Easy Ipod Blog

Apple will launch its new iPod shuffle on Friday, the company said Tuesday.

The player, which Steve Jobs showed off at its most recent product launch in September, will contain a gigabyte of flash memory — enough for 240 songs, Apple said — and will be priced at $79.

“With its ultra-compact design and built-in clip, the new iPod shuffle is the most wearable iPod ever,” said Greg Joswiak, Apple’s vice president of worldwide iPod product marketing, in a statement. The new iPod shuffle completes our all-new lineup of iPods for this holiday season and beyond, and we hope it’s going to be a huge hit.”

Users can either listen to the songs in random order, or, by flipping a switch, they can listen to them in order.

A think-tank has called for outdated copyright laws to be rewritten to take account of new ways people listen to music, watch films and read books.

The Institute for Public Policy Research (IPPR) is calling for a “private right to copy”. It would decriminalise millions of Britons who break the law each year by copying their CDs onto music players.

Ippr says that the forthcoming review of Intellectual Property, set up by Chancellor Gordon Brown and chaired by Andrew Gowers, should update the 300-year-old copyright laws to take account of the changes in the way people want to listen to music, watch films and read books.

IPPR deputy director Dr Ian Kearns said: “When it comes to protecting the interests of copyright holders, the emphasis the music industry has put on tackling illegal distribution and not prosecuting for personal copying, is right.

“But it is not the music industry’s job to decide what rights consumers have that is the job of government.”

The report also calls for the government to reject calls from the UK music industry to extend the copyright term for sound recording beyond the current 50 years.

Greenpeace campaigners have been ejected from MacExpo in London after other exhibitors complained about their activities at the show.

Greenpeace purchased space for the three-day expo in an attempt to raise awareness about concerns over the alleged use of toxic chemicals in Apple’s products. Volunteers manning the Greenpeace stall were signing up Mac fans to challenge Apple to use less toxic methods to manufacture its products. Flyers explaining the Green my Apple campaign were handed out to members of the public along with organic green apples before the group was told to leave MacExpo.

MacExpo marketing director Matt Denton said Greenpeace were warned not to take photographs at other stands, and to stick to handing out leaflets on their own pitch. He said: “It was a valid stand with a valid message… they breached their contract.”

Greenpeace campaigner Iza Kruszewska said: “This reaction is totally over-the-top.We are challenging the world leader in design to also be a world leader in environmental innovation. We challenge Apple to have a product range on the market by 2007 which is free of the worst toxic chemicals.”

XtremeMac today announced its new SuperClip for Apple’s 2G iPod nano.

SuperClip is a low-profile attachment that snaps on to the back of the iPod nano and clips to a belt, pocket, purse or backpack. The clip rotates 360° and locks into a variety of positions so it can be easily attached at any angle.

Designed to be functional and unobtrusive, SuperClip is made of clear, hard plastic to maintain the sleek look of the iPod nano. Once attached to the iPod nano, SuperClip’s low-profile design makes it barely visible from the front. Notches in the clip can be used to wind up excess earbud cord, and clear rubber pads on the inside grip the iPod nano to prevent slipping.

Apple has released a utility that will completely fix all problems with the first gen Shuffle.

The iPod shuffle Reset Utility restores First Generation iPod shuffle. The restore process completely erases all music and data on iPod shuffle and reinstalls software version 1.1.4.

XtremeMac today announced its new MicroShield, a crystal clear case designed to fit the newest version of Apple’s iPod nano.

Constructed of impact-resistant hard plastic, MicroShield protects iPod nano from scratches and dings while showcasing its shape and color. Secured by a soft seal closure, the case offers built-in screen and click wheel protection, yet maintains access to all controls and ports. MicroShield’s clear plastic covers the iPod nano’s screen without obscuring it, while a play-through disc covers the click wheel to prevent scratches and discoloration. A detachable, 360° rotating belt clip clicks into a variety of positions and features a pair of notches for winding up excess earbud cord.

MicroShield is available for pre-order now at www.easyipod.co.uk

The code that prevents music downloaded from Apple’s iTunes store being played on any portable player other than an iPod has been “cracked”.

Hacker Jon Lech Johansen has made a name circumventing software used to restrict the use of digital media, his company, DoubleTwist, said that it planned to license the code to other digital music player manufacturers. “There’s a certain amount of trouble that Apple can give us, but not enough to stop this,” Monique Farantzos, managing director at DoubleTwist told Associated Press.

At the moment iTunes uses the Fairplay system, which allows music bought to be shared on 5 computers and only played on the Apple Ipod. The New “hack” would help companies such as Sony and Creative sell iTunes compatible Products.

A US company called Munchkin has recently released a product called the iCrib sound system to its line of baby products. The iCrib fits on most baby cribs, it has a built in nightlight and volume limiter, sleep timer and adjustable straps to fit on the cot rails. “The iCrib lets you choose the music that soothes your baby to sleep—because some kids are a little bit country, and others a little bit of rock ‘n roll,” says Munchkin. We are not sure if this will be released in the UK but if it is we expect to see a retail price of around £30.

Microsoft has gone the opposite way to Apple and made its marketplace for Zune as complicated as possible. Microsoft has opted for a system called Microsoft points. In the United States, points are available in denominations of $5 for 400 points, $15 for 1,200, $25 for 2,000 and $50 for 4,000. A song will cost 79 points, making a song about the same price as on iTunes. There is more than just a price comparison here. The benefit is that paying 79 points as opposed to 99 cents may seem cheaper. However, in order to buy from Marketplace, you have to give Microsoft an interest free loan.

Offcom is due to change the law so that people in the UK can use FM Transmitters such as the itrip legally.

FM transmitters have always been illegal to use in the UK due to very old laws that meant you needed a licence. Altough illegal to use UK consumers have been buying the FM transmitters and this has lead to Ofcom changing the law.

Although iTrips have been widely available on the internet, the gadgets should be available from supermarket shelves after a four-week consultation of the draft regulations - in time for the Christmas season.

A spokesman told the Metro that the group is seeking a “harmonised approach” across Europe.

The wireless devices have already been approved in Germany, Iceland, Switzerland, Liechtenstein and Estonia.