Creative Japan has a new portable media player out called the Creative ZEN Mosaic. One half of the ZEN Mosaic is covered by the 1.8 inch LCD display while the other half is covered by a patchwork of square and rectangular patterns (which also double as control and navigational buttons).  Spec wise, this is a flash based media player with storage options ranging from 2GB,4GB, and 8GB. Other specs include:

• Measures 79.5 x 40 x 12.8mm
• Weighs 43 grams
• Supports MP3, WMA, WAV, JPG
• Built-in speakers
• FM tuner

The ZEN Mosaic will be due out in August.

[Check it out via Akihabara News]

Technorati Tags: Creative ZEN Mosaic, Portable Media Player

The new Winpwn 2.0 software is finally available which allows Windows users to easily jailbreak their iPhone or iPod touch running the 2.0 firmware. Enjoy!

[Check it out via Gizmonews.com]

Technorati Tags: Winpwn 2.0, iPhone

We’ve seen some cheesy MP3 players over the years.. but this has got to be one of the cheesiest. It’s the Star Wars Darth Vader MP3 player and really now.. this is an MP3 player that ONLY a die hard Star Wars fan could possibly love. There’s really nothing at all special with this player aside from the picture of good ‘ol Darth himself. You get 512 MB of space, a built-in radio, and support for WMA and MP3 file formats. Yup.. pretty lame.

[Check it out]

Technorati Tags: Star Wars, Darth Vader MP3 player

iSkin has announced a new armband solution for the iPod nano 3G called the DuoBand. The DuoBand  has a unique dual layer design which combines a silicon layer and a frontal ViSOR layer into one package. The silicon layer is designed to protect the iPod nano from shocks, dirt, dust, and moisture while the ViSOR layer protects the frontal areas of the iPod nano from scratches and other impact damages.

The DuoBand also features a breathable armband that allows you to slide in/out the protected iPod nano. The DuoBand  is available in Amp (energy red with metallic accent) and Maxum (power black with carbon accent) and retails for $39.99.

[Check it out]

Technorati Tags: iSkin, DuoBand, iPod nano 3G

Think Apple’s business is being driven by the iPod and iPhone? Guess again - Apple’s Mac business is alive and well as they’ve announced that 2.4 million Macs were shipped during the third quarter ending June 28th. That represents a 41 percent unit growth and a whopping 43 percent revenue growth over the year-ago quarter. In total, Apple posted amazing revenues of 7.46 billion with a net quarterly profit of $1.07 billion (or $1.19 per diluted share). Compare those numbers to the year-ago quarter which were 5.41 billion and a net quarterly profit of $818 million. Gross profits dipped somewhat - from 36.9 percent to 34.8 percent.

Here are other stats of interest:

• 11 million iPods were sold during the quarter - 12 percent unit growth and seven percent revenue growth over the year-ago quarter
• 717,000 iPhones were sold during the quarter compared to 270K in year ago quarter (of course the iPhone had just started sales during the third quarter of last year)

Now here’s where things get interesting. Apple’s CFO, Peter Oppenheimer, decided to warn analysts that 4th quarter gross margins will be negatively affected by a “product transition.” So as News.com points out - let the guessing games begin. What exactly does this product transition mean exactly? Does this lend credence that new notebooks are coming out from Apple? Does this mean product prices are coming down? Does it mean things getting more expensive to manufacture? It’s really anyone’s guess right now (but you can be sure that people will be coming out with their own theories now). For the record though, News.com thinks that Apple will do two things during the fourth quarter: Introduce new Centrino 2 based MacBooks and reduce price for the iPod touch.

