iPod Shuffle $20 cheaper!

Under the radar, Apple announced yesterday that the 1GB iPod Shuffle will now be sold for $129, down from $149. The move was initiated in hopes of widening the gap between the 1GB Shuffle and the iPod Mini, which at only a $50 price difference, made the smaller, screen-less Shuffle less desirable to some customers. The price drop should attract more attention. At the time of this blog, Amazon still has the iPod at $149 but the Apple website lists it for $129.

It didn't take long for code sleuths to uncover references to the long awaited iTunes phone in the new iTunes software version released [yesterday].

TMO reports that these settings are embedded:

Among other instructions include, "iTunes will automatically fill your mobile phone with a random selection of songs from your library. You may fill your mobile phone with a different selection of songs by pressing Autofill in the mobile phone playlist."

In a related post today, AppleInsider reports that Cingular might carry the new 'iPhone' in the US and that Motorola might reveal it (again, again) as early as next week.

Related Links:
- iTunes phone facts firming up?
- iTunes Mobile and the cell phone dispute

[Syndicated post Via iPoditude.com]

With the new version of iTunes that was released today, you can now browse and subscribe to Podcasts from within the iTunes Music Store. Podcasts are frequently updated radio-style shows downloadable over the Internet. You can also transfer podcasts to an iPod, for listening on the go.

The new version of iTunes 4.9, has 3 main goals:

• take Podcasts "mainstream"
• simplify the process of locating relevant Podcasts
• make the process of subscribing to a Podcast a one-click action

This news comes fresh on the heels of Apple announcing an exclusive Podcasting deal with the Sundance Channel a couple weeks ago. This deal with the Sundance Channel is likely only one of many with major content providers.

It's about time Apple took advantage of the growing Podcasting phenomenon that started over a year ago.

What should you do with an old computer, an arcade cabinet and your dad? Why not build a MAMETRIX?

MAME (Multiple Arcase Machine Emulator) is a popular hobby for many nostoglic gamers. MAME software allows people to play old arcade games on their computer. All you have to do is download a ROM file of your favorite arcade game and open it with MAME. You'll be playing classic arcade games like Double Dragon, N.A.R.C., Rampage and Outrun in no time.

Playing these old games on your computer is nice, but what should you do if you miss the feel of a classic arcade cabinet? You could buy a broken cabinet off Craigslist, get a flatscreen TV, add some Ultimarc arcade controls, shove an old computer under the hood and get your dad to help. Well. that's what one guy did.

"Mapquest is an aging mapping system and doesn't fit in with the new shinyness in Tiger. Thats why I made the phone book widget use Google Maps instead." [Via macosxhints.com]

In with the new.

No matter how many times I go, I can't remember where Louis' Cleaners is. I know they're on Bergenline Ave., but can never remember where. I use the phonebook widget constantly only for this crucial information.

MapQuest is the Internet Explorer of mapping sites - it had its day in the sun and still is the quite possibly the most well known but is, feature wise, drooping like a soggy dieaper that leaks.

This modification to your Mac OS X Dashboard Phonebook widget will allow you to search on google maps instead of mapquest and thus get all the satellite data and rich display options that Google maps gives you....

Here's a quick rundown of what to do:

1. In the Finder, go to /Library/Widgets

2. Control-click on Phone Book.wdgt, and choose Show Package Contents from the pop-up menu

3. Duplicate PhoneBook.js so that you have a back up -- just in case.

4. Open PhoneBook.js in your favorite Text Editor (I used BBEdit).

5. Find the following block, which begins on line 802:

var mapURL = "http://www.mapquest.com/maps/map.adp?country=us&address=";

mapURL += URLEncode( singleResult.address );
mapURL += "&city=";
mapURL += URLEncode( singleResult.city );
mapURL += "&state=";
mapURL += URLEncode( singleResult.state );
mapURL += "&zip=";
mapURL += URLEncode( singleResult.zip );

6. Replace that block with the following block:

var mapURL = "http://maps.google.com/maps?q=";

mapURL += URLEncode( singleResult.address );
mapURL += "+";
mapURL += URLEncode( singleResult.zip );
mapURL += "&hl=en";

7. Save changes to the file and quit the editor.

In a clever Sony cross-promotional effort, broadband network Heavy.com has released a new downloadable Sony PSP video series based on the highly anticipated Sony PS2 game release of God of War. The Machinima series (overdubbed video game animation) is titled "Pimp My Weapon" and features two of the characters from the video game demonstrating various weapons on each other.

Pimp My Weapon has a humorous "How-To" reality show tone, intermixed with blood and gore, Spartan warriors and an overdubbed soundtrack reminiscent of Spike TV's show MXC.

My favorite line in episode one is when one of the characters gets slashed with a chain-sword and calmly says "Ouch, burning sensation."

You can download episodes of Pimp My Weapon for your PSP at Heavy.com. The episodes can also be viewed online with any Flash enabled web browser.

Machinima - the convergence of filmmaking, animation and game development. Made popular by "Red vs. Blue" (based on the game Halo), the process involves using the game controller to manipulate the characters on screen and dubbing in a new soundtrack. Machinima is short for machine animation.

This is the first time that a studio-endorsed Machinima will reach a broadcast-scale audience through cable or broadband.

"McDonald's is expanding tests for a national DVD rental service in its restaurants, promising to turn the fast-food chain into a do-it-yourself Netflix for road warriors.

The company has been testing a drop-off rental service in Denver through its Redbox subsidiary, letting customers rent discs for $1 a day." [Via wired.com]

Super Size your meal: then rent Super Size Me

Perfect!! As if McDonalds was not already contributing to the obesity of America, they're now promoting couch potatoes to get up off the couch, come to their store, order a BigMac, and then plop down with a DVD only to head BACK to the store the next day to return it...and of course, order another BigMac.

Pizza by the iSlice?

I know there are hundreds of Ray's Pizza shops in NYC, and Famous Ray's, and Original Ray's, and Famous Original Ray's... but what about when you are craving a slice and want something new or can't find a Ray's? Just whip out your iPod and find the nearest pizza parlor, that's what!

The guys and gals over at SliceNY have this really cool download for your iPod. The program allows you to look for the nearest pizza parlor via several criteria, including neighborhood and restaurant.

The next time you're shuffling between Pearl Jam and Tank Trap as your stomach is giving you static... shuffle over to piPod and drop by your local pizza shop.

"Sony’s busted out a “Ceramic White” version of their new slim PlayStation 2." [Via joystiq.com]

PS2 gets a face lift!

With the PS3 on its way Spring 2006, Playstation lovers can get their fix NOW by remodeling their current PS2 game station...Exactly the same in every way as the original black PS2, the new white PS2 will be great for people with white Apple products who want the stark whiteness of everything to match....

"Intel and Aopen have tied up to make a mini PC which looks just like the Mac Mini. The company aims to ship the Mini Mac look-alike in September to consumers. " [Via techtree.com]

Mac Mini goes PC ?

Obviously a blatant rip off of the Mac Mini, Intel and Aopen are trying to hit the home markets obviously on this - but with a price tag that's expected to run higher than the mini...I don't know how successful they'll be...

Magellan GPS Adventure: Geocaches Found!

Although it has just begun, there have been several people who have walked into the woods empty handed and came out with hundreds of dollars of GPS hardware and goodies. The 3rd annual Magellan GPS Adventure has been going on for one week and so far, three lucky geocachers have found the goods. One geocacher and his 2 partners found the box you see on the right somewhere in Wisconsin. The two others were in California and Arizona...There are several more to go and chances are there'll be one in or within driving range of your state in the next week or so...

If you want to get started geocaching or you just want to know what the hell this is all about, you can follow the Methodshop.com Geocaching Tutorial.

"With the next version of iTunes, there will be a way for everyone to find and subscribe to podcasts via the music management programme, the company said in a statement. " [Via digitalmediausa.com]

Podcasting Support for iTunes

Companies like iPodderX will have a run for their money when iTunes comes out with this update...A very strong and reliable and constantly changing program, iPodderX has had a stranglehold on the virgin podcasting market. It seems that Apple, like many of the network news channels on TV, have realized they can't stand back and watch this phenomenon take off without having part in it...I hope that Apple's involvement doesn't somehow make these podcasts turn into more mainstream banter than the unprofessional yet highly entertaining stuff we have now...There's room to grow, and hopefully iTunes support for podcasting will help it grow and not hinder it...