Appletell

Samson Wireless has announced their StudioDock 3i speaker system. This product gives you the ability to play your music from anywhere. You can use the built in dock for your iPod, a 3.5mm auxiliary input jack for almost any other MP3 player, a USB port for your computer, or even RCA input . The description reads that “...you get extremely high quality audio from one convenient, incredible sounding set of desktop monitors.”

This speaker system has two speakers on the front, a 3.25-inch, copolymer woofer and a 1.25 inch, silk dome tweeter. It also features a low diffraction wave guide on the front, as well as a volume control and a LED power indicator. These speakers bring a nice set of features and offer many different connection types, and I’m sure they will provide a nice music experience. These speakers are available now for a slim $150.

Product [StudioDock 3i iPod Speakers]

The iPod Death Clock gives you an unaccurate guess as to when your iPod will die. I’ve had two iPods die in my iPod career, and would’ve found it handy to have an idea when to take mine in for repair before it was too late.

One gruesome story after the break.

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FBR Research analyst Craig Berger is estimating quite high numbers for the stock of the iPhone 3G, as well as the original iPhone. With the iPhone 3G coming in at 15 million units and the original iPhone at 2 million, it would appear as if Apple is planning on smashing their 10 million unit goal. On top of this, he adds that Apple has ordered about 15% more iPod Nanos and Classics, while lowering the iPod Touch production. This led him to believe that a new Classic or Touch iPod could be on the horizon. Looks like Apple’s mobile devices are still selling strongly.

As for actual Macs, Berger says that laptop production is up 10% and desktop production is up 20%. This must mean these products are also selling extremely well.

Hopefully, these high iPhone numbers will prevent Apple from running out of stock across the world on July 11th. Also, I would love to see an iPod line refresh, and maybe a change to the iPod Touch to make it a more logical choice for customers. As always with Apple, we can only sit back and watch.

Via [Silicon Alley Insider]

Got a dead iPod? Live in New York City? Call the iPod Doctor!

The iPod Doctor, a.k.a. Demetrios Leontaris, is a freelance tech guy who spends his days fixing the woes of iPod users throughout the city. If you have an issue with your ‘Pod that won’t be fixed under warranty by Apple, just call up Demetrios, and worry no more.  Faster than a New York minute, he can have your faulty headphone jack swapped out for a fully functional one, and you will be hearing your tunes on all channels again. 

As a full time job, the iPod Doctor drives around the city making house calls to the owners of dead and dying iPods. The self-taught repairman has converted his Pontiac Aztec into his mobile iPod Hospital, and keeps it stocked with all the necessary parts—some purchased from China, and others salvaged from old iPods—to fix an iPod. With with repairs coming in at $70 for a headphone jack replacement, things aren’t always cheap, but hey, this is how he makes a living. And, with 80% of the needed repairs done on the spot, you won’t have to wait very long at all to get back to your own personal jam session.

Via [Arstechnica]

One thing is for sure; in the world of integrated iPod and iPhone systems, the one currently in Mercedes-Benz cars isn’t much. The biggest issue with the current system is that the only person who can (safely) operate the iPod once it has been plugged in is the driver. I know from experience that things can get pretty hairy when the passenger reaches to change the song, as controls are located conveniently on the left side of the steering wheel. But, with the newest version of the iPod and media integration kit, Mercedes hopes to remedy that. Controls will finally be integrated into the COMAND nav/multimedia system, creating a much safer control area. And, if just software isn’t enough for you, Mercedes has also announced their new iPhone and iPod cradle, which charges your device, along with support for hands-free calling should your device of choice happen to be an iPhone. Information from your phone, such as contacts, will also be accessible with the cradle.

The new software will cost you $60, while the cradle (currently only available in Germany, coming soon for the rest of us) will come in at $385.

Via [Engadget] Product [Mercedes-Benz Multimedia Integration System]

According to a recently published patent filing, Apple is working on a cheaper version of Multi Touch. Although Apple tried to use plastic in the original Multi Touch, certain drawbacks forced them to use the more expensive glass instead. But, with a newer material—polyethylene terephthalate—plastic becomes a viable and inexpensive option for use in Multi Touch.

