Your music, packaged as simply as possible

The ODDIO1 is a smart-looking set of headphones that can caddy your iPod shuffle, making it possible to have your music with you in a simple, svelte package. It doesn’t hurt that these have a bold, colorful (or not, if you opt for the black version) design, too.

The headphone cord is only exactly as long as it needs to be, and plugs into the shuffle once it’s in its cradle on the right earphone (you just slide the iPod in). Buttons on your device remain accessible thanks to a cut-out for the circular control panel, and the headband is made of plastic while the inside is lined with silicone for comfort. ODDIO1′s creators, Jeremy Saxton and Jacob Hall, tout it as the perfect package for those with active lifestyles who don’t want to be encumbered by cables or devices out-of-reach in pockets when snowboarding, using the gym or running, for instance.

ODDIO1 is available for backers beginning at the $35 pledge level, which comes with a choice between three color combos. For $200, you get the special Cupertino color scheme, and an iPod shuffle in a color you pick to boot. ODDIO1 is just getting underway, but it’s making decent progress toward its funding goal of $45,000.

A speaker in disguise

Portable speakers tend to be noticeable things. They can be good-looking or garish, but you’re not likely to miss one in a room. The Hidden Radio & Bluetooth Speaker is comparatively innocuous. It has a twist-and-lift design that lets you control how much volume you hear, and its creators advertise “room filling sound” from your Bluetooth-compatible device. Plus, boasting 30 or more hours of battery life, it won’t quit when you need it most.

The tiny, clean design and alternative connection options (it does have a 3.5 mm stereo jack, too) and more than 80dB of output make this an amazingly appealing device, for sound from your iPhone, iPad or iPod touch wherever you happen to need it. Plus, at $119 for a pre-order of one metallic silver unit, or $229 for a pre-order of two in either silver or black, it’s a deal compared to a lot of currently available comparable tech. The Hidden Radio is also already funded; it currently has $229,717 in funding, far above its goal of $125,000, with 42 days remaining.

Got an exciting Kickstarter project? Send it to us for consideration in our regular roundup of promising accessories.

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The iPod classic is basically a legacy holdover at this point among Apple’s portable media players. Its platter hard drive is an oddity among today’s PMPs, for which flash-based storage is the dominant tech by a long shot. It hasn’t changed since 2009, when a 160 GB version was introduced, which eventually replaced the 120 GB option entirely. Really, though, not much is different about the original classic introduced in 2007 and the one on sale today. The classic’s only advantage, from a user perspective, is its sizeable drive; the closest a flash-based iPod currently comes is 64 GB.

The iPod shuffle, while flash-based and subject to more frequent design overhauls, is simply being upstaged by the iPod nano. The latest nano is almost as small, and while it’s more expensive, its touchscreen makes it more usable and expands its capabilities considerably. The shuffle has always been a fairly good gateway device for users looking a cheap way to get into the Apple ecosystem, but with the selling power of the iPhone and iPad, that’s no longer much of a concern.

Dropping the classic and the nano shuffle would free up staff and resources that Apple could reinvest in advancing the remaining products in the iPod line, too. The most recent iPod nano has spawned a thriving accessory ecosystem based on watchband straps to hold the PMP, and it holds plenty of potential as a connected display for iPhones, if Apple does decide to enter the fray with other wrist-based connected devices that are emerging to support the Android ecosystem. The iPod touch, of course, is one part of Apple’s iOS platform, and an important one at that; in April, Ars Technica reported that it accounted for one-third of overall iOS device sales. The iPod touch now makes up at least half of all iPods sold by Apple, and is the only model that consistently sees positive growth.

Put simply, both the nano and the iPod touch have futures that either could potentially, or already do feed the growing beast that is iOS. Steve Jobs may have conveyed back in March that the company had no plans to discontinue the iPod classic, but times change, and so does a company’s focus. With Apple’s new iCloud push, the classic and the shuffle become even less relevant to its overall goals, so it’s highly possible their time has indeed come. Will you miss them?

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The new shuffle brings back the buttons found on the second-generation model, but the body is squared-off rather than rectangular, so it’s smaller. How much smaller? The new one is 1.14″ high, 1.24″ wide, and .34″ deep. Compare that to the size of the second-generation, which was 1.07 x 1.62 x 0.41 inches, and it turns out to be about 15 percent smaller.

