FreeiPodGuy's next drawing will be for an iPod shuffle (1st generation).

I'm hoping that by giving away lower-end iPods for a while, drawings can happen more often. (As noted in the FAQ, the frequency of drawings is entirely determined by the amount of revenue the website generates through ads.)

Be sure to enter every day in increase your odds of winning!  

In a frank and open article presenting Steve Jobs' "Thoughts on Music", Apple has made a surprisingly forthright argument for why they sell DRM'ed music, and why they can't stop without the music companies' say-so.

Though Jobs didn't say it explicitly, this seems to be targeted at European countries gathering momentum to sanction the iTunes Music Store on the basis that it excludes the possibility of buying music from other stores for use with the iPod. Apple makes the points that (a) they use DRM not because they like it, but because it was the only way to satisfy the big four music companies to license their music, and (b) Microsoft and Sony have done exactly the same thing with their music stores and players.

Apple's bottom line: "Convincing [the big four music companies] to license their music to Apple and others DRM-free will create a truly interoperable music marketplace. Apple will embrace this wholeheartedly."  

If you're using an iPod with Windows and you're thinking about upgrading to Vista, you might want to wait a few weeks until the next version of iTunes comes out. It might work, but according to Apple, it might not.  

Seems Apple can't pick its nose these days without getting sued.

The latest lawsuit from the Colorado company PhatRat Technology alleges that Apple's and Nike's Nike+iPod Sport Kit infringes on a patent they own which involves data-collecting shoes.

This is PhatRat's second lawsuit against Apple over the Sport Kit.