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Posts Tagged ‘Ipod’

Why my iPOD 3G nano STILL rules

January 23rd, 2009
15 comments
My IPOD can beat up your IPOD

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

3G Ipod, apple, gadgets , , , , , , ,

3G iPods, and “You are not authorized”

January 14th, 2009
1,261 comments

3G iPods, and “You are not authorized”

By John Ghysels, Special to Technology-Report

NanoI was having difficulty in downloading and playing some music, and most TV videos, on my Ipod nano. I rarely buy music from the itunes store, but I have a large, perfectly legal, personal music collection. I also really enjoy checking out the free video offerings in the itunes store for TV shows such as the new mini-episodes for the much delayed season of Battlestar Galactica. 

However, when I sync up my iPod Nano 3G,  I receive this message: “The (song or video) was not synched because you are not authorized to play them on this computer.”

You know what’s really bothering me about this? These were all songs were bought by me or free videos I downloaded right from the store.  Now, moments later, I was being told I wasn’t authorized to play them.

Suggestions from various places on the web encouraged me to open iTunes, click Store->De-authorize Computer, and then click Store->Authorize computer. I did this, and it worked, at least for me.  iTunes now tells me I’ve authorized a total of 2 of 5 possible computers — I’m not sure which computers those are, since I have about 5, but oh well. 

I’ve read that, failing the procedure above, you can go into iTunes and double-click one of the forbidden songs or videos. In this case, iTunes warns you that the song isn’t authorized to play on this computer … but then it offers to sign you in and authorize you.  

You accept that offer by entering your iTunes password. Then, like magic, you then become an authorized user (whatever that means) … and your forbidden songs and videos are now synched to the Nano.

John Ghysels, 1/14/2009

3G Ipod, Audio, Ipod, apple, digital TV , , ,

Midland AVPH3 Transparent Headset

November 30th, 2008
1 comment

Midland AVPH3 Headset

Product Review: Novel new tool for the safe and discrete ipod-listener. 

By John R. Ghysels, Special to Technology-Report. 

These versatile ear-pieces have been great for listening without blocking out traffic sounds, or spousal commentary, both of which will help your safety and happiness over devices which block both ears.  
Hey, you don’t always need stereo. For my part, I listen to tons of educational podcasts and I don’t need something blocking both ears all the time. So, if you are looking for something with a modest, “secret service” look that gives you all day comfort in a listening earphone, look here and ignore the mic feature. 
The unit has a cool secret-service look, but is still less obvious than most cell and stereo headphone gear. I wear it for exersize, driving, just about anywhere I want to enjoy confortable non-stereo sound. 
I say non-stereo, but the sound quality is excellent, providing lots of good quality signal that does justice to both music and regular audio. 
 
 
 
 

 

Oh, and if you are a regular Walkie Talkie user, this will fit most models with standard mic-jacks.   

 

–John Ghysels 

2 Way Radio, Audio, Safety, Travel Aids, Walkie Talkies, gadgets, headphones, technology , , , , , , , ,

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