The new shuffle comes in five colors: gray, blue, pink, green, and gold. Battery life is bumped up to 15 hours from 10 for the previous model. The price is $50 and there’s only a 2GB model available, which is a bummer.

You could speculate on why Apple didn’t just replace the shuffle with the new iPod Nano, since they both have similar form factors, and I think the reason is that the shuffle is perceived as the iPod you take to the gym, and Apple isn’t sure how people will react to using a touchscreen when they’re working out.

Did you prefer the buttonless third-generation shuffle? Should Apple just replace the shuffle with the new nano? Tell us what you think in the comments.

Apple holds a music-based media event every September, which usually sees Steve Jobs reveal a new line of iPods. This year is expected to be no different, though some also suggest an updated Apple TV, and others predict that we’ll see an update to iTunes. The new square iPod form factor has some physical evidence to back it up, though.

iLounge first spotted images which Chinese iPod case-maker X-Doria claim to be designed for an upcoming fourth-generation iPod touch, and a redesigned iPod nano or iPod shuffle.

The purported iPod touch case clearly has a design to fit a form factor similar to that of the iPhone 4, but it’s the unusual square case also pictured that has sparked debate. The case is of similar proportions to an Apple-branded 1.7-inch touchscreen that surfaced earlier this year. But what iPod could this screen and the square case house — could it be a smaller nano or a bigger shuffle?

Back in 2007, Apple released the third-generation iPod Nano, which boasted a similar square design. Yet after just one year, Apple changed the form factor back to the narrower, rectangular shape. The fifth generation, which saw the introduction of video recording, kept to the same design formula. So would Apple really revert?

The iPod shuffle, which has never had a screen, saw its most radical redesign in 2009. The miniature player lost most of its buttons, with the player controls moved to the headphones. This was not overly popular, due to it requiring users to use special headphones. Maybe Apple is hoping to make up for what many saw as a design blunder.

Personally, I think changes to the iPod nano are indeed more likely. This belief is mainly due to the possible aforementioned touchscreen being utilized, and the fact that the pictured case has a hole on the rear — a space for the camera perhaps?

Whatever changes are in store, we will find out on Sept. 1. What changes would you like to see to the iPod line? Let us know in the comments.

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iPod touch: The new “magic price point” of $199 has 8GB, with two upsell models at 32GB and 64GB for $299 and $399, respectively. The 16GB model disappears and the rumored camera never appeared, but according to Apple this is still the “funnest” iPod ever.

iPod nano: Two models, 8GB at $149 and 16GB at $179. Both models have new features, including: camera, FM radio, and pedometer. All are available in seven shiny, metallic colors: silver, black, purple, blue, green, orange, and pink. There are also the Apple Store exclusives, Product RED, and a yellow/gold.

iPod shuffle: Two primary models, a new 2GB at $59, and a 4GB at $79. There are five colors: silver, black, blue, green, and pink. There is also a 4GB stainless steel model for $99. The tiny music player with the creepy voice—in my opinion—now works with more headphones, too.

iPod Classic: 160GB, $249, two colors, a grayish white and black. The classic got a capacity increase and kept its price. Apparently the rumored demise of the media player with the mechanical hard drive appears to have been greatly exaggerated, unless we’re talking about the Zune.

Clearly, the iPod nano will be the gift to give and/or receive this Christmas, but once again Apple has managed to successfully refresh the media player lineup. Expect the company to sell between 20 and 25 million iPods for the holiday quarter, same as the previous three years.

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The new numbers are still in the process of being posted, with parts of the Apple Store referencing old prices, but the savings are real and substantial.

The 8GB iPod touch now costs $189, a $40 discount, while the 16GB model is now $249, a $50 reduction. However, big savings are to be had for the 32GB model, now $279, a whopping $120 price cut. Other iPods saw cuts, too. The 8GB iPod nano has dropped to $129, down from $149, and the 16GB model is now $149, previously $199. The iPod Classic, rumored to be phased out today, is now $229, down from $249. The price of the iPod shuffle remains unchanged.

While it’s debatable whether the new pricing will extend to the iPods expected to be unveiled today, the new prices on old models of the iPod touch may impact consumers considering Microsoft’s Zune HD. The 16GB Zune HD, to be released on Sept. 15, will retail for $219.99, while the 32GB model will cost $289.99. This means Apple has effectively undercut the Zune HD, at least on the high-end. It will be interesting to see whether Microsoft will lower prices again, or give up the pricing talking point, which wouldn’t really leave much to talk about regarding the Zune HD.

