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Apple Stores' New Easy Pay iPod touch

Andrew Villa — Wed, 04 Nov 2009 13:18:47 -0600

According to ifoAppleStore and AppleInsider, in about two weeks, Apple stores will start retiring their current Windows CE portable computers and start using custom iPod touches to check out customers.

Apple's new EasyPay system uses the the touchscreen interface of the iPod touch to help any customer with purchases and returns. Apple is wrapping the iPod touch in a hard plastic, two-piece shell with a magstripe reader in the back, and a barcode scanner installed on the top of the device. Inside the shell a rechargeable battery will help power the card reader and scanner, and there is a set of four lights on the back to help indicate the state of the battery's charge.

Credit card transactions are very similar to the current method, customers will write their signature on the iPod touch using a Pogo Sketch stylus.

The iPod touch scanner can read all four barcodes printed on the iPhone box, and automatically fills in the data fields on the order screen. "The software even displays the iPhone 'Terms and Conditions' for the customer to read, and then accepts the customers signature to verify their acceptance," says AppleInsider.

Patent: New Wireless iPod/Headset Combo?

Cory Bohon — Thu, 29 Oct 2009 18:14:32 -0500

A new iPod patent filing has been unearthed today that shows us an iPod built into a small Bluetooth-style headset. Could it be a replacement for the iPod shuffle?

According to the US patent application, the device is a "wireless headset with integrated media player." Apple has included the following abstract about the patent filing:

"Additional functionality in a wireless headset allows it to be used during times that the external device with which it is wirelessly coupled is not being used, but when the headset is nevertheless being worn. This is accomplished by integrating a media player into the wireless headset. The media player may be an audio player, capable, e.g., of playing audio files such as MPEG-3 ("MP3") files. Optionally, the media player may include a recording function as well, so that a user can record voice notes. In addition, if the external device is a telephone (mobile or landline), the availability of a recording function could make it possible for the user to record all or part of a conversation. Similarly, voicemail messages received on the user's telephone could be uploaded into the headset for later off-line playback. Media files recorded by the headset also could be downloaded to the external device."

Of course, just because it's a patent doesn't mean that Apple will create a product. We think this could be a neat addition to the Apple lineup though and wonder if it could possibly replace the iPod shuffle.

You can read the full details on the U.S. Patent Office website.

via 9to5 Mac

Apple To Release a Touch Screen Remote for Apple TV?

Cory Bohon — Thu, 01 Oct 2009 21:03:19 -0500

A new rumor speculates that Apple could be hard at work creating a touch screen remote for the Apple TV. We're calling fake, but many multi-touch hopefuls are wishing for it to become a reality. The Boy Genius Report breaks the news with a picture of the speculative remote control device that supposedly only works with the Apple TV.

BGR notes that this rumor is from the same person who accurately predicted that Apple would be releasing a new version of iTunes that allowed for home screen organization. The tipster told BGR that the remote launch would possibly coincide with a revamped Apple TV launch.

Of course, this remote could definitely cause more of a gripe than the $19 plastic Apple remote that is being sold today.

It Lives! -- The Rumor That Wouldn't Die

J Keirn-Swanson — Tue, 15 Sep 2009 19:23:59 -0500

According to Taiwan suppliers quoted in the Taiwan Economic News, "DynaPack International Technology Corp. has been exclusively contracted to supply up to 300,000 units of long lasting battery packs a month for Apple`s newest tablet PCs." This claim goes hand in hand with an earlier claim that Wintek had received orders to begin providing touch screens roughly 9.6 or 9.7 inches.

Credit: Adam Benton

The article goes on to claim that the new device would feature a HSPDA (High Speed Download Packet Access) module, the cellular data protocol that AT&T uses in the United States and far more common in Europe. This rumor, if true, would seem to kill the idea that Apple is readying to ditch the troublesome carrier to cozy up to Verizon. That competitor's data protocol, EVDO Rev. A, has lately been losing ground to HSPDA worldwide. The choice of the latter protocol, as in the iPhone, would make the tablet truly a global offering.

