed as truth until more evidential details surface. Apple's response, as usual, has been numb on the issue.

The next generation iPod Touch is expected to feature built-in 3G connectivity courtesy of an integrated SIM card, a faster dual-core processor and enhanced RAM storage among other things. Some believe that the new iPod Touch will not undergo a design overhaul while others beg to remain.

The upcoming iPhone, on the other hand, is supported by recalcitrant speculations that foresee the possibility of Apple slapping in a larger edge-to-edge display, an 8 megapixel camera, dual-LED flash, faster dual-core processor (as seen in iPad 2), doubled RAM storage, improved graphics, iOS 5 and much more.

Our friends at 9to5mac note that Apple could just release a white version of iPod Touch with no variation in external design as compared to the iPod Touch 4G alongside the release of the next-generation iPhone.

Even though an easy possibility, it remains to be seen whether Apple will let the media dilute the publicity and hype of each of these products if both the iPhone 4S/ iPhone 5 and iPod Touch 5G are announced at the same time.

It is also possible that Apple may slightly delay any of these products and postpone the highly-awaited launch to focus the attention of the press and media on any one of the two, which would highly accelerate the [global] publicity of the launched device by the attending press and the noble loyal writers penning the tales from the launch event.

As days to the purported September-October launch draw closer, the extent of curiosity and anxious is beginning to rise above the horizon. Interestingly, both the next generation iPhone and the next generation iPod Touch (so far we've been seeing what appears to be a white iPod Touch 5G, anyway) are expected to be announced around the same period of time.
source: Technology Nerd

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Wearable Sony Walkman NWZ-W260 Series MP3 Player

ZAPPIN™ song search technology lets you browse quickly through all your music, previewing a snatch of each track without fiddly searches through menus or playlists. And last but not least, the Supplied Content Transfer software simplifies drag-and-drop file from your PC or iTunes library.
source: Trendy Gadget

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Latte ICE M 8GB MP3 Player

This stylish MP3 player ‘ICE M' from Latte sports a small OLED screen, an 8GB of storage, a microSD card slot (up to 16GB), an FM radio, a voice recorder and a built-in rechargeable battery that can last up to 10 hours of music playback. If you're interested, the Latte ICE M can be yours for just $41.49.
source: TechFresh

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SiGO S.nano MP3 Player

Check out this simple yet stylish MP3 player from SiGO, the S.nano. Measuring only 44mm x 21mm x 6mm and weighing just 16 grams, this small and lightweight MP3 player comes with a magnesium alloy body, a 4GB of internal storage, a 12-hour battery and supports for MP3, WMA, FLAC, OGG and WAV audio formats. The S.nano retails for only 100 Yuan (about $15).
source: TechFresh

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Walkman NWZ-A860 Video MP3 Player by Sony

Kingston launched the Kingston USB 3.0 Media Reader that supports multiple card formats including the newer high-capacity SDXC. Taking advantage of performance benefits offered by USB 3.0 technology, the reader offers up to 5.0Gb/s data transfer speed for high-resolution images or large data files. The Kingston USB 3.0 Media Reader comes with a three-foot USB 3.0 cable and works with the following Flash card formats: CompactFlash, Secure Digital, microSD, and Memory Stick®/M2. And last but not least, it is also backwards compatible with USB 2.0.
source: Trendy Gadget

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Window N50 Android PMP

Window has introduced another one of its upcoming Android PMP namely the N50. Powered by a 1GHz RK2918 ARM Cortex-A8 processor, the player packs a 5.0-inch 800 x 480 capacitive touchscreen display, a 512MB DDR3 RAM, a microSD card slot, a front-facing camera, Flash 10.3 support, 1080p Full HD video playback support, a 3200mAh battery and runs on Android 2.3 OS. Unfortunately, there's no word on pricing and release date yet. [iMP3]
source: TechFresh

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Grace Digital ECO Pod For iPod Touch

