A Japanese company called Solid Alliance is selling an Apple iPod cover that's designed to look like RAW MEAT. It comes in a cellophane-and-Styrofoam package just like meat does. We've reviewed plenty of iPod/iPhone cases before, but this one gets bonus points for originality. I wonder what my dog will think.

iPod... It's what's for dinner?



More info at rakuten.co.jp and therawfeed.com


methodshop

Labels: ipod, offbeat

It always breaks my heart when we get a "my iPod broke while I was on vacation" email like the one below. When you are on vacation you probably don't have a computer to help fix the iPod. And worse yet, a broken iPod means no music or movies to enjoy on the plane ride home.

"hey there, methodshop!

okay, so I'm flying into La Paz, and my iPod starts acting funny. I'd heard they don't do well at high elevations, so I go to put it to sleep and I get the - gasp - sad iPod icon, along with a url for apple. this does not look good.

I arrive in Cochabamba, 3 thousand feet closer to sea level, and look at my iPod. the menu is there, all well and good, but when I go to play a song I find that the Thing-is-empty.

no songs on it. nothing. nada. zilch.

what the heck happened?!?!?! and how can I restore some tuneage before my 13-hour journey home on Sunday?

help me, methodshop. you're my only hope... Tracy"

Hi Tracy. Nice Facebook profile picture by the way. You are in a sticky situation right now. I won't try to sugar coat it - that would probably just make it more sticky. Anyway, there are a few things you can do to try to fix your iPod.

1. The sad iPod icon is not something you want to ever see. The first thing you should do is reset your iPod. Cross your fingers and restart the thing. If you are lucky, it will be good as new. It will just start working again and all your music will be there like nothing ever happened. The directions on how to restart your iPod vary from model to model so check out this link for more info: How to Restart a Frozen iPod.
   
   
2. If the restart trick didn't work, you should try putting your iPod into Dianogtisc Mode. This will run a series of hardware tests on your iPod. If the hard drive test fails, then you are probably screwed. But keep reading, there are more tips below.
   
   
3. Next you should try connecting the iPod to a computer and running a hard drive check. Mac's have a program called Disk Utility (Macintosh HD > Applications > Utilities). If you are on a PC, then open My Computer from the desktop and right-click on the iPod. Then select Properties > Tools tab > Defragment Now). But Windows computers won't recognize Mac formatted iPods. So you'll have to try to find a Mac.
   
   
4. If the iPod is being stubborn and won't connect to the computer, then try forcing the iPod into Disk Mode. Running a hard drive check might be hard to do, especially while on vacation when you typically don't have a computer handy. If you are lucky, there might be a pale nerdy kid with a laptop in the shade by the pool. Go flirt with him. Show him your nerdy Facebook profile picture. He might be able to fix it for you.
   
   
5. Here's you last resort. You're going to have to erase the iPod. Sometimes the hard drive on the iPod just gets too fragmented and messy after adding and deleting thousands of songs over months or years of use. The best way to clean up all those scatted blocks of data is to start fresh. The problem is, you probably didn't bring your computer on vacation with you. And worse yet, without your computer, you don't have access to your iTunes music collection. So if you choose to erase your iPod, you should try to use a local computer (hotel, friend, Apple Store, etc.) with iTunes installed to either load some CDs you buy while on vacation or make friends with someone who will let you borrow some MP3s for the plane ride home.
   
   
6. When all else fails, buy a book at the airport. Sorry. When you get home there are some more iPod Support articles that you might find helpful. And if your iPod has a bad hard drive, then try our iPod Repair Service to get it replaced. Good luck Tracy and we hope you didn't have to read anything past step 1.
   

If you plan on taking your iPod on vacation near water (beach, lake, boat, etc.), then make sure you get a waterproof case for your iPod.


methodshop

Labels: ipod

Is your iPod acting funny? Has a virus or hard drive crash wiped out your entire music collection on your computer? Need some free iPod tech support and repair help?

Here are 20 free fixes and trouble shooting tutorials for common iPod and iPhone problems.

You broke your iPod. Now fix it!