Tying it all together is inclusion in the rumor of Apple's acquisition of chip producers P.A. Semi as producing a processor soley for the tablet.

The rumor's specificity here is a double-edged sword. The level of detail has a convincing element to it, while it goes against the grain of Cupertino's legendary secrecy. A third option could be an Apple misinformation campaign designed to hide their real plans. As always, only time will tell.

Apple Event Rumor Roundup

Cory Bohon — Fri, 04 Sep 2009 15:53:25 -0500

With an Apple media event scheduled for September 9, everyone is speculating about what will be released. The event is being billed as Apple's annual iPod event. The event is used to introduce iPods for the holiday buying frenzy and gives us an excuse to "accidentally" break our current iPods.

As with any Apple event, there are tons of rumors rolling around about what Steve and the Gang might release. To help you get caught up what the Internet has conjured up for the event, we present the following rumors.

1. Apple TV is coming, maybe

This rumor actually seems to be logical as the Apple TV has been out of the update loop since its release in 2007. Of course we'd all like to see a really cool media center/gaming rig from Apple (can anyone say Pippin?), but we might get something less spectacular. The Loop's beard reports that there will be no Apple TV at next week's event, but this directly opposes Piper Jaffray's Gene Munster who said that Apple TVs would see an update at the event. Munster believes that the hardware might see an upgrade and that Apple could phase out the 40GB model for a larger 160GB model. The Apple store is showing a 1-2 week delivery time on the 40GB model. This has normally been a tale-tale sign of an imminent refresh in the past.

2. Pre-cut Ringtones will irritate you with the latest hit song

In somewhat of a strange rumor pop up, CNET is reporting that Apple could be introducing pre-cut ringtones at the event. These ringtones would give iPhone owners the ability to download annoying rings directly from iTunes without having to create their own. If this pans out, expect an onslaught of "Poker face" ringtones at work. The horror.

3. The never-ending Apple tablet

Will the rumor mill ever stop with the Apple tablet rumors? Until Apple actually release a tablet, the rumors will never die. There's no doubt that many Mac users might like a tablet, but we just can't see this one becoming a reality at this Apple event. Although, between mysterious phone calls, anonymous analysts with hands on experience, and trusted sources, the Apple tablet is looking like it could finally see the light of day. The latest rumors speculate that we might see a 15-inch tablet. Adding fuel to the fire is the fact that Apple has included an oversized on-screen keyboard in Snow Leopard. We'd like to see a tablet at the event, not just because we think Apple could do it correctly, but also because we're sick of this rumor.

4. iPods with cameras

Getting into the more possible of rumors is iPods with cameras. How many times have you been out and about with only your iPod and wanted to take a picture? Well, if the rumor mills have their way, we'll soon see the entire iPod line with 3-mega-pixel cameras on their backs. Wired of course was one of the first to mention this possibility. They report that the iPod touch could include cameras and microphones that could enable the potential of VoIP on the touch. Engadget adds fuel to the fire by showing us more evidence of iPod camera. What's the evidence? It's third-party cases for the new devices! D'oh!

5. iTunes 9 gets all up in your Facebook

iTunes 9 rumors have surfaced, been crushed, and resurfaced again. It's just like that scary movie that you can't stop watching. We're hoping for all of the cool features, but we just can't see Apple including Facebook and Twitter support without making the app rating 17+. BGR found the screenshots of the purported iTunes 9 showing off some of the social media functions. Besides irritationg your friends with updates about your listening habits, Blu-ray support is allegedly coming to iTunes 9 even though Steve Jobs thinks it's, "a world of hurt." Those features are nice, but our fingers are crossed for an iPhone app management feature. Please let it be true, please!

6. Will Steve Be There?

With Steve Jobs fully returned to the big Apple, we can only wonder if he will be doing the event keynote. Of course, we might see him, but we don't think he'll do the full address. Perhaps he'll invite Greg Joswiak, Scott Forstall, or Phil Schiller to take over while he MCs the event. We have a secret desire that the guys will bust out their barbershop quartet act for the event. It's about music right?