However, there will be a lot to talk about today, starting at 10 a.m. PDT, and TheAppleBlog will be covering it live.

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I’ve had my new iPod shuffle for two days and thought I’d post my thoughts on it. We’ve already covered the out-of-the-box and setup experience elsewhere, so I won’t repeat them here.

Playlist Support

I experimented with a few different setups, but finally settled on using three playlists:

• One contains all my “recent” music (basically, everything added in the last few months).
• Another contains all the “recent” music that’s been rated one star and up. (This is just a subset of the above list, so it requires no extra space on the device.)
• The third one grabs songs at random — rated three stars or higher — from my entire collection, provided they’re not “recent.”

The first playlist takes about a third of the shuffle’s storage (though obviously it fluctuates), and the latter is specifically limited to the remaining two-thirds.

The interface to switch between playlists is pretty simple, and works great. Click and hold the center button, it first names the current song/artist and then beeps. Let go at the beep and it will name the current playlist, then “All Songs,” and then each playlist in alphabetical order. When it names the one you want, click the center button.

With up to six playlists, this works great. For 7-12 playlists I’d suggest using the + and – buttons to speed up the voice listing. Going past a dozen playlists I found it a bit too much, but it really all depends on your own patience level.

For my purposes, it’s a great convenience to have playlist functionality, and a very welcome improvement in the shuffle.

Song Titles

This is a wonderful addition. Since a lot of the music on my shuffle is new, I’d sometimes hear a song and not be sure who it was, or what song it was. I’d have to make a mental note to remember that when I got back to my Mac I’d want to find it and see if it was rated. Now I just click and hold to get the artist and title.

Sound

I haven’t used my 2G shuffle in a while, but I remember it being a little more “noisy” than this one. This one just seems quieter.

I think the sound is fine, but then again I use it walking or riding a bike and that’s hardly the best time for the brain to be especially picky about high fidelity.

Gripes

The USB charger cable is three inches long. If my main Mac were a MacBook I’d probably prefer this; how much cable do you need for that anyway? But my iTunes library is on my iMac. I have to plug it in the back (kind of a pain) and then it just hangs there since it doesn’t even reach the desktop. My iPhone dock is always plugged in; I just dock it when I need it. My old shuffle was the same way. But this device really can’t work that way since I have to fumble around in the back regardless.

The headphone cable is shorter than Apple has supplied before. My plan was not to even clip the thing, but rather just drop it in my pocket. When I did that, I found the headphone cord uncomfortably short, yet the iPhone never had this problem. I compared it to the iPhone headphones and it’s roughly eight inches shorter. Really, Apple, are you getting rich from all the cord you saved with this device?

Conclusion

I like this device quite a bit more than the 2G shuffle. I’ve been using headphone controls for a while with my iPhone and find them preferable to fumbling with the unit. I think they make even more sense on the shuffle. I also like the playlist and song title support, and of course holding 4GB of tunes is a big plus.

If you’re very happy with your 2G unit, I wouldn’t rush out and get a 3G. And if the Apple headphones are a deal breaker, you’ll need to wait until third party’s gear up. But if you’d like even a couple of these features: a lot more memory, headphone controls, more convenient size, playlist support, and ability to know what song is playing, then it’s an excellent upgrade.

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I bought it online since shipping and engraving are free. I lose the instant gratification of the Apple Store, but I gain the personalization of engraving. (Though I admit it was challenging to come up with an engraving because there’s a small limit on letters.) Shortly after ordering, I got a confirmation email saying it would ship in three to five business days. So far, so good, now all I can do is wait. But look what I received today: I think somebody goofed. I mean, it’s nice that Apple thought of me and all that, but I have a couple of issues with this email:

• “We hope you’re enjoying your iPod.” Well, no, I’m not. Because I don’t have it yet. In fact, unless you’re hiding something from me, you haven’t even shipped it yet.
• The picture is of an antiquated shuffle, not the shiny new one I ordered. I mean, the thing has the controls on it instead of using remote headphone controls. Remember back when we used to control these things that way? That was ages ago. You know, before the Enlightenment.
• The email makes no mention of the new shuffle at all.

Apple, you should get a note to the appropriate groups to have your canned email updated ASAP. And maybe not send it until you think the recipient actually has the item in question, OK? Oh, and maybe include a reference to the actual item that was purchased? Thanks anyway… I guess… Man, if they ship me that green one I’m gonna so go ballistic.

