iLounge

Memorex to launch SingStand mic, miniMove speaker for iPod

• September 5, 2008
• iPod Accessories
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Memorex is set to launch two new iPod accessories, the SingStand microphone speaker system and the miniMove portable boombox. The SingStand is a uniquely designed accessory that lets users sing along to music stored on iPods, with an iPod Dock directly underneath the microphone mount and speakers built into the stand’s base. Other features include voice control, an echo effect, dual microphone inputs, and input jacks for other musical instruments. It is priced at $70. The miniMove portable boombox is a purse-shaped system with an iPod dock below the handle and a digital FM radio. Available in silver, black or pink, it sells for $50. Availability information for the SingStand and miniMove has yet to be announced.

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Mix: Spore Apology, MTS Russia, Another 3G lawsuit

• September 5, 2008
• Mix
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For the first time ever, Apple is emailing Click Wheel iPod users who purchased Spore Origins to notify them of an updated version, which is automatically added to the user’s iTunes Store download queue. The email reads, “The iPod Click Wheel game “Spore Origins” you recently purchased may not function properly on your iPod nano (3rd generation), iPod classic, or iPod (5th generation). We want you to be completely satisfied with your purchase, so we have placed an updated version of “Spore Origins” in your download queue.” Spore Origins was pulled from the iTunes Store shortly after its release due to a bug that caused the game to lock up on iPod classic and some fifth-generation iPod models; the game has since been updated and is once again available on the iTunes Store.

Mobile TeleSystems (MTS), Russia’s largest cellular operator, has become the country’s third carrier to announce that it has reached an agreement with Apple to offer the iPhone in Russia. “Sales of iPhones in Russia will start this year,” the company said in a statement. Rival carriers MegaFon and Vimpelcom have also announced they will begin sales of the handset later this year.

A third lawsuit has been filed against Apple and AT&T accusing the companies of misrepresenting iPhone 3G speeds and network performance and failing to disclose “defective” third-party apps on the App Store. Relying in part on Internet reports as proof, plaintiff Eulardi Tanseco claims that Apple and AT&T violated New Jersey’s Consumer Fraud Act, its Uniform Commercial Code and the terms of its contract by knowingly advertising service they couldn’t maintain. The suit is seeking class action status, and is asking for both compensation and punitive damages.

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Tunewear rolls out line of iPhone 3G cases

• September 5, 2008
• iPhone Accessories
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Tunewear has introduced a variety of new cases for the iPhone 3G. Icewear for iPhone 3G is a form-fitting clear case made from high-density silicone, and features ribbed sides for added grip and open access to all ports and controls. It sells for $25. Tuneshell for iPhone 3G is a clear, snap-on hard polycarbonate case featuring a smooth surface and open access to all ports and controls. It is priced at $25. Tuneshell Plus for iPhone 3G is another clear snap-on hard polycarbonate case, featuring a thickness of only 0.4mm and open access to all ports and controls. It sells for $30.

Tunewear’s Prie Ambassador for iPhone 3G is a open-face leather case with open access to all ports and controls and a removable metal clip. Available in black with either red or white stitching, gold, gold/white, or silver, it sells for $60. Leathershell for iPhone 3G is a form-fitting open-face leather case featuring a smooth texture, white contrast stitching, and open access to all ports and controls. It sells for $30. Finally, Tunefilm for iPhone 3G is a clear protective screen film and will be included with select cases such as the Prie Ambassador and Icewear for iPhone 3G. Separately, it sells for $15. All of Tunewear’s new products for the iPhone 3G are available now.

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EA: Spore for iPhone coming soon, other titles revealed

• September 5, 2008
• iPhone Applications
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Electronic Arts has announced that Spore Origins for the iPhone will be available later this month, and has also announced a slate of games currently in development for the iPhone platform. In Spore Origins, users create and control their own virtual life form, growing from a single-cell organism into a more complex being as the game progresses. The iPhone version of the game will feature two game modes and 35 levels, as well as the Creature Editor, which lets the user customize their creature’s texture, shape and body parts to improve offense, defense, perception and movement. In addition, EA announced that Yahtzee Adventures, EA Mini Golf, Lemonade Tycoon, Mahjong, Monopoly: Here & Now The World Edition, Sim City, Tiger Woods 09, Need for Speed Undercover, and The Sims 3 are all in development for the iPhone and iPod touch; release and pricing information has yet to be announced.

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Master Lock iCage offers iPod theft protection

• September 5, 2008
• iPod Accessories
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Master Lock has introduced its new iCage Locking Skins for the fifth-generation iPod, iPod classic, and second- and third-generation iPod nano. Each iCage includes three full body thermoplastic iWraps for scratch protection, a metal sled to hold the iPod, a three-digit combination lock, and a cable. Users are expected to secure the iPod inside the sled and then wrap the cable around a fixed object and back onto the lock. Master Lock’s iCage for fifth-generation iPod and iPod classic will sell for $20, while the second- and third-generation iPod nano model will sell for $15. All of iCage models are expected to be available later this month.

