Apple

Sales of the wee little iPod Nano during its first week on the market were good, bad, or something in between, depending upon to whom you listen.

AppleInsider reported Tuesday that Nano sales have fallen short of expectations, citing an analyst report from American Technology Research. Analyst Shaw Wu, who confirmed that the black model is greatly outselling the white one, said Apple stores contacted reported only selling 200 to 500 of their initial 1,800 to 2,500 Nanos.

Quoting the same analyst, the Silicon Valley/San Jose Business Journal said Tuesday that sales were "good, not great,&… Read more

How will Apple's future change as a result of its decision to use microprocessors built by Intel? That's the topic of a weeklong online discussion sponsored by the San Jose Mercury News, which has invited a group of industry luminaries to participate, including Andy Hertzfeld, Tim Bray, Brent Simmons, John Gruber, Keven Krewell, Mark Gonzales (a member of the original Star Trek project) and Leander Kahney.

You'll find the front door for the event here and the discussion itself here.

Support for FireWire in the iPod, already waning, takes a further blow with Apple's newest music player.

Apple's tiny new iPod Nano uses the same dock connector as its larger iPod and iPod Mini brethren. However, try plugging in a FireWire cable and an error message appears: "FireWire connections are not supported. To transfer songs, connect the USB cable provided."

In a pinch, a FireWire cable can be used to charge the Nano, but you won't be able to update your tunes or podcast list.

The move is the latest in a series of slights … Read more

Apple has applied for a patent that could help the average car driver pimp their ride with an iPod.

U.S. patent number "20050147951," titled "Electronic device holder," describes a gadget that can be inserted into a common automobile cup holder that could house "a variety of devices that include a digital music player."

In its description, Apple's patent complains that hooking up an iPod in your car is too complex if it involves specialized mounting devices with cables that can interfere with your feet.

"One embodiment of the invention includes a … Read more

If you want to hear all about the new iTunes cell phone, you won't have to go far.

Cell phone giant Cingular is hitting the airwaves, billboards, magazines and Internet with a barrage of images and video focused on selling the Apple/Motorola device officially known as the Rokr E1.

The phone, announced this morning at an Apple press event in San Francisco, goes on sale this weekend for $249 with a two-year contract. It carries 100 iTunes-compatible songs that you can only download through a computer.

Ralph de la Vega, chief operating officer at Cingular, said his company … Read more

Griffin Technology today announced the availability of its newly revamped iTrip FM transmitter for the iPod, which now includes a backlit LCD screen and a tuning knob.

The new version, offered at a $39.99 introductory price, also now gives users the ability to select LX or DX modes of broadcasting and either U.S. or International tuning modes. It has automatic volume control and will remember your frequency settings. The device is made for the Photo, U2, and third- and fourth-generation iPods.

Ilounge has written a very comprehensive review of the new iTrip and gives it an A rating … Read more

Digital Lifestyle Outfitters, an accessory maker known mostly for monochrome products like cables and speakers, has joined the ranks of other so-called iPod fashionistas by offering its take on "bling."

South Carolina-based DLO this week started shipping its mini fling cases for the '"fashion conscious" iPod mini owner who wants something functional with "just the right amount of bling." The case costs $34.99 on the DLO site, comes in a dozen styles and features a removable wristlet with charm, an elastic loop for headphone or lipstick storage and a flip-up cosmentic mirror. Perhaps … Read more

As often happens when an Apple Computer announcement is imminent, the rumor mills have cranked into overdrive. Much of the attention ahead of Wednesday's "special event" focuses on Motorola's iTunes capable phone.

Motorola has already received FCC approval for one such device. The Wall Street Journal and an Ovum analyst are both reporting that Cingular will be offering the phone out of the gate. Meanwhile, a posting at Engadget says that the phone will have a 100-song capacity, to avoid being a threat to existing iPod models.

A key unanswered question is whether there will be … Read more

Apple Computer, which is in the process of switching its Mac line to Intel-based chips, has struck a deal to ensure that it gets what it needs of its existing chips to make it through the transition.

In a filing Friday with the Securities and Exchange Commission, Apple said that it has entered into a purchase agreement Freescale Semiconductor, the Motorola spinoff that makes the G4 chip used in the Mac Mini as well as Apple's laptop lines. (IBM supplies Apple with the G5 chip.)

Under the terms of the deal, inked on Monday, Freescale is required to supply … Read more