The Grace Digital ECO Pod is a new water- and crush-proof case for the iPod touch and iPhone, which meets IPX7 weatherproofing standards. The case features a polycarbonate outer shell for shock resistance, a universal 3.5mm headphone jack, a clear front panel, and a unique exterior pressure release valve to create an air-tight seal. There is also an internal storage compartment that is large enough to hold keys, credit cards, ID card, and cash. Additional features include a Carabiner clip for attaching to belts, bags, straps, and other surfaces, a rear belt clip, and a pair of waterproof earphones. The Grace Digital ECO Pod water- and crush-proof case retails for $49.99.
source: TechFresh

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Sylvania SMPK4230 4GB Touchscreen PMP

The SMPK4230 is another affordable touchscreen PMP for you to grab from Sylvania. Priced at only $39.99, the player comes with a 3.6-inch full color LCD touchscreen display, a 4GB of storage, a microSD card slot, a voice recorder, an e-book reader, a built-in speaker and a built-in rechargeable battery.
source: TechFresh

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Sylvania SMPK4083 4GB PMP

Planning on getting yourself a new PMP with an affordable price? Be sure to check out the SMPK4083 from Sylvania. Priced at just $19.99, this slim player comes with a full color TFT LCD display, a 4GB of internal storage, a voice recorder, a USB 2.0 port and a built-in rechargeable lithium-ion battery. Grab yours now!
source: TechFresh

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Ramos Q30 MP3 Player

Ramos offers you their latest MP3 player, the Q3. Aimed at young fashion group, this eye-catching player is equipped with a small LCD display, a 4GB of storage, an FM radio, various EQ presets and a built-in rechargeable battery. The Q3 sells for just 199 Yen (about $31).
source: TechFresh

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Glocke Craddle For MP3 Player

The Glocke is a unique cradle for an MP3 player. Inspired by the Korean Buddhist Bell, the cradle works on the principle of resonance and amplifies sound, spreading its outreach. The Glocke amplifies the low sound using the glass cylinder and glossy plastic body to full effect. There are also LED lamps that glow according to the volume of the music. For your info, the Glocke is a 2011 Sparks Awards Bronze winner.
source: TechFresh

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iPod Touch 3G image accidentally leaked by Apple

It's like clockwork: the closer we get to a supposed Apple launch date, the more “leaked” materials consumers and press uncover, building hype. We've seen plenty since the beginning of the year regarding the next iPhone and iPod Touch release, and today is no exception.

Wednesday morning iDownloadBlog discovered that Apple “accidentally” loaded a promo shot of an iPod Touch with 3G capabilities on the iTunes website. On the North American shores, the shot was quickly yanked and replaced with a new version, but the iTunes page over in the UK still conveniently displays the iPod Touch 3G without hesitation, as seen here. The only thing missing from the image is a wireless carrier icon.

The “accidental leak” follows recent rumors that the next-generation iPod Touch will feature 3G capabilities when it's revealed in September. This feature was actually spotted in iOS 5 Beta 4, represented as cellular and GPS toggles in the iCloud and Settings menu. The initial discovery led to speculation that Apple won't release an iPhone Nano, but rather intends to equip the iPod Touch with hardware capable of supporting FaceTime and iMessage over a 3G wireless network.

If that's the case, it's assumed that the new iPod Touch will require the same data plans used by the iPad 2. But as always, everything is mere speculation and rumor until Apple officially reveals the device in September.
source: 2DayBlog.com

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Sony releases new Walkman PMPs

While the original Walkman might be dead, the brand name still lives on. Sony has just announced new additions to its Walkman portable media player line up: the A860, S760 and the E460. All three models come with a sleek, curvaceous new design, and are touted to have a generous battery life for longer listening. Best of all, they support easy drag-and-drop for transferring music through the use of iTunes or Windows Explorer.

The Walkman PMPs feature Clear Audio Technologies to make your MP3s sound better, and they come loaded with extra features such as SensMe to automatically categorize your music, and Karaoke Mode for those singalong sessions.

