FreeiPodGuy's iPod News

Apple Event Yields Cornucopia of iPods

2008-09-09T21:47:00.002-07:00

As promised, Steve Jobs took the stage today to announce updates to the entire iPod line. Among the news:

iPod classic is available only in one model now: 120GB. Though this is smaller than the previous max of 160GB, it is still the model to go for if you want the maximum amount of storage space. However, this model is truly long in the tooth, and it can be expected to go the way of the dodo at the next refresh--flash memory capacity will soon surpass the classic's hard drive capacity, leaving little reason not to get the iPod touch instead. $249.
iPod nano's 4th generation is now official. Available in nine vibrant colors, the thinnest iPod ever features a sleek new design with a curved aluminum and glass enclosure. It features a built-in accelerometer that automatically switches to Cover Flow when rotated and automatically goes into Shuffle mode when lightly shaken. Available in 8GB and 16GB models, starting at $149. Bye-bye, fat nano.
iPod touch now features integrated volume control buttons in 8GB, 16GB, and 32GB models, starting at $229.
in-ear headphones that cost $79. Exciting. OK, maybe not so exciting.
iPod shuffle now comes in four new colors.
iTunes 8 includes new "Genius" technology that, with a single click, lets you automatically create playlists from songs in your music library. (Also available in the new nanos.) iTunes 8 also features new ways of viewing your music and video libraries, and it adds television programs in HD for sale on the iTunes Store.

OK, now GO BUY STUFF.

New nano @ 10am likely

2008-09-09T01:13:00.002-07:00

FreeiPodGuy really dislikes rumors (which makes me pretty worthless as a blogger), but its pretty safe to say at this point that new iPods are at hand. On the heels of Kevin Rose's leak of a new "skinny" nano to contrast with the current "fat" nano, Apple announced a "rocking" press event for 10am on September 9. More to come.

(Aside: Today is FreeiPodGuy's birthday. Coincidence?!)

iPhone 2.0 Jailbroken

2008-07-13T22:52:00.002-07:00

Yeah, about two seconds before iPhone 3G with firmware 2.0 was released, it was already hacked. That's fine, but it's hard for FreeiPodGuy to get too worked up about it. Even if you can get unauthorized apps on your phone, you're still stuck with your contract.

What I want to know is, when will firmware 2.0 be hacked to run on first-generation iPhones, so I can buy some of those cool apps from the iTunes store?

Question: Ready for iPhone 3G?

2008-07-10T07:25:00.002-07:00

Answer: Yes, if you have money to burn, or if you're the type who fall for "no money down" pitches only to find out you can't afford the monthly payments.

Listen--I'm sure the new iPhone 3G, which is now within 24 hours of being in the hands of first adopters, will be a fine phone. The speed and GPS features will be great. But that's about it.

FreeiPodGuy just picked up a shiny new (old) first-generation iPhone. Since I'm a roboshopping craigslist-hacking cheapskate, I was able to nab an 8GB iPhone for just $130. Since I use T-Mobile prepaid, I pay just 10 cents per minute or SMS (and I sometimes can go an entire week without making a call without even trying). So my first two years of ownership, including the cost of the phone itself, will cost me less than $400. iPhone 3G buyers will have to pay about $2,000.

And that's assuming you're in the USA, where AT&T's charges, considered sinfully usurous by locals, are practically a bargain compared to insane rates charged by monopoly holders in Canada, Europe, and elsewhere.

My downside? I have no GPS (which doesn't bother me since Apple has prohibited developers from creating the only GPS app I care about--a turn by turn navigator), and I have to wait until I'm in a Wi-Fi hotspot to use internet (which also means I would get no appreciable speed increase with the 3G, since I will not have had to tolerate Edge speeds anyway).

So what does all this mean?

It means that if you have a lot of money and just have to have the latest thing, trot along to your nearest Apple or AT&T store and bend over. If you want an iPhone that won't cost you an arm and a leg to use, there's always eBay. (There's a reason used 8GB iPhones are still averaging $385 on eBay.)

The Straight Poop on iPhone 3G

2008-06-14T20:41:00.002-07:00

If you've been following the rumors over the last few weeks, all the iPhone non-news and wild speculation probably has your head spinning. Now that the product has been announced, the time for rumoring has stopped.

Gizmodo has a darn good iPhone FAQ with all the most pertinent and reliable information available at this time. (As good as can be expected a month before launch anyway.)

iPhone 3G: The REAL Cost of Ownership

2008-06-12T19:07:00.005-07:00

Even with the new lower iPhone prices ($199 or $299), many are complaining that with AT&T's higher rates ($10 more per month than before), the total price at the end of your 2-year contract period is higher than the old iPhone. Furthermore, rumor has it that unlike the good old days when you could buy an iPhone by mail order and then unlock it, you'll be forced to enter into an AT&T at the Apple or AT&T store when you buy your iPhone 3G.