7. And tonight's musical guest...

Every iPod event ends with a performance by a popular artist. Who will it be this year? Since the event is being held on 9/9/09, the same day The Beatles Rock Band game is launched and the day remastered Beatles albums will be available, there is speculation that we'll get The Beatles in iTunes.

If that happens, there is a very slim possibility that Ringo and Paul will show up and belt out a few tunes for us. If that happens, expect tech journalists to scream like little girls. Well, more so than usual.

Did we miss a rumor? We probably did, but the fun doesn't stop here. If you come across another rumor be sure to let us know in the comments. And don't forget that we'll be liveblogging the event on September 9, 2009 at 10am Pacific time.

iTablet Not Destined for iPod Event?

Arvind Srinivasan — Thu, 13 Aug 2009 19:48:56 -0500

After the depressing news that Snow Leopard may not be coming as soon as we thought, the Interwebs are circulating a new rumor that the iTablet isn’t ready for prime time either.

The Loop’s "very reliable sources" are saying that the September iPod event isn’t go time; rather, the tablet will be coming in early 2010. Take this with a grain of salt though - there have been “very reliable sources” saying that it would come in September, which would probably make more sense from a marketing perspective, given how lucrative the holiday season is for Apple. Isn’t that why they backed out of the Macworld conference, to get away from releasing products randomly in January? Either way, there shall be long lines when it is released, we shall hope sooner rather than later.

Rumor: iTunes 9 Feature List

Arvind Srinivasan — Sat, 08 Aug 2009 20:33:09 -0500

What with rumors of a gigantic iPod-tablet, an iPhone nano, and an 8GB 3GS, the rumor mill has strangely neglected the next version of iTunes, which could logically be released along with a reshuffling of the iPod product line. Of course, a major release (9.0) would warrant some crazy new features, and Boy Genius Report is saying that Blu-ray support, a new way to organize iPhone apps within iTunes, and integration with social networking sites will all make it into the next version.

Specifically, they say that iTunes will integrate with Twitter, Facebook, and possibly Last.fm, presumably offering some way to broadcast the current song to those services. TechCrunch notes that if these broadcasts had a link to buy the song in iTunes (please let it be shortened), they could lead to a sales boost for Apple. More vague, though is Blu-Ray support. Do they mean playback? If so, why wouldn’t they include it in Quicktime X? Also, playback implies actual Blu-ray readers in Macs. Does this mean Blu-Ray isn’t a “bag of hurt,” Steve?

Also noteworthy is that this rumor ties in nicely to the Financial Times report that said that Apple was working with record labels to bundle liner notes and video with albums, as such content would likely be distributed via the iTunes ecosystem.

In any case, we can count on Apple to deliver something exciting come September (iPod event + Snow Leopard, at the very least). What would you like to see in the next version of iTunes? Let us know in the comments.

PA Semi Chips In Your Apple Tablet?

Danny Estrada — Tue, 14 Jul 2009 15:14:42 -0500

Word on the street, the Wall Street Journal to be exact, is that the processor chip for the rumored tablet is being designed by Apple's recently acquired, internal chip team PA Semi. Apple swooped up PA Semi in April of '08 for a measly $278 million.

No one really said what Apple was planning to do with PA Semi, but there are reports that their super hero design team has been investing half of their work force to developing processors for iPhones and iPod touches, and the other half to designing processors for tablet devices.

MacRumors has been setting stories afloat that Apple plans on having a tablet read for the holiday season, even though it may seem a little late to finish a chip for a product launching in fall. Unless, like Japan's ongoing construction of giant robo-mech suits in secret underground bunkers for an upcoming full-out global strike, Apple has been developing the processor in secret since spring of last year. Either way, we are excitedly waiting the official unveiling of the Apples tablet... or our new Gundam-based world leaders.

Via VentureBea t