The A860 and S760 support streaming music over Bluetooth to wireless headphones, compatible docks, car audio head units and other devices. Unfortunately the lack of WiFi means you won't be streaming your music to WiFi devices. No word on pricing, but the new Walkman players will be available from end of August 2011.
source: Ubergizmo

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Onn Q8 HD PMP On Sale For Just $59.99

Normally priced at $75.30, the Onn Q8 HD PMP is currently on sale over at Ownta online shop for just $59.99, meaning you could save up to 20% ($15.31). This simple yet elegant player offers a 3.0-inch 400 x 240 touchscreen display, a 4GB of storage, a microSD card slot, an e-book reader, a voice recorder, an FM radio, a picture browser and supports up to 720p HD video playback.
source: TechFresh

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Maxell MXSP-U40 Speaker Dock For iPod

Maxell today announced the availability of the MXSP-U40 speaker dock for iPod in the Japanese market. Weighing at only 100 grams, this gadget has a total output of 0.8W. The speaker dock is also compatible with Apple's iPhone and Sony's Walkman. No word on pricing or availability so far. [Ubergizmo]
source: TechFresh

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Latte iPearl S 4GB MP4 Player

Here's another affordable MP4 player for you to grab from Latte Communications, the iPearl S. This lightweight yet stylish player packs a 1.8-inch LCD color display, a 4GB of internal storage, a microSD card slot (up to 16GB), an FM radio, a voice recorder, a picture viewer and a built-in rechargeable battery that can last up to 8 hours of music playback or 4 hours of video playback. The iPearl S sells for just $29.99.
source: TechFresh

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Timesnap MP3/MP4 Player Watch

The Timesnap MP3/MP4 player watch features a stylish snap-and-grip flexible strap, allowing you to wear it like a normal wristwatch. The player is also compatible with AVI and MP4 video files. The Timesnap also functions as a USB thumb drive to store your important files. $36.51 is all you need to bring home this MP3 player watch.
source: TechFresh

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Hyun film 51 Full HD PMP

Chinese-based company Hyun has recently unveiled another one of its upcoming Full HD PMP called the film 51. Featuring an aluminum alloy casing, the player packs a 5.0-inch 800 x 480 LTPS touchscreen display, an 8GB of internal storage, a microSD card slot (up to 16GB), an e-book reader, a USB 2.0 port, a TV-out and supports up to 1080p Full HD video playback. Pricing info is still unknown at the moment. [iMP3]
source: TechFresh

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Vintage iPod Doubles as Cigarette Case

A dead iPod isn't useless. It can help to hasten its owner's own death

What does one do with one's tired old HDD-based iPod now that it has been replaced with an iPhone, iPod Touch or teeny, tiny iPod Nano? If you haven't succumbed to peer pressure, and you still like to keep the tar level in your lungs topped up, you could make a cigarette case.

That's what Marianne Wilson did with her old broken white iPod. Despite being a non-smoker, Marianne saw that the iPod's empty shell was the perfect size for a handful of snouts, so she hollowed it out and installed some smokes in place of the electronic guts.

If I still smoked, I'd totally dig out an old iPod and turn it into a case like this. On the other hand, I might actually turn the old, easy-to-use iPod into a case and controller for the tiny, useless touch-screen Nano.

My homemade iPod cigarette case [Marianne Wilson / Flickr]
source: Gadget Lab

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3G-enabled iPod Touch Unveiled

A picture depicting a 3G-capable iPod touch has been found on Apple's website. This picture shows a fourth-generation iPod touch with a signal strength indicator and “3G” symbol in the upper left hand corner of the interface. Too bad, there is no official confirmation from Apple. Stay tuned for more updates. [iLounge]
source: TechFresh

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CVID-C25-Black 4GB MP3 Player

Chinavasion has added another affordable MP3 player to its product page, the CVID-C25-Black. The player features a two color LCD display, a 4GB of flash storage, an FM transmitter, a USB 2.0 interface, a 3.5mm headset jack and a built-in Li-ion battery. The CVID-C25-Black retails for just $23.01 and comes bundled with a car kit.
source: TechFresh

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FiiO E1 Headphones Amplifier For iPod

The FiiO E1 is a simple method of upgrading the sound quality of your iPod. The device will use the line out signal from your iPod to deliver higher quality audio playback. It is compatible with iPod Nano, iPod video, iPod touch, and iPhone. If you want one, you can purchase the FiiO E1 headphones amplifier for only £11.99($19).
source: TechFresh

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3G for iPod touch? ZTE Peel 3200 says yes.