1. How to Copy Music Off Your iPod
2. How to Use the iPod Diagnostic Mode
3. "Do Not Disconnect" Mesage Won't Go Away
4. How to Erase Your iPod and Fix Most Problems
   
5. iPod Icons: What is Your iPod Saying
6. iPod LCD Screen Problems
7. Skipping Music on Your iPod
8. Restart a Frozen iPod
9. How to Rename Your iPod
10. My iPod's Battery Won't Charge
11. My Music Disappeared
12. How to Delete Duplicate Songs in Your iTunes Library
13. Importing Tips for iTunes
14. How to Join or Merge Tracks in iTunes
15. How to Convert Audio Files in iTunes
16. Put Your iPod Into Disk Mode
17. iPod Won't Mount or Update
18. Using Multiple iPods on One Computer
19. I Dropped My iPod in the Toilet (or any other boy of water)
20. How to Assign Your iPod to Microsoft Drive Letter "i"

Good luck! If you didn't find what you were looking for, there are more iPod Support articles available. And if all else fails, then try an Overnight iPod Repair Service.


methodshop

Labels: iphone, ipod, tutorial

Occasionally an iPod or iPhone may freeze or fail to respond to your commands. This can happen for a number of reasons and does not necessarily indicate a serious problem. Sometimes they just need a restart much like the way your computer needs a reset once in a while.

Tutorial: How to reset a Frozen iPod or iPhone


Restarting an iPod/iPhone is a simple procedure that will not erase any of your music, data files, or customized preferences.


methodshop

Labels: iphone, ipod, tutorial

I lied. These codes are really that secret. A quick Google search will return thousands of results, but these codes aren't exactly advertised or listed in the manual.

Most cellphones use special "diagnostic codes" - numbers that can be dialed to display various technical information about the unit, the user's account, the cellular network it's "registered" on, or the local network that's currently available. You might have dialed a few of these already while on the phone with tech support.

This is a list of iPhone specific codes. But some of these may work your non-iPhone phone. Some are AT&T or North America specific. The only way to know if they work on your phone is to try.

Feel like dialing some secret iPhone codes? I thought so. Enjoy.



*3001#12345#* and tap Call. Enter Field Mode.

Field mode reveals many of the inner settings of your iPhone, specifically up-to-date network and cell information.

*#06# Displays your IMEI. No need to tap Call.

IMEI is the unique identifier for your cell phone hardware. Together with your SIM information it identifies you to the provider network. It's like a SSN for phones.

*777# and tap Call. Account balance for prepaid iPhone.

*225# and tap Call. Bill Balance. (Postpaid only)

*646# and tap Call. Check minutes. (Postpaid only)

These 3 above are pretty self explanatory.

*#21# and tap Call. Setting interrogation for call forwards.

Discover the settings for your call forwarding. You'll see whether you have voice, data, fax, sms, sync, async, packet access, and pad access call forwarding enabled or disabled.

*#30# and tap Call. Calling line presentation check.

This displays whether you have enabled or disabled the presentation of the calling line, presumably the number of the party placing the call.

*#76# and tap Call. Check whether the connected line presentation is enabled or not.

State whether the connected line presentation is enabled or disabled. Presumably similar to the calling line presentation.

*#43# and tap Call. Determine if call waiting is enabled.

Displays call waiting status for voice, data, fax, sms, sync data, async data, packet access and pad access. Each item is either enabled or disabled.

*#61# and tap Call. Check the number for unanswered calls.

Show the number for voice call forwarding when a call is unanswered. Also show the options for data, fax, sms, sync, async, packet access and pad access.

*#62# and tap Call. Check the number for call forwarding if no service is available.

Just like the previous, except for no-service rather than no-answer situations.

*#67# and tap Call. Check the number for call forwarding when the iPhone is busy.

And again, but for when the iPhone is busy.

*#33# and tap Call. Check for call control bars.

Check all the usual suspects (voice, data, fax, sms, etc) to see whether barring is enabled or disabled for outgoing.

If you are looking for information and detailed instructions on how to use the iPod's Dianogistic mode, then click here.

methodshop

Labels: iphone, ipod

It turns out that Andru Edwards from GearLive.com was right about the iPhone 1.1.3 update.

New features include:

• location data via cell tower triangulation (via Google) or WiFi triangulation (via Skyhook Wireless)
• Webclips - ability to make sections of web pages into widgets
  
• custom icon layouts for home screens (up to 9 total)
  
• SMS multiple recipients
• Chapters for video and subtitle/audio language options
• Karaoke mode (Lyrics displayable)
  

All these new features are available today as a free software update for every iPhone.



But what about iPod Touch owners? You can add Mail, Maps, Stocks, Notes, Webclips and Weather... but it's a $20 upgrade! Come on Steve. That wasn't very nice.

You can watch the leaked iPhone 1.1.3 video here.


methodshop

Labels: iphone, ipod, macworld

If you weren't the first guy on your block to bring home an iPhone, it looks like you'll get another shot to impress when the iPhone Platinum Edition becomes available next month. Goldstriker International, the fine folks who brought us the 24k gold iPod, will release the Power of Platinum collection in January. But you better act quick, because they are only making 250 of these bad boys.

