iPod Tracker

Speck Products today announced the availability of the FunSkin Cloud and FunSkin Grass cases for the 5th generation iPod and iPod nano.

The FunSkin Cloud ($34.95) is intended to be a fun way to protect your iPod, featuring a built-in clear screen protector so you can easily control your iPod and view any photos, videos and album art. The case features a quirky ribbed design with an opening for controlling the click-wheel.

The FunSkin Grass ($34.95) is another quirky design, available in different colours. It is covered in a plastic “grass” that is soft to the touch, but also provides excellent grip and protection for your iPod. The FunSkin Grass is also available in black and green and fits both 5th generation iPods and 4Gb iPod nanos. it also comes with a removable belt clip, ideal for exercise.

Both cases are certainly practical and perfectly able to protect from scratches and dents. However, they are a little “childish” in appearance and may only appeal to younger iPoddders. If you’re looking for something a bit more sleek to match your iPod, then tray something like the Switcheasy Capsule.

NBC Universal’s Television Group president, Jeff Zucker, confirmed in an interview with Broadcasting and Cable magazine that NBC will be adding more shows to iTunes. When asked about the timetable, Zucker replied; “Over the next couple of weeks.”

Zucker told the magazine that each week there are approximately 436,000 illegal copies of Battlestar Galactica downloaded from peer-2-peer networks such as BitTorrent.

““In fact, we will have many more announcements about many more shows there. We see it as a brand-new business, and it will be run like any television network, with new material refreshed and replenished all the time. I don’t think there’s a limit as to how many shows we can have available. Given that we are selling Battlestar Galactica for $1.99, there is finally a legitimate model in place,” said Zucker.

Looks like Apple are onto another winner with the pay-per-download model for video content.

ezGear have announced the introduction of their new clearCase Sport designed specifically for Apple’s incredibly popular iPod nano. The clearCase Sport is made from “crystal clear acrylic” that is designed to “perfecly fit the profile of your iPod nano.”

The clearCase Sport is fairly easy to use, just open the top and slip your nano into it. There are openings at the top and bottom to accomodate access to the ports and lock. As with other cases, the screen is covered so that it is protected from scratches and dents, while making it easy for you to get a clear and uninterrupted view of album art and photos. The case features an opening to let you get at the click-wheel and an integrated armband, making this case ideal for use while exercising.

ezgear include 2 nechstraps for with each clearCase. Retailing at $34.98 the ezGear clearCase Sport for iPod nano is a good case for everyday use. However, if you are looking for something really classy, then take a look at the Switcheasy Capsule.

A report over at AppleInsider suggests that many stores are sold out of iPod nanos, making them extremely difficult to find. That is unless you live close to an Apple Store, most of which have a stock of the nano in black and white.

Because of the shortage many people are buying them at highly inflated prices, as high as $350, on eBay. With Apple’s largest distributor in the United States reporting a backlog of some 200,000 orders, you may have to drive to the local Apple Store if you want to get your hands on what is turning out to be the hottest gift this Christmas.

Most iPod cases are flexible, made from a polymer that protects the screen and case from scratches and dents. But not the Switcheasy Capsule iPod nano case ($19.99) – for this is a hard case designed to protect from more than just dings and scratches. This case is cool. This case is sleek. It protects the iPod nano style.

The Switcheasy Capsule is made from an extra-strong polycarbonate resin, which is pretty strong stuff considering NASA use it in the contruction of their astronaut helmets. Just like the nano, the case has a two tone finish top and bottom. The screen is protected by an integrated tinted lens that allows you to see and control the menus.

It comes ready for use with the iPod nano lanyard and headphones under 6.5mm. The click-wheel is also protected with a colour-matched, static-cling guard. You can get the Switcheasy Capsule in 5 different colours – Black Amber, Shaved Ice, Red Mama, Tangy Orange and Citrus Apple.

All in all this is well worth buying, offering a design that perfectly complements the sleekness of the iPod nano. I often find that iPod cases can be boring or just plain ugly – that’s certainly not the case with the Switcheasy Capsule!

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The iJacket is a protection case for the iPod that is available in 12 different designs, with 50 more being phased in soon. Each iJacket comes with a belt clip or lanyard that keeps your iPod safe and close to hand.

iJacket’s for all versions of the iPod are available from iPod shuffle to the new iPod nano and iPod video. They are made from a flexible, tear-resistant polymer that offers protection from scratches, dents and general wear and tear all while maintaining easy access to the click wheel, dock connector and screen.

The Kensington SX 2000 iPod speakers, priced at $159.99, are a relatively large set of speakers when compared to others from Altec Lansing and JBL. It measures 7.2″ high, 16.2″ wide and 3.9″ deep, which is quite a footprint. It comes in a glossy white that matches most iPods, but is not availabe in black to match new versions of the nano and iPod video. Controls are the usual fair, mounted on the front to turn on and off as well as adjust volume. You will find a connector port at the rear for connecting iPod shuffles and other players without the iPod’s standard connector.

While the Kensington SX 2000 looks cool, it does fall short in terms of it’s audio quality. It lacks in upper-register treble and overly emphasises the bass notes, making the sound quite muffled and hard to make out. The speakers have no remote, an accessory you get with many other iPod speakers in this price bracket. It also cannot connect to your computer and update your iPod with new songs that you have recently added to your library – a big drawback.

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A new service offered by iVideoBlast makes it easy to download classic animation, TV shows and films for your iPod video. Starting at just $0.99 you can get your hands on some classic content.

Stats from a recent comScore Media Metrics report suggest that Apple’s iPod is going to be a runaway success this Christmas. comScore’s report lists iPod at the top of the list of most searched for phrases, with 6.6 million searches. Microsoft’s Xbox 360 trails with approximately 5 million searches, with Sony’s PlayStation getting about 1.9 million searches.

“While high consumer interest was expected this holiday season for items such as the iPod, Xbox 360 and PlayStation, the intense amount of search activity observed to-date demonstrates how popular these items are with consumers,” said comScore’s Chairman, Gian Fulgoni.

According to AppleInsider Apple may be preparing to introduce a slew of new iPod-related products to further consolidate it’s place as the market leading digital music player. The report alludes that Apple may be preparing to launch the first new product, an iPod “boombox” as soon as the MacWorld Expo in January.

Aside from new iPod accessories, Apple are widely rumoured to be readying new hardware based on Intel processors. Apple also typically release updated versions of iLife at MacWorld.