The 3.0 update for the iPhone and iPod Touch may be full of wonderful features but there is one that's not so great: third-party docks and video cables will no longer output video!
Apparently, the new update checks for the presence of an Apple Security chip and displays a message on your TV stating that you are using an invalid accessory, when you attempt to connect using a 3rd-party A/V cable that lacks this built-in dongle. Admittedly, we've seen lots of iPods and iPhones with logic boards blown by poor quality accessories, but I think that people should be allowed to take their chances, not to mention keep using the equipment that they already own and have been using successfully, for years in some cases!
I'm guessing that this is Apple's way of retaliating against patent infringers but, if they had offered these cables at a reasonable price, there wouldn't be a market for knock-offs. I mean who wants to pay $50 on a cable for an iPod that could cost as little as $150? I'm sorry, but a cable that should have been included with the iPod in the first place, shouldn't cost 30% of the price of the iPod.
Some users are downgrading to the 2.2 firmware, but it's a fairly involved process and you lose the 3.0 functionality, so most folks are biting the bullet and forking over the $50 to get the Apple cable.
Hopefully, Apple's new tablet will be so awesome that we will forget about these shenanigans soon. (c;
One fascinating use of augmented reality is altering perception with image processing. In the past this has required the use of bulky computers and cameras but, the fifth-gen iPod nano has a compact video cam and powerful, live, video processing.
By viewing the world exclusively through the processed video, you can radically alter your own perception which, unlike merely shooting video, becomes an interactive experience - like being inside a video-game version or reality. Ideally, a pair of video glasses could be rigged to hold a 5G nano but, for now, I'm making do with stuff I have lying around. I used an old oscilloscope hood from a computer surplus store, but you could make something similar out of cardboard, if you want to try it yourself. Check out the video to see my version.
Disclaimer: nano AR not recommended for driving, bicycling or rollerblading.
Apple's announcement today was, as usual, pretty amazing. The big news was the changes in the iPod nano design. Here's the highlights of the new 5th gen:
video camera with live special effects
FM Radio with pause, fast forward & rewind
voice/audio recorder
pedometer & fitness app
talking menu & player navigation
shiny, anodized aluminum finish
There's other stuff too, but these are the big ones.
The live image processing effects for the video camera are amazing: color replacement, mirror, cyborg...100% fun. I am a bit mystified that there's no still photo option but, since we now have cameras in every gadget but our shoes, I guess VGA snaps on the iPod won't be sorely missed.
FM radio is obviously a welcome feature but the time-shift options (a la Radio Shark) make it super slick. Some recording would be nice though (and it's obviously possible since recording facilitates the pause, fast forward and rewind functionality).
Recording audio through the built-in mic is a long awaited and much appreciated feature as well. Judging by the audio quality in the sample video recordings, posted on Apple's website, this should prove to be very handy, even if it is mono.
The Fitness pedometer is a great for folks who don't want to buy Nike's special electronic shoes, providing the missing link between Wii Fit and the rest of your workout, outside in the real world. Tracking your steps is fun for hiking trips and walking tours, on vacation too.
The talking menus, handy for most people, since you can navigate songs while driving or walking without looking down at the screen, must be a godsend for those who don't have the ability to see or see well enough to read text on the tiny nano screen.
Other announcements include special features for iTunes movies and liner notes for Albums (like the lyrics and photos on records album covers). Also, the price of the iPod touch has dropped to $199, but who wants one of those without a video camera, pedometer or FM radio? Smart buyers will obviously wait to get a touch, when upgrades are announced (or get a new nano now). iTouch and iPhone users alike will welcome the app organization tools, while Home Sharing will make it easy to transfer content between computers and devices.
See 215 iPod nanos (4G) tumble like dominoes in our latest video!
The first time I set them up, I accidentally started them going, when I was nearly done placing them all, because one of the iPods didn't sit flat - that took the wind out of my sail for a bit, since it's pretty rough on one's back, bending over a table to precicely place hundreds of iPods. The re-do was better though, because I could better distribute the iPods, knowing how far the 215 would go, and get a little time-laps footage of the set up to boot.
In case you're wondering why we would risk scratching this many iPods at once, I'll tell you that these were actually destined for recycling. It seemed a fitting end to get one last look at these beautiful gadgets before they were disassembled and reincarnated.
As always, if you like the video, don't forget that you can share it with friends on FaceBook and MySpace, not to mention YouTube! Also, it will be available for download soon.
First off, I just want to let you local folks know that you are more than welcome to save yourself the cost of shipping a device in for repair, by dropping it off in person. We don't have a retail store, but our Repair Center is open from 8am - 5pm and local drop offs are welcome, here's how to get here:
Time to get up. Get dressed. Get your shoes on. Don't forget your sweatshirt. Be sure to brush your teeth. Yes, you do need to comb your hair, son. Do you have your homework? No, you can't take that to school. Have a great day.