As you can imagine there is quite a premium to own the world's first Platinum iPhone. Expect to pay about $2230 after the conversion from English Pounds. If the 250 units sell out as quickly as we think they will it's quite possible the phones will fetch a small fortune on eBay or at other auction sites. Keep your eyes on the Goldstriker website ( http://www.goldstriker.co.uk/aboutus.html ) early next month for your chance to buy the Platinum iPhone.

Goldstriker also offers a full line of professionally plated products ranging from laptop computers to keychains. You can also send Goldstriker your current iPod or iPhone and they will adorn the item in the precious metal of your choice. Turnaround is usually a super speedy 48 hours. We'll be interested to see what the always innovative Goldstriker comes up with next. For now we'll just keep on refreshing their website until we can buy the iPhone Platinum.

A PimpWiz Exclusive By Scott Bernstein

Labels: iphone, ipod

So it turns out a white onion is not only good for salsa, but good for charging iPods too. Here is a video showing you how to charge an iPod with an onion, Gatorade and USB cable.

I knew those electrolights are good for something. For those not interested in watching a 3 minute video here is the down-n-dirty:

• put two holes on either side of your onion with screwdriver
• soak the thing in Gatorade until most is gone (about 1 cup worth)
• use the iPod USB cable and push in the USB connector into the onion.

Your iPod will turn on and charge shortly there. So for about 1 cup of Gatorade soaking into the onion will get you about 30 minutes of charge time.

Source: GetUSB.info
If you like this GetUSBinfo has other USB hacks and USB Tutorials.


BeSocial: digg story | methodshop

Labels: ipod

UPDATE: YouTube has reworked their site again in response to this article. They absolutely hate us. If you get an error when trying to download a YouTube video, please try some of the plug-ins and scripts listed in step #3.

YouTube.com is a great resource. Not many sites allows users to freely upload, view, and share video clips like YouTube does. YouTube even lets users easily post videos on their blogs and personal web sites. But because anyone can upload a video clip on YouTube, copyright violations are rampant.

In an effort to prevent the widespread distribution of illegal copied video files, YouTube encodes its video files in the Adobe Flash format, which prevents viewers from downloading files and making digital copies.

Here's a step-by-step tutorial on how to rip video files off YouTube.com and convert them for Apple TV, iPod Video, iTunes and iPhone. This trick will work on Mac or PC using Firefox or Internet Explorer.

BeSocial: digg story | methodshop

Labels: apple tv, iphone, ipod, itunes, tutorial

This week the Weather Channel's interactive division launched an application for the iPhone and iPod Touch.

Created by The Weather Channel Mobile, the app maps in a fully interactive environment and offers functionality like sliding pages and "fade ins."

Features include current conditions, hourly and 10-day forecasts, interactive radar, and maps that allow you to track the heavy stuff. You can also set up severe weather alerts for 5 different locations.

Open up the browser on your iPhone or iPod Touch and go to http://weather.com/iphone to check it out.

BeSocial: methodshop

Labels: iphone, ipod

ReplayTV is not the first to introduce a USB dongle for DVR use, however, they are the first to integrate a format easily playable on Apple hand-held devices like iPhone and iPod touch.

The Personal HD system bundles both digital ATSC and analog NTSC technology and play over-the-air HDTV signals or old school analog TV source. So now you TV junkies can overload on adictively pathetic reality TV shows (well, except Survivor).

The real joy of the USB tuner is the software. The Personal HD specifically supports transfer of video to a format playable on widescreen hand-held devices made by Apple. Not to leave anyone out in the cold, the software can preserve multiple shows at once and even support USB devices from rival companies, such as ATI (AMD) and Pinnacle.

The ReplayTV goodie bag for the Personal HD system include direct encoding in a 4:3 ratio, intelligent keyword filter system to find shows by cast member names, show IDs or genre. Although the reply system isn't out just yet, it will be later this fall at the tune of $100.

Source: GetUSBinfo

BeSocial: digg story | methodshop

Labels: apple, iphone, ipod, replaytv, usb-dvr

If you were watching any of the American football games this past Sunday, then you probably saw the new 3rd generation iPod Nano commercial. The ad features the upbeat and catchy song "1234" by Canadian singer/songwriter Leslie Feist.



You can watch Feist's full video for "1234" here [link] on YouTube or check out her new album "The Reminder" on iTunes. The commercial is no doubt doing wonders for Leslie Feist's name recognition. Everyone is talking about it online (like me).



