Apple

Ever since the iPod became a cultural mainstay, people have been trying to outdo each other with ideas for unique ways to use it. Today, Ars Technica posted an item on the iPod Alcohol Breathalyizer & FM Transmitter.

The invention has apparently come along none too soon. Cell phone makers, which are always trying to horn in on the iPod market, are competing on this front too as evidenced by this LG phone breathalyzer.

But be forewarned, some people are taking the concept to an extreme: As MAKE reports, alcohol breathalyzers can be turned into flame throwers.

Gucci, Fendi, Versace--and Wozniak?

Luxist is a blog known for showcasing designer handbags and other luxury items, but most of its postings actually fall under the "Estates" category. Which is where Apple co-founder Steve Wozniak comes in.

The house that The Woz built (sort of) is apparently up for sale in the Silicon Valley enclave of Los Gatos, Calif., an expansive spread of 7,100 square feet with six bedrooms and seven and a half baths. Aside from its size, the abode seems relatively unassuming from the outside--but the interior is another matter.

"On top of its … Read more

Do you know where your Mac or iPod came from?

A freeware application called coconutidentityCard will tell you where your Apple product was built and when.

As a bonus, the software also checks the serial number of your machine against an Internet database of known stolen Mac serial numbers.

Plug an iPod it into a Mac running the software, and coconutidentityCard will show you where and when your device was built. Sorry iPod shuffle users: the software doesn't yet support those devices.

CoconutidentityCard requires Mac OS 10.3.9 and a Mac made in or after 1997. It will … Read more

Apple Computer and Circuit City, take two. The Mac maker and the consumer electronics retailer are giving it another try.

As part of a "pilot program," select Circuit City stores in the eastern U.S. are selling some Apple desktops, notebooks, software and accessories, Apple spokesman Steve Dowling said.

The companies previously parted ways in February 2001, less than a year after Circuit City first began selling iMacs and iBooks and right before Apple opened its own branded retail stores.

This follows a move earlier this year in which Best Buy started selling Apple products in some of … Read more

In an effort to avoid unintended explosions on flights, Korean Air has banned several laptops from use onboard their planes.

The Korean Air advisory was issued on Aug. 30.

The advisory says that passengers are prohibited from operating Dell laptops on board Korean Air flights. People may still carry them on board if they first remove the battery from the laptop. The ban includes all Dell laptops, regardless of whether the model or battery is part of the official recall.

The advisory also requires passengers to remove the batteries from Apple iBook and PowerBook laptops before bringing them onboard a … Read more

Another Apple event, another round of frenzied rumors.

As usual, the company offered no details on its " Special Event" planned for Sept. 12 in San Francisco, in its standard practice of building maximum suspense before Steve Jobs takes center stage--which, of course, has thrown bloggers into a tizzy of speculation.

The invitation this time did offer a clue to its general theme, an Apple logo illuminated by Hollywood-premiere spotlights over the phrase: "It's Showtime." So Blogma will go way out on a limb and publicly guess that it has something to do with movies. But … Read more

Gossip about an Apple cell phone is indeed true, according to an analyst.

Shaw Wu of American Technology Research says "the kinks have been worked out" of an Apple-designed smart phone that will "very likely" be released in 2007.

The phone's form factor will be candy-bar style and will come in black, white and silver, according to Wu. He says he suspects Apple will be sneaky about getting its FCC approval by filing under an OEM manufacturer, but isn't sure exactly how the iPod maker will enter the cell phone market. Will the company … Read more

Apple Computer welcomed press and analysts back from the Labor Day weekend holiday with an e-mailed invitation for a "Special Event" on Sept. 12 at San Francisco's Yerba Buena Center for the Performing Arts.

The invitation didn't have many details, and an Apple representative did not immediately return a call seeking comment. But it looks like Steve Jobs is in a Hollywood state of mind. Embedded in the invitation is an image of a collection of spotlights highlighting the Apple logo above the words, "It's Showtime."

The early bet seems to be a … Read more

"Water, water everywhere, but not a drop to drink..."

The blogosphere is again flooded with iTunes movie download innuendo.

According to both a Thursday article and Friday blog on Business Week's site, iTunes will announce in mid-September a plan to offer movie downloads.

Lions Gate and Walt Disney will be the first companies to feature their films on the site, and the movie downloads will be priced from $9.99 to $14.99, according to the Business Week report.

As you probably know, Apple Computer CEO Steve Jobs also happens to be a board member at Disney.… Read more