More Trouble for Apple

Apple disclosed that it is facing several significant lawsuits. One alleges that the link between the iPod and iTunes software is a monopoly, not unlike the link between Windows and Internet Explorer that has caused Microsoft tons of problems for many years. Another suit alleges a patent infringement for the Nike+iPod product. Finally, some are alleging that the logic board on the iBook G4 fails at a high rate. This all in addition to the securities and service problems from the past few weeks. The price of success.

Zune Off

Popular Science suggests new uses for the word that names our favorite failure of the year, Zune. My favorite:

2. I think I just zuned in my mouth a little bit.

Finally, what we've all been waiting for...

Need I say more?

Apple Is Being Probed

Uh oh?

Christmas Nearly Melts Apple

Millions of new iPod and gift certificate owners swamped iTunes over the last couple of days causing site slowdowns, interrupted downloads and a variety of other problems.

MacRumors is reporting that Amazon.com's best selling laptops, desktops, and MP3 players this holiday season were all made by Apple Computer.

And MacsimumNews reports traffic to iTunes was up 413% over last year.

Looks like Apple had a good Christmas, as did millions of new iPod, MacBook, MacBook Pro, iMac, Mac Pro and Mac Mini owners.

iPod Skyscraper

Check out Dubai's iPod Building. I'd like to live in that!

Merry Christmas!

Merry Christmas from all of us at iPod/Mac Mania!

$2000 iPod Dock

So you thought $30 was too much for the Apple iPod dock? Check this one out. The iLink iPod Dock boasts true digital output for the true audiophile.

Why is this important? Well, the iPod converts the digital file to an analog signal in all other outputs - headphones, other docking stations, speaker systems, etc. The iLink extracts the pure digital source and outputs it to a variety of digital sources (Toslink optical, coaxial or balanced AES/EBU) for true-to-CD sound.

The Zune Is A Decoy

Bob Cringely, Apple employee number 12, thinks the Zune is a decoy to distract Apple and others from their real strategy, which is your living room through the Xbox. Read that and more insights to what Apple might be up to.

Apple iPhone Won't Be Called iPhone

Cisco released their iPhone VOIP phones this week ending years of speculation that an Apple-branded mobile phone would be called "iPhone". "Applephone" seems to be the new nickname the blogosphere has assigned for now.

Hershey Squirts

Microsoft continues perfecting it's astonishing track record at copying everything Apple does but at a significantly reduced quality. The latest abomination is a very lame "I'm a Mac" ad parody that demonstrates just how easy it is to get a song on Zune compared to an iPod. It even ends with a self-deprecating poke at the Zune's shit-brown style. Horrific.

Breen's Zune Diary

If you're seriously considering a Zune (what?) or if you're just curious, head on over to Christopher Breen's Zune Diary for the lowdown on his impressions.

For the anti-iPodders out there, I can understand you, believe me, but don't throw money down the toilet on one of these things. It supports the record companies' insanity and is downright clugly (clunky/ugly). If you won't buy an iPod, pick up something from Creative or Sony or a SanDisk Sansa.

Stop Downloading

The popularity of iTunes as well as Xbox Live has caused a surge in broadband utilization over the last few weeks. With the release of Gears of War, Xbox traffic is up 80%. With movie downloads, iTunes 7 traffic is up 140%. So stop downloading or you'll cause the entire meltdown of the interwebs.

Wireless Multi-Room iPod Speakers

Here's an attractive and versitile wireless speaker system for your iPod. The main system will cost you a mere $299.00 USD with additional speaker sets at $129.00 USD. Speakers can be placed up to 150 feet apart. Surprisingly, it doesn't come with a remote, but otherwise looks like a good system. Look for it in March 2007.