What's that in your pocket?

RipX, based in the Pacific NW, is now offering CD ripping and encoding services to those who don't want to spend their time handling all of their CDs.

RipX implements encoding services to many advanced compressed music formats. RipX also offers several convenient options for return of the customer's compressed music collection, such as hard drive purchase or rental, in addition to data DVDs. To protect customers' valuable music collections, RipX provides insurance and ground shipping for all orders at a competitive price.

For more information about the RipX CD ripping service, please visit us at:

www.RipX.net

Network equipment maker Cisco Systems Inc. and Apple Inc. said on Wednesday they had reached an agreement that allows both to use the "iPhone" name, after Cisco sued the iPod maker for using it for a new multimedia phone.

No further terms of the agreement were disclosed.

In a joint statement, they said both companies are free to use the "iPhone" trademark on their products throughout the world, and each side will dismiss any pending actions regarding the trademark.

More info...

JAVOedge would like to announce our release of the handy Earphone Cable Tidy!

Available Colors: Frosty Purple, Orange, Pink, Blue, White, and Black.

Add a splash of color to your earphones and manage your excess cords with the JAVOedge Cable Tidy and Earphone Covers. The vivid foam pads together with a clean way to store and access your earbuds will enhance your audio experience.

Each Cable Tidy comes with 6 earphone covers of matching color. Choose between a single pack or 6-Pack which includes one of all 6 colors.

See other JAVOedge iPod/MP3 Accessories.

GizMac is accepting pre-orders for their new Titan Clear case for iPod nano ($25):

The tough polycarbonate iPod case for the second generation Nano will protect the Apple iPod from scratches and other minor damage as well as provide four ways to carry the iPod Nano.



With the Titan Clear, not only will the iPod Nano be protected, but the screen and click wheel will also be protected. The Titan Clear case itself will protect the screen of the Nano with tough, clear polycarbonate. For the click wheel, a thin film material included with the Titan Clear will protect it from possible damage.

More info...
Full press release follows...

Soundcrank has released an iPod plug-in for Windows:

The Soundcrank iTunes Plug-in automatically retrieves album art and lyrics for songs in your iTunes music library. This information is added to your music files so they can be viewed on your iPod. The plug-in also interfaces with Soundcrank.com allowing you to create a My Music page where you and your friends can see what each other are listening to. This is a great way to find new music and friends with similar tastes.

Soundcrank iTunes Plug-in Features:
• Automatically gets lyrics for your songs
• Automatically gets album art for your songs
• See what your friends are listening to
• Integrates with your Soundcrank.com My Music page

More info and download...

TUNEWEAR has announced the addition of new red versions of their popular PRIE TUNEWALLET micro ($35) and PRIE Ambassador for iPod nano ($40.) Both are due to begin shipping March:

The RED series adds a new color variation on our already popular PRIE TUNEWALLET micro and PRIE Ambassador for iPod nano. As with the previous models, the RED series is made from the highest quality smooth nappa leather and the color is perfectly suited for the iPod nano (PRODUCT) RED Special Edition. All models in the RED range include TUNEFILM, a clear protective film that covers the front of the iPod for extra protection.

More info...
Full press release follows...

JAVOedge is very excited to announce our new portable charging solution, the High Capacity (3400mAH) Portable Battery Charger. This battery pack will charge any USB powered device (except Microsoft Zune). It features a very easy to use interface. Simple "In" and "Out" ports indicate where to plug in your USB cable whether it is to charge your USB powered mobile device or to replenish the 3400mAH inside the portable battery pack for future use.

JAVOedge's High Capacity Portable Battery Charger is designed to keep your iPod, MP3, Sony PSP, PDA, Pocket PC, and Smartphone powered up at all times of the day! Great for on-the-move users, the best charging emergency solution when there is no wall outlet, car charger, or a PC around to power up your device.

Not compatible with Microsoft Zune

Capacity: 3400mAH
Dimensions: 100 x 62 x 15 mm (3.9 x 2.4 x .6 inches)

Weight: 120g (4.2oz)

Our Price: $39.99

Check out other JAVOedge products.

