As we expected, after the introduction of new models, Apple has dropped the prices on their Certified Refurbished iPods. I you aren’t the type of person who has to have the latest and greatest, but would rather find a great deal, this is your opportunity to get an iPod with the same one-year warranty as a new model, but for a lot less money.

Refurbished iPod nano 8G now only $129 (previously $149)

Refurbished iPod touch 8G now only $179 (previously $199)
Refurbished iPod touch 16G now only $239 (previously $299)
Refurbished iPod touch 32G now only $319 (previously $399)

Refurbished iPod classic 80G now only $169 (previously $179)
Refurbished iPod classic 160G now only $249 (previously $279)

Shop for Apple Certified Refurbished iPods

Here’s a rundown of what Apple announced at today’s Let’s Rock event.

•iTunes 8 is released. It features a new “Genius” button and sidebar that can automatically create playlists and suggestions based on a selected song. iTunes will also communicate (anonymously) your listening habits back to Apple so that the Genius feature can get smarter.

•According to NPD, iPod has 73.4% of the portable music player market.

•iPod classic thick model has been dropped. The classic only comes in 120GB size now for $249.

•90% of new US cars feature iPod integration.

•New iPod nano is revealed. It’s just like the spy photos. It’s the thinnest nano yet. Features aluminum case with curved glass over the screen. Nano has a built-in accelerometer like the iPod touch and iPhone, so that it can be rotated for landscape or portrait viewing. The nano also features “shake to shuffle” which takes advantage of the accelerometer as well.

•The new iPod nano supports more applications — calendar, stopwatch, voice recording.

•The iPod nano is highly recyclable, and is free of arsenic, BFR, mercury, and PVC.

•The nano is available in all new colors — silver, black, purple, blue, green, yellow, orange, red, pink.

•Pricing is $149 for the entry-level 8GB and $199 for the 16GB.

•New in-ear headphones available.

•iPod touch gets some new features — contoured stainless steel back, built-in speaker, external volume controls, “Genius” playlist creation, App Store, Nike+ receiver built-in.

•Phil Schiller demos some new games on the iPod touch — Spore, Real Soccer 2009, Need for Speed.

•iPod touch pricing — 8GB for $229, 16GB for $299, and 32GB for $399.

•iPod shuffle also got a similar color treatment as the nano. Colors available are silver, blue, green, red, pink.

•iPhone firmware 2.1 — fewer dropped calls, longer battery life, faster backup, no crashes with apps. New firmware will be available on Friday.

Shop the Apple Store for new iPods.

Watch the new iPod nano commercial

Watch the new iPod touch commercial

Apple is having a special event on September 9, 2008 where they are expected to reveal new iPod models. The iPod nano is expected to make a return to its tall and narrow form factor from previous generations.

We’ll have to wait and see. The event is scheduled for 10AM on September 9, 2008 in San Francisco.

Here is the first trailer for Watchmen, another DC Comics movie.

When an ex-superhero has been murdered, a vigilante named Rorshach (Jackie Earle Haley) begins an investigation into the murder, which begins to lead to a much more terrifying conclusion. And also uncovers a plot to discredit and murder various heroes. Rorschach discovers a far wider ranging conspiracy involving his colleagues’ past which could completely change the course of history.

I like the music in the trailer — The Smashing Pumpkins’ The Beginning Is The End Is The Beginning. Buy the music:
Amazon | iTunes

Directed by: Zack Snyder
Starring: Jeffrey Dean Morgan, Malin Akerman, Carla Gugino, Billy Crudup, Patrick Wilson, Jackie Earle Haley, Matthew Goode, Stephen McHattie

Release date: March 6, 2009

Stills from Watchmen below:
Read the rest of this entry »

Check out the deal Apple has on a refurbished iPod touch. The refurbished 8GB iPod touch is selling for only $199 and the 16GB model is selling for $299.

Also check out the other deals on refurbished iPods:
Apple Store US - Refurbished iPods
Apple Store Canada - Refurbished iPods

Honlai has unveiled a very cool projector that has an iPod/iPhone dock. The MP101 has 15 ANSI lumens and a 200:1 conrast ratio and includes two 2 watt speakers.

My wife and I took my step-daughter to the Paramore concert last night.
Here is a recording from the March 28, 2008 Paramore concert.

When It Rains by Paramore:

I must say that it was way too loud and I’m not saying that because I am getting old. It’s not just the volume, but I don’t think the sound was mixed properly. A lot of the vocals could not be picked out from the music. The song above is somewhat of an exception because it was a slower, quieter song.

Download Paramore

Phantom Planet opened for Paramore. Here is their hit California. Their is a lot of clipping in this recording due to the loudness. I’m not sure if there is something different I should have done to improve the recording quality. I did have the Autogain turned off, otherwise I think the clipping would have been a lot worse.

California by Phantom Planet:

Download Phantom Planet

Buy the TuneTalk:
Belkin TuneTalk from Amazon.com
Belkin TuneTalk from Amazon.co.uk

Visit our Refurbished Macs page for the latest deals.

Now is a great time to get a deal on a refurbished Mac. For a limited time, the current generation of refurbished iMacs are starting at $999.

Visit our Refurbished Macs page for the latest deals.

Today Apple announced a price drop of the 1GB iPod shuffle from $79 to $49. In addition to the 1GB shuffle’s price reduction, Apple also announced that later this month a 2GB iPod shuffle will be available for only $69.

“At just $49, the iPod shuffle is the most affordable iPod ever,” said Greg Joswiak, Apple’s vice president of Worldwide iPod Product Marketing. “The new 2GB model lets music lovers bring even more songs everywhere they go in the impossibly small iPod shuffle.”