Griffin Technology will very soon be releasing an FM receiver for your iPod, called the Griffin iFM.
Playlist magazine posted a First Look of the Griffin iFM, and it looks promising.
Like most Griffin Technology devices, it is compact, performs well, and has a superior user interface compared to other products.
I never listen to the radio. Why would I care about one of these? Because when we go to assemblies or conventions, and the sound system transmits the speakers over a radio frequency, I can use this device to record the speaker with, effectively, a direct line in, with minimal background noise, because the iFM also support recording the radio frequency it is tuned into.
My dad actually tried this with an off-brand MP3 player that supported FM reception and recording, but unfortunately the reception was very poor. My hope is that the iFM will have better performance.
News from a couple days ago says that HP will be dropping their sales of the iPod.
Read about it: HP Says It Will Stop Selling iPods.
Although this particular situation was not forecasted, it is not surprising. Apple never has been very generous when it stretches itself out to share its product lines with other companies. In other words, in the end, they either pull out of the deal, or they give the cooperating company the short end of the stick.
Unfortunately, this may be spawned by a “we don’t need them” kind of attitude; ironically enough, in this instance, that is probably true.
Great news. At the close of the fiscal quarter, Apple has found its profits $70 million in excess of its estimates, sitting at $320 million.
This is Apple’s best quarter. Ever. Read about it: Apple Tops Its Quarterly Earnings Record.
One thing that is very encouraging about this is to see that the iPod is not the hero that saved the ailing team here. The iPod had a significant share, as expected, but it was just a team player on Apple’s championship team.
Other key players: Mac OS X 10.4 and Mac sales. Sure, we like it when the team keeps winning, even when these players were on the bench, but now that they’re back in the game–and exercising a killer instinct–the game is so sweet to see.
Mac OS X 10.4 was the best-selling software release in the company’s history; Mac sales experienced a 35% increase over last year; iPod sales had a “record quarter” for the ninth time in a row. When all the key players score triple-doubles, the fans just go wild.
And the timing couldn’t be more perfect, since Apple’s sales my go into slight hibernation as the world awaits the first x86-based Mac. But that’s okay–Apple is ready.
Luxpro has developed probably the most audacious rip-off of an Apple product to date, even putting Microsoft to shame.
Please read: Luxpro Corp. rips off iPod shuffle.
If the description doesn’t get the point across, a picture speaks a thousand words. The Super Shuffle appears practically identical to the iPod Shuffle, right down to the white ear buds, with the only difference being the product name and an extra switch on the back. What’s more, the Super Shuffle actually outperforms the iPod Shuffle in features.
Certainly imitation is the highest form of flattery, but there must be some execs at Apple that are fuming over this one.