Steve Jobs issues an open letter to consumers and the music industry regarding DRM:

The third alternative is to abolish DRMs entirely. Imagine a world where every online store sells DRM-free music encoded in open licensable formats. In such a world, any player can play music purchased from any store, and any store can sell music which is playable on all players. This is clearly the best alternative for consumers, and Apple would embrace it in a heartbeat. If the big four music companies would license Apple their music without the requirement that it be protected with a DRM, we would switch to selling only DRM-free music on our iTunes store. Every iPod ever made will play this DRM-free music.

Why would the big four music companies agree to let Apple and others distribute their music without using DRM systems to protect it? The simplest answer is because DRMs haven’t worked, and may never work, to halt music piracy. Though the big four music companies require that all their music sold online be protected with DRMs, these same music companies continue to sell billions of CDs a year which contain completely unprotected music. That’s right! No DRM system was ever developed for the CD, so all the music distributed on CDs can be easily uploaded to the Internet, then (illegally) downloaded and played on any computer or player.

read it all...

Stupid lawyers get smacked down:

Apple Inc., had issued subpoenas to online tech journalists, including the publisher of AppleInsider.com and PowerPage.org, over reports the company claimed "violated California state trade secret law" which divulged so-called confidential information about not-yet released Apple products. Apple claimed the journalists were not entitled to First Amendment protections similar to those afforded to their print counterparts.

However, a California court disagreed, ruling against Apple and in favor of the defendants, who were represented by legal counsel from The Electronic Frontier Foundation (EFF). Apple was ordered to pay all legal costs associated with the defense, including a 2.2 times multiplier of the actual fees, bringing the total to about $700,000.

More info...

Apple is now offereing iPod shuffle in five colors; silver, pink, green, blue, and orange.

More info...

Apple reports first quarter results:

The Company posted record revenue of $7.1 billion and record net quarterly profit of $1.0 billion, or $1.14 per diluted share. These results compare to revenue of $5.7 billion and net quarterly profit of $565 million, or $.65 per diluted share, in the year-ago quarter. Gross margin was 31.2 percent, up from 27.2 percent in the year-ago quarter. International sales accounted for 42 percent of the quarter’s revenue.

Apple shipped 1,606,000 Macintosh® computers and 21,066,000 iPods during the quarter, representing 28 percent growth in Macs and 50 percent growth in iPods over the year-ago quarter.

“We are incredibly pleased to report record quarterly revenue of over $7 billion and record earnings of $1 billion,” said Steve Jobs, Apple’s CEO. “We’ve just kicked off what is going to be a very strong new product year for Apple by launching Apple TV and the revolutionary iPhone.”

“We generated over $1.75 billion in cash during the quarter to end with $11.9 billion,” said Peter Oppenheimer, Apple’s CFO. “Looking ahead to the second fiscal quarter of 2007, we expect revenue of $4.8 to $4.9 billion and earnings per diluted share of $.54 to $.56.”

An audio replay of Apple's conference call with analysts is available here.

Cisco is suing Apple over the iPhone trademark:

"Cisco entered into negotiations with Apple in good faith after Apple repeatedly asked permission to use Cisco's iPhone name," said Mark Chandler, Cisco senior vice president and general counsel, in a statement. "There is no doubt that Apple's new phone is very exciting, but they should not be using our trademark without our permission."

Cisco is seeking injunctive relief to prevent Apple from copying Cisco's iPhone trademark.

Watch Steve Jobs' Keynote at MacWorld 2007.

Apple, Inc. has released Apple TV ($299):

Apple TV puts your iTunes library — movies, TV shows, music, and podcasts — plus movie trailers from Apple.com on your TV. And your digital photos from iPhoto on a Mac or Adobe Photoshop Elements or Adobe Album on a Windows PC appear in high definition, so you can put on a stunning big-screen slideshow.

Apple TV is available for pre-order now, ships in February.

Apple has announced iPhone. Single device incorporates video (widescreen), audio, and communications. Revolutionary touch interface, runs OS X.

• Quad band, GSM/Edge, WiFi, BlueTooth 2
• 3.5 inch, 160ppi (pixels per inch)
• Full suite of apps including Safari Browser
• 4GB $499, 8GB $599
• Shipping in June (US), Europe by Q4, Asia in '08

Keynote Video to be available later today.

Apple stock surges, up $5+

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