iPod Tracker : iPod News

Jonathon Ive has been awarded a CBE in the Queen’s New Year’s Honours list (PDF). Apple, in a statement said: “We are as proud as could be that Jony is receiving such a prestigious commendation.”

Jonathon Ive is one of the most influential people at Apple having designed the iMac and iPod, both of which have been central to Apple’s recent resurgence. He has also been heavily involved with the design of other Apple products including the iBook, PowerBook, PowerMac and Mac mini. Having worked at Apple since 1992, Mr. Ive has been touted by many as the ‘natural’ successor to current CEO Steve Jobs.

According to a Nielsen / NetRatings study, Apple.com came top of the fastest growing websites of major brands on the internet.

Apple.com jumped 57% from 19.6 million a year ago to approximately 30.8 million unique visitors in November. In comparison, traffic to Google.com grew 29% while Amazon.com increased 16%.

Every year Google releases a Zeitgeist, a list of the most popular searches in the year through Google.com. This year, iPod related searches were all over the lists.

‘iTunes’ ranked 6th in the top 10 top gainers of 2005. But in the list of top searches through Froogle (Google’s shopping comparison engine), iPod was clearly the most popular item taking 4 of the top 10 spots:

1. ipod
2. digital camera
3. mp3 player
4. ipod mini
5. psp
6. laptop
7. xbox
8. ipod shuffle
9. computer desk
10. ipod nano

Google also released a graph showing how iPod searches jumped overnight after Apple released iPod nano. Podcasting searches also made good growth through the year.

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XtremeMac have introduced a new line of leather cases for Apple’s 5th generation iPod videos. The new cases, dubbed the Microflip and MicroFolio, are priced at $39.95 each and are available for pre-order now.

The MicroFlip is a flip-style case available in 4 colours - brown, black, dark brown and saddle. the MicroFlip is designed for use with the 30GB and 60GB models of the iPod video, and comes with leather-clad belt clip.

The MicroFolio is designed to carry the iPod and your ID, credit cards and cash. It is available in brown, dark brown, black and saddle. MicroFolio fits both the 30GB and 60GB iPod video and comes with a leather-clad belt clip.

We’ve known for a while now that Apple’s iPod, and in particular iPod nano, has been selling really well. The 4GB iPod nano is sold out in both the UK and USA Apple Online Stores and will not be available to ship for another 2 weeks.

Now comes reports that analysts are expecting Apple to sell 11 million iPods in the December quarter, with approximately 100,000 iPod nanos shipping per day. There are even reports that because of the inexhaustible demand Apple are considering releasing a new 1GB iPod nano that would slow sales of the larger iPod nanos and free up supplies.

Apple are expected to update the current iPod shuffle line at the MacWorld expo in January. Rumours are that they will introduce a new black iPod shuffle.

ABC’s Commander in Chief is now available to download from iTunes.

9 episodes of the popular show are available now at the same flat rate pricing as NBC content.

PodShop have announced a new version of iDrops, an all-in-one product to clean, polish and remove scratches from iPods. iDrops are also perfect for cleaning the surfaces on iMacs, eMacs, iBooks, Mac minis and PowerMacs.

iDrops come in a 2 ounce bottle and are an easy way for you to clean and heal any ugly scratches on your iPod. They are priced at $14.95, with free worldwide shipped until the 21st of December 2005.

SBS Innovations have announced the release of the new iShok 4G20 ($29.99) case for iPod, designed to protect the player from scratches and dents while letting the user easily view menus and album art.

The iShok 4G20 provides wraparound protection with a removable click-wheel cover so that the user can get easy control with total protection. iShok 4G20 features a snap closure to keep the iPod encased at all times and a built-in stand for display. Ports are easily accessed through the removable lid. It is available in red, blue and green.

At the moment the iShok 4G20 is only available for 4th generation 20GB iPod, iPod photo and iPod U2. iShok state that the case will eventually be rolled out to offer protection for all models.

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Cyrahow have released a new series of audio language books designed for use with the iPod dubbed Rambler. Their line of audio language books are available in French, german, Italian and Spanish. They are priced at $12.95 per single book or as a bundle at $34.95.

The books contain more than 900 words and phrases recorded in the languages. You’ll also get a PDF that details popular landmark attraction in major cities for each country, depending on what language book you have purchased.

Cyrahow have broken each book into various categories to cover areas such as eating out and accomodation. Cyrahow have designed Rambler in such a way that you can find any word or phrase in just 2 clicks. Rambler requires Mac OS X 10.2 + / Mircosoft Windows 2000 / Microsoft Windows XP. It is compatible with any iPod with a dock connector and click-wheel, iPod mini and iPod nano.

If you want to buy an iPod shuffle this Christmas, you are too late. The Online Apple Store have announced that supplies of their popular lower-end iPod shuffle has sold out in the UK and USA. Apple’s website states that the line is: ” Currently unavailable. Sold out for the holidays and we hope to have supply again later in January.”

Stocks of the hugely popular 4GB iPod nano are also running short with a wait of up to 2 weeks before shipping in both the UK and USA Online Apple Stores. However, there seems to be stock of the 2GB version of iPod nano still available.