0 XtremeMac acquired by Imation

Imation Corp., which develops, manufactures, and sells various electronic iPod and iPhone accessories under the Memorex brand, today announced its acquisition of Xtreme Accessories (XtremeMac) for a purchase price of $9 million.

XtremeMac was one of the earliest developers of iPod accessories, but appeared to have struggled in recent months with iPhone compatibility, substantial release delays, and uncertainty as to whether prior products would come back into stock.

Commenting on the transaction, Frank Russomanno, Imation’s President and Chief Executive Officer said: “With the acquisition of XtremeMac, Imation has added a brand recognized and respected by Apple enthusiasts and one that enhances our portfolio of products serving the growing market for consumer electronics related accessories.”

Gary Bart, founder and President of XtremeMac, will join Imation as Executive Director, guiding the company’s Apple accessory design efforts. It is unclear how the acquisition will impact currently delayed XtremeMac products, such as the Luna X2 clock radio, and whether the company’s name will continue to appear on future products.

Read the announcement

Detail: XtremeMac acquired by Imation

0 Barack Obama reveals iPod’s contents

In an interview with Rolling Stone to be published later this week, presumptive Democratic Presidential nominee Barack Obama has revealed some of the contents of his personal iPod. “I have pretty eclectic tastes,” said Obama, who said he had music from a wide range of artists on his iPod, from Miles Davis and John Coltrane to Jay-Z and Ludacris.

Obama, who grew up in the 1970’s, said he listened to the Rolling Stones (his favorite Stones track is the seminal “Gimme Shelter"), Elton John, and Earth Wind and Fire, adding that Stevie Wonder was his “musical hero” of the period.

Interestingly, Obama also had a wide selection of tracks from Apple CEO Steve Jobs’ favorite Bob Dylan, including the entire Blood on the Tracks album. “Actually, one of my favorites during the political season is ‘Maggie’s Farm,’ “ Obama said. “It speaks to me as I listen to some of the political rhetoric.”

In the song, Dylan sings about trying be himself, “but everybody wants you to be just like them.” Many musicians appearing on Obama’s iPod have lent him their support during his campaign, including Dylan and Bruce Springsteen. “I’ve got to say, having both Dylan and Bruce Springsteen say kind words about you is pretty remarkable,” Obama said. “Those guys are icons.”

Obama also admits to having concerns over the the content of some rap music to which his daughters might be exposed. “I am troubled sometimes by the misogyny and materialism of a lot of rap lyrics,” he said, “but I think the genius of the art form has shifted the culture and helped to desegregate music.”

He went on to call hip-hop mogul Russell Simmons and rappers Jay-Z and Ludacris “great talents and great businessmen,” adding that “it would be nice if I could have my daughters listen to their music without me worrying that they were getting bad images of themselves.”

Detail: Barack Obama reveals iPod’s contents

0 Apple makes changes to iPod games, rental listings

In preparation for the rollout of the App Store and further expansion of its movie rental services, Apple has made a series of subtle changes to its iTunes Store listings for both iPod Games and movie rentals.

Today, Apple officially changed the heading on its iPod Games pages from “iPod Games” to “iPod classic and nano Games,” differentiating the current listings from possible future listings for iPod touch- and iPhone-compatible games.

In addition, the company has begun listing the date that films will be available for rent on the purchase pages.

The second change may be to aid users who had hoped to rent a title and were confused as to why it was available for purchase but not for rent, or as a prelude to pre-orders for automatic film rental downloads to a computer.

Detail: Apple makes changes to iPod games, rental listings

0 Altec Lansing inMotion iM310 iPod Touch Speaker System

Altec Lansing has quietly begun shipping its new inMotion iM310 portable sound system for iPod. Currently listed as “coming soon” on the company’s website, this new addition to the inMotion family offers big sound with stylish portability.

The iM310 provides outstanding acoustic volume and audio performance for your iPod/MP3 player previously unavailable at this size or value. With powerful, crystal-clear sound and surprisingly deep bass, the foldable design is ready to let you share your tunes anywhere you like via AC or battery power.

Features:
AC or Battery-operated
Enjoy up to 48 hours of continuous play on three AA batteries (or use the included AC adapter).

Alarm clock
The iM310 is fully compatible with iPod models that have the alarm clock and sleep timer features.

Compact design
Folds to close at 11.4“ wide, 2.5“ deep, and 6.1“ high (290 mm x 62 mm x 155 mm) for convenient mobility.

Input jack
For second device connection, including CD, DVD, and MP3 players.

Universal dock
Recharges iPod.

Big, deep-bass speakers
For a surprisingly deep sound.

Weighs
only 2 pounds and 6 ounces.

The Altec Lansing inMotion iM310 is now available at select retailers and sells for $80.

Detail: Altec Lansing inMotion iM310 iPod Touch Speaker System

0 iPod sales grow in May

According to the latest data from market research firm NPD, iPod sales grew 11.6 percent year-over-year in May, following growth of 14.6 percent year-over-year in April.