Then:
15 minutes until bedtime. Get your pajamas on. Brush your teeth. Did you go to the bathroom? Leave your sister alone. Don't yell at your brother. Get to bed. No, I let you stay up late to finish that TV show - no time for stories now. Tomorrow, yes. Goodnight. Go to sleep. For the last time, go to sleep. I already did tuck you in. GOODNIGHT.
And so it goes - the story of my life. And just how many times do you think I've told my son to brush his teeth? Let's just say, for sake of argument that I have to tell him only 3 times per day (we'll be very generous) - that's 3 x 365 = 1095 x 6 years = 6,570 times that I've instructed the little bugger to brush his chompers. He's 7, but since I can't remember when he actually got teeth that needed to be brushed, we'll go with the lower number. And since I probably have to ask/tell him at least twice as many times as I'm giving him credit for, you can see that this is a rather large number. As well, we could have the same discussion about rather important things such as combing hair, shoes - you get the idea.
I'm pretty sure I've asked this question here one time or another, but can you tell me when they start actually remembering to do these things on their own? Certainly it can be no big surprise that brushing your teeth and hair are part of the morning routine, now that we've done it thousands upon thousands of time? Unfortunately, I don't think you'll be sharing any good news with me about my future prospects of not having to remind Ethan about these daily tasks.
And then there's Skylar. She's a dream when it comes to remembering these little things - but let me ask you one more very important question: Am I the only person in the country who thinks that the last thing in the world my lovely 10-year old daughter needs is a cell phone? Has everyone else gone insane and started thinking that these little kids are really deprived without a phone to text their friends with? I paid about $1000 for my first cell phone and even though I still remember how cool it made me feel to talk on it while walking down the street - I'm still not sold on getting one for Sky - and not just because everyone else watching me hold that big brick to my ear back then thought, "Who does this idiot think he is, the President?" I just can't think of any reason for a 10-year old to have a phone, other than the fact that half of the other 10-year olds in her class have them - and that's no reason at all. Yes, I get the safety thing - very cool to be able to locate your kid quickly and in some cases, very important for particular situations. We don't have one of those.
Wow, domestic life. Who'd have thought that these would be the pressing issues of the day. ;-)
OK, visit the Special News for some deals! Use the links on that page or speak to a real, live Human being by calling 1-888-572-7372. The coupons are valid through 3/31 at Midnight Pacific time. Here we go!
Here's our latest stop-motion animated tear-down video: a look inside the 4G iPod nano! For size and design comparison, I've included some 2G and 3G nanos as well. Check out the first cross-dissolve to see how the screens are the same size on the 3G and 4G.
Here's the cliff-notes on the new iPod announcements from Apple today: * Tall, oval shaped nano with screen turned sideways and accelerometer to rotate movies/photos, like the iTouch
* New shake to shuffle feature and more colors for nano - 8GB $149
* Slimmer iPod Touch with built-in Nike+ and speaker - pushed as "best portable device for playing games" (look out PSP) - 8GB $229
* iPod Classic available in 120GB only, at $249
So there ya go. For more details see the play-by-play blog of Apples 'Let's Rock' event at engadget.
Are those plain white earbuds of yours making you feel like one of the indistinct denziens of the underground world of THX-1138? If so, Budclicks are here to add pieces of flair to your otherwise drab and uniform appearance! Smiley's, bio-hazard symbols, and just about any other well known symbol are ready to adorn your ears for about $6-$16. Audacious ear ornaments for men and women - how's that for Future Shock?
iPod CPR You'd think that, after repairing a thousand or more iPods and, after taking hundreds of tech support calls on iPod problems, I'd be able to take my own advice and reset my own iPod. Mine wouldn't turn on, it wouldn't mount when connected to my computer and it didn't appear to charge either. Although I was convinced that the thing had died, I resigned myself to go through the motions of following Apple's trouble-shooting steps, so that I would be able to qualify for some warranty service. Sure enough, plugging in my iPod and doing a two-button reset, snapped it back into shape! So, when in doubt, don't forget to hold down the center button and the menu button for a few seconds, no matter how dead your iPod seems.
iLounge's new iPod & iPhone Book is hot off the virtual press and ready for free downloads. As usual, they have lots of fantastic product reviews and, this time, there's a great iTunes guide, that covers everything from basic to advanced usage! Get your PDF copy here.
Below you will find TechRestore's contribution to the MacTech DVD (which will accompany the April Issue). These are the same shorts previously featured here in Future Shock and on our YouTube channel, but in downloadable iPod video format!
Download: Laptop Drop!, 4.6MB An artist's PowerBook meets an untimely demise in the studio. Thankfully, TechRestore can fix it - overnight!
I've been away too long, I know. It's been a busy few weeks with a spring break vacation tossed in last week in Maui. We rolled back into town on Saturday and I've been playing catchup ever since. We'll have a full Specials Newsletter out this week with lots of new goodies.
Here's a sneak peak on some iPod nano deals that just arrived:
