May 7 - 3:30pm EDT   Accessory maker H20 has introduced a new product for iPods, the iSH2 headset. The unit is designed explicitly for second-generation Shuffles, and waterproofs them to a depth of 10 feet. The Shuffle is safeguarded in a case on the back of the head, which still has controls for playing, pausing and skipping tracks; the silicon earbuds are meanwhile designed to hold out water, when used in tandem with included earplugs, and can clip to swimming goggles. [full story]

May 2 - 10:25am EDT   Apple has released a new Windows version of its iPod Reset Utility, bringing it to v1.0.4. The tool is specifically intended to restore first- and second-generation iPod shuffles to their factory settings, when the procedure does not work through iTunes; for instance, a Shuffle may become invisible to iTunes, but still show up in My Computer or Device Manager. [full story]

April 21 - 4:20pm EDT   Piper Jaffray analyst Gene Munster estimates that Apple sold 10 to 10.5 million iPods in its fiscal second quater (January, February and March). Munster views this data point as a "slight positive, given recent Street chatter of a very weak iPod number for the quarter." The Piper Jaffray analysis looks at the percentage contribution in NPD data from each month of the quarter in past March quarters. The analyst says that the cheaper iPod shuffle drove sales in February and March. Munster previously said that the iPod will be a slower growing segment than the Mac or iPhone, and expects iPod unit growth to be flat in the calendar year 2008, but also thinks that Apple can ... [full story]

April 11 - 7:30pm EDT   In brief: There is a stark pricing discrepancy for Australian iPods, iPresentee themes for Keynote have debuted, Sonnet has cut prices on its Fusion line of SATA devices, Aspyr has updated its Game Agent and a Middle East Mac newsletter is now one year old ... There are some substantial differences in iPod pricing between the US and Australia. With the Aussie dollar at 0.92 US, you might expect US and Aussie prices for iPods to be relatively similar, but this is not the case. The 1GB iPod Shuffle: USD$49 = AUD$54 exchange, selling for AUD$65. The 8GB nano USD$199 == AUD$221 exchange, selling for AUD$279. The 16GB iPod classic USD$349 == AUD$387 exchange, selling for ... [full story]

March 25 - 9:40am EDT   Apple has just released the latest version of its iPod Reset Utility, an emergency tool which completely reverts iPods when the normal iTunes option refuses to work. The utility should not be used lightly, as it will erase all music and other data on an iPod, and install the very latest iPod firmware. The v1.0.3 update expands support, including reset options for both first- and second-generation iPod shuffles. The Mac version is a 3.6MB download, and requires Mac OS X 10.3.9 or later; the Windows software is 4.9MB, and requires either Windows 2000 with Service Pack 4, or XP with Service Pack 2. [full story]

March 11 - 9:35am EDT   Apple has released software updates for two of its most recent products. MacBook Air owners now have access to the SMC Update 1.0 package, which according to Apple "fine tunes the speed and operation of the internal fan." The software installs to the "Applications/Utilities" folder, and is a 551KB download that requires Mac OS X 10.5.1 or later. iPod shuffle owners can meanwhile download the v1.0.4 firmware patch, which delivers "enhanced support" for the new 2GB Shuffle, as well as unspecified bug fixes. [full story]

March 5 - 3:45pm EST   Apple has filed a figurative trademark application depicting its iMac desktop computer. The filing, which falls under International Classification 009 for computers, claims that "the mark consists of the configuration of a computer, including a flat, roughly triangular shaped stand, a generally flat case having rounded corners, and a rectangular monitor screen within a framing case having a wide lower boarder, all such features arranged in an aesthetically pleasing manner, as shown in the drawing accompanying the Application." [full story]

February 26 - 9:15am EST   Announced earlier this month along with a price cut on its 1GB companion, the 2GB iPod shuffle is now on sale from the Apple Store. The player costs $69 -- $20 above the current price of the 1GB player, but still $10 less than what the 1GB model used to cost as recently as the beginning of February. Color options remain unchanged, including silver, green, cyan, purple and red; shipping times however are listed as seven to 10 days, compared to the 24-hour turnaround for a 1GB shuffle. [full story]

February 25 - 3:50pm EST   Amazon.com is currently offering a free 1GB iPod shuffle with the purchase of a 32GB iPod touch. The online retailer lists blue, green, silver, and purple 1GB iPod shuffles as eligible models that customers can add to their shopping cart alongside the 32GB iPod touch. "Just add both items to your cart and you will not be charged for the Shuffle." Amazon.com lists the 32GB iPod touch at $494 and in stock. [full story]

February 20 - 10:10am EST   Tuesday's updates to the iPod shuffle may have been important to keeping up iPod sales, say analysts with the research firm Piper Jaffray. Even with no change in Shuffle unit estimates, utilizing the new iPod ASPs, segment revs should increase 12 percent year-over-year for the March quarter; Piper says it expects growth of up to 15 percent year-over-year, with a Shuffle ASP of $67 and a general iPod ASP of $172. This translates into iPod segment revenue of $1.94 billion. [full story]

January 22 - 1:00pm EST   Apple today won six new patents published by the U.S. Patent & Trademark Office, one of which depicts a remote control that closely resembles its current-generation iPod shuffle portable music player. The remote control features a belt clip built into the backing, and clearly defines a circular feature which could be a click-wheel on the front side. Apple does not describe the function of the remote, but offers a picture with the device attached via a cable to another device. [full story]

January 8 - 3:40pm EST   Apple has won a total of 14 patents since the arrival of 2008, including its iPhone cellular handset which may be one of the fastest granted patents ever recorded for an Apple product. The U.S. Patent & Trademark Office has published patents covering Apple's iPod, iPod shuffle, iPod dock, MacBook, MacBook Pro, QuickTime Player, and others. [full story]

December 17 - 12:35pm EST   Amazon.com is currently offering Apple's 13.3-inch White 2.2GHz MacBook with 1GB of memory, a 120GB hard drive, and an 8x SuperDrive DVD/CD burner for $1,219 after a $75 rebate. Apple's online store is selling its current-generation 1GB iPod shuffle in blue, green, pink, and orange for $79 each alongside previous generation 4GB iPod nanos in pink, red, and blue for $149 each. The company's previous generation 8GB iPod nano is also available in black and red for $179. Reconditiond MacBooks are currently limited to one model: the Black 2.16GHz MacBook with 1GB of memory, a 160GB hard drive, and an 8x SuperDrive DVD/CD burner for $1,249. [full story]

November 27 - 5:25pm EST   Apple's online store is offering refurbished iPod shuffles, iPod nanos, and fifth-generation video-capable iPods on clearance at discounted rates. The Cupertino-based company's popular second-generation iPod shuffle is shipping in blue, green, and orange colors for $79 each. Reconditioned blue 4GB iPod nanos are available for $149 a piece, while (PRODUCT) RED Special Edition 8GB iPod nanos are priced at $199. Previous generation video-capable iPods are also in stock, with the U2 Special Edition selling for $199 and the white 80GB model priced at $219. All refurbished Apple items ship for free and come with a standard one-year warranty. [full story]