You're quite fond of your iPod touch. But often it would be nice to have wireless capability without being tied a WiFi hotspot. Have a look at the ZTE Peel 3200 available from Virgin Mobile. It's a case for your iPod touch that gives you a 3G data connection. No-contract $20 for 500 Mb per month with data through the Sprint 3G Network. It can also act as a mobile hotspot for one additional WiFi-enabled device, like a laptop. The fine print: compatible with 2nd and 3rd gen iPod touch only, but curiously NOT 4th gen. Great idea, but even my kids have the 4th gen. I suppose you could pick up a used 2nd or 3rd gen for less than retail and outfit it with this…?
source: The Gadgeteer

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Energy Sistem Energy 6030 8GB Widescreen PMP

Download your favorite movies and enjoy them in this widescreen PMP ‘Energy 6030′ from Energy Sistem. This ultra slim player features a 2.8-inch TFT 16:9 widescreen display, an 8GB of internal storage, a microSD card slot (up to 32GB), an FM radio, an e-book reader, a voice recorder, a built-in speaker and a built-in rechargeable Li-ion battery. The Energy 6030 retails for 60.21 Euro (about $86).
source: TechFresh

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Bluelounge MiniDock For iPod Touch

Bluelounge today unveiled its new charging accessory for the iPod touch and iPhone. The Bluelounge MiniDock works in conjunction with Apple's USB Power Adapter, connecting directly to a power outlet to charge your gadgets. The BlueLounge MiniDock for the iPod touch and iPhone is priced at only $20 each. [iLounge]
source: TechFresh

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IQQ M1 Android PMP

IQQ has dropped another Android PMP ‘M1′ for the Chinese market. The player packs a 5.0-inch 800 x 480 touchscreen display, a 600MHz processor, a 256MB RAM, an 8GB of storage, a microSD card slot, a G-sensor, 720p HD video playback support, WiFi and runs on Android 2.2 OS. The M1 sells for 399 Yuan (about $62).
source: TechFresh

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Zero1.tv Introduces the VooMote One Universal Remote Control for iPhone/iPod touch

Download a free app from iTunes, slide the VooMote One accessory from Zero1.tv onto your iPhone or iPod touch and transform it into a powerful universal remote to control your TV, DVD player, home stereo equipment, and other consumer electronics. Setup is easy; you'll be walked through the process of defining the controls for your equipment. You'll select from 574 TVs, 995 set top boxes/DVR brands, and 151 audio and CD brands. You can also train the VooMote with your remote should your device not be on the list. You can define screen layouts and one-touch controls that will launch a chain of commands, like turn on the TV, turn on the sound bar and DVD player when you want to watch a movie. The VooMote One will be available in the US starting August 5. You'll be able to purchase the VooMote One for $99 at Best Buy and at Zero1.tv.
source: The Gadgeteer

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Handmade iPod/iphone speaker dock

If you're looking to get yourself a pair of speakers that look different from your typical tower/rectangular shaped speakers, then this iPod and iPhone speaker that's pictured above might do the trick.

As you can imagine, the weird shape of the pipes play an important role in the delivery and quality of the sound, as it was designed that way on purpose. The central part of the dock houses an amplifier that the designed claims will be able to put out 15 watts per channel. The speakers use 2-inch full range drivers that are housed in the specially constructed pipes, supposedly capable of providing "exceptional" sound, delivering full stereo sound with solid lows and perfect highs.

The designer was pretty honest about the sound though, and claims that it will not be replacing your home theatre system anytime soon, but should provide pretty decent sound for general listening around the house.

At the moment there is only one unit available from the designer's Etsy page, which will cost you $299. Subsequent orders will be built-to-order with a two week construction time, so if you have the spare funds and you'd like a set of speakers that are somewhat unconventional, better hurry before someone else snaps them up!
source: Ubergizmo

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