Gadgets

The Apple iPod may be the most popular mainstream tech item on the market today. Its silky smooth white exterior and pastel-shaded commercials are perhaps the most recognized hardware and hardware advertising campaigns we've seen in years. While not ... everyone has an iPod, there are those like me who prefer the cheaper competition, we all know someone who does. And yet, Apple isn't really that mainstream. Its computer line is far less popular than the everyday PC, primarily because the Mac isn't privy to the kind of support afforded the average Windows-running desktop. Apple's latest product is ... (view more)

Not long ago, Apple's most public figure and CEO Steve Jobs promised that the semi-anticipated iPhone would sell ten million times over the course of its first full year available (2008). Amidst rumors that the eventual release would be pushed back ... later into the summer of 2007, Jobs and Apple have surprised the media with news that the iPhone will in fact reach retail shelves by the end of this month. Consumers can expect a chance to try out the new device in all its glory on Thursday, June 29. (Source: xinhuanet.com ) When I discussed Jobs' predictions for the iPhone, it startled me (and ... (view more)

Up until now, few have questioned the success of the iPod and iTunes. However, the future of Video iTunes has now come under criticism, as more channels have begun streaming their own free content. Is there a future for iTunes? (Source: slashdot.org ... ) While sales of movies and television shows are expected to almost triple this year, a new study by Forrester Research found that unless the average consumer begins paying for online content en masse (which -- let's be serious -- is not likely to happen), growth in sales will likely begin to diminish next year. This could spell out bad news for ... (view more)

A new study has found that iPods and pacemakers can be a harmful mixture. The idea for such a connection did not initially come from a Cardiovascualar doctor, but from a Michigan teenager. 17-year-old Jay Thaker, whose father wears a pacemaker, ... approached Dr. Krit Jongnarangsin from the University of Michigan to run some tests on the possibility of pacemaker interference from iPods. (Source: dailytech.com ) "We took patients from a pacemaker clinic, got consent, and we put the pacemaker programmer on them to view what was going on inside the pacemaker on a screen," Thaker explained. "And then ... (view more)

Before being given its current title, "Zune", Microsoft's digital audio player was largely rumored to be the company's first foray into the portable gaming market. With many console fanboys hoping the project would indeed end in an "Xboy", it ... instead led to a 30GB MP3 competitor for Apple's iPod. Although it seems Microsoft still plans on making the device somewhat game-functional, the company may have lost its chance with gamers. The window of opportunity may be quickly closing on the Zune's music appeal, too, with many retailers now discounting its price tag. First to massively reduce the ... (view more)

Nicholas Negroponte, the former director of the MIT Media Lab and current leader of the One Laptop Per Child (OLPC) project, announced Thursday that that machines, which were originally targeted at $100, are now expected to sell for $175. This is ... not the first time the anticipated price has increased. Negroponte's team had previously announced that the price had risen from $100 to $140. However, this initial increase was partly offset by a slew of new features, such as an integrated digital video camera. The new price hike is not expected to be coupled with any improvements. (Source: ... (view more)

Take a moment and think about your last Christmas morning. How many of the items unwrapped by you, your spouse, or your kids required batteries, a power outlet, or frequent software updates? In all likelihood, it was these kinds of devices that ... dominated the gift-giving ceremony, as U.S. consumers continue to prop up the electronics industry. The impact of this is only recently being documented, with the most blatant evidence presented in the new study proclaiming that, on average, American adults spend some $1,200 a year on electronics. The retail examination was conducted by the Consumer ... (view more)

Steve Jobs has not changed his mind about the way music should be sold. Last week, Jobs reinforced his view that subscriptions and iTunes do not mix. "Never say never, but customers don't seem to be interested in it," Jobs said of subscription ... services. "The subscription model has failed so far." (Source: reuters.com ) Jobs' stance on the issue is far from new. In 2003, Jobs explained to Rolling Stone how the natural evolution of music doesn't support subscription services: "People don't want to buy their music as a subscription. They bought 45s; then they bought LPs; then they bought ... (view more)

Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer (MGM) Studios and Apple recently announced that MGM will now offer titles from its catalogue of feature films for purchase and download on the iTunes Store website. This deal will add to iTunes menu of over 500 movie titles ... available for purchase and download. (Source: reuters.com) Beginning Wednesday, MGM, which has the largest modern film library in the world (over 4000 films), launched 25 titles for download on iTunes. An Apple spokesperson noted that more of MGM's films would be added over the next several weeks. (Source: blogs.pcworld.com ) The iTunes online store ... (view more)

No one can deny that when it comes to design, Apple is the reigning champion. But although the company has mastered almost everything from MP3 players to GUI (graphical user interface) screens, it never produced a truly amazing mouse. But this may ... soon change -- Apple has filed a patent application for an innovative new touch-sensitive mouse. (Source: theinquirer.net ) In early December of 2006, iPhone interface designer Brian Huppi filed the patent application for the next-generation Apple mouse. The mouse is capable of switching between operational modes depending on how the device is held ... (view more)