If you remember and enjoyed yesterday’s post about the Teleglass, you will probably like this one as well because both products are on the same category. The HMD800 actually costs less and is already available for purchase, those are the 2 bonus points.

The Head Mounted Display (HMD) works with iPods, DVD Players, Gaming Systems, and any other device that features a AV output. Its function is to reproduce the image that is being played on your device, into a 30-inch virtual theater-like image that you can see while wearing the glasses. Read the rest of this entry »

Probably the cutest iPod speakers in the world, the DJ Bear.

Amazingly we’ve not written about any iPod paraphernalia for a while (shock, horror!), the iPod accessory scene seems to of been something quiet of late. So it was nice to see an iPod accessory for kids (or soppy adults) the DJ Bear.

With the DJ bear you place your iPod (or any compatible MP3 player) in his front dungaree pocket, squeeze his hand to turn him on and then listen to you favourite tunes from speakers in his teenie weenie feet. For kids to get the full stereo effect they’ll just need to give him a shoulder ride.

You can get the DJ Bear from Janlynn for $39.99.

If the latest round of touchscreen iPod rumors are true, you may want to revise your holiday wishlist.

Touchscreen iPod rumors have been circulating around the Internet for awhile now. Even MethodShop.com posted some touchscreen iPod patent pictures back in February. The new twist to this story is that the touchscreen iPod might have a wide aspect ratio screen. This would make a lot of sense since Apple recently started selling movies on iTunes.

The new widescreen rumor originated from an anonymous executive at an iPod accessories company who spoke to someone at TrustedReviews. How reliable is this anonymous executive? Your guess is as good as ours. Anyway, here’s what Mr. Anonymous had to say:

“In a very matter of fact tone I was told that the product was not designed for the current generation of device, but the official 6G iPod… which is to be released in December. His company’s device only comes onto the market shortly before then and would benefit hugely because the new iPod would sport a screen that filled the full side of the device and consequently offer higher resolution video… This is why Jobs isn’t afraid of the Zune,’ he said, though he had no knowledge of whether wireless would make an appearance.”

This might help explain Steve Jobs dismissive attitude last week:

“Jobs is unimpressed with Microsoft’s Zune, which allows users to exchange songs. ‘It takes forever,’ said Jobs. ‘By the time you’ve gone through all that, the girl’s got up and left!’”

Adding more fuel to the fire, here’s what Gizmodo had to say about the widescreen iPod rumors:

“One thing’s for sure, if this widescreen iPod is released in the next two months, the Microsoft Zune with its old-fashioned 4×3 screen and crippled WiFi will be slam-dunked.”

digg story | methodshop

According to several police chiefs in the UK, the popularity of the iPod may be behind a 5% increase in robberies. Ian Johnston, chief constable of the British Transport Police had this to say last Friday about the iPod and other valuable gadgets, “The mobile phone explosion is continuing. The iPod explosion is continuing. All of these gadgets that people carry around with them are very attractive to robbers, so that puts the opportunities up. We’ve obviously got to respond to that…”

Apparently just wearing an iPod in the UK can make you a target for a mugging. If you are extremely worried about being attacked for your iPod, you should consider not using the white earbuds that come with every iPod. White headphones are a dead giveaway to everyone around you that you own an iPod.

Even though overall crime in the UK has dropped, robbery rose by about 5% compared to last year. Violent crime was also slightly up nationwide mostly due to street brawls and pub fights.

In case you are curious, here’s the breakdown in recorded crime in the UK compared to last year:

• Drug offences up 16%
• Other offences against the person-with no injury up 6%
• Robbery up 5%
• Criminal damage 0%
• Theft of and from vehicles 0%
• Domestic burglary down 4%
• Other burglary down 5%
• Other thefts and handling down 6%
• More serious violence down 13%
• Other offences against the person-with injury down 4%
• Sexual offences down 6%
• Total recorded crime down 2%

digg story | methodshop

Oops. According to a notice on Apple’s technical support site, 1% of Video iPods shipped after September 12 had a little present on their hard drives. It wasn’t something good, like free music or movies, but a computer virus called “RavMonE.exe” that spreads via removable media.

Apple’s response was the following: “As you might imagine, we are upset at Windows for not being more hardy against such viruses, and even more upset with ourselves for not catching it… So far we have seen less than 25 reports concerning this problem…. and all Video iPods now shipping are virus free.”

Mac users can breathe a sigh of relief, the “RavMonE.exe” virus only affects computers running Microsoft’s Windows operating system. If you are a PC user who recently purchased a Video iPod, you can detect and remove the virus using an anti-virus software program like Norton AntiVirus. You should also scan any mass storage devices that you have recently attached to your PC such as external hard drives, digital cameras with removable media, and USB flash drives.

Good luck.

digg story | methodshop

Looks like all the rumors were true. Say hello to the new special edition red iPod Nano.

Bono, Oprah Winfrey and other celebrities have partnered with Apple Computer on a special red-colored iPod Nano to help raise money for a new charity aimed at battling AIDS in Africa called PRODUCT RED.

To help promote the new red iPod, both Oprah and Bono bought 10 red iPods at Apple’s retail store in Chicago. The video aired last Friday on “The Oprah Winfrey Show” (video).

Apple has agreed to donate $10 from the sale of each red iPod to the PRODUCT RED charity to help women and children affected by HIV/AIDS in Africa.

The PRODUCT RED charity was created by Bono and Bobby Shriver, Chairman of DATA. They hope to raise awareness and money for The Global Fund by teaming up with the world’s most iconic brands to produce PRODUCT RED branded products. Other companies that plan on offering special PRODUCT RED items include the Gap, Converse, Armani, American Express and Motorola.

According to AppleInsider, rumors of a red-colored iPod first surfaced when Bono was overheard at Dublin’s Patrick Guilbaud restaurant “discussing a new charity red AmEx card and red iPod.”

digg story | methodshop

If you love your iPod and can’t bear to be parted from it even when asleep then this is the solution, the MP3 Pillow, a pillow shaped like an iPod.

Not only does the pillow offer traditional pillow functionality it also incorporates a speaker so you can listen to tunes while you snooze. To finish things off and make this one of the coolest iPod accessories going, the buttons on the pillow actually work, so once connected to your player you can control it by poking your pillow.

The MP3 Pillow is available from Think Geek for $19.95.

WARNING: Probably advisable to remove your music player before getting involved in any pillow fights.

I like proporta.com, they sell a load of cool stuff and also sent me a goodie bag of gadgets (which is a very good way to get my attention :)), the majority of which I’ll be giving away in our forums. Their latest product is the USB Mobile Device Charger.

Problem…

Battery life of new power-hungry mobile devices has a lot to answer for. We all know how annoying it is when your device runs out of battery when you need it the most - the phone call you had to make, the 3 hour journey you are on with no book to read, or that deal breaking email that you had to send… www.proporta.com have come up with the answer.

Solution…

Read the rest of this entry »