[Check it out]

Technorati Tags: Apple, Third Quarter, 2008, Fourth Quarter, Apple iPhone, Mac, iPod Touch

Prices are set for the new Creative Technology ZEN X-Fi media player here in the U.S. The 32GB model has an MSRP of $279.99, the 16GB an MSRP of $199.99, and the 8GB goes for $149.99. Not familiar with the new ZEN X-Fi? It’s the first Creative media player to feature their X-Fi Xtreme Fidelity Audio technology designed to help restore the quality of compressed music. There are basically two models - one with wireless LAN and one without. The 16GB and 32GB models feature Wi-Fi while the 8GB lacks it. Here are the major specs to the player:

• Measures 3.3. x 2.2 x 0.5 inches and weighs 2.4 oz
• 2.5 inch TFT display with a resolution of 320 x 240
• Video support includes MJPEG, WMV, MPEG-4, DivX, and XviD
• Audio support includes MP3, WMA, AAC, WAV, Audible 2,3,4
• Picture support includes JPEG support
• 802.11 b/g for 16GB and 32GB models
• FM radio with 32 preset stations
• Equalizer with 8 presets and 5 band custom EQ
• Calendar, Contact, Task List
• USB 2.0

[Check out the ZEN X-Fi with wireless LAN]

[Check out the ZEN Xi-Fi]

via SlashGear

Technorati Tags: Creative ZEN X-Fi, Prices

Yes.. the Zune market finally gets a clock radio accessory folks. iHome has announced the ZN9 Dual-Alarm Stereo Clock Radio for the Zune (works for both the 80GB Zune as well as the 8GB flash Zune). It’s somewhat sad to think that this is the first ever clock radio device for the Zune - considering how long the player has been out on the market. But hey - better late than never right? 

Features of the ZN9 include letting owners gradually wake or sleep to music from the Zune, or via the radio or buzzer, separate weekly and weekend alarm times, an extra large backlit LCD display (for all you visually challenged folks out there - that includes me!), and Reson8 speaker chambers.

You can purchase the ZN9 now for a price of $99.99.

[Check it out via ZuneSphere]

Technorati Tags: ZN9 Dual-Alarm Stereo Clock Radio for Zune

If you need a portable recording device for interviews, lectures, recording notes, creating podcasts, then you’ll want to check out the new Belkin GoStudio device. Designed as an accessory to the Apple iPod, the GoStudio features two built-in omnidirectional microphones and records audio directly to your iPod in 16 bit 44kHz format. Other features of the Belkin GoStudio include:

• Built-in speaker allows users to play back recordings
• Two combo microphone inputs (XLR and 1/4 inch)
• 3.5 mm mini-jack microphone inputs
• Master level control
• Direct monitor volume control
• Tripod mount

The Belkin GoStudio will be available sometime in September/October for a price of $119.99.

[Check it out]

Technorati Tags: Belkin GoStudio, Podcast recording,

i.Sound has released a new rechargeable 2 in 1 Charger and Back Up Battery pack for the Apple iPod and iPhone device. Calling it the “smallest of its kind”, the 2-in-1 Charger and Back Up Battery is the only device to feature a two-in-one USB AC adapter which allows it to recharge while simultaneously charging your iPod/iPhone. The pack works with all iPod models that feature the 30 pin connector and provides up to 30 hours of music, 6 hours of video, and 3 hours of talk time. There’s also a status indicator for battery life. You can purchase the i.Sound 2-in-1 Charger and Back Up Battery pack for $49.99 at the i.Sound website here.

[Check it out]

Technorati Tags: i.Sound, 2-in-1 Charger and Back Up Battery

If you’re looking for a new two channel speaker system for your PC or Mac, you might want to check out the iHome Audio iH70 computer speakers. These 15 watt speakers come with an integrated iPod dock which means one less accessory item to worry about for your PC. Specs for the iH70 include the following:

• Reson8 speaker chambers
• 15 watts of power
• Computer port
• Sync switch
• Volume controls
• Headphone jack
• Full function remote control
• Sync iPod with PC
• Measures 3.2 x 8.5 x 7.5 inches

The iH70 is compatible with the iPod mini, iPod 4th gen, all iPod nanos, iPod 5th gen, iPod classic, and the iPod touch. About the only downer to the iHome Audio iH70 is the MSRP which is $149.99.

[Check it out via Chip Chick]

Technorati Tags: iHome Audio, iH70, speakers, iPod dock