However, according to AT&T's own website, their Early Termination Fee (ETF) of $175 DOESN'T APPLY during the first 30 days following activation. Therefore, you can buy your $199 iPhone 3G, sign up for service at the store (if they make you), immediately cancel the service with no penalty, and proceed with whatever unlocking method the ubergeeks come up with.

edit: It looks like AT&T's policy will be that cancellations will require return of the iPhone 3G to the store. RATS!

iPhone 3G: July 11!

2008-06-09T22:03:00.002-07:00

Sure enough, Steve announced the second-generation iPhone today, for release on July 11. Two-three times faster, half the cost, and with GPS to boot! Unfortunately, the monthly cost for service with internet went up to at least $70 per month, which is all that stands between FreeiPodGuy and a shiny new phone.

So, the only question is, how soon will it be jailbroken and unlocked?

New iPhones in One Week?

2008-06-02T18:21:00.003-07:00

June 9: The day the new iPhones come out. Maybe. Possibly. iPhones are hard to find in stores, Apple's getting mysterious huge shipments of, well something. Combine that with look-alike photos from multiple sources of what are purported to be the new iPhones and the upcoming Developer's Conference, and June 9 might just be the day.

iPhone Coming To Canada

2008-04-30T22:10:00.002-07:00

Canadian wireless carrier Rogers Wireless said Tuesday it has reached an agreement with Apple to begin offering the iPhone later this year, AppleInsider has announced. The move has been rumored to be upcoming for some time.

Touch + VOIP = iPhone (...sort of)

2008-04-15T20:45:00.003-07:00

FreeiPodGuy has remarked before how an iPod Touch could gain iPhone-like functionality through the addition of VOIP software (free) and a microphone (not free). The hitch: as you might expect, it only works within range of a Wi-Fi hotspot.

Visit Lifehacker for an easy to understand tutorial.

Mossbert: 3G iPhone in 60 Days

2008-04-05T23:07:00.000-07:00

Yep. That's what he said. Video at Gizmodo.

3G iPhone: Any Minute Now?

2008-04-03T22:33:00.002-07:00

BusinessWeek is reporting that Piper Jaffray has found that every one of the 20 Apple stores around the country they called are out of iPhones. That is almost certainly an indicator that more are on the way, VERY soon. (Apple loses big bucks every day they are sold out.)

Furthermore, Gizmodo quoted AT&T's Mobility CEO saying that within "months", all AT&T smart phones would be 3G, including the iPhone.

This could mean a minor revision is imminent, to be followed by 3G phones later, OR it could mean that the AT&T bigwig didn't want to show his entire hand, and that the 3G phones are actually right around the corner.

iPhone 2.0 Cracked PRE-RELEASE

2008-03-12T23:16:00.002-07:00

Nice.

Engadget is reporting that the iPhone's new Version 2.0 firmware has been both jailbroken and unlocked, allowing users to both install anything they want on it and use it with any network.

The amazing thing is that 2.0 isn't due for release for quite a while yet. (They obviously got a developer copy to hack on.)

Coming Soon: Official 3rd Party iPhone Apps

2008-03-07T22:54:00.002-08:00

Apple announced yesterday that they would soon make available their Software Development Kit (SDK) to iPhone software authors for $99. The high points:

1. No more needing to jailbreak iPhones to install 3rd party software.

2. Easy purchase and download option (right from the phone).

3. Software will still be free if the developer wants it to be.

4. Because software will be distributed through an official Apple channel (like iPod games through the iTunes Store), they will likely be less buggy than unregulated 3rd party software.

The downside:

1. Developers who want to charge for their software will have to pay Apple 30%.

2. There's still no SIM unlocking option, so you're stuck with the cellular provider Apple requires you to use. (This release is synonymous with the release of iPhone 2.0 software, coming in June. iPhone SIM unlocks currently available require the user to downgrade their iPhone to previous software versions. This likely means that iPhone owners will be able to use their iPhone with their own cellular provider, OR they will be able to get all the awesome new apps, but not both.)

NEW: 2 GB iPod shuffle

2008-02-26T07:13:00.002-08:00

On the heels of last week's announcement that prices on 1 GB shuffles had been reduced in price to $49, Apple today announced the same shuffles in 2 GB versions.

The new iPods sell for $69. They can be ordered immediately, and ship within 10 days.

Shuffle Now Just $49; More To Come?

2008-02-19T23:00:00.002-08:00

Apple has lowered the price of its 1GB iPod shuffle to just $49.

In other news, AppleInsider reports a Linkin Park leak indicating that the band will be performing at a previously unannounced Apple event in New York City. No word on when that will happen.

iPhone Users Googlemaniacs?

2008-02-15T22:15:00.002-08:00

As reported by AppleInsider, Google announced Wednesday that it has seen 50 times more search requests coming from Apple iPhones than any other mobile device, prompting them to initially suspect that they had made an error in retrieving log data.

Could it be that the Apple is on its way to owning the smart phone market, as well as the mobile music player market?

Newest iPhones Freed From AT&T

2008-02-08T23:52:00.000-08:00

Finally, the newest iPhones with software version 1.1.3 are software unlockable, allowing them to be used with any carrier, Engadget reports.