Here are the lyrics to "1234" used in the iPod Nano ad:

One Two Three Four
Tell me that you love me more
Sleepless long nights
That is what my youth was for

Old teenage hopes are alive at your door
Left you with nothing but they want some more

Oh, you're changing your heart
Oh, You know who you are

BeSocial: rss | methodshop

Labels: ipod, music

Apple unveiled its new line of iPods yesterday including a model with an iPhone-like touchscreen interface and Zune-like WiFi access. The "iPod Touch" sports a 3.5-inch widescreen and a Safari browser, creating a mobile YouTube delivery device that essentially replicates the iPhone browsing experience for non-AT&T subscribers. It's going to run $299 for an 8 GB model and $399 for a 16 GB version, scheduled to ship later this month. You can pre-order the new iPods from Apple.com.

The former Video iPod has been renamed the "iPod Classic" with a slimmer design and a bigger hard drive.

Although the new iPod Touch is very impressive with its Wi-Fi and touch-screen, the fact that it only has a 16GBs sucks big time. I like to keep my current iPod Video full of movies and TV shows that I ripped from DVD for my morning commute. The new smaller hard drive is a major sticking point for me. The reason the new iPods have smaller hard drives is because they are Flash memory based (no moving parts) and are able to withstand an occasional bump or drop better than traditional hard drives.



Apple is also teaming with Starbucks to allow customers to browse a new WiFi iTunes store for free inside of its coffee shops. Go near a Starbucks and an icon pops up. Click on it and you can buy Starbucks' current music selections.

Steve Jobs also announced he was phasing out the entry level iPhone and cutting the price of the upper-end model from $599 to $399.

BeSocial: methodshop

Labels: apple, iphone, ipod

Though it is not official, those in the "know" say Apple is just hours away from announcing a new Wi-Fi enabled iPod designed to receive digital radio along with an option to buy content from the iTunes Store. It is not known whether the same functions will be included in the iPhone.

Other rumors about the new Wi-Fi iPod line suggest the inclusion of a wide-screen touch-screen interface like the iPhone, larger storage capacity, Flash based hard drive and a new version of the iPod Nano that can handle video.

On a personal note, I'm ready for a wide-screen iPod. Watching wide-screen formatted movies that I've ripped off of DVD on the small iPod screen has been giving me a headache.



Since the iPod's release in 2001, the hand-held music player has gone from a fun toy to a cultural icon. But it may be time for a revamp. Last year Apple's iPod sales dipped for the first time since 2002.

BeSocial: digg story | methodshop

Labels: ipod

The iPod’s Alarm Clock is nestled among other features like Calendar and Notes under the iPod’s Extras menu. While you may already be familiar with many of the iPod Extras (especially Games), the Alarm Clock is largely an under appreciated feature.

Whether you prefer to be woken by the scream of a rock star or the French horn in a classical symphony, the iPod’s Alarm Clock can help you open your eyes every morning with style!

Tutorial: Waking Up to the iPod Alarm Clock


BeSocial: digg it | methodshop.com

Labels: ipod, tutorial

If U.S. State Sen. Carl Kruger (D-Brooklyn) has his way, a new proposal would make it illegal to walk, jog or bike across the street in New York while using your iPod. Kruger wants to slap pedestrians with $100 fines for using electronic gadgets, like the iPod, while crossing the street. Last year, Australian Police issued a similar law that banned cyclists from using their iPods after a series of fatal accidents.


"This electronic gadgetry is reaching the point where it's becoming not only endemic but it's creating an atmosphere where we have a major public safety crisis at hand," said Kruger in a telephone interview with Reuters. Two men were killed in his Kruger's borough recently while listening to their iPods - one of which involved a 23-year-old who was killed in traffic while bystanders screamed "Watch out!" Unfortunately the man was unable to hear the warnings over the music in his headphones. Kruger has named this safety issue iPod Oblivion, but the bill goes beyond just iPods. The bill seeks to ban all popular electric devices such as cell phones, Sony PSPs, Blackberries, etc.

"If you're so involved in your electronic device that you can't see or hear a car coming, this is indicative of a larger problem that requires some sort of enforcement beyond the application of common sense," Kruger said.

Is an iPod crosswalk ban a little too Big Brother? Many people online aren't taking the news of this bill too seriously. Digg.com user packernirvana posted this tongue-in-cheek comment about the story: "I understand that they're working on another bill in New York. A $200 penalty for those caught walking and chewing gum."

Maybe everyone just needs to exercise a little common sense when using their iPod. How hard is it to lower the volume and look both ways before you cross the street? Didn't we all learn how to properly cross the street before we could tie our own shoelaces?

BeSocial: flickr | digg story | methodshop

Labels: ipod