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Yes, the headline is an exaggeration, but as I read more and more about the reaction to this thing I’m really struck by some of it.

“If I lose my headphones then I can’t use the device!” Well, if you lose your headphones now what do you do? Hold the thing up to your ear and crank the volume? You need to get headphones in either case. And third parties will provide more options.

The interface gets lots of flack. Apparently the click, double-click and triple-click is just too much. No one can use it. Grandma will be helpless.

Much is made, for example, of the diagram Apple supplies about its usage:

How quickly we forget that the 2G unit had a diagram of its own:

Yeah, neither one is pretty. I learned long ago not to even try to remember the status of the lights.

Let’s think about what you do most of the time with this thing:

• Play/Pause
• Volume Up
• Volume Down
• Next Track
• Last Track

I’d say as a device meant more to be used while exercising, at the gym, etc., the above covers what you do 95 percent of the time. So let’s look closer at those…

The Three Basics

One can see that the first three items are the same for both devices. You have an upper button to raise volume, a center button to play/pause, and a lower button to lower volume.

However, notice those buttons will always be oriented correctly on the 3G shuffle. Gravity will see to that. On the 2G shuffle, however, that’s not the case (see photo). Depending on how you wear it, the orientation will be different. And remember that you’re not facing the darn thing when you use the controls. It’s controlled while being worn. I can’t possibly be the only one who used this thing in the real world and noticed that.

So right off the bat I can say the usability of the the three main controls is actually better and easier on the new shuffle than the old.

Next and Previous

Regarding next track, instead of a separate button you now use the center button and double-click. Those decrying this are overreacting. It’s not like it’s a foreign concept that a user will balk at. Some of us have been double-clicking for 25 years! In actual use, I’m sure I could go to the next track as quick, if not quicker, than any 2G shuffle user.

That leaves previous track. A triple-click is a bigger leap, I’ll grant. However, with the concept of next track easy to grasp at two clicks, I don’t think explaining a third click for previous will be that tough.

And remember, the orientation issue of the buttons when wearing the old shuffle applies just as much to the next/prev buttons. In actual use the buttons will not be oriented like you see in the marketing photos, and the device is not facing you. With the headphone controls, the orientation never changes and they’re always right there.

Will You Hold, Please?

All the ruckus about how other, less used controls require holding the button down also seem much ado about nothing.

First, click and hold, like a double-click, is not a new concept, so can we stop acting like nobody will ever get it?

Second, the 2G button had its share of holding, too, which everybody seems to have forgotten. You had to click/hold the center button to enable/disable the controls (i.e., the “hold” function). The 3G doesn’t need this feature because the controls were wisely moved off the device.

You also had to click/hold to fast forward or rewind. In short, you executed the next (or previous) track command but then kept the button held down. The 3G works the same way. This really isn’t that tough folks.

Remote Controls are Great

Remember the original iPod came with a remote? Yep, it clipped to your person and let you not have to fiddle with the device. It lasted a generation or two, but like the dock and extra cables, it got cut when Apple scaled back costs. Still, Apple knew the convenience of this capability, and I’m glad it’s back.

When the iPhone required the remote headphones that came with it, I don’t remember anybody screaming about how they were stuck with Apple’s headphones. And yet that was an expensive device where one may have more reasonably thought they’d have more choice.

Apple’s had remote headphones for a while now, and it’s a breeze to operate them. The controls are always in the same place; they’re easier to use, not harder. Third parties are getting on board as well.

Size Matters

Moving beyond the interface, I’ve read several more comments that this thing may be too small. The comments seem to think the 2G was “just right.” What is this? Goldilocks? It’s meant to be worn, people. Smaller is better.

Look at it This Way

Everybody trying to shoehorn this into the iPod line with standard thinking will have their head explode. This thing is to the 2G shuffle what the original shuffle was to the iPod. Apple took an interface element people just assumed had to be there, and removed it. Many think it won’t fly, but I like it.

Think of it this way: Apple took their $29 remote headphones, and for $50 added a 4GB memory stick wrapped in beautiful aluminum with a 10-hour battery, full iTunes capability (including playlists and podcasts) and voice features, all at a tiny size and weight with a clip to hold it on.

Complain all you want, the more I think about it, the more I like it. I hope to have mine soon.

