ALIGN=RIGHT>Thursday Newer Technology announced a new compact USB 2.0 hub for up to seven devices. The device is powered to in turn deliver power to connected gadgets.
The device has an interesting design with two ports on the rear and four on the front, which can be handy for desks with devices in all directions. The product has a 2.5 amp power supply to deliver 500 mA to each port. 500 mA is a typical output for most USB ports, but as a comparison, is short of modern Mac's high-powered 1100 mA for fast device charging.
The Newer Technology 7 Port Powered USB 2.0 Hub is compatible with both USB 2.0 and 1.1 devices, and offers data speeds up to 60 MB/sec. Is available now for $27.95.
The day before the launch of the iPod Touch Hard Candy announced new cases. Now that the dust has settled it looks like the cases match up well to what was announced this week by Apple.
The Street Skin feature a rugged TPU body that is firm material, but still flexible. The case looks to offer good grip protection in addition to protection from scratches and bumps. It's available in black, clear, and pink for $29.95.
The Bubble Slider has is polycarbonate case with a soft touch. It sort of resembles golfball dimples. It's available in red, black, and pink for $34.95. A second version of the slider comes in glossy black or silver chrome that also sells for $34.95.
The cases are available for pre-order now an are expected to ship mid-September with the chrome models later in the month.
DockStubz from Cable Jive looks like a nifty solution for using various cables and docks with an iPad, iPhone, or iPod while in a case.
If you're using Apple's Bumper iPhone 4 case, odds are you've noticed the dock access is pretty narrow. Basically unless you're using Apple's provided cable, you'll have a tough time accessing the connector while in the case. Other cases such as Otterbox Defender or even just docking stations pose challenging charging and syncing of devices.
Basically DockStubz is a small spacer adapter that goes between the device and your dock or cable. With it, users can use virtually any 30-pin cable or accessor regardless if using a case or not.
The device retails for $22.95 and is available now.
SGP Skin Guard Carbon Black looks to be a classy combo with Apple's Bumper style cases, or with no case. The product is a protective film for the back of the iPhone 4 glass. It has a pattern and feel of carbon fiber and offers protection, style, and grip for the iPhone 4. The product promises to be easy to attach and remove. The kit also includes a front screen film which is the company's Steinheil Ultra Crystal Screen Protector. Coupled with a Bumper case, this looks like a nice all-around protection without much modification to the iPhone's looks.
Company introduced updates to full line of iPods, except no love for the Classic.
The iPod Shuffle took a look in the rear-view mirror in the latest design. The iPod Shuffle brings back button controls with volume up/down, forward/backward, and play/pause. The device also supports playlists and Voice Over. All this with 50% more battery power, up from 10 to 15 hours music playback. The Shuffle now only comes in a 2 GB model (drops the 4GB) and comes in in blue, green, pink, orange, or silver for $49.
The Nano has an interesting upgrade losing a lot of surface area and gaining a 1.54-inch multi-touch display with rotate function. Gone is the Nano's video camera, although it picks up an accelerometer. The device is nearly half the size and weight as the previous generation. It also small enough includes a clip and but still retains the volume buttons. It includes support for Voice Over, and like the previous Nano includes an FM Radio, Nike+ and Pedometer. The Nano features a 24 hour battery, is available silver, (PRODUCT) RED, green, blue, pink, and orange. It sells for $149 for 8 GB version and 16 GB for $179.
The iPod Touch got many features as logically expected. The iPod Touch gained the IPhone 4's Retina display, A4 chip, and gyroscope. It also received a front and rear facing camera, although curiously there is no option to take still photos. The rear camera offers 720p video and 30 fps like the iPhone 4. The front facing camera offers the same VGA 30 fps too as the iPhone. Users will also be able to edit videos on the go with Apple's iMove app, utilizing the A4 processor and we'll assume larger memory allotment. The iPod Touch also supports FaceTime video chat and can communicate with iPhone 4 in addition to other iPod Touch users. The iPod Touch comes in three models in 8 GB, 32 GB, and 64 GB for $229, $299, and $399.
All three iPod models will ship starting next week
After all the rumors, Apple TV didn't quite live up to the hype but appears to be solid update to an otherwise stale product. The most striking thing about the new Apple TV may be the size. Now that the hard disk drive is gone, the new Apple TV is about 1/4 the size of the old. It measures just under 4-inch square and is less than an inch thick. It also weighs just over 1/2 pound.
Rumors had the Apple TV running iOS apps and that prediction fell flat, but maybe not. Curiously the the device is running Apple's A4 processor, the same in the iPhone 4, iPad, and new iPod Touch. During the demo, some features had an iOS feel to it, like rearranging items used the "wiggle" animation. It will be interesting if at some point Appel TV get an OS update to introduce more iOS-centric apps and features. No where, however, does it indicate Bluetooth connectivity so that may dash hopes of cool multi-axis iPhone/iPod remotes.
