Even as reports come in that CES 2010 won’t be as big as CES 2009 or CES 2008, an exception to the size reductions is coming from an unlikely direction.   The Apple iPod .   The CES  iLounge, sponsored by the website iLounge, will feature a large number of Apple products and accessories.   The plans are to exhibit in a very big way at this year’s CES.

According to a report much earlier this year by Mark Harris at TechRadar, Apple is not only abandoning MacWorld  Expo but they are allocating massive space to showcase products at CES 2010 in Las Vegas in January.   The iLounge exhibit at CES  had 18,000 square feet as of the article’s publication in January.

“Leading Apple developers and retailers are excited to have such an outstanding stage at the 2010 International CES,”

“Whether they’re showing off iPod accessories, iPhone applications, or the latest and coolest new Mac products, they know that they’ll find the world’s largest audience at this great new pavilion.”

Historically Apple has had a very limited presence at CES events, tending to make a big splash at MacWorld instead.    It’s not clear why the big change this year and it seems odd for Apple to abandon one of their most prominent venues, but in the fast pace world of computing loyalties can change almost as fast as the technologies.

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My iPOD can beat up your iPOD

By John Ghysels, technology-report.com

Apple’s surprisingly high profits not withstanding, there appears to be trouble about in iPOD land, if comments over at Amazon.com, like this one, are to be believed:  http://www.amazon.com/review/R1J5U3Y9O8E1YF/ref=cm_cr_rdp_perm. 

Indeed, a brief web surf showed a surprising degree of frustration with the new 4G iPOD nano. The main complaints seem to center on compatibility issues. This is perhaps because the new 4G nano is compatible with, well, just about nothing. If one has invested big bucks in earlier iPOD compatible cases, holders, speakers or chargers, as well as the much more expensive consoles, monitors, audio players, etc., then you basically have to start over. 

It’s always hard to judge from any rating site what exactly is going on with many gadget products. You never know how many ratings are just hot-heads venting about confusing technology. If you believed even half of all this on-line ranting, we’re certain you would NEVER even buy a cell phone. 

However, the proof is in the pudding, or in this case, in the mysterious workings of the marketplace.  Technology-Report notes that prices on “new” 3G iPOD models are still suprisingly high and, in fact, are about equal to the price for the new 4G POD Nano, at about $140.  This is in spite of the many added features on the new generation iPOD. 

While production on the 3G has likely stopped and supply issues certainly come into play here, it is still a bit shocking that an earlier generation is selling for around the price of the new, “much improved” version.  Even the prices of older 4 Gig, 3G iPOD’s are holding their values, with heavily used units still selling for $80 or more. That’s better than most houses in California. 

The marketplace may be reflecting the impact of an expensive upgrade, as well as the satisfaction of existing users. Apple may have violated the old cardinal rule of Detroit, planned obsolesence, and done themselves too well on the “old” 3G nano.  

In any case, I love my 3G iPOD nano. It still has the feel of hi-tech and runs like a top, even two years later. I still while away oodles of time, carefully craming loads of videos and audio entertainment into it’s measely 4 gigs. It’s small size and ease of use has allowed it to infiltrate into my life and that of many others. 

Yep. I love my iPOD 3G nano.  And I ain’t givin’ it up jest yet.   

–John Ghysels, 01/22/09

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3G iPods, and “You are not authorized”

By John Ghysels, Special to Technology-Report

3G Ipod, Audio, Ipod, apple, digital TV battlestar, Ipod, Itunes, video