New iPods, iPhone

2008-02-06T00:31:00.000-08:00

Looks like we've got three nice improvements to the iPod family:

Pink iPod nano: This new color is available in the 8GB iPod nano for $199.
iPod touch in 32 GB: In addition to the 8GB and 16GB models, the touch is now available in 32GB for $499. (Come on, Apple--just one more update and FreeiPodGuy can get his entire library on that sucker!)
iPhone in 16GB: The iPhone is now available in a 16GB version for $499.

What? You Missed The Keynote?!

2008-01-15T21:42:00.000-08:00

I can't believe it. You missed the Steve's keynote speech at Macworld Expo? What the %^&*@ is wrong with you?!

OK, OK... I missed it too. And as it turns out, half the people who were there in person missed most of it, because they were snoring. That's right: Boooorrrring.

To save you the trouble of searching out the scoop, here's the iPod news from Macworld, in no particular order:

1. You can now rent movies through iTunes. They cost $3, unless you want a movie you haven't already seen. If you want a new release, it costs $4, unless you want it in HD. For that, it'll cost you $5. (Newsflash, Apple: You're not going to drive Netflix out of business with prices like that.)

2. Select DVD titles will begin having iTunes-ready files on them in addition to the movie itself (just in time for the release of the MacBook Air, which has no optical drive). I wonder if these DVDs will be Mac compatible, unlike the PC content on every other DVD I have.

3. Applications that iPhone users have enjoyed are now available for the iPod touch: Mail, Google Maps, Notes, Weather, and Stocks. You can also add web shortcut icons to your main screen, and rearrange your icons. No, silly, it's not free. It's 20 bucks. You heard me. Now fork it over.

4. No, you still can't perform obscure functions like copy and paste.

Canada Nixes Prejudiced iPod Tax

2008-01-14T22:34:00.000-08:00

In previous posts, FreeiPodGuy bemoaned a Canadian tax on devices such as iPods. The whole point of the tax was to pre-fine buyers of portable music players on the assumption that they would fill their players with illegal music.

ArsTechnica notes that the tax has been lifted. FreeiPodGuy is happy.

iPod touch = iPhone?

2008-01-05T14:58:00.000-08:00

OK, let's see here...

The iPod touch is more or less an iPhone without the phone part.

The iPod touch lets me access the internet.

The internet can be used to provide telephone service via VOIP ("Voice Over Internet Protocal").

And sure enough, Wired is reporting the coming-together of a hack allowing the iPod touch to be used for VOIP wherever wireless internet is available.

LEAKED: iPhone Firmware 1.1.3: Good, Bad News

2007-12-30T14:57:00.000-08:00

Engadget reports that they have it on good authority that the recently leaked iPhone firmware version 1.1.3 is real, and brings several nice features. Included in the package are:

The ability to send an SMS message to multiple recipients
Faux GPS in Google Maps via cell tower triangulation
Hybrid map view in Google Maps
Dragging and dropping app icons and home screen pagination (presumably in preparation for upcoming Apple-sanctioned 3rd party apps
Adding web bookmarks to your home screen

This is all great, but there are serious downsides:

Previously unlocked iPhones can't be upgraded
Upgraded phones can't be jailbroken to receive unauthorized 3rd party apps
3rd party apps that already exist on the phone will be disabled
Upgraded phones can't be downgraded to previous versions to restore their functionality

So, it appears that the battle between Apple and their customers rages on.

My circumstance, and I suspect the circumstances of many others, remains the same: unless I'm free to use a prepaid phone plan with no minimum payments, I won't buy an iPhone. I'm not opposed to hacking my phone to do it, but I'd buy that iPhone today if I had an assurance that Apple wouldn't interfere with my legal ability to use the phone the way I need to. Unfortunately, it appears they are bent on doing just that.

One should legitimately wonder how this leak occurred. Interestingly, someone inside Apple apparently disagrees with their Sony/PSP-like policies on the iPhone and aren't above sabotage.

Reclaim YOUR Mind, Commie

2007-12-28T20:27:00.000-08:00

News stories have reported examples of iPods being sold which, when opened, contained rocks instead of iPods.

Clearly, those were the result of theft. However, a recent similar caper in Maryland was perpetrated not by an iPod-lusting thief, but rather an anti-capitalistic econoterrorist.

The iPod in the box was replaced not with rocks, but with a cryptic note which read:

RECLAIM YOUR MIND FROM THE MEDIA'S SHACKLES. READ A BOOK AND RESURRECT YOURSELF. TO CLAIM YOUR CAPITALISTIC GARBAGE GO TO YOUR NEAREST APPLE STORE."

The terrorist's victim was a little girl.

See a TV news report here: Girl Gets Bizarre Surprise Instead of iPod

Sonic the Hedgehog for iPod

2007-12-18T21:08:00.001-08:00

Why, oh why, won't they make this available on the iPhone or touch?

I carry around a phone, an iPod, and a Palm most everywhere I go. I'd love to get an iPhone, but one of the things stopping me is Palm games I enjoy now.

Get some good games (or get some 3rd party developers in there) and allow me a "no-minimum" prepaid phone plan, and I'm all over it.