According to the filing, plastic Multi Touch would able enable the display and touch surface to be free of other circuitry, making for a more durable system. Although the patent was filed just weeks before the release of the original iPhone, it was not used in the first take on the iPhone. Chances that it has been implemented for the iPhone 3G are slim. 

Also in the filing was a description of a portable media device that would keep the original iPod Click Wheel, but would integrated it into a full touch screen.

Via [Electronista]

MonsterCable has started shipping its iCarPlay 250 wireless FM transmitter. Touted as the world’s most advanced wireless FM transmitter for the iPhone and iPod, the iCarPlay 250 lets you trasmit music wirelessly from any Radio station to both Apple devices. Additionally this transmitter also lets you play your iTunes wirelessly using any FM station in your car stereo.

While transmitting music, the iCarPlay Wireless 250 also lets you charge your iPhone or iPods while listening to music. From its specs alone, the iCarPlay 250 seems to be a powerful FM transmitter indeed. It features a Monster AutoScan 3D technology to help your scan through FM radio stations. Other features of this nifty gadget include three programmable radio station presets, line level audio for minimized distortion and maximized dynamic range, intuitive three-button control, detachable USB cable connection, dieletic cable insulation, ultra-low signal to noise ratio, easy to read blue LCD display, and an ultra-low profile power adapter for minimizing dashboard clutter.

The iCarPlay wireless 250 will retail for $99.95. Not a bad price for a powerful and entertaining device.

Read [Business Wire]

Back in April when Apple acquired PA Semiconductor for $278 million, no one was quite sure what Steve’s motives were and where he would take the company. Many people were positive that PA Semi had been acquired only to give Apple some more talented engineers, but Steve spilled the beans on the real reason for the purchase the other day when talking about Grand Central technology available in Mac OS X 10.6 Snow Leopard.

“PA Semi is going to do system-on-chips for iPhones and iPods,” Steve said.

If PA Semi’s processors are all they’ve been cracked up to be, Apple will be able to maintain their competitive edge over competition in years to come with the iPhone and iPod chips coming from within. 

Via [Cult of Mac]

With so many rumors floating around about the new iPhones, and now even another Mac operating system, Snow Leopard, it leaves me with one question; where has the iPod gone? Despite the many news stories I’ve read lately, almost none of them have been about Apple’s iPod (minus the iPod Touch). Is this simply because the iPhone is newer and therefore gets a lot more hype, or is there more to it? Although Apple’s iPod has dominated the mobile music player market for quite some time now, it still seems as if Apple is moving in another direction. They are preparing for the road ahead.

Whether you consider this good or bad, I think Apple has realized their iPod isn’t going to dominate the market forever. Because of this, the company is preparing for the future by spending more time on expanding some of their other, not so widely used products. Now that they have secured a spot for the iPod, they can back away from that and spend more time promoting their other platforms, multi touch and Mac OS X. Apple is using their strength in one area to help become stronger in other areas, which sounds like a great plan to me.

Although the iPod hasn’t been talked about much recently, I don’t think its just because they aren’t due for an update and aren’t as hyped as much as some other announcements. What do you think?

Later this summer, Goodman will be coming out with a product they are calling the iPod Boombox.  Coming in at around $178, this speaker system has some interesting features on it.  Most notable of these features will be the 7 inch LCD display that this system comes with that will allow you to be able to show photos and videos from your iPods.  However, one thing I think the screen would be really awesome for would be something such as a music visualizer.  It also comes with a remote and earbuds and supports multi-languages.

From first impressions after looking at the description and pictures, this looks like one of the coolest iPod docks I’ve seen.  The inclusion of a LCD was a great decision on Goodman’s part and will be great for sharing photos and videos.  The biggest questions I have right now is how the audio quality is going to be on the speaker system when it comes out and whether or not it will work with the iPhone.  Let us know if you plan on buying one!