In a note, Lehman analyst Tim Luke pointed out that this was well ahead of the 2 percent decline the firm had been expecting, and said that average iPod pricing in the quarter was down 4 percent.

“While not exactly strong, iPod demand seems to be holding up and benefiting from the lack of iPhone availability (lack of cannibalization near-term),” Luke said.

“We expect iPod demand to weaken as iPhone demand picks up, but view the current trends as positive for AAPL’s fiscal 3Q08.”

Detail: iPod sales grow in May

0 United launches in-flight iPod & iPhone connectivity

United Airlines has announced the launch of iPod and iPhone connectivity for its in-flight entertainment system, becoming the first U.S. carrier to offer such features.

This enables you as United customers to enjoy your individual content on a 15.4-inch personal television, all while the iPod or iPhone charges.

The first aircraft with iPod and iPhone connectivity is scheduled to depart at 5:40 p.m. from Washington, D.C. to Zurich as United #936, and it will fly primarily on trans-Atlantic routes.

United's entire fleet of international, widebody aircraft are being reconfigured over the next two years with lie-flat seats, on-demand entertainment, and iPod and iPhone connectivity in first and business class.

"Our guests may now watch or listen to what they want, when they want with programming they choose," says Graham Atkinson, United Airlines - executive vice president and Chief Customer Officer. "United will continue to provide services and technology that makes our customers' travel experiences more relaxed and enjoyable."

Through a cable that supports iPod and iPhone via the 30-pin connector, customers may watch and enjoy their personal content on United's in-flight entertainment system. Technology for the connectivity was developed by Panasonic Avionics Corporation.

The customized video and audio options complements the more than 150 hours of movies and television shows available on-demand on United's newly-configured international aircraft, as well as games and XM radio.

Detail: United launches in-flight iPod & iPhone connectivity

0 iTunes rentals arrive in Canada, U.K. with 48-hour time limit

Apple’s newly announced movie rental service for its iTunes offerings in Canada and the United Kingdom may come several months after the same service debuted in the United States.

But the Canadian and British versions of movie rentals do carry one substantial difference—customers in those markets will have 48 hours to finish a movie once they start watching it. That’s twice as long as U.S. customers have.

Apple introduced movie rentals to iTunes customers in the U.S. this past January. When Steve Jobs first announced the service at Macworld Expo last January, he said that customers who rented films via the iTunes Store would be able to keep them for 30 days, with 24 hours to finish the movie once they began watching it.

Movie rentals made their debut at the Canadian and U.K. iTunes Stores Wednesday. A quick look at the terms of service for both Canadian and British users confirms that renters in those countries have a 48-hour window.

The difference in policies between iTunes outlets could spur talk that Apple is considering an extension to the U.S. limit. But Apple would not confirm whether those plans are in store. “There has been no update on iTunes Movie Rentals in the U.S. since the initial announcement,” an Apple spokesperson said Wednesday.

Detail: iTunes rentals arrive in Canada, U.K. with 48-hour time limit

0 Free iPod Touch or Nano with Apple Mac

Apple has launched its new Back to School promotion, offering a rebate of up to $299 towards the purchase of an iPod with the purchase of a qualifying Mac system.

To receive the rebate, education customers must buy a new Mac (Mac Mini and 17” iMac excluded) and an iPod touch or iPod nano (video) on the same order.

Customers will receive a rebate of $299 with the purchase of an iPod touch, making the 8GB model free and substantially discounting 16GB and 32GB models; alternately, the customer may receive a $199 rebate with the purchase of an 8GB iPod nano.

The promotion runs from June 3 to September 15; for more information, see Apple’s official terms and conditions.

Detail: Free iPod Touch or Nano with Apple Mac

0 Griffin WindowSeat iPod Touch & iPhone Windshield Mount

Accessory maker Griffin has begun shipping the WindowSeat, a new dock for iPhones and iPod touches.

WindowSeat mounts your iPhone (or iPod touch) at eye level on your car’s windshield or dashboard, putting all of your street maps, directions (and more) safely in view and easily within reach.

WindowSeat’s mounting bracket grips your iPhone or iPod touch securely, and allows angle adjustment for easy viewing. A convenient corner-release let you easily detach your device when you arrive at your destination, leaving WindowSeat locked in position for the next time you use it. Griffin WindowSeat for ipod touch and iphone costs $30.












Features:
- High-grip silicone suction pad attaches to your windshield or other nonporous surface easily and stays put.
- Mounting bracket securely holds iPhone with easy access to dock connector and headphone jack.
- Can be used in conjunction with Griffin Technology’s PowerJolt charger for iPhone, or any other in-car iPhone solution.
- Includes an AUX cable for convenient connection to AUX-In-equipped car stereos.
- Good-looking, durable materials complement your vehicle’s interior and withstand the temperature shifts that go with that environment.
- Quick, secure adjustments to viewing angle with swiveling ball-and-socket joint.
Included adapter accommodates steeply angled windshields.

Detail: Griffin WindowSeat iPod Touch & iPhone Windshield Mount