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Naturally, Digg Nation has weighed in on Apple’s latest move. Since we all know every tech reader on Digg is a would-be genius — and as a group they clearly have their pulse on the market. Their approval and support of the new device is critical to the success of— oh, forget it. Who am I kidding?

Truth is, it’s more like comic relief to read Digg comments, especially about all things Apple.

As usual, Apple adds features, which lead to changes, which lead to readjustments, which lead to cries of derision.

Controls on the headphones

This one gets the most attention but, really, Apple has moved in this direction for a while now; where have these people been? The latest gen iPods utilize special headphones for the mic feature, and the iPhone has always had headphone controls.

Do people always physically pull out the device to control volume, skip, etc? Really? Controlling via the headphones is so obvious and useful you really ought to give it a try.

As for cries that I must use Apple’s headphones, no. In case you haven’t noticed, third party vendors have come out with their own versions. Apple moving to this at the base iPod level will explode the third-party market. That’s a Good Thing™.

Size

I’ve seen some say it’s “too small.” I’m not even sure what that’s supposed to mean.

I suppose it’s possible that such a device could really get too small (i.e., if I drop it in the carpet I could lose the thing), but it ain’t there yet. For a wearable device, the smaller and lighter the better.

What they added

As usual, many people complain about what’s not there and blithely ignore what’s been added, which is more than just the headphone controls.

Previously, there was no way to know what song was playing. Now, with VoiceOver, there is. Is that not worth something? It is to me.

More importantly, in earlier generations there was no way to have playlists. Limited to 2GB memory, one might have argued this wasn’t a huge drawback. But the new shuffle is 4GB, and I think some method of using playlists is necessary. So they added it. Simply and elegantly.

Sure, if you had two dozen playlists, the voice interface would be time consuming, but I think Apple feels most people with a shuffle will have perhaps a half-dozen or so, so the voice interface makes perfect sense.

As for me…

I liked my 2G shuffle, but gave it to my daughter so she can listen to tunes at the bus stop for school.

I used it for bike riding, and was better off with the iPhone and headphone controls then fumbling with the physical unit, though the iPhone bulk was an issue in and of itself. So for me, the addition of headphone controls is huge. Now I get that great feature along with the tiny size. Perfect.

I’ve already put my money where my text is. I ordered a black one.

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The new Shuffle holds 4GB of music, or about 1,000 songs. It’s nearly half the size of the previous iteration of Shuffles, and comes in silver and black colors. It costs $79 an is immediately available for order.

Apple was able to make the latest Shuffle so small, due in large part to moving the controls (other than the on/play/shuffle slider) off to the earbud cord. Much like the iPhone’s microphone headset, the button located on the cord is multifunction, and handles the likes of play, pause, next track, volume up/down, and the new VoiceOver features. So the new Shuffle seems to be sacrificing headphone options for size…though I’m sure the 3rd party market will address this need in short order.

The prolific John Gruber hit on the idea of VoiceOver for the Shuffle a couple of weeks back. VoiceOver announces the name of the currently playing song (without interrupting the music) at a touch of the cord button. Hold the button longer and it will announce the playlists loaded on your Shuffle. Tap when you hear the playlist you want and it’ll begin to play. So with VoiceOver, an entire new level of control is brought to the iPod Shuffle (almost making the name irrelevant).

Check out the video tutorial on Apple’s Shuffle page for full details on how the new iPod Shuffle works.

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iPod classic

This version of the iPod has seen the fewest model design changes and today is no exception. The iPod classic has been offered in an 80GB version and a 160GB version. Apple has now discontinued the 160GB version and has given the 80GB model a bump up to 120GB at the same price of $249. The new iPod classic is available today.

iPod nano

The nano has only been around 3 short years but as of today’s announcement, Apple is on it’s fourth design revision. It seems like just yesterday that the previous iPod nano model was released (it was about 1 year ago), but here we are with a new design.

As you can tell from the photo above, the new design feels a lot like the old 2G design. Most of Apple’s product design changes usually feel like they’re moving forward while this design actually feels a bit like a step back. But I guess if ain’t broke, don’t fix it. Kind of makes me wonder if the previous, squashed nano didn’t sell as well as they had hoped (it was certainly my least favorite of the designs).

Design opinions aside, the new nano definitely has a couple of really cool features. They’ve ported the accelerometer from the iPhone/iPod touch to the nano so you can just flip the nano on its side and the screen will rotate in to landscape view on the new, taller screen.