On the specks, the device is limited to 720p video via H.264 codec. Audio support comes in various AAC modes, Apple Lossless, and Dolby Digital 5.1. Networking is only 10/100 Ethernet, but really Gb isn't needed for streaming content. Wireless networking includes dual band 802.11 b, g, and n with video streaming requiring g or n modes.
Other points of interest... the device includes a small IR remote, power plugs directly into the device and requires no AC power brick. The Apple TV can stream in content from your Mac, iTunes Store, Netflix, YouTube, Flickr, MobileMe, Podcasts, Internet Radio, and iTunes U. It can also stream directly from an iPhone, iPoad, or iPod Touch via AirPlay. iTunes video rental prices SD and HD TV shows are $0.99, new HD movies $4.99 and older HD movies $3.99. SD movies are $3.99 new and $2.99 for older content.
Apple TV also got a nice price cut down to $99 from $229. Apple TV is expected to ship in four weeks with lead times saying September.
The wraps were removed from iTunes 10 Wednesday, offering a number of new features, but the biggest is Apple's new iTunes Ping.
Ping is a social networking system for discovering music. It's sort of a Facebook type system where people can share their favorite music and link with artists. Ping allows friends to see what you're listening to and you them. Users can also follow artists who can share photos, comments, videos, and announcements. Also users can track concerts near them. (As an aside note, a while back it was revealed Apple applied for patents regarding purchasing concert tickets.) Ping is also available for the iOS on the iPhone and iPod Touch within the iTunes Store app.
Other new features offer support for TV rentals, which have a new price tag of $0.99. iTunes also added in AirPlay, which is a replacement for Apple's AirTunes system of wireless playing music with in users's LAN. AirPlay will allow iTunes to stream content to compatible devices. It appears Apple is lining up well known home theater names such as Denon, Marantz, and JBL.
iTunes 10 has also been updated to work with the upcoming Apple TV and also offers improved syncing with iOS devices.
iTunes 10 is available as a free download starting Wednesday.
Apple announced Wednesday that iOS 4.1 will ship next week. The update promises to offer some much needed fixes. The biggest fix is to address problems with the iPhone 4's proximity switch. The issue causes problems when talking on the phone but the touch screen becomes inadvertently activated. Other fixes include performance improvements for the iPhone 3G and also issues with Bluetooth connectively.
New features include High Dynamic Range feature for taking pictures. When the feature is activated, the camera will take three photos and create a composite in an attempt to offer the best image. The feature promises to fix issues of poor exposure due to less than ideal lighting.
Another new feature is Game Center, which was originally introduced with iOS 4.0 in the spring. The system is basically like a PSN/XBLive community for linking with other gamers. The system allows users to find friends online for match ups or link up with any gamer. Users can also track friend's scores via leaderboards. This should be big for gaming on iOS taking the platform to the next level.
Apple also showed off iOS 4.2 which will be later in November. This update will bring the iPad up to speed and finally bring all iOS devices under one banner. 4.2 will feature wireless printing and a new wireless playback system called AirPlay. AirPlay will allow iOS devices to stream music, photos, and video to other devices, namely the new Apple TV.
Cases featured in Apple's iPhone 4 Case Program include Speck Fitted, Speck PixelSkin HD, Apple Bumper, Belkin Shield Micra, Griffin Technology Motif, Griffin Technology Reveal Etch Graphite, and Incase Snap. To see the individual reviews, check out the iPhone 4 video playlist.
The Commuter is the lighter-weight version of the company's popular Defender case. The iPhone 4 case offers similar layered protection but in a less bulky design. The protection includes a static screen protector, a fairly thick rubber skin, and an external shell. The rubber skin offers port protectors for the 30-pin cable dock and headset jack in addition to covered protection for the power and volume buttons. In total, the case offers protection from scratches, dust, moisture, and some bumps.
The Otterbox Commuter case for iPhone 4 is currently available in Black for $34.95.
ALIGN=RIGHT>Thursday Newer Technology announced a new compact USB 2.0 hub for up to seven devices. The device is powered to in turn deliver power to connected gadgets. 
The day before the launch of the iPod Touch Hard Candy announced new cases. Now that the dust has settled it looks like the cases match up well to what was announced this week by Apple.
DockStubz from Cable Jive looks like a nifty solution for using various cables and docks with an iPad, iPhone, or iPod while in a case. 
Company introduced updates to full line of iPods, except no love for the Classic.
After all the rumors, Apple TV didn't quite live up to the hype but appears to be solid update to an otherwise stale product. The most striking thing about the new Apple TV may be the size. Now that the hard disk drive is gone, the new Apple TV is about 1/4 the size of the old. It measures just under 4-inch square and is less than an inch thick. It also weighs just over 1/2 pound.
The wraps were removed from iTunes 10 Wednesday, offering a number of new features, but the biggest is Apple's new iTunes Ping. 
Apple announced Wednesday that iOS 4.1 will ship next week. The update promises to offer some much needed fixes. The biggest fix is to address problems with the iPhone 4's proximity switch. The issue causes problems when talking on the phone but the touch screen becomes inadvertently activated. Other fixes include performance improvements for the iPhone 3G and also issues with Bluetooth connectively. 
