New iPods

Isn’t it strange how the hard drive based iPods haven’t changed much in overall design but the Nano seems to get made over every year? Last year my youngest daughter got a “fat nano” and it worked perfectly for her hands. It is such a better solution than the “made for kids” type mp3 players. All that being said, the new Nano looks really sharp and I like the way they used the accelerometer. It is almost like a gateway drug to the iPod Touch and iPhone. Hmmmm. I’ve still got my g1 Nano that works like a champ. A little scratched up but it is a podcast/audiobook/smart playlist beast.
Any Macsparky readers getting the new Nano and want to write up your thoughts for the blog? Let me know.

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iPhone and iPod Touch get more Memory

iphone 16 gb

Today the Apple Store went down and came back up with an upgraded iPhone and iPod Touch doubling the memory for another $100. So now for $499 you can either get a 32gb Touch or a 16 gb iPhone. With the way flash memory prices have been dropping I was hoping that these upgrades would not have included a price hike.
Neither of these announcements have me too excited. I keep my 8gb iPhone pretty full but I really don’t need the extra memory so badly to upgrade. Likewise, I bought my wife an iPod touch last week. I will talk to her later to see if she wants to double the memory for another $100 but knowing her, she probably won’t care so long as Ugly Betty and Michael Buble’ fit on her 16 gb version.
Did the memory upgrade pull any readers off the fence and inspire them to go buy? If so drop me a note or sound off in the comments.

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The Difference between the iPhone and iPod touch

As a follow up to my iPod touch review, there are a few additional features missing from the iPod touch OS in comparison to the iPhone. These are: No Edge Network (obviously); No “Notes” application (this may be a bigger deal once Apple allows us to sync this); No bluetooth; Scratch-able rear surface; No external volume buttons or speakers, and no camera.
A lot of people are complaining the screen isn’t as good. I don’t have a particularly good eye for these things but I put them next to each other and the iPhone did look slightly more vivid.
Anyway, there is a great article giving these differences much more detail than I did at iProng.

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iphone, ipod, ipod touch, MacSparky

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Review – iPod touch

I’ve already explained how my daughter put the squeeze on me for a new iPod touch. Yesterday I took her down to the local Apple Store and we were fortunate to get one. She was so happy. I can’t really mock this excitement. I did buy an iPhone on June 29 and I do happen to run a Mac blog. Anyway, after playing with it for a day (when my daughter allows me), I thought I’d post a few impressions.
The form factor really is close to the iPhone except it is much thinner. About by half. The case makers are going to have to get to work. The headphone jack is NOT recessed (yay) and the top power button is moved from the right to the left, which does not seem as convenient to me.
Set up was as easy as plugging it in and choosing which data to move over to the iPod. It is so painless that I should say more but us Apple owners are spoiled that way so we just expect it.
A lot of the iPhone applications are identical. Safari, Contacts, Photos, YouTube, and the Calculator among others. The iPod functions are also identical. I’m sorry they didn’t make some of the virtual buttons (FF, RW and pause) bigger. They are hard to hit on the iPhone and also hard to hit on the iPod touch. Other than that gripe, it is the best iPod ever. The video looks gorgeous on it and the menu system is really easy to navigate.
A few things are just silly. You can read your downloaded calendar but you can’t add events on it. Huh? Also, there is no email application. We were able to access her webmail with it but an email application would have been nice.
I guess my biggest gripe with it is not the features that are in it but the features that are left out. If you are looking for an excellent iPod, look no further. If you are looking for something more akin to keeping your Mac in your pocket. Take a look at the iPhone.

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From Jobs’ Lips to Her Ears

So I promised my 10 year old that if she helped out my wife with her internet business over the summer, I’d buy her a video iPod. It worked out. She worked all summer and was a big help. A few weeks ago I said, “Okay, lets go get your new iPod”. She says “No.” She has been “reading” on the intenet and thinks new ones will come out. Like she has got some inside angle on it all so I’m all … “Okay … lets wait” From Jobs’ lips to her ears a few weeks later Apple announces the iPod touch. It gets better.
I’m sitting at my desk last week trying to deal with a case when she calls me again. “Hey Dad. They are refunding you $100 on your iPhone. You can use that on my iPodTouch.” Welcome to fatherhood. But there is more.
I’m sitting at my desk at 7:30. (Yes .. I work early) She calls again. “Dad, I just got an email. iPod Touch is coming out early.”
What a kid.

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apple, MacSparky, ipod, parenting

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Review – Mophie Knox iPod Nano Case

This Review also appeared in the Surfbits ReviewCast #119
I’ve never owned a video iPod. For some reason, my nano always seemed to be just right for my needs. I like the way it fits in my pocket or drops into my car. Now that I have an iPhone, the Nano has taken a bit of a backseat but is still really useful for listening during my commute or working in the yard. The problem with this little Nano is that I abuse the heck out of it.
That is why I was really interested in Mophie’s Knox case for the Nano iPods. The Knox case is an aluminum bodied hinged case with a magnetic closure. The materials say that it is “aircraft grade” aluminum and while I’m not all that sure why that is important, it certainly sounds techy. The case also just looks cool. It has rounded edges and closes with a satisfying snap. It has a small hole in the bottom so you can plug in headphones with the unit still closed.
It is not just an iPod case however. It is also a wallet. It has a little clip on the inside that can hold your cash and a few bank cards. What is interesting about the Knox is you really get two cases.
It also comes with a two piece clear plastic case that snaps over your Nano. This is actually Mophie’s separate Relo product which is a second layer of protection. Once in the Relo plastic case it slides right into the Knox. So with this product you have your slim line plastic case and (for going out) your bigger Knox case.
One thing about the Knox case is that it is big. It puts a noticeable bulge in your pocket if you are traveling light.
I really like this case. It looks good and I like having the option to go big with the Knox or small with just the plastic Relo. It is really made for the G2 Nano but it will also work with a G1 so long as you only use one half of the Relo case. If your in the market for a way to secure your Nano, you will want to take a serious look at the Knox. It lists for $45 but I found several online sellers carrying it at about $30.

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