Also, what might be billed as a “cute” feature, is the new “shake” ability. Just give the nano a good shake and it will shuffle your songs…shake again to go to the next random song.

As with most new iPod nano lines, this one comes with a slew of new colors (9 to be exact).

Pricing on the new nano is the same, but with a bump in storage. The 8GB is $149 and the 16GB is $199. The 8GB is available today and the 16GB will be available within the week.

iPod touch

Looks like the iPod touch is getting its first makeover and is taking queues from the iPhone’s design. It now has a contoured steel design that is much closer to the iPhone as well as new volume buttons on the side. Surprisingly it’s also thinner!

Another highly requested feature that has been added is a built in speaker. Jobs readily admitted it’s not for audiophiles, but it’s certainly better than nothing.

Along with the new internal speaker, another hardware change is the inclusion of the Nike+ sensor…so no need to connect the Nike+ dongle anymore.

New pricing for these is as follows: 8GB – $229, 16GB model – $299, 32GB for $399. All are available today.

iPod shuffle

The iPod shuffle didn’t see any new feature updates, but did get a few color changes. Pricing is the same as before.

What are your thoughts on the new designs, upgrades, colors, etc? Do you think Apple is taking a step back with the new iPod nano design?

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Ringtones

The first announcement was in regards to a new Ringtones feature being made available to iPhone users. Some 500,000 songs will be available to use in the custom Ringtones builder application. To create a ringtone out of one of the 500k available songs will cost an additional 99 cents on top of the 99 cents it costs for the song itself.

You can assign different custom rings to different people. Steve assigned Aretha Franklin’s Respect to his wife. Cute.

The Ringtones builder will be available in a new version of iTunes releasing today.

iPod Shuffle

The refreshed iPod Shuffles were probably the most unexciting update of the day.

All the colors were given a makeover with more pastel tints to the colors as well as the addition of a (RED) shuffle.

Cost is the same as before at $79 for 1GB.

iPod Nano

The rumors about a short, squashed iPod Nano turned out to be true.

The new Nano has a 2-inch diagonal measurement and a 320×240 pixel screen. It comes in black, silver, blue, green, and (RED). The colored versions are only available at the more expensive price point.

It has a battery life of 25 hours for audio 5 hours for video playback…yes, video.

$149 for 4GB and $199 for 8GB and wider range of colors. Ships today.

iPod Classic

The original iPod is now called “iPod Classic,” which makes sense considering there are so many different iPod versions available.

They’ve jacked the storage up significantly with the starting storage amount being 80GB. They’ve also added a massive 160GB version to the mix. Both are thinner that the previous full-size iPod.

The battery life of the 80GB model is 25 hours of music and 5 hours of video while the 160GB is 40 hours of music and 7 hours of video.

The 80GB is now $249 and the 160GB is $349. It is shipping today.

iPod Touch

The biggest announcement of the day is the new addition to the iPod line called iPod Touch.

The iPod Touch is almost identical in design to the iPhone and has many of the features that the iPhone does (minus the obvious calling capability).

Yes, the iPod Touch has ditched the clickwheel in favor of a touch screen. Major features of the iPod Touch are Calendar, Contacts, Safari, and YouTube integration. Which brings us to the next point. To run Safari and YouTube you’d need some sort of connection capability. The iPod Touch has Wi-Fi making it the first iPod with wireless technology.

The iPod Touch has a battery life of 22 hours for music and 5 hours for video.

There will be an 8GB ($299) and 16GB ($399) version available and shipping by the end of the month.

iTunes Wi-Fi Music Store

Apple has now created an iTunes Wi-Fi music store for the iPod Touch and iPhone that lets you browse and purchase music through an iTunes interface optimized for smaller screens. It has the same features and songs available in the regular iTunes store…just a slimmer interface.

Mixed in with this announcement was a new partnership with Starbucks.

When you’re in or near a participating Starbucks store you’ll be able to find out what the song playing in the shop is and purchase it on the spot including the previous 10 songs played in the store.

The feature is rolling out in Seattle and NY in October with other stores being adding over the next 2 years (assuming this is successful).

iPhone Price Changes

Steve commented about how Apple wants to be even more aggressive with their iPhone sales to which he announced that the 8GB iPhone has been given a $200 price drop and is now available for $399.

Even more surprising was that the 4GB iPhone has now been completely dropped from Apple’s product line. Shortest. Life span. Ever.

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