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Mix: Pull My Finger, NTT DoCoMo, Turkcell, Jewel Quest II

• September 4, 2008
• Mix
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Apple has rejected a new app called Pull My Finger, not on the grounds that it was potentially offensive, but instead for its “limited utility.” MacRumors reports that the developer was informed by Apple that the “application is of limited utility to the broad iPhone and iPod touch user community, and will not be published to the App Store.” Apple went on to suggest that the developer could distribute the app to friends and family via Ad Hoc methods. The developer has posted a demonstration video of the app to YouTube.

Japanese carrier NTT DoCoMo remains interested in offering the iPhone, according to a statement from a company executive. “It’s not that we’ve given up. We just want the right condition to sell it,” said Hiroshi Matsui, senior executive vice president of NTT DoCoMo. Last December, the carrier confirmed it was in talks with Apple to carry the iPhone; rival carrier SoftBank launched the iPhone 3G in Japan on July 11.

A page on its company website has revealed that Turkcell plans to begin selling the iPhone 3G in Turkey on September 26. The carrier announced in August that it would offer the iPhone 3G in Turkey later this year; details on pricing and plan offerings have yet to be announced.

I-Play and iWin have announced that Jewel Quest II is now available for the iPhone and iPod touch. Continuing the Jewel Quest franchise, the tile-matching puzzle game features over 50 new puzzles, a new storyline, and new game mechanics optimized for the iPhone OS platform. Jewel Quest II is available now on the App Store and sells for $9.

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Etón debuts Porsche Design P’9121 Stereo System for iPod

• September 4, 2008
• iPod Accessories
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Etón has introduced its new Porsche Design P’9121 Table Top Stereo System with Dock for iPod. The P’9121 is XM Radio-ready and features a high-performance AM/FM/Shortwave radio, an extruded aluminum body, an OLED display, a metal remote control, three front-mounted 1.5-inch full range drivers and a rear-facing 3-inch active subwoofer, an auxiliary input, and a separate iPod Dock, which connects to the main unit via a 9-pin connector. The Porsche Design P’9121 by Etón is available now and sells for $600.

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Sharp intros mini audio system with iPod dock

• September 4, 2008
• iPod Accessories
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Sharp has announced its new CD-DK89*N mini audio shelf system with built-in iPod Dock. The new system features 250 watts powering a two-way speaker system, X-Bass, a five-disc CD changer with MP3 and WMA compatibility, a digital AM/FM tuner with 40 presets, auxiliary input, and a dual cassette deck. Available in two models, the black CD-DK890N and the silver CD-DK891N, the Sharp mini audio shelf system sells for $200.

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iPod nano 4G, touch 2G dimensions revealed?

• September 3, 2008
• iPod
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Confirming details first reported by iLounge in July, apparent dimensional drawings for both the fourth-generation iPod nano and second-generation iPod touch have appeared, suggesting that the devices will have familiar measurements but with interesting new shapes and features.

Images of the supposed new iPod nano show a device that measures 90.75mm tall by 38.75mm wide by 6.08mm deep, compared to the second-generation nano’s measurements of 90mm by 40mm by 6.5mm. These numbers suggest that the device will be the thinnest and narrowest iPod nano yet released, though almost inperceptibly so, while also just a hint taller than the original and second-generation models. An oval-like body shape will be similar to, but apparently more pronounced than the one on the second-generation nano. Notably, the images seem to extinguish a concern that the device’s screen would be curved to match its shape; the metal body will give way to a plastic-covered screen that is as flat as prior-generation screens.

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Apple, AT&T sued again over iPhone 3G problems

• September 3, 2008
• iPhone
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Apple and carrier partner AT&T have been sued on the ground that they have knowingly oversold the iPhone 3G, resulting in reduced network performance in places where many iPhone 3Gs are in use at once. The complaint, filed in a San Diego court by iPhone customer William Gillis, relies primarily on various Internet reports from the last two months, which state that initial (pre-software 2.0.2) iPhone 3G network power demands, combined with the “high volume” of iPhone 3G sales, have resulted in reduced 3G speeds and in some cases inability to use the 3G network. The complaint also states that Apple provides no warning of possible issues on the product’s packaging. A disclaimer “points out to them to ask questions, to further investigate, or [for companies] to simply disclose complete and accurate information about the product,” the lawsuit reads. “This is especially true in the case of the speed and performance of an expensive [device]; an important feature in any electronics device purchase.” Gillis is seeking class action status for the suit so that any affected AT&T subscriber in California could receive compensation. The suit calls for both Apple and AT&T to pay restitution as well as punitive damages.

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iSkin unveils solo case for iPhone 3G

• September 3, 2008
• iPhone Accessories
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iSkin has introduced its new solo bodyguard for iPhone 3G. The solo is a new form-fitting protector for the iPhone 3G, featuring integrated volume and power button protection, unobstructed access to all ports and controls, and a high-gloss finish with a non-slip grip surface. In addition, the case includes a touch compatible clear screen film protector. The iSkin solo for iPhone 3G is available now in black, white, translucent red, or translucent blue, and sells for $30.

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Photo of the Week: iPhone 3G in Japan

• September 3, 2008
• Site News
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This week’s featured photo is from our iPhones Around the World gallery, and shows an iPhone 3G at the Kinkaku-ji Temple in Kyoto, Japan. To share your photos and to be considered for our Photo of the Week, you simply need to submit your own photo to one of our galleries. So get out there, take some pictures with your iPod or iPhone, and maybe your submission will be our next Photo of the Week!

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